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it. He said, Brandon, if you ll bring the tea to the table, I ll take the bread out of the oven and we ll be
ready to eat.
Brandon grumbled, but he did what Nate told him to do. Nate rescued the cornbread, and then carried
the stew pot to the table. Within five minutes, they were all seated at the table and ready to eat.
To say the meal was tense was an understatement. Aside from the initial saying of grace, they ate in
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complete silence. Dinner at home with his parents had always been like that. His father wanted complete
quiet at the table, and that s what he got. But dinner at the Nash house was different. Whether it was just
him and Brandon or the whole noisy clan, there was always laughter and conversation. And when he and
Brandon were alone, the food was often abandoned for much more pleasurable pursuits than eating.
Tonight, though, the silence was almost more than Nate could stand. He picked at his food, and watched
Brandon glare at Mike over his bowl of stew. Nate was more than a little relieved when the phone rang
and broke the silence.
Brandon started to get up, but Nate shook his head. I ll get it. He was across the room before Bran
could argue.
Nate picked up the phone and said, Hello.
Doc? It s Sam. Is the sheriff around?
Sure, Sam. He s right here. He held the phone out to Brandon. Bran, it s for you.
Brandon took the phone, while Nate went back to his seat. He studied Brandon s face, noticing as his
expression went from intent to elated. He was practically hoping up and down when he said, Alright,
Sam. Keep everyone out of her room until I get there. Pause. No, Eva and the doctor are fine, but no
one else goes in until I have a chance to talk to her. Pause. Alright. See you then.
Brandon hung up the phone and gave Nate a radiant smile. Sam was calling from the hospital. Marjorie
Newman is awake.
* * *
Brandon grabbed Nate and swung him around the kitchen. She s awake, Nate, and according to Sam,
there doesn t seem to be any signs of permanent damage.
Nate caught his breath and gave Brandon a wet kiss right on his lips. Brandon pulled him closer and
deepened the contact. He barely heard Mike clear his throat. He reluctantly broke away and turned to
find Mike standing by the table.
Mike said, Excuse me guys. I forgot I was supposed to call one of my clients about the closing of his
condo. It s been rescheduled.
Nate said, You re welcome to use the phone in here. Or there s one in the living room if you need some
privacy.
Mike pulled his cell phone out of his pocket. I ve got my own phone, but I ll take you up on the privacy.
I ll just step outside for a second. He slipped out while Brandon was still staring at Nate.
When he was gone, Brandon said, You realize what this means, don t you Nate?
Nathan nodded. With Marjorie awake, and my father pleading guilty, it s really over.
Brandon pulled him close and kissed his temple. You got it, baby. This is the last link in the chain. As
soon as I take Marjorie s statement, I can sign off on this case and pronounce it closed.
Nate leaned his head against Brandon s chest. Is that why you didn t want just anyone in her room, to
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protect the integrity of her statement?
Yep. More than likely, she won t remember anything, but just in case she does, I don t want Calder s
lawyer to be able to say she was coerced or coached in any way. He gently pushed Nate towards the
mudroom. Get your coat and lets go.
Nate shook his head. I can t go with you, Bran. We ve got company, remember.
Brandon snorted. Yeah, as if I could forget. Look, just tell him you have to go to the hospital with me
and send him home. He s a big boy. He can take it.
No, Brandon. This is the first time since the funeral that Mike has reached out to me, and I m not going
to let him down now.
Brandon did his best not to lose his temper. Nate, you aren t responsible for that guy. You don t have
to baby-sit him.
Nate firmed his jaw. Brandon, I m not going to argue with you about this.
Remembering their argument earlier, Brandon sighed. Fine. I know better than to try to force you.
Look, just promise me you ll call if you need me. He reached over to the counter where Nate s cell
phone was charging and handed it to him. Carry this in you pocket until I get back.
Brandon
Brandon pulled him into a hug. Please Nate. Just this once. For me?
Nate pulled back and grinned at him. You re getting pretty good and that pitiful whining thing, you
know?
Brandon grinned right back at him. Did it work?
Nate slid the phone into his hip pocket. As if you ever had a doubt.
Brandon pulled him into a soft, slow kiss. When they were both sufficiently breathless, Brandon said,
I ve had a lot of doubts about a lot of things in my life, Nate, but not about you. Never about you.
* * *
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