CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
Summer
Aweek and a half haspassed since the brutal attack at Lily and Jaxon’s home.Tensions are running high between the two families and neither have been fully able to get back into a routine.Both, I have come to think of as an extension of my own family, and like I would my own, I have tried to be there for them.I care a great deal about both, and I feel for each of them as they navigate through this ordeal.They may be coping with it differently and individually, but they are handling it together as a family.It has been beautiful to witness, especially since their reputations have had them labelled as rivals for so long.
Isaac, along with Evie, Rebecca and baby Sienna, are staying with Rebecca’s father since his security system surpasses the one installed at the Hayes farm.Liam rambled out facts about why it was a better system, but none of them made sense to me.Or they didn’t until we walked out of the bed and breakfast and Reid simplified it.He explained Tom’s was better because he lived in a more controlled and secure area than the Hayes family did on open land.
The twins were between Tom’s and the farm due to college starting in a few weeks and wanting to help Liza with the animals.Barry, who is doing much better than Lily, is staying with her and Rose at Maverick and Teagan’s home.From what the Hayes have said in my presence, and what Reid and I have spoken about, she isn’t doing well.The attack alone has shaken her, but from what Landon had told us, she was slowly coming to terms with the attack, seeming strong and resilient.It had been the news of her miscarriage that had forced her to check-out for a couple of days.With a trauma like that, her broken foot, fractured wrist, and the two slightly cracked ribs will be healed before her heart.
“Summer Adams, are you listening to me?”
I shake the thoughts away and look to the woman who raised me.Even in her late fifties, she is still beautiful.Her short, bobbed, brown hair has roots highlighted with grey.Her skin, whilst showing a few signs of aging below her eyes, chin and neck, still looks smooth.The only wrinkles she has are those in the slits of her eyes, and from the frown she now wears.My dad, who is sitting next to her, shuffles to the end of the chair across the table.He grew into his silver hair in his late thirties.A true silver fox.His eyes are the same colour as mine, yet his hold more wisdom than mine ever could.
“I’m sorry, Mum.It’s been a weird day.”
I don’t explain Reid’s brothers are checking out another location to find Andrew Black this evening, or how I know despite Jaxon ordering him to stay home, Reid wants to be there.He didn’t put up much of a fight, though, and I know that’s because of me and this dinner.
Mum’s expression softens as she turns to Reid, who they briefly met for the first time a week before Lily’s attack.As I predicted, my mother was enamoured with him.Dad loves that he has someone else to talk football with.Cody, my little brother, just wants to hang out with his friends.My sister’s husband doesn’t like sport in general.
“I’m sorry about what has been happening with your family, Reid.Please let them know that they are in our thoughts.”
“I will, thank you, Jill.Mum said once the police have Andrew in custody, she will invite you to the farm for dinner.”
I take his hand under the table.“If it’s okay, Mum, Reid and I are going to head back.It doesn’t feel right being here when his family are not okay.”
Reid squeezes my hand back.“Hey, it’s okay, Sunshine.I told you that.I want to be here with you and your parents.”
I turn to the man who has stolen my heart.“I know you did.And I know if we stayed for dessert and drinks, you would happily do it.But I also know you are worried about your family, and being separated from them.”
“You two head home,” Dad assures us, his voice gruff.“Family is important.You should be around each other during times like these.”
My parents are amazing.“Thank you for understanding, Dad.I didn’t like the thought of letting you down when I haven’t been able to see much of you guys.Last time I saw Ezra was the day before I got sent upstairs to work for Katherine.I miss him.”
My nephew, Ezra, is finishing primary school soon.I used to spend a day with him at least once every fortnight; just the two of us.Then Katherine happened, and when I wasn’t working, I was sleeping.Then all the chaos happened and it just didn’t feel safe to be around them.It still doesn’t feel safe.
“He misses you too.We all understand you had a job to do.We were worried about your health.You were so run down during those first few weeks working with that woman.We didn’t want to add to that, and we were worried you were going to burn out,” Dad tells me.
Mum reaches across the table for my hand.“None of us are going anywhere.Once everything is settled, we can make this a regular thing.”
“Why don’t you two head off and I’ll settle the bill,” Dad offers.
Reid holds up his hand.“Thank you, but this one is on me.I’m the one who switched it to this restaurant when you offered to cook.”
“We couldn’t possibly,” Dad begins.
“Please, let me.It’s the least I can do since we are rushing off,” he tells them.“Thank you for inviting me to join you today.Next time it will be longer.”
I squeeze his hand.He had been so sure they wouldn’t like him when he first met them.They had turned up at the farm one morning and we happened to be standing on the front steps, kissing each other goodbye.He was dead wrong about them not liking him.They love him.And they aren’t faking it to his face whilst secretly messaging me to dump him.They genuinely adore him.
We say our goodbyes, promising to arrange another meet up, before leaving the restaurant, walking down the road to the car park.
