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But not for long.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Riggs stopped halfway up the steps to the cottage's front porch that he and Robby now called home. On the porch swing sat Gunner, holding Robby, who was smiling and making happy gurgling sounds.
"Man, are you a sight for sore eyes," Gunner commented when he looked up and saw Riggs.
"I could sure say the same. I see you've met my boy."
"He's a fine one. Naomie's inside, warming up a bottle. She said you were out at east camp doing some branding."
"I was."
"Smells like it."
"Screw you," Riggs toed off his boots and padded across the porch to ease onto the swing beside Gunner.
"Hey, big man," he said to Robby, who was already reaching for him.
Gunner grinned. "Never thought I'd see this. Riggs settled down doing the daddy thing. It suits you."
"Yeah, I reckon it does," Riggs remarked as he settled Robby in the crook of one arm. "What about you? You on leave?"
"Nope."
"AWOL?"
"Nope."
Riggs frowned. "This a mission, big man?"
"Yep,"
"So, talk to me. What's the objective?"
"To get that job you promised."
Riggs stared at Gunner for two seconds, his mind a blank thanks to shock. He never believed for a moment Gunner would retire.
"Are you serious?"
"I am."
"When are you available?"
"Right now."
"Then let's get you set up. You said Naomie is inside?"
"She was," Naomie said as she walked through the door, holding a bottle."
"Gunner's coming to work for us," Riggs announced.
"About time."
"You want to get him set up, or would you rather feed Robby?"
"No offense, Gun," she scooted by him and reached for the baby. "Come here, sweetie pie."