Free Ever the Same by BA Tortuga Page A

the urge to tell Dalton to watch the holes right where the yard started, but Dixon must have said something, because they managed it well, Randi skipping along on her daddy’s other side.
    Sarge nipped his pocket, and he grinned. “Sorry, boy. I forgot to give you your treat.”
    He fed Sarge his carrot bit, scratched an ear.
    “You’re getting pretty hot for him, huh?” Gracie wandered down, waving a hand when he frowned. “Sara and Grainger are sound asleep in front of the TV.”
    “I am. It’s completely stupid, isn’t it?”
    “Nope. I mean, maybe a little fast, considering. But not stupid. I like him.”
    “I do too. He’s… I don’t know. There’s something about him.”
    She nodded, then hugged him quickly. “It’s good to see you take an interest in someone, Audie.”
    “Yeah? You rock, Sister. I just… man. He’s something else.”
    She chuckled. “Just step carefully, huh? He’s a little broken.”
    “You think? A blind gay widower who lives with his folks?”
    “Smartass.” She whapped his arm.
    “Better than being a dumbass.”
    They laughed together, looping arms and heading for the house.
    Audie was already looking forward to supper tomorrow. Way too much to be safe.

Chapter 8

     
    “Bumblebee? Randi? Can you tell me what color this shirt is?”
    “Green.”
    “Is it pretty?”
    He was being ridiculous, wasn’t he? Why should he care if the shirt he picked out made him look good or not? This wasn’t a date. This was two dudes going out for some food.
    “I like the blue one with the white on it. Here. I packed my bag. It’s going to be fun, huh?”
    “I hope so.” He had no idea what spending alone time with Audie would be like.
    “Daddy! I never got to spend the night before!”
    “What? It will be great.” Wow. She never had, now that he thought about it. “And I’ll be there after supper, just to say hi.”
    He bet she was scared. He’d been scared, his first night away from home.
    “I know.” She took his hand. “The blue-and-white shirt, Daddy. Do you like Audie a lot?”
    “Of course I do. He’s a nice man.”
    “Oh. He is. Super nice. Did you like your picture?”
    “I loved it. It was the best present ever.” He reached for her and hugged her tight. “Thank you, Bumblebee.” She had cut it heart-shaped and made letters with glitter so he could feel them with his fingers.
    “You’re welcome, Daddy. I love you.”
    “I love you, my gorgeous girl.”
    She helped him get a shirt on and then made him stand up so she could inspect him. “You look nice.”
    “Do I? How’s my hair?” He would cut it, but the last time he’d suggested that, Randi had been inconsolable.
    “Not even a little crooked.”
    “Oh good. We should go wait, huh? What time is it?”
    “Four five six.” She slipped her hand into his.
    “Four minutes until five, then.”
    “I have my bag. Your cane is by your hand.”
    “Okay.”
    “You scared, Daddy?”
    “A little. I haven’t gone out to dinner before.” He chewed his bottom lip. “I mean, since the accident.”
    “I know. I lit a candle for you.” That was something Ron did. He had candles for everything.
    “Is it blown out now, baby?” God, tell him Mom had helped.
    “Uh-huh. I promise. No fires. Can we take Honey and Beaker?”
    “No. I’ll be home tonight to take care of them.”
    “Okay.” She tugged him out on the porch. “Gran said I needed to take Sara a… a Hostess cupcake. Do you think she’ll like a bracelet? I made it on my loom.”
    “A hostess gift, and she’ll love it. Handmade gifts are the best.”
    “Yay! Where are you taking Mr. Audie?”
    “I’ll buy him a beer while we’re out.”
    “Ew. Beer is nasty.”
    “Yep, but cowboys like beer,” he reminded her.
    “Oh, there they are.” She jumped up, and he heard her doing her Audie-and-Grainger dance. It sounded exactly like her Uncle-Dalton’s-home dance and just a touch less frantic than her Sara-is-in-the-truck