Total pages in book: 45
Estimated words: 43198 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 216(@200wpm)___ 173(@250wpm)___ 144(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 43198 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 216(@200wpm)___ 173(@250wpm)___ 144(@300wpm)
I nod. “Yep. Guy Brody.”
She watches through the window as Eli smiles ear to ear. Lindsey stutters, “Thank you. I was beginning to think I’d never see him smile again.”
“He’s going to be okay. You both are.”
I soothe my hand down her back. “I’m so sorry about your sister, Lindsey.”
She nods, and we both turn when my sister clears her throat. “Hey, Lindsey. I’m Skyler. Miller’s sister.”
Skyler points at our sister-in-law Aria. “This is Aria. She is Penn’s wife. Penn is in surgery or else he’d be here.” She points at Zach and Logan. “This is Zach and Logan. Zach is my husband. Logan is my brother, and they own Stronghold Security.” She points to the kitchen. “That’s Bree. She’s Logan’s wife.” Then she points at Ozzy. “And that over there is our brother Ozzy, the rancher.”
Lindsey lifts her hand. “Hello, everyone.”
Skyler walks up to Lindsey and wraps her in a hug. “First of all, I’m so sorry for your loss. If you need anything, and I mean anything, let me or any of us know.”
When Skyler lets her go, Lindsey leans into my side. I take that as a good sign that she’s looking at me for some comfort. “Okay, well, thank you all for everything.”
Ozzy steps toward us. “He’s about to kick us out.” He looks at Lindsey. “Point me in the direction where you want all this stuff, and we’ll put it away and then get going.”
Lindsey must have missed it all before because it’s like she’s noticing all the boxes for the first time. “Oh my God, is that all mine?”
I tense, hoping she’s not going to be mad. “I wanted to make sure that you and Eli had everything you needed, so I sent Mike and all of them to your house to get your things. I hope that’s okay.”
She opens her mouth and then closes it, clearly overwhelmed.
I look at Ozzy and then back to Lindsey. “Is it okay if they put everything in the room you and Eli were sleeping in? We can sort it out later.”
She seems to snap out of it. “Yes. I’ll help.”
But Skyler is not having it. “Why don’t you let me show you everything we put in the kitchen while they do that.”
Reluctantly, Lindsey walks away with her, and when she gives me a glance over her shoulder, I can’t help but think that everything is going to be okay. It has to be.
CHAPTER 11
LINDSEY
Aria, Skyler, and Bree all join me in the kitchen. They ply me with tea, cookies, and hugs.
“Give me your phone,” Skyler demands.
I already know there’s no point arguing. I pull my phone from my pocket and hand it over.
She rests it on her pregnant belly. “Okay, I’m putting in Aria’s, Bree’s, and my numbers. If you need anything, just let us know. And if you need help with Eli, I know Miller said he plays baseball—well, if you need rides or anything, we’ve got you.”
I nod when she hands it back. “Thank you.”
My gaze drifts to the door. Miller doesn’t come in.
So I guess I have to say it.
“Uh… actually, I don’t want anyone to know I’m here. It’s only temporary. We’ll be going back to our apartment.” My fingers tighten around my phone. “Miller probably didn’t mention it, but Eli’s grandparents are Jack and Mary Davenport. They want custody, and I don’t want any of you caught in the crossfire.”
Skyler just stares at me. “We’re not afraid of the Davenports.”
A breath slips out of me. “They’re not… good people. I know they do a lot for the community, but they made my sister’s life a living hell.”
Skyler hooks her arm through mine. “Lindsey, I’m not saying we think they’re good people. I’m saying we’re not afraid of them.” She smirks. “Have you met our husbands?”
The three of them laugh.
I shake my head, my chest tightening. “But you don’t even know me. I shouldn’t have brought this here. I need to go.”
Aria steps in front of me, hands settling on my shoulders. “Hey. It’s okay.”
I just stare at her.
Her voice softens. “We’ve got your back. It’s going to be okay.”
“But why?” My voice shakes. “You don’t know what they’re capable of. They will do anything to get Eli from me. Anything.”
Aria gently brushes my hair back. “Miller’s not going to let that happen.”
“Why?” The word comes out sharper than I mean. “Why would he take this on?”
The three women go still. A look passes between them—something unspoken.
Skyler just nods. “You need to trust Miller. He’ll handle it.”
“But why?”
She shrugs. “Because that’s who he is. When he cares about someone, he doesn’t let anything happen to them. And he cares about you and Eli.”
I want to argue. We went on one date months ago.
Before I can say it, Miller walks in with Eli and the others.