“Oh no.” Lily gasped. “Can I go in? I need my stuff. I was going to pack.”
“I’ll take you. Don’t touch anything unless I clear it first. Got it?” Ben told her. She nodded and took his hand.
I waited with Cade knowing she would be safe with her father while she packed a few things. “I wanted her to stay with me.”
“Bit soon for that, don’t you think?” An eyebrow went up as he pointed out the obvious.
“That’s what she said, and you’re both right. But I want to be there for her and the kids. I need to prove that I am notgoing anywhere this time. I’m trying not to scare her off by pushing her, but someone is out there threatening her safety and I can’t look the other way?—”
“Hey, it’s going to be okay. You can be there for her even if you aren’t living with them. She’ll be safe at the house with my parents, you know that.”
“I know. I hate everything about this.”
“So do I. There is no doubt Will was a good cop. Nothing about this situation sits right with me.”
It felt like only a minute or two had passed before Lily and Ben reappeared, walking toward us.
“You’re not taking anything?” I asked. Ben shook his head behind Lily’s back.
“No, I—maybe tomorrow. Right now, I don’t want to touch any of it. I’ll ride home with my dad. You don’t have to drive all the way out to the house. Will I see you tomorrow?”
“Of course. I’ll come by first thing in the morning.” I kissed her goodbye and brushed her hair over her shoulder. “Call me if you need me. I mean it—I don’t care what time it is.” I glanced over at Ben. “Make her call me if she needs me.”
He nodded. “Will do, Luke. See you in the morning. Bring Rocky. The kids miss him.”
I lifted my chin, kissed her one more time, then took off to pick up Rocky and go home. There was nothing more I could do right now.
Chapter 22
Lily
My mother got up from the couch and rushed over to me the second I crossed through the doorway. It felt good to be engulfed by her the way I’d been as a child. Bumps, bruises, and hurt feelings could always be soothed away by my mother. I wished she could make this situation better too.
I hugged her back as she offered me some hot chocolate and banana bread. I was always willing to be distracted by sweets, so it was easy to say yes and follow her into the kitchen. Asher was sitting at a stool at the center island, sipping his own mug of hot chocolate. I saw the bottle of Bailey’s next to his plate and smiled. Even better. Then I frowned when I remembered I couldn’t drink it.
“Are you okay, Lily?” Asher asked as I sat next to him on a stool.
I nodded as Mom passed me a slice of banana bread and the Keurig bubbled and brewed out the hot chocolate.
“I laid out some pajamas for you, and you can use my bathroom. Just borrow whichever face wash and lotion you need, honey.” Mom handed me my mug.
“Thanks. How were the kids?” It was past their bedtime,and Dad had already told me on our drive home they were asleep.
“Perfect as usual. Calla has been asleep for about three hours, and Dylan is crashed out with Mark and Mara on the pullout couch upstairs in the living room. They all fell asleep during the movie.”
“Good. That’s good.” I nodded blankly and watched as Asher and Mom exchanged a look. I didn’t want to participate in their nonverbal conversation, so I ignored it and sipped my drink. I cupped my hands around the warm mug to take away my sudden chill. I took another sip and stared out the French doors into the darkness outside. I felt a wave of panic coming on as I thought about everything that had happened today.
“Want a bubble bath? I’ll run one for you.” Without waiting for my answer, she clapped her hands once. “Yes, come upstairs and have a soak in my tub. I have lavender bubbles. Lavender is very relaxing.”
I blinked and turned my head toward her. I was frustrated by the concern in her voice, then felt bad for being frustrated. I just wanted to blank out this entire day.
“I just want a shower, then I’m going to bed. Where is the baby monitor?”
“I’ll keep it, and you can get some sleep. You look tired.”
“Mom, I can take care of Calla. I’m fine,” I insisted as I reached for the monitor.
Mom and Asher exchanged another look.
