13. Gideon
13
Gideon
I was cooking dinner when Laney approached me. Her expression was serious.
“I can’t promise I’ll stay here,” she began. “But that’s not what I wanted to talk about. When you go to Iran, please… be careful.”
“Laney, I’m always careful,” I said, pulling her into my arms. “Please stay. We have something good here, and I want to see where it leads.”
“The thing is,” she said hesitantly, “we’re so different. I was raised completely differently than you. What if there’s something wrong with me? I don’t want to ruin our friendship.”
“We’re more than friends, and you know that,” I said, my voice soft but firm. “Making love to you—it wasn’t just physical. It went straight to my heart. I’ve never felt anything like it before. I hate that I have to leave, but please be here when I get back.”
“Raven told me our dad might visit,” she said, her voice trembling. “He didn’t say for sure, but Raven also told him he had a granddaughter. I’m scared. I haven’t had a family since I was eight, and I don’t know if I can meet him. What if he doesn’t like me?”
“Laney, everyone loves you. If your dad visits, he’ll love you too. And your siblings—they’re good people. You’ll get along with them. They might even be on their way here right now.”
“What?” Her eyes widened. “Do you think they’re coming now?”
“I don’t know,” I admitted, “but Georgia told me that when she found out about her family, they showed up the same day. She even cried when she told me about it—though she’d had about three beers before Raven took the last one away. Georgia has a bit of a drinking problem… or at least Raven thinks so.”
“Raven’s probably worried for no reason. How old is Georgia?”
“She’s about twenty.”
“Why was she drinking if she’s only twenty?”
“That’s exactly what Raven asked her. She just said it was ‘no big deal.’ Apparently, she was sitting alone on the beach, drinking her beer.”
“That’s sad. Does she live at home with her mom?”
“No. She moved out when she was sixteen. Raven wanted her to live with him, but she said he was too strict.”
“Why would her mother let her move out at sixteen?”
“She remarried when Georgia was ten and had a couple more kids. Georgia became the built-in babysitter. I’m sure you’ve heard stories like that before. Maybe you should stay here and see if Georgia shows up. It might be good for you to meet your sister.”
“How do you know so much about Georgia?”
“I live next door to Raven. Between him and Georgia, I hear a lot.”
“What about my brothers? Do you know anything about them?”
“I know Travis is a Navy SEAL, and Ronald runs a horse ranch. He’s twenty-seven, so you two are close in age.”
“Where’s his horse ranch?”
“Oklahoma.”
“You should ask Raven more about them,” I suggested.
Before I could say more, Haley ran into the room. “Did you say I have an uncle with a horse ranch? Mom, we have to visit! I love horses. Remember when we used to have a horse in Oklahoma? We used to ride it before… before Grandpa took us.”
“Haley, don’t call that man Grandpa,” Laney said sharply. “He was an evil monster. Your real grandpa is coming to visit. He has a three-year-old daughter—your aunt.”
Haley’s eyes lit up. “Can she play with me?”
“Yes, sweetheart, she can play with you.”
“Oh, Mama! I want to play with her. I love babies!”
“I know you do, honey.”
“Dinner’s ready,” I announced, changing the subject. “We’re having spaghetti.”
“I love spaghetti, Gideon!” Haley beamed. “You’re a good cook.”
“Thank you, sweetheart.”
Laney turned back to me. “You mentioned I have another brother. Where is he? Do you know his name?”
“Yeah. His name is Mike. He’s in prison. He killed a man who brutely raped his girlfriend.”
Her voice dropped to a whisper. “Prison? How long has he been there?”
“He’s been in since he was eighteen.”
Her breath hitched. “Eighteen? How old is he now?”
“He’s twenty-four.”
“How much time did he get?”
“I’m not sure,” I admitted. “Raven has done everything he could to get Mike out. His girlfriend committed suicide after she got out of the hospital. I remember when Raven got the call from their dad, begging him to help get Mike released.”
“I don’t understand why he’s still in prison,” Laney said, frustration tightening her voice. “That man raped someone! Who was he?”
“The district attorney’s son.”
Laney’s jaw tightened. “I knew it. Where’s my brother in prison?”
“Oklahoma.”
“Damn it,” she muttered. “I’m going to get him out. I won’t allow my little brother to stay in prison for killing a man who brutally raped his girlfriend. How did it happen?”
“He slugged the guy, and he fell, hitting his head on the sidewalk.”
“That’s it? He hit him once, and the guy fell? And he’s already been in there for six years?”
“Yes.”
Laney exhaled sharply, running her fingers through her hair. Then, turning to Haley, she said, “Come on, sweetheart. I’ll start your bathwater. It’s time to get ready for bed.”
As they headed toward the bathroom, Haley asked, “Are we going to get your brother out of prison?”
“Yes, we are,” Laney said firmly. “He’s your Uncle Mike, and we’re leaving tomorrow.”
“No, you’re not going to that prison,” I said, stepping closer. “Prisons are horrible, Laney. There’s nothing you can do. Raven and your dad have already tried everything to get him out. If they couldn’t do it, how are you going to change anything?”
Laney turned to me, her eyes fierce. “I’m not giving up on my brother,” she said, but her voice softened as I pulled her into my arms.
“I want you with me tonight,” I murmured. “After Haley goes to sleep, come to my room.”
She hesitated. “Are you sure we should do this?”
“Yes,” I said, looking into her eyes. “I want to be with you. I have feelings for you.”
“I have feelings for you too,” she whispered as I leaned in and kissed her.
An hour later, I went looking for her and found her asleep next to Haley. A soft smile tugged at my lips as I quietly closed the door.