few hours to pick up you and Frankie.”
“And Brat,” she helpfully reminded me.
I rolled my eyes. “How could I forget?”
“Please be careful,” she said, ignoring my disdain for the swine. And then she stole my heart when she smoothed her hand over Blue’s hair and placed a soft kiss on her forehead. “I’ll miss you, but I’ll see you soon, Baby Blue.”
With a soft smile, she closed the door and returned to my window, trying and failing to stealthily blink away the tears in her eyes. Like the smart man I was, I dutifully ignored them and kissed her goodbye.
While I drove to meet Copper and Layla halfway between Cherryfield and Devil Springs with Blue, Sloane and Frankie finished packing for the trip. When I returned a few hours later, we loaded up and headed to Croftridge.
“Why won’t you tell us where we’re going?” she asked. Again. “You obviously know.”
Frankie sighed. “It’s because he doesn’t trust me. He doesn’t want to upset you by telling you that, so he’s been hemming and hawing trying to keep the peace. Am I right?”
“So right it almost hurts,” I acknowledged.
Sloane gasped and playfully slapped my arm. “Are you serious? If Frankie wasn’t trustworthy, we’d know by now. Because we all know that Tatum ran a background check on her that’s more invasive than a colonoscopy.”
I pinched the bridge of my nose. “I never thought Frankie was a bad person. If I did, I wouldn’t have had my kid around her. But,” I paused and cringed, hoping she would understand, “Some people aren’t very good at keeping secrets, and I didn’t know if Frankie was one of them. It would only take a small slip of the tongue to put both of you in danger,” I explained.
“For the record,” Frankie interjected, “I agree with him. He doesn’t know me and shouldn’t trust me just because you do.”
“Fine,” she huffed. “I get that, but why can’t you tell me now? There’s no way for her to tell anyone.”
“You’re kind of a bra—”
“Don’t say it!” Frankie shouted, cutting me off. “You have got to pick a new word. Any word, but that word. Or any word that includes that word.”
“What word?” I teased.
“Br—” Sloane started.
“Damn it,” Frankie cursed.
“This wouldn’t happen if you would’ve named him Nacho,” Sloane teased.
“You didn’t win the bet, so you didn’t get to choose the name,” Frankie snapped.
“Ladies,” I shouted to get their attention. “We’re here. Finish your argument before you get out, would ya?” I said and didn’t bother to hide my sarcasm as I got out and closed the door.
“They ain’t gonna do that shit the whole time they’re here, are they?” Ranger asked from his perch on his front porch.
“No, they usually behave in front of company,” I joked and moved to shake his hand. “Thanks for letting us crash here.”
He clasped my hand in his and pulled me in for a hug. “No need to thank me. Aside from the club, you pissed on me the day you were born. That makes us family in my book.”
The sound of two car doors opening and closing had me glancing over my shoulder with a grin. Sloane was making her way toward us while Frankie was rounding the back. I cleared my throat and asked, “Tatum did mention Frankie was bringing her pet, right?”
“She said two pretty ladies and a fat pig,” he said and paused as it sank in. “Motherfucker! I knew something was off. She never talks about people like that. Damn it! Well, that thing ain’t staying in my house.”
“Loooook at the cute little piggy!” Gabby squealed as she darted across the yard to the pig leashed and harnessed by Frankie’s side. “Can I touch it?” she giggled and excitedly bounced on her feet.
“Does it bite?” Ranger asked.
“No,” Frankie replied confidently. “He never has, and it would be a shock to me if he ever did.”
“Can I touch his nose? Pleeeeaaasssse,” she begged. “It looks so cute and squishy.”
“How about we let Frankie get him inside and settled into his new home away from home? Then, after he’s had some time to rest and something to eat, we can introduce you properly,” Ranger replied.
“Come with me. I’ll show you where your room is, and then I’ll make a special bed for the prince piggy for his royal slumber. I’ll bring my princess blanket too. Can I sleep with, um, what’s his name?”
“Bratwurst, but we call him Brat.”
“Oh, I’m not supposed to say that word. Can I just