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Robert chuckled. “Yeah right. I’ll believe that when I see it.”

“I’d love some coffee.” I glanced at the others, as if daring one of them to make a comment, but no one challenged me.Give it time.I intended spending a big chunk of my stay in Robert’s company—well, as much as he could allow me—and they wouldn’t pass up the opportunity to get in a few choice comments.

“Yeah, you go drink coffee.” Butch waggled his eyebrows. “We’ll see you later. That’s if you don’t find something better to do.”

“I’m sure I can findyousomething to do,” Robert commented dryly. “Matt said the waste in the bunkhouse sink is blocked. And thatisyour domain, isn’t it?”

Butch sighed. “Yes, boss.” He trudged away from us, and for a moment I almost felt sorry for him.

Almost.

I followed Robert up the hill, glancing at him as we walked. “You okay?” I hadn’t looked too closely at him down in the paddock. His eyes were puffy, and his face was kind of drawn. He gave the impression he hadn’t slept well.

He stared at me. “I look that good, huh?”

“You look like you feel like shit.”

“Accurately put. Please feel free not to mention it again.” We got to the house, and I followed Robert inside, heading for the kitchen.

“Is Matt around?”

“No, he’s gone shopping. He needs to get in supplies for the weekend, and for camping out next week.” Robert grabbed two cups, then peered at me. “You do want some, right?”

I smiled. “Sure. We can talk while we drink.”

And there it was, the expectation of communication. He regarded me in silence, then nodded. “Okay.” He filled the cups. “Cream?”

“As it comes.”

He handed me a cup. “I meant to tell you. The third Saturday in every month, it’s supper here for all the hands. That includes guests too. Nothing fancy. Matt does meatloaf, mac and cheese, pizza… We all sit around the dining table, eating, drinking beer or whatever…” He gestured to the breakfast bar. “Please, sit.”

I pulled out a stool and perched on it. “Bad night?”

“I’ve had better. What made it worse was not being able to account for the way I felt. I was just so… low.”

“You know what sub drop is, right?”

He blinked. “I thought I was just depressed. It’s not the first time it’s happened.”

I nodded. “You got your head into a good place, and then Teague arrived. What with worrying about the wolves, not being able to settle naturally after we were done… Something jarred you out of your head space. But sub drop isnotthe same thing as depression, you hear? And what is more, it’s totally okay to experience drop. It doesn’t make you weak—it makes you human.” As an afterthought, I added, “And just so you know? Dom drop is a thing too.” I cocked my head. “Kevin told you about that, right?” If he hadn’t, I’d have been concerned.Just how good a Dom was he?

He nodded. “Yeah, he did. He explained about sub drop too, but…it’s been a long time.” He shuddered out a sigh, and I knew it was one of relief. I also knew it told him something vital about me.

He could rely on me, lean on me.

I got off the stool, walked around the bar to where he stood, and held my arms wide. He didn’t even hesitate. He walked into them, and I held him to me, aware of the odd shiver still trickling through him.

“You feel that way again, you call me, okay?” I murmured. “I don’t care if it’s the middle of the freakin’ night.” And to show him I meant every word, I tilted his head up with my fingers, and kissed him on the lips, keeping it chaste, letting it linger until he relaxed in my arms. “Better?”

He sighed, but in a good way. “Yeah. Thanks.”

I went back to my stool. “So… about last night…Are you still okay with what we did?”

His eyes widened. “God yes.” He took the stool facing mine.

I managed a relieved sigh. “Just checking.” I’d learned never to assume.

“Can I ask questions?”