I smiled at the group. So many personalities in the mix and we all had a blast together. My sister didn’t stand a chance. They were hard to ignore and impossible not to adore. And based on the small smile on her face as she looked on, I knew they were growing on her already.
As we talked, I found myself fiddling with my necklace, something I did often. I looked around and saw all the ladies were wearing theirs too. I didn’t think there was a time I’d seen them without theirs.
“I’m so glad you didn’t end up needing it, but I’m thankful you still always wear it,” Capri said, her gaze on my movements at my neck.
Letting out a small sigh, I gave her a soft smile. She was the lucky one who had hers when she desperately needed it, the others didn’t. But we all had them now and we never knew what life would throw our way later on down the road.
Everyone was in the middle of excited conversations, not paying us any mind.
“Thank you for thinking of me and giving me such a special gift.”
While Bronson had handed it to me that night, it was Capri who had made sure I had one, just like everyone else. My eyes drifted to my sister.
I felt a hand come to rest on my arm. “Don’t worry. I’ll make sure she has one too. She’s one of us and we take care of our own.”
Damn those tears. I felt them coming on at her words and tried pushing them back. Capri dropped her hand but gave me a knowing smile.
“Hormones, huh?” she asked with a soft laugh.
“Something like that,” I replied before we both jumped back into the conversations with everyone else.
My sister had joined in some, talking here and there as the guys talked amongst themselves, and the kids played. Lennon and Breland kept mostly to themselves but I hoped in time, like their mom, they’d start to get more comfortable with us. I didn’t know their stories. Sometimes we just didn’t know what people had been through or how it impacted them.
All we could do was let them know we cared and be patient.
Ruby asked River a question about her work, but my sister didn’t answer. I looked at her and her gaze was pinned on something behind me, her eyes wide and nervous. It didn’t takelong for all the women to notice and we were all whipping our heads in the directions of her stare.
“Huntley,” she said softly.
He wasn’t close enough to hear her but we all did. My head spun back to hers and I took in her panicked expression.
My friend had designated himself as River’s watcher the night of the fire after jumping in the ambulance with her. I knew he hadn’t left her room until early the next morning either. But they hadn’t seen one another since.
Huntley’s arms were full of stuff. He was bringing gifts just like everyone else, but somehow I think it was even more alarming to River coming from him than it had been with all the ladies. The guys made their way toward him, taking some things out of his grasp and talking to him.
“What is he doing here?” River asked, her brows raised in my direction.
“Uncle Huntley,” Stormi screeched, flying across the yard toward him. “I’m going to have a baby brother!”
Everyone laughed and that pulled my sister out of the semi-trance she seemed to be in since the man had arrived.
Bronson pulled away from the guys and made his way over to us. Looking at River, he asked, “Are you still good with me giving Lennon the old Chevy?”
River’s eyes softened. “Yes, but you really don’t have to.”
“I know I don’t, I want to. Nobody is using it and he is a sixteen-year-old boy who probably would like his own wheels, even if they are older. Plus, then he isn’t taking your car when you might need it.”
Like I said, Bronson was so damn sweet. And he had worked through so many emotional issues revolving around his dad’s death. The truck was another part of his healing process.
“Thank you. He’s going to be so excited.”
A deep voice came from behind me. “Hey Warrior,” Huntley said, admiration and something a lot more personal lining his deep, gruff voice.
She sucked in a deep breath, frozen where she stood, eyes wary. All the ladies glanced at one another and the other guys circled around us. Stormi raced past to go play with the kids.
God, how perfect was the nickname. My sister was a warrior. When she saved my daughter and I didn’t have to know her past to know that it was true too.
“Is it okay if we put this stuff in the house?” Huntley asked her, softly, a gut-punching look in his eyes.
