11
HENRY
Two weeks flew by, and I couldn’t be prouder of Devyn if she’d saved an entire species instead of just one noisy emu. She’d capitalized on the video I posted, and the donations for the Back Forty were still pouring in. Thanks to Lou Ellen, Devyn had set up an online campaign and had raised enough to not only pay off the invoice my boss sent over, but to pad the rescue’s bank account so they didn’t have to worry about trying to survive month to month.
“Look, your fundraiser just got shared by my brother Magnus.” I held out my phone to show Devyn the post my foster brother had shared to his hockey team’s page. They’d all come through, reminding me that even though I didn’t have much in the way of blood relatives, I was surrounded by the family I’d made along the way.
We were celebrating the launch of my new business by sharing a rocking chair on the back patio of the farmhouse. Once the video of Shirley had gone viral, several organizations reached out to me about creating prosthetics for animals in their care, and I realized I didn’t need to find another job. Not when there was a need for someone with my exact skill set and I could set up my own company.
A bottle of good bourbon sat on the table next to us, and I had a couple of steaks for us and a burger for Graham on the grill. He was playing with a few of the baby ducks that had hatched a couple of weeks ago. A woman found them in her front hedge and brought them to Devyn.
That was one of the things I loved most about my woman—she’d never turn someone away.
Not even a man as damaged as me.
Tires crunched on the drive out front. Not again. Somehow, I knew it was Duke before he peered around the back corner of the house. My grip on the arm of the rocking chair tightened.
“I’ve got this.” Devyn climbed off my lap and faced her brother. “Did you get lost?”
He shook his head and glanced down at his boots. “I wanted to stop by and bring you something.”
I was tempted to tell him we didn’t need anything from him. He’d made his feelings known about what he thought of Devyn and me getting together. If he didn’t want to support us, we’d move on without him.
“Unless it’s an apology, I’m afraid you wasted your time.” Devyn set a hand on her hip. I was so fucking proud of her for standing her ground. Even though I knew Duke’s heart was in the right place, he’d spent most of his life holding her back. He thought he was keeping her safe, but what he was really doing was clipping her wings.
“I’m sorry.” His voice cracked as he uttered two words I’d never thought I’d hear him say. “I thought I was preventing you from getting hurt. Here.”
Devyn reached out for the envelope he shoved at her and pulled out a check. “You think you can buy your way back into my life?”
“No. I should have given you the money when you asked for it. You don’t need it now. I’ve been following your fundraiser online. What you’ve done is amazing, Dev.” Pride shone in his eyes.
“Necessity breeds invention,” Devyn said. “Mom used to tell us that sometimes.”
“When she was sober,” Duke added.
Tempted to take Graham and head inside to give them some privacy, I got up from my chair. “I’m going to give you two a minute.”
“No.” Devyn held out her hand. “If Duke wants to come back into my life, he’s going to have to earn his way back into yours. We’re a package deal now.”
“It’s okay, sweetheart.” As much as I loved her for backing me up, I wouldn’t force her to choose between us. Her heart was big enough and strong enough to love us both. I’d seen how much love she was capable of, felt it every moment of every day now that we’d found our way back to each other.
“She’s right.” Duke stepped forward. “I was wrong about you.”
“Actually, you were right. Back then, Iwasa lost piece of shit who didn’t deserve her. But the thing about loving someone is that you love them all. Their strengths and their weaknesses. And their love makes you stronger. Without Devyn, I’m half the man I want to be.”
“That’s not true, baby.” She slid her arms around me and nestled her cheek into my chest. “You’re the one who makes me stronger. That’s why we belong together.”
I brushed my hand over her hair. I couldn’t love her anymore if I tried.
“I was a fool to try to keep you apart.” Duke thrust his hand toward me. “Can we try to move forward?”
“I’d like that.” I took his hand in a firm grip. “We’ve got enough steak for an extra. Do you want to join us for dinner?”
He let go of my hand and gestured toward the drive. “I don’t want to impose. Sariah’s waiting in the truck. Can I get a raincheck?”
Devyn wrapped her arms around him and pulled him into a hug. “You don’t need an invitation. Stop by whenever you want. You’re always welcome here.”
They broke apart and Duke dragged his gaze up to mine. “Take good care of her, Maxwell.”