“You too,” Ryker said, his voice dropping. “We’ll make it through this.”
Maybe. Maybe not. “I know. For now, I need a favor. Will you call and arrange something for me with the Montana contingent?”
Ryker sighed. “Tell me you’re not going to do what I think you’re going to do.”
“I am. Will you help?” Denver held his breath.
Ryker waited a beat. “Of course. Always.”
The shower started in the other room as Noni stood and rushed to her aunts.
Franny had long black hair liberally sprinkled with gray, and her dark eyes were a match for Noni’s. She held out her arms and hugged both Noni and the baby close. “I’m so proud of you. Everything you did to find this babe.” She leaned back and cupped Noni’s face. “You’re such a smart girl, Non.”
“My turn.” Verna grasped Noni and pulled her in for a hug. While Franny smelled like huckleberries, Verna always smelled like vanilla cookies. Somehow. She had a short gray bob that went perfectly with her sassy blue eyes. She cut a look to the side. “Who’s the cop?”
Malloy cleared his throat. “I’m a friend.”
Verna looked more directly at him. “Humph.”
Noni smiled as her world finally righted itself. The baby slept soundly in her arms after her first dose of medication.
Verna took Talia with a soft smile, cooing as she went over to sit down. “Isn’t she just perfect?”
Noni nodded, feeling not so alone. “She is, but she has an ear infection.”
Verna took off the pretty white socks and counted each toe. “She’s okay. Healthy.” Looking up, tears glistened in Verna’s eyes. “Thank God.”
Emotion swamped Noni’s chest. “I know,” she whispered.
“We’ll make sure she’s never scared again,” Verna said, setting the socks back into place.
Aunt Franny slid an arm around Noni, giving support and comfort, just like she had Noni’s entire life. “So. Where’s dickhead?”
Malloy barked out a laugh. “Are you ladies hungry? I can order out for some food.”
“Yes,” Verna said, her gaze still on the baby in her arms. “But Franny is watching her cholesterol.”
Franny rolled her eyes. “She is driving me crazy with that,” she stage-whispered to Noni while pulling her over to sit on the sofa. “A pizza would be great, er . . .”
“Detective Malloy,” Noni supplied, settling against her aunt’s side. “He’s a good guy.”
“Why is he on crutches?” Verna asked, rocking the baby back and forth.
Malloy used said crutches to stand. “I got shot.” Without waiting for an answer, he headed for the door. “I’ll go check the troops and order pizza. Loaded?”
“Yes,” Franny answered before Verna could.
“Okay.” Malloy moved outside on the crutches and then shut the door.
Franny shifted against Noni. “My turn, Vern.”
Verna stood and very gently set the baby in Franny’s arms. “Isn’t she pretty?”
“Yes,” Franny whispered. “And she checked out? Everything good?”
Noni had already reassured her several times. “Yes. The doctors were very thorough. Except for the ear infection, she’s perfectly fine.” Thank God. “Richie and his Kingdom Boys pals have been arrested.” Well, the ones who weren’t shot dead. “So it’s over.” But it wasn’t. Not until Denver got free of Madison and Cobb. “We might need to take a little vacation for a while, though.”
Franny lifted her head and narrowed her gaze. “Why?”
