Brantley got to his feet, stepped out of the way as Travis and Gage descended, wrapping mother and daughter up together as they held on to one another. This was what satisfaction felt like, he realized. It wasn’t only to be had by fulfilling the goals of the government. It was this. Bringing a little girl home to her family.
While the family hugged it out, Brantley was tempted to slip out of the plane, hop in his truck, and head home. He needed to decompress, to come down from the high he’d experienced in the last twelve hours. As it was, he felt a headache coming on, knew it was going to be brutal when it hit. He seriously doubted any of them cared that he was there. They had everything they needed right now.
But he didn’t sneak out; instead, he stood to the side, letting his gaze slide to Reese, watching the other man.
“Come on, baby,” Kylie crooned, lifting her daughter into her arms. “Let’s get you home.” She turned to look at Brantley, then Reese. “Thank you. I can’t—”
When tears filled her eyes, Brantley felt her gratitude. “We’re glad we could do it.”
A curt nod was all she could get out before Kylie buried her face in Kate’s hair and strolled toward the door, Gage going with her to help them down the stairs.
That left Travis, who turned to face them. He still had tears in his eyes, which was shocking to see. For his entire life, Brantley had known Travis as the larger-than-life presence in the Walker family. Like his father, Travis was one of the ones they all gravitated toward, looked up to.
Travis thrust out a hand and Brantley reciprocated, taking it in his and returning the firm grip. That lasted all of a second before Travis yanked him forward, smacking him on the back then gripping his neck firmly and holding him there for a hug.
“Thank you.”
Overcome with emotion, Brantley simply nodded. “You’re welcome.”
“And you,” Travis said, pulling back and shifting his attention to Reese.
“It was all Brantley,” Reese said, getting the same back-slapping, neck-squeezing hug Brantley had received.
“Lies,” Brantley teased, hoping to lighten the mood. “I think JJ’s the one who deserves most of the credit.”
“Trust me,” Travis told him, stepping back and swiping a hand over his face, “I am forever in her debt.”
“Go on now,” Brantley urged. “Get Kate home. I’m sure her brothers and sister miss her.”
Travis nodded, his eyes darting between them once more before he strolled out.
Grabbing his bag, Brantley did the same, Reese pulling up the rear.
After dumping his bag in the back seat, Brantley rubbed his temples, hoping to thwart the headache for at least another hour. Give him time to get home and into a dark room before the onslaught.
“Headache?” Reese asked him over the bed of the truck.
“It’s on the way,” he said, forcing a smile. “Thanks for your help.”
As though he knew he was being let off the hook for all that had happened these past few days, Reese gave a half smirk before turning to get in his truck.
And while Brantley drove back to Coyote Ridge, he was almost grateful for the headache. After all, it was a distraction he needed. One that would effectively keep him from thinking about Reese Tavoularis.
***
Reese suspected where he would end up, but rather than go right to Brantley’s and insert himself in the man’s life, he headed for his apartment. After a quick shower, he put together a turkey sandwich, scarfed it down, and then snagged his keys and phone.
While he probably should’ve called Brantley, asked if he minded company, he didn’t bother. He’d felt the distance Brantley had purposely inserted between them before they landed back in Texas. He knew the man was doing it for his benefit, but the truth was, Reese didn’t want distance. Not the way Brantley thought he did, anyway.
Sure, he needed time to mull this over, to figure out where they were headed next. If anywhere. But he didn’t have to be secluded to do that. Many men, and probably women, too, looked at running as a way to work through their issues. Reese didn’t. He was of the mind big issues needed to be tackled head on. And since this was likely one of the biggest of his life, heading away from Brantley wasn’t going to help much.
When he arrived at Brantley’s, he found he wasn’t the only one who’d thought to stop in for a visit. Besides Brantley’s Chevy, there was one truck, a Ford Mustang, and a small SUV parked in front of the house. He knew the SUV belonged to JJ, the Mustang to Cyrus. The truck wasn’t familiar, but he didn’t let the idea of a stranger stop him from marching up to the house.
The front door was open, and he could hear voices coming from inside. He started to lift his hand to knock, then thought better of it. Something darkly possessive had gripped him, and he figured if Cyrus was allowed to be there, then so was he.
