
I talked Neeta into namin’ him after Bubba and then I gave him Bubba’s nickname. One of his hands slid up my back into my hair, the other one slid down then up, into my camisole. “Why do you call Jonas ‘Bub’? Is it because of Bubba?” My head tipped to the side, I decided our current conversation was over since I liked his responses so much and therefore I changed the subject.

“Didn’t know I was gonna do it until Bub walked in.” “Though, you could have spoken to me first.” “No,” I answered, though he had to know I wasn’t considering I’d all but melted into him, but I went on. I played Krys, for her, for you, for Jonas and, yeah, for me.” “Then I gotta do what I gotta do to build that for Jonas. I’m guessin’ you wanna be a part of that.” “To fix what Neet broke in Jonas, I need to build a family. I know you got the skills to sort that out, I don’t have the patience, the time or the inclination for that shit so I could use your help too.” I relaxed more against him and my face came closer to his. So, I made it so you could keep workin’ there, share the load with Krystal and feel good about that but be home for me and Jonas.” I knew you wouldn’t ask for special treatment and you wouldn’t put Krys out. “And you like it there but you also like it here. I lifted a hand and laid it on his bearded jaw. “Can’t find it, then she still deserves a life without that.” “She’s a good woman, deserves more than that,” he muttered.

“You wanted her to get rid of Bubba,” I whispered back. His intent dawned on me and I relaxed against his body. His arms gave me a squeeze before he whispered, “She needed motivation.” Be stupid to get bought out now that we got decent help.” We got three slopes within an hour’s drive. Boys’ll be puttin’ their bikes away for the winter soon but the mountains come alive when the snow falls. It’s turnin’ a damn good profit now with you and a stable of decent waitresses who sell booze instead of socialize. He didn’t answer me, instead he stated, “I give a shit about Krys and I give a shit about you.
