A Life Beyond Us novel · Chapter 20 of 24

Chapter 20: Hugh's Morning

Hugh's POV

I woke at six with Maura's hair across my arm and Tom's hand on my ribs.

For a moment I didn't know where I was.

Then I knew, and I lay completely still, afraid that any movement would end it.

Nothing ended.

Tom snored, softly, the way he had since we were ten and shared a tent in his father's yard.

Maura slept with her mouth a little open.

I eased my arm out from under her and went to the kitchen in my shorts.

The morning light came in white through the window over the sink.

I put the kettle on and stood with my palms flat on the counter.

Last night I had kissed Tom Poynter.

I had waited my whole life to know what that would feel like, and the truth was that it felt like nothing I'd feared.

It felt easy, and I had not expected easy.

Nobody had flinched or called me a name.

Maura had put her hand on the back of my neck and said, "Good."

My phone buzzed on the table.

It was my partner at the Montana practice, calling early on a Sunday.

I let it ring twice, then answered.

"Hugh. Sorry. I know it's early."

"It's fine."

"There's a colicky mare at the Henshaw place and the owners are asking for you by name. Can you be back for Tuesday?"

I looked down the hall.

The bedroom door stood open, and I could see the end of the bed, and a foot, Tom's, hanging off the mattress.

Keep reading free with an account. Start A Life Beyond Us from Chapter 1, then sign up free to read the rest of this chapter.