“They need me. You needed me,” Tabitha, my grandmother states. “I would never leave them here alone. Not after everything.”
Jamie moves to stand beside me. “Wait, so, we’ve been here with our grandmother this whole time?” She turns her accusatory gaze in their direction. “What is going on?”
“That’s what I’d like to know,” I mutter.
Dad looks at me, imploring me to understand and wait.
“Fine,” I mumble. “Jamie, let’s give them a minute. I’m sure theybothwill give us answers later.”
Jamie rolls her eyes and stomps away, murmuring things about stupid adults, always trying to keep kids in the dark as she coaxes the boys to follow her upstairs.
I couldn’t agree more.
Turning back to my father and Tabitha, I cross my arms and demand, “I think I need some answers before they go to bed. I think it’s only fair.”
“Let’s go to the office,” Tabitha suggests.
I can’t believe I’ve been living and spending time with my grandmother.
Once we’re in the room, my dad closes the door behind him, as my grandmother and I take our seats at the same table I learned of my fate in this town.
My dad clears his throat, taking his seat before he begins. “You know I was never born in this town, but still abided by the laws set out by our founding members.” He stands, pacing the room, and continues, “When I was old enough, my father, your grandfather, Tobias Bradford, explained it all to me. The assassination and kidnapping attempts. Edgewood was no longer a place they could stay. So, we hid until it was time, but our hand was forced.”
“Why the hell would someone want to kill our family?” I exclaim.
My father turns, stopping in front of me, “I need you to understand, Ry, I never wanted to return here or wanted you anywhere near this. I was hoping it would never get to this point. But your conniving mother-.”
Tabitha cuts in, “What your father is trying to say is. It wasn’t safe for us. We weren’t sure who was killing off the Bradford line, but after your great-grandfather was killed when I was pregnant with your father, we knew it was time for us to leave.”
I weigh her words, processing all the information I’ve just been provided.
“Where’s my grandfather?” I ask. It probably shouldn’t be my first question after all of the revelations just shared, but I want to know if I have more family out there.
“Still back in Bronston. We couldn’t risk him being exposed. Not with your father gone,” Tabitha replies, rubbing the back of her hand.
“Colorado? Like the town over from where we used to live when we were kids?” I probe.
Dad answers this time. “Yes, but when we were living there, they were down in Texas.”
“Are there any more Bradfords out there?” Now that I know my grandmother and grandfather are alive, I’m curious to know.
“Yes.”
I wait for him to say more, but he doesn’t. I open my mouth to ask more questions, but dad raises his good arm, stopping me.
“No more questions, Ry. We can’t tell you more. We shouldn’t have told you this much. If I wasn’t so shocked to see your grandmother, I wouldn’t have blurted out who she was.”
His face begs me to understand when he sees my jaw clench.
“Please, understand. Your safety… Kylan, Kellan, and Jamie’s safety… is most important, and I won’t risk any of you. Not for answers you’ll eventually get.”
Sighing, my shoulders slump in defeat. He’s right. I’d never risk them. While I might risk myself for the truth, I wouldn’t do anything to put them in danger.
I nod, and his posture visibly relaxes. “Why don’t you show me my room, and then we can celebrate my return with a family game night?” he suggests.
“I miss those,” I say in earnest. I’m not one hundred percent over the lack of questions I’ve had answered, but want to enjoy his being home.
Tabitha stands. “Great! I’ll get everything set up.” She makes her way to the door, but I shoot from my seat and engulf her in a hug. When she squeezes me back, I bask in the feeling of being hugged by my grandmother for the first time.
