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“I know you would” Derrick patted ht “And I appreciate that, ? Please?”

“Okay” Like I could deny hi, especially with his current wet-kitten expression It was still su To that end, I waited until we’d parked outside Oliver’s ranch-style rental close to his base in Tacoma before I rubbed Derrick’s neck

“That feels good” He stretched into the contact

“Bet I cane how-to articles on the way back to my place”

“You do that” His smile was still at half-power, but there wasn’t a ton I could do here in Oliver’s driveway, especially if Derrick wasn’t ready to talk

“I’ll get the presents,” I offered as we exited the car “But first I’ you because you need that”

“Yeah, I do” He sagged against ht as I dared for as long as he letwith each exhale only to return on another sigh Whatever rong was more than a simple bad day, and my own back stiffened I hoped I could solve this or at least make it better for him

“Uncle Arthur Uncle Derrick” Taylor raced out of the house followed by assorted siblings, dogs, and friends

“Hey, kiddo” Pulling away frorabbing the presents, we reeted with a flurry of hugs as soon as we got in the door Stacey whisked the presents off to a towering gift table and pressed sodas into our hands in short order

I didn’t have asThere were several wet and silly galy, Derrick proved to be a menace at water balloons, and the kids utterly loved his participation, dodging and squealing and h

“You certainly earned your cake,” I teased, handing him a towel

“That was fun” This ti hi we could deal with, emphasis on we

“Cake!”the troops We dutifully dried off and“Happy Birthday” to Taylor Everyone got big slices of chocolate cake

“Look! Chocolate sprinkles Your favorite” Derrick’s expression was so tender that itand sprinkles onto my plate

“Thanks” Hi I wanted to get back to the cabin, to e’d been there, easy and free and falling—

Oh hell no I ht be able to ado there