As if on cue, the man presumed to be Papa opened the door and stepped inside. He glanced around and took in the room. “All right, just what in the hell is going on around here?”
“Sit down, Conway. Blakely is going to tell us,” Nana said.
“I know Landon, but who are these other two? And why are you holding a baby?” he asked.
Nana let out an exasperated sigh and introduced me and Spazz to her husband, who instructed us to call him Conway.
“Here, you take the baby while I get dinner started,” Nana said to her husband. “Blakely and the boys are going to fill us in.”
Blakely was almost finished telling Nana everything when Kalen started to cry.
“I’ll get him, so you can keep going,” Landon offered.
When he returned, Blakely had finished and dinner was ready. The conversation paused while we loaded our plates and resumed once everyone was seated at the table.
“I’m honestly at a loss for words,” Nana said.
Conway smiled. “I’m not. I told you that mace would come in handy one day. I’m damn proud of you for using it, sweetheart. I’ll get started on making you another one tomorrow.”
“Thanks, Papa,” Blakely said with a soft smile.
Nana turned her attention to me. “What happened to your mother and niece? I don’t think Blakely said.”
“My mother was knocked unconscious from a blow to the head and broke her hip when she fell. My niece was shot twice. She has a long road ahead of her, but both are expected to make a full recovery,” I shared.
“I didn’t know you’d gotten an update. Why didn’t you tell me?” Blakely asked.
“I haven’t had a chance to. Someone from the hospital called while you and Landon were getting things ready around here. She wanted to talk to me about taking care of my mother at home once she’s discharged.”
“Are you serious? What did you say?”
“I told her she needed to come up with a different plan because she wasn’t coming home with me. River told me they’d call and try to pressure me into taking her home, so I was ready when she tried to argue with me,” I explained.
Nana reached over and patted my shoulder. “It’s not easy to cut ties with family, but you have to do what’s best for you.” I knew she understood. Blakely told me her dad dropped her off with her grandparents after she was born and never came back, but I had a feeling there was more to the story.
“You’re right about that,” I agreed.
“Is Ben’s stuff still in the apartment?” Conway asked.
“Yes, it is,” Blakely answered. “I have no idea what to do with it.”
“Does it belong to Kalen now?” Landon asked. “Since he’s Ben’s son.”
“I don’t know,” Blakely said. “I guess I need to find out how that works.”
“Sorry, sweetheart. I didn’t mean to open a can of worms,” Conway said. “I was just wondering if you needed help moving the boxes or sorting through them.”
“Thanks, Papa, but I’ll get Landon to help me if I need it.”
“That’s my girl,” he laughed.
“Hey, now, I’m not the only muscle around here anymore,” Landon said and pointed at me and Spazz.
Nana smiled broadly. “Welcome to the family, boys.”
EPILOGUE
BLAKELY
