Although Kendall hated to let her daughter go, she did so to hug Grant. “I can never repay what you did for me.”
Grant kissed her cheek. “We’re family,” he told her, nodded to Mattie, and then left.
“You’re back, Mom,” Rory said, walking in almost immediately afterwards. He threw his arms around her, then did the same to Mattie. “Let’s go home. Things are about to get crazy.”
“What do you mean, son?”
“Trust me. I promise I’ll explain later, but Mattie needs to rest.”
“You’re right.” Kendall herself couldn’t handle another upheaval, so she led Mattie downstairs, surprised to see CJ, Diesel, Narci, and Torrin in Roxanne’s living room.
Mattie buried her face against Kendall.
“It’s okay, darling.” Kendall didn’t greet anyone. She held Mattie tighter, afraid their presence was too imposing for Mattie to handle right now. “I have you, love.”
When she and Mattie walked out into the cool night air, she ignored the beauty of the grounds between Roxy’s front door and Mortician’s back door. The shrill whir of cicadas was nature’s symphony, a calming serenade in times past, but an unsettling cacophony tonight.
Without warning, Bishop stepped from the pathway and scared the shit out of Kendall. Mattie released a frightened cry.
“I’m sorry,” Bishop whispered. “I didn’t mean to scare you, but we’re here to escort you and Mattie home.”
He nodded behind him and the lights Mortician had installed on the property allowed Kendall to see Potter and Huck.
“Thank you,” she said.
Bishop hesitated, shoved his hands into his pockets and lowered his gaze. “Do you want me to carry you, Mattie? Your mom will be right next to us, but you just have on socks.”
She did? “You do?”
“I lost my slip-ons during the fight,” Mattie mumbled. “Lolly tried to give me shoes, but I didn’t want any.”
Another time, Kendall would ask why. “It’s fine, love. Can Bishop carry you, so you don’t hurt your feet?”
“My skirt’s long enough.”
To keep her covered because she was bare underneath. The thought cramped Kendall’s stomach. Bishop clenched his jaw.
“I didn’t mean for it to happen, Mama.”
“I know, sweetheart. It’s okay. This isn’t your fault.”
“I just want to shower. I’ll be fine tomorrow. I’m always fine, Mama,” Mattie said and looked at Bishop. “You can carry me.”
They walked through the forest in silence with only the sounds of nature serenading them. The closer they got to her house, the louder the sound of the flowing water grew. One of the things Kendall loved most about her home was the nearbystream. When she left, she would miss that wild beauty that included the cave where Johnnie first proposed to her.
At home, Kendall greeted Ella, thankful that Roxy called her and told her to keep JJ and Blade in their rooms so Kendall could focus on Mattie without JJ’s questions or Blade’s demand for her attention.
“Do you want to come in my room, sweetheart? You can soak in my Jacuzzi.”
“I’ll come in later,” Mattie promised.
“A hot cup of tea will do wonders for you,” Ella offered, keeping her distance, although her concern was plain to see.
“I’m nauseated,” Mattie said.
Ella nodded. “I will make sure your pillows are extra fluffy tonight,” she said, and bustled off.
“Do you want to talk?”
