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Andy tried hard to just hold Brian close, but he was shaking and crying now. It was obvious that the dam which had served as some kind of a defense mechanism for a very long time had suddenly broke.

Tiffany moved Timber away, and he looked at her in surprise as she shrugged. “He is entitled to grieve too.”

Timber looked over at Andy and Brian and nodded. “Both of them are.”

“You still want Brian to go into the military?”

“I don’t know,” he admitted. “I can see why Andy doesn’t want that because of the way Max was, even after a stint in the military, but honestly, Brian could learn from a tour.

” He held out his hand to gesture toward the men who were still here, standing ever silent in the shadows.

“Brian would find the benefit of friends, a team, and teamwork, and he would learn a whole lot about himself. It’s not about going out and killing things or having a license to hurt others.

It’s all about working together toward a common goal.

Brian needs something to give him some purpose and to help him to rebuild his self-esteem. ”

“That’s not our decision,” she muttered, “at least not today.”

Timber smiled, wrapped his arms around her, and held her close. Then he looked over at Richard. “How long were you standing there?”

“Long enough,” he said, with a sigh. “Max really wouldn’t get out of this one alive, would he?”

“He didn’t want to.”

“Right, I saw that.” Richard nodded. “It was a clean shooting. I’m happy to say that you guys are all off the hook.”

“ Ha , you just didn’t want to do all that paperwork.”

“No, I sure didn’t,” he agreed, with a headshake. “Guess I better get a forensics team headed out here.”

“That sounds good.”

“You’ll need to contact the military too,” Toby added. “You can let them know that the manhunt they were organizing can be called off.”

When Richard frowned at Toby in surprise, Timber nodded. “Max was up against all kinds of charges for what he did during his military service.”

“Crap,” Richard muttered. “I guess it’s a good thing that’s all been circumvented now too. How the hell does somebody go this wrong?”

“I think he’s been wrong for a very long time.” Timber looked down at Tiffany. “Shall I get you home?”

“Yeah,” she said, as she looked around, shivering still. “But how will we do that?”

In the distance, he heard a slight nicker. He looked over to see Sparky standing there, looking at him. “How do you feel about riding a horse?”

“All the way back to town?”

“No, silly, back to my truck, and then I’ll take you to town.” He stopped and checked her over, then asked, “Do you need to go to the hospital?”

“No,” she declared, with a firm headshake. “I won’t go to any hospital.” When Toby stepped up and glared at her, she glared right back. “I’ll go when you go.”

“That ain’t happening on this side of hell.”

“Exactly,” she snapped.

Toby beamed at her and nodded. “You know, the sooner you get your ass over to the Haven, the sooner we can treat you better.”

“Treat me better? What’s that got to do with anything?”

“Yeah, we decided we’ll help Timber on the wooing part because he’s a little slow at it.”

She blinked and muttered, “On the what part?”

“He’s a little behind, probably a little rusty on the wooing, so we figured that Dwight and I would help him out, you know, and show you just how good it can be over at the Haven.”

“Oh, you did, did you?” she asked, a twinkle in her eyes. “The two of you think that’s something Timber needs help with?”

Toby nodded. “Yeah, I think so.”

Timber just stared at them. “You did not just say that.”

“Look at you. You’re awfully slow. Even now you’ve got an invitation to ride the two of you together on one horse because Sparky is good with that, and you could get to her place and stay the night.

” Toby nudged Timber. “Jesus, man. You’ve rescued the damsel in distress.

She obviously needs comforting tonight, and look at you? You’re still slower than hell.”

She burst out laughing, then came to Timber’s defense. “I think he’s got that part down just fine.”

“You think so?” Toby asked, winking at her. “’Cuz he’s still standing here.”

“I am not,” Timber growled, not sure if he should be howling with laughter or embarrassed. “Jesus Christ, Toby, you are too damn much.”

“This isn’t too much yet ,” he declared, “and you better get used to it because we’re sticking around long enough to confirm everything is kosher at your place.”

“And what will that look like?” Timber asked.

“I don’t know.” He looked over at Dwight, who stepped out of the shadows, a big grin on his face. “What do you think?” Toby asked Dwight.

“I don’t know about helping Timber do any wooing. I think we should just let him figure that part out. Still, I ain’t too anxious to keep moving anymore. I really like this place.”

“Damn right.” Toby nodded. “What do you think?” He looked over at Timber and Tiffany.

Tiffany frowned. “Timber’s got some big stuff planned, and he’s definitely gonna need a hand, but that’s up to you guys to decide.”

“We already decided,” Toby announced. “Timber needs us, so we’re staying, and he’ll also need a vet. So you’re staying too.”

Her laughter rang out free and clear.

Timber snatched her up and whispered, “I am so sorry. I didn’t know Toby and Dwight would be so involved in our relationship.”

“I get why you’re sorry, but honestly it’s pretty fun to even be wanted for a change.”

“Oh, you’re wanted,” Timber muttered. “But I sure don’t want an audience.” Again her laughter pealed out free and clear, and he smiled as he heard it. “Something about that laugh of yours is very infectious.”

“That’s because I’ve just been saved, and I have a whole new lease on life,” she declared, as she looked up at him. “And honest to God, there’s an awful lot to be said for being alive right now. I would really like to get going though.”

He scooped her up, lifted her onto Sparky’s back, then walked him over to a log and hopped up behind her himself. He looked down at Sparky and said, “Yes, we can finally go home now.”

And with a neigh, a nicker, and a headshake, the horse moved forward at a good clip.

“Wait, does he even know where he’s going?” Tiffany asked Timber.

“Oh yeah, he knows.” Timber lifted a hand to the men still gathered around. “We’ll see you guys later.”

“Don’t make it too early,” Dwight suggested. “There’ll be pancakes, but not exactly at the crack of dawn.”

With that, the other men grumbled.

“What do you mean there won’t be pancakes at the crack of dawn?”

“We’ve got to eat too, man,” another man called out.

“Looks like that won’t fly, Dwight,” Toby called out. “Besides, Timber will need to keep up his strength.”

Dwight howled. “Okay, fine. Pancakes at the crack of dawn for you guys but not Timber. He is staying in town.” He turned with a sharp look at Tiffany.

Tiffany laughed and nodded. “Orders received.”

“Good.”

And, with that, Timber and Sparky carried her gently through to the homestead.