Page 11 of Sniper Daddy
Boyd seems to read the thought on my face. He reaches out and rests his hand on mine. His palm is warm. “When the time comes,” he says, “we’ll figure it out together. You’re not alone anymore, Piper. Not if you don’t want to be.”
I squeeze his hand back. The fear is still there, but it feels smaller with him sitting beside me.
For now, that’s enough.
I lean back against the pillows and close my eyes. Boyd stays right where he is, hand still covering mine.
And for the first time since the crash, I fall asleep without being afraid of what tomorrow might bring.
SEVEN
BOYD
It’s been a full week since Piper woke up in my bed.
She moves around the cabin much better now. The crutches have become an extension of her body. She still winces when she puts too much weight on the cast, but she pushes through it with a stubbornness I’ve come to respect. I stay close without hovering too obviously. I help her when she needs it, but I let her do as much as she can on her own. She’s not the type who likes feeling helpless, and I don’t want to take away what little control she has left.
This morning she stands by the window, sunlight catching in her dark hair. She’s been stronger every day. Eating better. Sleeping better. Laughing more. I like the sound of her laugh. It fills the quiet spaces in the cabin that used to feel too empty.
“Boyd?” she asks, turning toward me. “What day is it?”
“Sunday.”
Her eyes brighten. “The big family dinner you told me about?”
I nod. “They do it every week. Harper cooks enough for an army. The women have been asking about you.”
She bites her lip, nervous but trying to hide it. “I think I’m ready. If you’re okay with taking me.”
I study her for a moment. She has color in her cheeks again. The bruises are fading to yellow. She can make it to the lodge on the crutches if we go slow. And part of me wants her to meet everyone. To see what Haven 7 really is. To understand that she’s not alone anymore.
“We’ll go slow,” I say. “If it gets to be too much, we come back. No questions.”
She smiles, small but real. “Thank you.”
I help her into a soft sweater and a pair of loose sweatpants that Harper brought over. The clothes are comfortable and easy to move in. I wrap a blanket around her shoulders for the short walk, even though the sun is warm today. She rolls her eyes at me but doesn’t argue.
The walk to the lodge takes longer than usual. I stay right beside her, ready to catch her if she stumbles. She concentrates hard on each step, crutches thumping softly on the gravel path. When we reach the porch steps, I lift her without asking and carry her up. She doesn’t protest. She just rests her head against my shoulder for a second.
Inside, the lodge is loud with life. Voices, laughter, the clatter of dishes. The long table is already set. The women move around quickly, making sure everything is ready. The smell of chicken and fresh bread fills the air.
Everyone turns when we step through the door.
Harper is the first to reach us. She smiles warmly at Piper. “You made it! I’m so glad. Come sit down. We saved you the best spot by the fire.”
Kayley waves from the table, Aidan peeking out from behind her leg. “Hi, Piper! I’m Kayley. This is my nephew Aidan. He’s been dying to meet you.”
Fiona gives a nod from where she stands with Chase. “Welcome to the chaos. I’m Fiona. This is Chase.”
Sadie steps forward with a gentle smile, a teenage girl beside her. “I’m Sadie. This is my sister Lily. We’re really glad you’re okay.”
Thorne stands behind them, quiet but watchful. He gives me a small nod of approval.
Rafe and Silas are already at the head of the table. Silas pulls out a chair for Piper. I help her settle into it, then take the seat right beside her. My hand rests on the back of her chair. Protective. What can I say, I can’t fucking help it.
Dinner unfolds the way it always does. Loud. Warm. Full of stories and teasing. The women make a point of including Piper. Harper asks her what her favorite foods are. Kayley tells funny stories about Aidan trying to help in the garden. Sadie and Lily talk about books they think she might like. Even little Poppi reaches across the table to offer Piper a piece of bread.
Piper relaxes slowly. She smiles more. Laughs at Wyatt’s terrible joke about the generator. She fits here. I can see it. The way the women lean in when she speaks. The way the men watch her with quiet approval. She belongs.
