Page 251 of Mountain Daddy

Buddy is doing good.

Work is going well.

But not having Luther sneak into my bed every night has been… lonely.

We text all day.

And I know he’d be with me if he could get away with it.

But I still miss him.

I might be healthy now. I’ll hopefully be healthy for the rest of my days. But life is short.

And I’m sick of spending time apart from the man I love.

My eyes trail over the man himself.

His back is to us. His shoulder muscles flex under the fabric of his shirt as he takes a deep breath.

I watch him nod. Then he lowers the phone and slides it back into his pocket.

“Everything good?” I ask when he steps back up to the bar.

“It’s fine. I just agreed to dinner with Ashley tonight.” Luther puffs out his cheeks. “And her boyfriend.”

My brows jump.

I wonder if he knows that her boyfriend is… older.

Luther tilts his head, watching me. “What do you know that I don’t?”

I hold my hands up. “Nothing.”

He narrows his eyes. “Why don’t I believe you?”

I laugh. “I’m sure I have no idea.”

Luther crosses his arms, and I can’t stop myself from watching the way his biceps bulge.

“My angel would never lie.” Dad defends me. And I somehow manage not to make a face.

Luther turns his attention to my dad. “Don’t you have a couch to go sleep on?”

Chapter 151

Luther

Sitting at the table,waiting for Ashley and herboyfriendto show up, I wish for the hundredth time that Kendra was with me.

Ashley had it right the first time she mentioned her boyfriend—a double date would be nice.

Not that I need a buffer between me and my daughter. It would just be nice to not feel like a third wheel.

Purple hair catches my attention, and I stand as Ashley approaches the table.

“Hey, Dad.” She beams at me.

The luckiness hits me all over again.