Travis's Gift (Riley's Pride #3)- Sandra R Neeley Page 0,49

into the bedroom, realizing she didn’t have a nightgown. The night before she’d slept in her clothes. And the clothes Lucas had given her when she went to get her laptop were jeans and a shirt. She looked at Travis sleeping soundly in his bed, then carefully made her way over to his dresser. She opened a few drawers until she found what she was looking for. Teeshirts. She ran her fingers over them until she found one that was very soft and pulled it out of the drawer, pulling it on over her head. She smiled when she realized it hit her below mid thigh. “Perfect nightgown,” she said aloud.

Libby wrapped her still wet hair in the towel she’d had around her body, then quietly opened the bedroom door and headed to the kitchen to see if Scotty needed any extra help.

“You got it done?” Libby asked, walking into the kitchen.

“Oh, yeah. The bread is cooling. The cookies are done. All we’ll have to do is slice the banana bread tomorrow morning and put it in its own little baggies.”

Libby looked around the kitchen and smiled. She took in the platters of individually bagged brownies, cookies, mini banana bread bundt cakes, and individual slices of banana bread. It should be more than enough for the weekend customers.

“I think it’ll be enough, you?” she asked.

“Oh yeah. And with the coffee and the hot chocolate, the customers will love it,” Scotty said.

“If we start to run low, I can always make a few more batches. Then next week we’ll do it all again,” Libby said.

“I’ll help. Tell me what to do and I’ll do it,” Scotty said, unable to keep himself from glancing toward Travis’s bedroom.

“You’ll be helping Travis and Roman with the trees and overseeing other stuff. I can come bake a few things if necessary.”

Scotty nodded. “How is he? He was really hurting earlier,” he asked, looking again toward Travis’s bedroom.

“He’s sleeping,” Libby said with a smile.

“Sleeping? He never sleeps, and especially not this quick,” Scotty said.

“Yeah, well, he got a massage, and before I was even finished, he was snoring.”

Scotty grinned. Then he nodded. “It’s good to have you here. I hope you don’t ever go away again.”

“I’m not planning on it, Scotty. But, it’s all really up to Travis,” Libby said truthfully. “As long as he doesn't shut me out and pull away from me again, I don’t think I could convince myself to leave no matter the situation. But if he does, I'm out. Permanently.”

“I can’t see that happening at this point,” Scotty said.

“Me either. And I’m hoping we’re both right,” she said.

“It’s my turn to hit the bed, now. I’ve got school in the morning, then rushing right home to help with the Christmas Village.”

“See you in the morning,” Libby said.

Scotty paused as he walked past Libby and kissed her cheek as she hugged him. “Sleep well, Scotty.”

“I will. It’s been a while since we slept under the same roof,” he said.

“It has. It’s nice,” Libby said.

“You taking the couch again?” he asked.

“Nope. Travis said I’m welcome to spend the night here anytime I want to, but under one condition — I have to sleep in his bed where I belong.”

Scotty grinned. “You’re not going anywhere. This is permanent,” Scotty said, pretty sure of himself.

“We shall see,” Libby said, raising her eyebrows at him.

“Night, Libs,” Scotty said as he turned and left the kitchen, headed to his own bedroom.

Libby made a quick check of the oven to make sure it was off, then wiped down the counter tops. She walked over to the front door and made sure the front door was locked and the outside lights were on, then assured that all was secure for the night, she went back into Travis’s room and slipped into bed beside him.

He’d scooted down in bed so that he was lying flat now and no longer propped up.

Libby squirmed around until she was comfortable, lying on her right side, facing away from Travis, then let out a soft sigh, before snuggling the covers under her chin and closing her eyes. Then just as suddenly her eyes were popping open as Travis rolled over in his sleep and grabbed her body with one hand, pulling her into him.

Travis curled his body around hers, and held her snugly, though comfortably with her back against his front. He kissed her shoulder, then arranged his head on the pillow right behind hers before settling down and beginning to snore again, after