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“I don’t have to do anything but take care of you and the kids. Whatever you need, just say it.”

She leaned forward and rested her forehead against his chest. “I need you to go. The stuff I’m struggling with has nothing to do with you or the kids. I can do this.”

Colt wrapped his arms around her, wishing he could rip her sadness away and destroy it. “I know you can do anything, but you don’t have to do it alone.”

“We’re ready for bed!” Abby shouted.

Colt held on to Remi, unwilling to let go yet. “I’m here if you need me, and I can make myself scarce if you need some time alone.”

She shook her head. “Really, I’m having a tough time right now, but it’s not because of you. Promise.” She toyed with the top button of his shirt with her fingertips. “I’m gonna miss you.”

“I’ll miss you too. At the risk of sounding needy, will you call me? A lot?”

The transparent remark earned him a chuckle. “You’ve always been needy. No reason to change now.”

“Uncle Colt! Aunt Remi! I need to take your blood temperature before bed!” Abby shouted.

Remi narrowed her eyes. “Blood temperature?”

“It’s the new doctor set Stella gave her.”

“Oh. Good. I haven’t had my blood temperature checked in a while.”

He released her and followed her into the kids’ bedroom. Abby had her doctor tools spread out on the bed, and Colt let her check his ears, nose, throat, eyes, and chest. Abby was thorough and checked the same for Remi.

When the exams were over, Colt wasn’t ready to leave. This was his last night with the kids for a while, and the urge to hold on to every moment had him lingering.

After songs and prayers, Remi bent to kiss Ben’s forehead. She whispered something in his ear, and Ben’s arms wrapped around Remi’s neck.

“I love you too.”

Colt gripped the blanket on Ben’s bed. Love. He’d been telling the kids he loved them since day one, but Remi always skirted the word.

When she leaned over Abby, Colt listened close.

“I love you, sweetie.”

Abby hugged Remi’s neck. “Love you too.” She placed a smacking kiss on Remi’s cheek before letting go.

Colt took his turn saying good night to the kids and followed Remi out of the room.

She pulled the ponytail holder out of her hair, shaking down her long red locks. “Can we watch the Bama Georgia game?”

Leaving her in the morning would tear him up, but tonight, he’d hold her as long as she’d let him.

Chapter25

Remi

Remi wrapped Colt’s flannel shirt tighter around her middle as she stepped out of her bedroom. The snow outside and the dropping temps promised she’d be hard-pressed to find enough indoor activities to keep the kids occupied. She’d been given the week off while Colt was out of town, and after dropping Ben off at school, Abby and Remi would catch up with Hadley and the other kids on the ranch.

She padded lightly into the kitchen and flipped on the light. Colt’s note lay folded beneath the two vases of flowers. She’d read it four times the day before. Could she lower that to three today? Probably not. She missed him so deeply that the warm fireplace hadn’t been able to touch the cold void last night. Watching ball games wasn’t nearly as fun without Colt.

The note was an anchor–a reminder that Colt still existed, even if she couldn’t see him or hear his constant encouragement. She picked up the note and read it again.

I miss you already.

You’re perfect.