That penetrated through the haze of sleep, and he opened his eyes.“Are we there already?” he asked. “I just closed my eyes for a second.”
“Yeah, and then snored almost the whole way here,” Ryan said, shaking his head. “I don’t know how those two slept with all the noise.”
“You really should do something about that,” Jackson said, grinning at him in the mirror. “I thought there was a volcano erupting back there a few times.”
“Hey, I was tired,” Walker said, giving them both a dirty look, which only made them laugh. “Thanks for getting us here, though.”
“You’re welcome, any time,” Jackson said. “I hope your mom is making breakfast. I’m starving. I’ve been thinking about her French toast for the last hour.”
“Well, then let’s get in there,” Walker said, then looked over at her. “Do you want to take the baby?”
“I think he’s fine right where he is, unless you’re getting tired of holding him,” she said. “He seemed pretty content with you.”
“I’m pretty happy with him,” he said, grinning at her. “Now let’s go introduce him to my mom and dad.”
As soon as they got out of the truck, an older woman appeared on the porch. “Well, where is he?” she asked, squinting in the early morning sunshine. “Where is my grandson?”
Justin began to stir at the sound of her voice. “He’s right here, Mom,” Walker called back. “I’ve got him covered up so he won’t get cold.”
His mom disappeared back inside without a word, but appeared only a few seconds later with a blanket. “Give him to me, I’ll get him inside where it’s warm,” she said, coming down the steps toward him. “We’ve got a nice fire going and the stove is lit in the kitchen.”
Walker glanced back at her, saw the huge smile on her face, but waited for her nod before he handed Justin over. “He’s had a pretty big night, he might be a little cranky,” Maddie said. “He’s usually a happy baby, but…”
“Oh, I think we’ll get along just fine. It looks like you’ve done a fine job of raising him,” Walker’s mom said, sweeping the baby out of Walker’s arms. “Come inside, after I get done yelling at my son for being a total idiot, I would love to spend some time together getting to know each other. We’re family now.”
She was a bit overwhelmed, but felt only love coming from the woman and smiled at her. “I would love that,” she said. “I’m a little short in the family department, and it gets lonely sometimes.”
“Well, those days are over, now you have us and the entire clan,” Walker’s mom said, then got a funny look on her face. “That is…I mean…”
“It’s okay, I know, we don’t have any secrets between us anymore,” she said, slipping into Walker’s arms. “I still don’t know that much about it, but…well…I’ve seen him.”
“Oh…my…I see…well, that explains a lot,” Walker’s mom said, then gave her a hug. “And it makes things much easier. Marcus will be joining us for breakfast. The council isn’t very happy with Thomas or the Marbury clan; they’re going to want him punished for the kidnapping. Justin is one of us.”
“What about Maddie?” Walker asked. “We’re bonded, they should be protecting her too.”
“Let’s go inside and talk, it’s too cold to stand out here,” Walker’s mom said. “Your dad can explain it better than I can.”
Walker’s father was waiting for them just inside the door. “I didn’t want to overwhelm you,” he said. “I’m Justin Price. It’s so wonderful to meet you. Thank you for not giving up on my idiot son.”
She looked over at Walker and grinned, “Your parents know you so well,” she said, then looked back at his father. “I love him, so I guess that makes me an idiot too.”
They all laughed, then Justin stepped over to his wife. “Are you going to share?” he asked, holding out his arms. “I’d like to hold my grandson, too.”
Before they could even get their coats off, two more vehicles pulled into the yard, and eight people got out. Then another car pulled up, and this time five more people got out. Soon, the entryway was crowded with people, and she quickly lost track of who was who amidst all the commotion.
“I bet you could use a few minutes to freshen up,” Walker’s mom said, putting her arm around her. “There’s a bathroom upstairs in the hallway, help yourself to anything you need, and if you’d like to take a shower, I’m sure I can find some clothes that will fit you.”
“That’s very sweet, I think a few minutes to myself might be nice,” she said, feeling some of the tension drain away. “Thank you, Mrs. Price. Everyone has been great, but…”
“I understand,” the older woman said. “And please call me Mona or Mom if you like, whatever makes you happy.”
CHAPTER 22
***WALKER***
They were all gathered in the kitchen, the baby on his lap, Maddie next to him, his mother rushing around feeding everyone with help from the other women. “I really should get up and help,” Maddie said. “I feel terrible just sitting here while they work.”
“Don’t worry about it,” Abby said, setting a basket of muffins on the table. “Your turn will come, enjoy it while it lasts.”
