Page 132 of The Vet's Unconditional Love
"And it will be a damn good bear," said Cash."That's why we came to a specialty bear store.Now, let's get in there and find the right one."
Emmett could only imagine what passersby must think, seeing not just eight grown men but eight men who looked the way they did, trooping into a toy store like this.
Travis came and draped his arm around Emmett's shoulders."I haven't had the chance to talk to you much since that night Cash set you and Harper up.Just want to say that I'm happy for you, bud."
"Thanks, Trav."
"It's more like me saying thank you to you.You know I worry about you and the girls, and you know I've always respected how you like to do things by yourself."He gave Emmett a small smile."Even though it kills me to not check in with you more."
"You don't need to worry about that anymore," said Cash."He's officially in from the cold now, aren't you, Emmett?"
Emmett smiled around at them."I am."
"And Harper will keep you from drifting away again," Blane added, "even if you try."
"I never drifted away from you guys.I just…"
Seven pairs of eyes were all fixed on him.He shrugged."Okay, so I didn't like asking for help, and the girls needed me, and I didn't have much time, and…"
Mav's hand came down on his shoulder."And all of that's behind you now.We get it."
Emmett tensed, and the rest of them went quiet when Cash addressed Mav."You remember you just said that, brother.You're the last one who's still out in the cold."
Mav glared at him.
"Don't you two start," said Blane.
"I didn't do a damn thing," Mav grouched."It's him.I wanted to come today, wanted to be here with you, Emmett.But I don't need anyone giving me any shit about Libby."He glowered at Cash."Especially not you, you hear me?"
Cash just laughed."As if I'm ever gonna stop.But luckily for you, you get a break today.Today's about Emmett.Emmett and the bear.You can tell me to mind my own damn business if you want, but is there a reason we're looking for a bear and not, I don't know, some other plush toy?"
Emmett glanced at Blane, who shrugged."I wasn't gonna tell him.I didn't know how much you want them to know."
Emmett looked around at his friends.
"You don't have to say a damn thing," said Ace."Come on.Let's get shopping."
The older woman sitting behind the cash register greeted them with a warm smile, and Emmett wasn't surprised in the least when Cash stepped forward to introduce them.
"Good morning.We're—"
"Oh, that's okay," she said warmly."You're the ones who came yesterday, aren't you?I’m sorry I wasn’t here, but my husband told me you’d be back today."
"That would be me," he affirmed.
"Then you boys take your time, look around, and if you don't see anything that's just perfect for what you want, you let me know.We can put a rush job on having something custom made."
All eyes turned to Emmett again, but he shook his head.He wouldn't even know what to ask for.Blane surprised him when he said, "That's kind of you, but the right bear is here somewhere.We just need to find it."
Ace and Travis both chuckled, and Emmett couldn't blame them, although whether it was at the seeming ridiculousness of the statement or the fact that it was Blane making it, he couldn't decide.
"You should take the lead," said Mav."If we let these guys run loose, who knows what they'll come up with."
"Maybe I should just take a walk around, and you guys can—"
"We can come right with you," said Ace.
"Yep, you're not doing this one by yourself.Sorry, bud," Trip told him with a wink.
