* * * *
And see we did.
I was heading to check up on Apple right before lunchtime, when a larger-than-Hudson’s black SUV rolled down the driveway.
Sensing my mood, Bucky, the only dog in my view let out an alarmboof, which brought the Golden Girls running.
They formed a pack around me and barked a few times.
Sierra wasn’t at work today, so there was nobody in the office building I stood next to.
Then another black SUV followed the first one. It took me a moment to realize it was Hudson’s.
Jack and Lake stepped out of the house, likely having heard the dogs. The next one was Ben, who came out of the cabin and stood on the porch. Then Theo marched to me and the dogs from the stable.
That all happened before Dad’s vehicle ever stopped rolling.
I loved my family.
Hudson parked his in a way that would completely block Dad in, unless his driver—Percy—would drive through the lawn and some bushes.
“You got this, baby,” Jack murmured.
“We’re here,” Lake added.
They were standing a handful of steps behind me and the dogs.
My father stepped out of the car once Percy had turned the engine off. He wore his standard uniform of a neat suit, this one in dark green. He looked put-together in a familiar way, but I could read him well enough to realize he was a bit unsettled.
His security guy, Murray, exited the SUV, too, and leaned back against it while Dad came closer to me.
The dogs growled in unison. For the first time, I saw my dad look hesitant.
“Sawyer—”
“It’s Rey now.”
He blinked, then nodded. “Rey.”
“Okay, guys, you can stand down for now,” I told the dogs, my hand on Bucky’s head on one side, and Sophia’s on the other.
They stopped growling, but stayed alert like only guard dogs could.
Dad took in all the guys gathered around us. Hudson walked calmly to stand next to me.
“Mr. Ryker,” Hudson said as if greeting him. “I’m Hudson McMillan, your son’s lawyer.”
Something flickered in Dad’s eyes. He nodded. “Mr. McMillan. I think we’ve crossed paths before.”
“That would be around the time I was an assistant district attorney in New Jersey.”
Okay, I hadn’t known that. When I glanced around, everyone else looked surprised, too.
“Right, that does ring a bell.”
Ben called out from the cabin, “Hey, Hudson, can I borrow you for a moment?”
“Sure.” Hudson told me he’d have his phone on and retreated into the cabin with Ben.
