His eyes light up at my laughter. The twins take great pride in easing my foul moods.
“I’m telling you, brother. Did you see that dragonfly sticker on her bumper?”
“No. That wasn’t the bumper I was looking at.”
His mouth falls open, and he slaps me in the stomach. “Don’t talk about her that way. You know this one’s ol' lady material.”
“Is that so?” I ask.
“Yes. And I’m telling you that dragonfly just dropped an angel right in your grumpy ass lap.”
“Are you telling me you think that girl’s an angel?”
Her green eyes turn our way as if she knows we’re talking about her. They’re red-rimmed and puffy.
I drop my head, looking at my boots instead, because Cole is a hundred percent right. If Serenity hadn’t gone inside that trailer, it’s likely my sister wouldn’t have survived another night. I don’t think that’s really quite sunk in yet.
“I’ll give you this one, Cole. You might be on to something.”
He smiles wide and puffs up his chest. “I’m going to turn you into a believer of miracles yet. But anyway, we’ll get her settled in. Don’t worry about it. Just make sure you take care of yourself and that little one.”
“You know it.”
When I approach Serenity, she stands. I motion for her to remain sitting. She falls back into the chair, clearly exhausted.
“How is she doing?” she asks as soon as I’ve lowered myself into the one beside her.
“She’s resting comfortably.” I reach over and tap her knee with my finger. “I want to thank you.”
“You don’t have to do that.”
“I know, but if you hadn’t …” We both turn, noticing the sun rise over the horizon at the same time.
“It’s a new day, and she’s safe,” Serenity reminds me. “You need to let go of what could have been and focus on what is. It will eat you alive if you don’t.”
She’s absolutely right. I glance down at her shirt, finding it covered in my baby sister’s feces. It’s on mine too but not nearly as bad as hers. She took the brunt of it, and she hasn’t complained once.
“You should head out and get cleaned up. Cole is going to take you over to my place.”
“Oh, I can go back to my room at the Inn.”
“The Inn is fully booked tonight.”
Her shoulders fall, and I can tell she really doesn’t want to go to my house.
“My dog will be lonely when I don’t come home. He’s a bit of a baby.”
Serenity’s entire face changes. “You have a dog?”
I nod, running my fingers through my hair. “I guess I could have one of the guys go feed him.”
“That’s fine. I can do it. I mean, I would hate for him to be alone and frightened.”
I want to laugh, but I keep a straight face. “Yeah, that would be something.”
“I’ll stay with him,” she says more confidently. “At least until you get home. What’s his name?”
“Peanut,” I answer while pulling her to her feet. I’ll feel better when I know she’s at home resting.