But his dad had this weird hang-up about what he said was takingcharityfrom Kameron.Something tied to Kameron’s mom, he thought.But it wasn’t that.It wasn’t.
His dad and brother were arguing when he stepped inside.Then Kameron was dragged into it.Jacob just wouldn’t leave him alone.
Ten minutes later, Kameron was leaving.His dad and brother obviously didn’t care what he thought, nor did they want his help.And he couldn’t keep doing this—trying to fix what Jacob did to his dad all the time.When did his dad have to take responsibility for how Jacob treated their dad himself?
Kameron was going to stop worrying about two grown men.It was time he focused on the woman he loved.Building a life for himself, and a future.
Quinn was what mattered most.Period.
He was tired of getting himself all churned up, trying to keep his brother fromabusingtheir dad.If their dad never even tried to stop it, why should Kameron?
His dad had told him himself Jacob was his father’s son.He had to do whatever it took for Jacob.
It was always forJacobwhen he and his dad argued.There wasn’t anything their father wouldn’t do for Jacob.Hell, he’d probably cover up a murder for Jacob, too.Because Jacob was so precious, and was so hurt by life, he needed extra help.What he needed was to get off his ass and build a real life for himself.
His dad was so screwed up where Jacob was concerned.Kameron just couldn’t keep doing it.
It was time he focused on his own future now.
And that meant…Quinn.
30
She called him.Again.Six days after the accident.She had seen that man four times in those six days, not counting when she’d sat with him that first night.Mostly, he’d been at home, being watched over by his sisters—while she had been withhersisters, keeping the girls going forward, and getting Gil through what that man needed to do now.Sixteen people were dependent on Gil for their employment—she and her cousin were working overtime to make sure they got this next stageright.
She’d discussed it all with Cal every single night.The man would text at the strangest times.With the weirdest questions, like should he lock Clancy in her room for flirting with Royal Davis?Should he ground Cloe for whatever he thought she’d done wrong lately?He seemed to think Cloe was wicked and up to no good.He was afraid of Claudia, he said.He took one thing very seriously—pestering his little sisters.
But he was genuinely worried about Cadell right now.He said his brother had a thing for a woman—a seriousthingfor that woman—and Cadell was hurting.Cal didn’t know how to help him.And that hurt him right now.Because he loved his brother.
That man…made her gooey inside.
She’d texted him with questions and problems of her own.Before she’d even realized she was doing it, she was sharing private things.With that man.And trusting him with her secrets.
Cal…was a big one-eighty from what she had had planned even a month ago.And she wasn’t kidding herself.They’d hadonedate.That didn’t mean permanent in anyone’s mind.Not even those silly romance novels Em, Junie, and apparentlyJulesdevoured like crazy.But it was a start.
She couldn’t rush anything.There were six very good reasons for her to make sure this was what she wanted.She absolutely had to make certain she and Cal were on the same page.Not only did she have the girls to worry about—but there was Claudia, and Cloe, and Clancy, too.If something happened between her and Cal, and it went sideways, she would not want his sisters hurt.That would be devastating for all of them.She would not lose her relationship with them, because of a relationship going sour with Cal.That would especially hurt Claudia, too.Auggie wouldn’t do that.
So…open and frank and real conversation time.
She called him, told him she wasfinallyalone and if he wanted to come out, they would discuss just what he wanted from her.And then she’d do it.The next step.
Dating Calloway.Seeing what could happen between them.
The very idea of it absolutely terrified her—and gave her the jitters her aunt Susan had told her once every woman should feel with a beautiful man.
She took a quick shower and dressed—she’d ended up with baby food in her hair earlier.She wasnotgoing to have that discussion with baby food in her hair.Not for this.
Then again…she was a mom of six—shouldn’t he see her like it was?She was contemplating that when she came out of the bathroom.
And ended up face-to-face with the man standing there.
Auggie screamed.But there was no one to hear.And no one to help her now.
“Hi, honey.Daddy’s home.Have you been a good girl lately?”
His voice was just as she remembered.
Auggie turned to run.But there was no escape.Her nightmare had come home.
