Elaina gave his arm a rub. “Thank you. Maybe when my brother’s mind isn’t in the clouds, he’ll think to introduce us properly.”
“Good grief, woman. Lachlan, this is my sister, Elaina, the nosy pest, and you know my dad, Erwin. Elaina, this is Lachlan Montgomery.”
“And you’re a … friend of East’s?”
“Elaina. Come on. Leave it alone.”
“What? It was a simple question.”
I glanced at Lachlan and back at my sister. “He’s a friend.” We hadn’t put a label on it exactly, and as much as Lachlan seemed interested in more, until he called it what it was, I’d proceed cautiously.
Elaina suspected it was more. Dad suspected it was more, and that was fine. Hell, anyone near the house today would know it was way more than friendship. We hadn’t exactly been quiet.
Dad gave Percy a kiss on the cheek and promised him ice cream after dinner when he got home later.
Elaina shook her head. “Good luck with this one.” She thumbed over her shoulder at Dad. “Percy has become the spoiled grandchild already.”
I chuckled. “Fine by me. The kid deserves it.”
Elaina and Dad said goodbye. “If I see the doctor, I’ll send him in,” my sister said as they departed.
Alone with Percy and Lachlan, I pulled a chair up beside the bed. “How’re you feeling, big guy?”
“I’m okay. My arm doesn’t hurt anymore. They gave me medicine.”
“Good.”
Percy examined Lachlan a minute before turning to me, a more serious look on his face. “Is Daddy going to jail?”
I took a second to organize my thoughts. I knew it was my responsibility now to handle difficult conversations. “I don’t know what the chief’s doin’. I haven’t talked to him yet. Your daddy needs to learn how to take care of you properly so you aren’t in danger.”
Percy twisted his lips as he thought about that. “Will I stay with you forever now?”
“For a while.”
“I don’t want to go to Daddy’s house anymore.”
I took Percy’s hand and gave it a pat. “Let’s not worry about it right now. Right now, you’re going to my house.”
The doctor came in, a tall man with greying hair and a goatee. “All set to go home, Percy?”
“Yeah. With East, right?”
“That’s right. With Easton. I’ve got all the paperwork signed. Easton just has some stuff to fill out too and you can be on your way.”
“All right. I’ll go take care of that. You wanna hang out with my friend Lach for a bit? I’ll be right back.”
“Okay.” I was almost at the door when Percy spoke again. “East?”
“Yeah, buddy?”
“Is Lachlan your boyfriend?”
I blanched. Leave it to the kid to say what everyone else danced around. “Um…”
“I am,” Lachlan said, taking the chair I abandoned. “Is that cool with you?”
“Yeah, that’s cool with me. East doesn’t like girls. He told me so.”
Lachlan laughed. “Yeah, me neither.”
“Me neither,” echoed Percy. “They’re so annoying at school. They said I have cooties, and I don’t.”
Lachlan and I shared a look that warmed me through, and I winked. “Be right back.”
Once all the paperwork was settled, Lachlan drove us back to the farm. Percy didn’t seem troubled by his injuries at all and ran off to greet Logan, who came barreling from behind the barn when we pulled up, tail wagging and happy-barking.
Percy sat on the ground and let Logan maul him and lick his face while he giggled and scratched the dog’s ear.
“Kid’s not scared of the dog,” I said, smirking.
“Don’t start.”
I chuckled. “So, boyfriends?”
“Can’t hurt to try.”
“It’s a rare thing for me to go to the city.”
“We’ll figure it out.”
“And Percy?”
“You’re a package deal. I know.”
I faced Lachlan, who had his eyes on Percy, a faint worry line marking his brow. “You wanna come in? I’m sure Dad made enough dinner for a small army.”
Lachlan frowned. “I think I’m going to head back to the lodge. I have a few things I need to take care of, and maybe you should spend time with Percy. He seems resilient, but this is a big change for him. It wouldn’t be fair if he had to share your attention with me.”
I pursed my lips, but before I could say what was on my mind, Lachlan turned to look at me. “And I’m not going to take off, so stop thinking it.”
“Okay.”
He glanced at Percy again. “That’s one lucky kid.”
Lachlan took my hand and gave it a squeeze. Leaning in, he pecked my cheek, but it wasn’t enough. I pulled him