I winced. In any other circumstances, this might pull some type of chuckle from me, but all I felt was an ache deep in my soul.
“Sometimes people get hurt even if they’re young.”
Cheyenne’s bottom lip began to quiver again.
“What about my room?”
This time, I was the one to move closer. Taking a page out of Ms. Simmons’s book, I sat on the floor. “We can take whatever you want back to my place.”
“You really flew on a plane?”
I nodded and pointed to Chris. “My friend, Chris, made sure I got here as soon as possible.”
“Thank you, Mr. Chris.” Cheyenne stepped closer to me. “Will Ashlynn come too?”
“Of course she will.”
She nodded as if accepting her fate. I hated this for her, but I was thankful she had calmed quickly, though I was sure the tears would be here for a while. “Are you ready to leave?”
“Go home with you right now?” Her eyes widened.
I shook my head. “No, sorry, sweetie. We’ll go to your house first. I have to know what you want to bring to Colorado, right?”
Relief pooled in her eyes. “Okay.” She slipped her hand into mine. “Don’t forget the baby.”
Ms. Simmons picked up my sleeping niece and placed her into my arm. I had one arm wrapped around Ashlynn, and the other hand held Cheyenne. My gaze met Chris’s. “We’re ready.” But the staccato rhythm of my heart said otherwise.
“All right. Tuck just pulled up.”
Ms. Simmons followed behind us to ensure we’d obtained the appropriate car seats for the girls. After watching me buckle them in to make sure I had an understanding, she nodded. “I’ll contact you once the courts set the date.”
“Thank you for watching over them.”
“It was my pleasure.” She squeezed my hand. “I’m so sorry for your loss. Take care of those dear girls.”
“I will.” I maneuvered around one of the car seats until I sat in the middle between the girls.
Chris and Tuck kept quiet all the way to my sister’s place. There seemed to be an unspoken agreement that everyone would be left to their thoughts, but I couldn’t wait to be alone. There was a storm of tears waiting for release, but until then, I’d put on a brave front for my nieces. I was no stranger to hardship, but not having Ellynn by my side had rocked my very foundation. How was I supposed to move forward?
Twelve
They said new mercies came in the morning. Today, they came in the form of Tuck and Piper, who arrived on the doorstep with a donut box and Charlie. When Chris and Erykah had landed yesterday, Tuck agreed to watch the pup until they got the girls and were settled.
“Thanks for watching him.” Chris clapped Tuck on the back.
“It was fun.”
“Good to see you, Piper.” He gave her a side hug.
Her arm squeezed his neck. “I’m so sorry. I couldn’t believe it when Tuck told me.” She pulled back and studied him. “Are you resting? It’s hard to be the pillar someone else leans on.”
Why did that statement choke him up? He nodded, waiting for the opportune time to clear his throat and effectively rid himself of emotions that he needed to keep locked inside.
“Come on in. The girls are sleeping. Erykah’s been awake for a while.” Chris grimaced.
She’d woken at five in the morning, which was even earlier for them considering their bodies were running on mountain time and not eastern. Despite that, Chris had heard her movements and gotten up to be with her. All she’d done was sit in the living room, clutching a photo of her and Ellynn.
He set the kennel down. “I’ll be back, boy.” He stood and gestured for his friends to follow him into the kitchen.
