“Why in heaven or hell would I ever talk about your virginity to your sisters?”

Disgusted she even had to say it, Darla rolled her eyes and admitted, “They make fun of me about it.”

“Why?”

“Because they always have. Since I was fifteen or so. Anyway, about three years ago, I finally lied and told them it was done with just so they’d stop talking about it.”

“But why did you tell me?”

“Because I knew you wouldn’t care.” Darla turned around and sat down on Eggie’s leg. “I knew I could trust you not to make fun of me.”

“Don’t see why it’s a big deal. You’re only twenty.”

Darla cleared her throat. “Twenty-five.”

“Then that’s tragic.”

Darla punched his chest. “Eggie Ray!”

And, for the first time, she heard him . . . well . . . chuckle. Sort of. It was kind of a grunt-chuckle.

“Just kiddin’.”

“Ha-ha.”

“Won’t say a word to your sisters. They don’t speak to me anyway.”

Darla looked at him, frowned. “Why not?”

He shrugged those massive shoulders. “Don’t think they like me.”

“Why wouldn’t they like you? You’re so sweet.”

“You do know you’re the only human being who’s ever said that to me . . . except my mother and I’m not sure she counts.”

“Of course she counts and I’m always right. Once you understand that, you’ll be fine.” Besides, she’d straighten out her sisters later. If they were going to live here and be part of the Smith Pack, they had to accept all the brothers, including Eggie. It wouldn’t be right otherwise.

“Can we go to sleep now?” she asked, resting her head on his shoulder.

“Are you sure you really want to—”

“Are we still talking about that?”

“All right. All right. No need to get that tone.”

With his arm around her waist, Eggie hoisted her off his lap and onto the bed. “Under the covers,” he ordered.

Darla slipped under the covers and watched as Eggie followed behind her.

“Do you want to put up a wall between us so we don’t accidentally touch in the night?” she asked sweetly.

“Don’t tempt me.”

Giggling, she settled into the bed. Eggie turned off the lamp she’d forgotten she’d left on and relaxed into the bed.

“Night, Darla.”

“Night, Eggie.”

“And, Darla . . . ?”

“Hhmmh?”

“Thank you.”

“For what?”

“For not being afraid of me.”

“Was I supposed to be?”

“Everybody else is.”

“I am not everybody else, Egbert Ray Smith. You’d do well to remember that.”

He chuckled—again!—and said, “Don’t think I’ll ever forget it.”

“Good. Then I think everything will be just fine.”

“Maybe.”

“Don’t irritate me, Eggie Ray.”

“You sure are easily irritated for a pacifist.”

“Quiet.”

“Yes’m.”

Eggie always knew as soon as someone was on his territory. Not only did he sense it, but the nearby animals told him. Then again, they often told him things he needed to know. When the weather was about to change, when danger was near, or when family was making their way to his house.

He hated waking Darla up, but he knew she wouldn’t want to be found cuddled up to his chest, one arm around his waist, her head on his shoulder.

Eggie doubted he’d slept any more than he would have if he’d just stood outside the entire night, but after an hour or so of just lying here, he’d begun to do something he rarely ever did . . . relax. True, he was still ready to kill at the slightest provocation if any outsiders showed up looking for Darla Mae, but the need to pace until he fell asleep on the floor or at his kitchen table was gone.

It was nice actually sleeping in his bed. He never had before.

A crow cawed from a tree outside his window, warning nearby crows about invaders while letting Eggie know that it was his brothers. He knew this because of the panicked sound that the crow made. Crows had surprisingly long memories and after being chased by those idiots more than once, the crows always sent out warnings when the Smith boys were nearby. Only Eggie got a pass, no matter how long he might be out of the country and, in exchange, he let the crows tag along on hunts. It worked out well.

“That must be your brothers,” Darla murmured, her breath hot against his skin. He knew he should have put a T-shirt on because that felt mighty nice.

“Didn’t know you were awake.”

“Just for a little while. I was so comfortable; I didn’t really want to move.”

Eggie understood that.

“Guess we better now,” he told her softly, his fingers itching to smooth her hair off her cheek. “Don’t need my brothers seeing you in my T-shirt. They’ll get all sorts of wrong ideas.”

Darla leaned her head back a bit so she could look into his face. “You embarrassed by me, Eggie Ray?”

“No,” he answered honestly. “Just figured you wouldn’t want to be found in bed with me.”

“Why ever not?”

Before Eggie could answer, the bedroom door slammed open. Seemed excessive, though, since it had been halfway open anyway.