STACEY
It was as I was taking bacon from the pan and adding it to the plate I’d lined with paper towel that I heard the faint squeak.
Frowning, I tilted my head, listening. It had been more than an hour since Raven had come home, and as far as I knew, nobody else had come in.
Quietly opening the drawer next to the stove, I removed the handgun I’d put there earlier. Slipping my shoes off and walking on socked feet towards the living room, my gaze roamed over the bodies sleeping there. Rosie, Opal, and Maura were on air mattresses on the floor, with Jessie on the couch, right where I’d left them all when Raven arrived. I’d told Raven to take Rosie’s room, so walking slowly upstairs until I got to Rosie’s room, I pushed open the door to find Raven right where I expected her to be, fast asleep. Going to Poppy’s room next, I opened the door, finding the room empty as it should be because she’d slept at Emily’s. Our bedroom door was open, but I checked it anyway. Finding all the bedrooms upstairs clear, I walked back downstairs, wondering if I’d imagined the noise, but my gut was telling me that someone else was in the house. The only rooms I hadn’t checked were the laundry and Ford’s room. I doubted anybody would be in the laundry room as it was right off the kitchen, but I checked it anyway. Finding it empty, I walked towards the garage and Ford’s room, which was just off the garage and completely self-contained.
Taking hold of the handle, I slowly opened it, gun ready should I need it.
Walking further into the dim room, with the sun only just rising and casting a bit of light through the open curtains, my brows rose when I caught sight of the tiny female in my son’s bed. She had a shock of bright red hair cut short, with long red lashes casting a slight shadow over freckled cheeks and dark shadows like bruises under her eyes. She didn’t look more than thirteen, curled up on the bed, but I had a feeling she was Ford and Rosie’s age.
Wondering how she’d got past the fences and the prospects, I decided she must be here for a reason and obviously knew Ford. I decided to leave her to sleep before getting answers. By the looks of it, the girl needed about five good meals and a good night’s sleep. Picking up the blanket at the end of the bed, I covered her, and she didn’t stir once.
Walking back to the kitchen, I continued with breakfast and was just finishing it when I heard the heavy footsteps on the porch, accompanied by deep voices. I hoped they were hungry because I stressed-cooked, and I’d gone all out, so we had piles of French toast, bacon, eggs, pancakes, and cut-up fruit.
Hurrying to the front door, I opened it and ran my gaze over my boys before my eyes found Roman’s. When I found them clear of worry, I relaxed and returned his smile.
“Morning, baby,” he rumbled, wrapping an arm around me to pull me towards him. “Breakfast smells amazing.”
“Morning, honey,” I replied, pressing my lips to his, then pulling out of his arms to greet my boys and to check them over.
“Morning, Momma,” Kyle muttered tiredly, kissing my cheek.
“Morning, baby,” I answered, hugging him before turning to Ford, who smiled and held out his arms to me. “I knew I’d wear you down,” I chuckled, kissing his cheek before rearing back and looking at him with narrowed eyes, “Care to tell me why there’s a strange girl in your bed?”
His eyes widened in shock, going from mine to Roman’s, “I don’t know anything about that. What the hell?!” He went to push past me into the house, but I held him back.
“Let her sleep, Ford, she looks exhausted and she’s just a little thing.”
Kyle chuckled at the pained look on Ford’s face. “Rowena,” they said in unison, shaking their heads.
“Short red hair and glasses that look too big for her face?” Ford asked.
“Not sure on the glasses, but yes to the red hair.”
“She helped us last night,” Kyle grinned, “and you seriously don’t want to get on her bad side. She’s a vicious little thing.”
His words made me wonder what she’d done, but then it probably wasn’t the first time people underestimated her. Deciding I’d find out later what was going on, I looked over Ford’s shoulder at Blake, Robbie, and Cash saying, “Welcome, Blake, Robbie, come grab some breakfast. Jessie and Raven are still asleep. Cash, if you want to get Lizzie, Chrissie, and RJ, I’ve cooked a tonne.”
“Will do,” Cash agreed, sauntering over to his house while I ushered everyone in and to the kitchen.
It was becoming a bit of a thing having our house full at breakfast, and I was loving it. The girls woke up with all the noise, Raven stumbling downstairs.
“Thanks for the breakfast, ma’am,” a soft voice said from next to me, making me jump and slap a hand to my chest.
“Sorry,” the voice apologised. Looking down into big bright grey eyes under a shock of red hair, I got my first good look at Rowena. The girl was stunning.
“That’s okay, I didn’t see you come in.”
“Not many do,” she smiled at me, but there was a tinge of sadness to her words. “I can clean up for you if you like.”
There was something about this girl that made me want to wrap her up and hold her tight.
“That’s okay, sweetheart. Have you had enough to eat?”
“I have, thank you. It was delicious. Thank you for letting me stay this morning. It’s the best sleep I’ve had in a long time.” With those cryptic words, she left me to finish wrapping up leftovers and glided silently away to sit at the table. I had to bite my lip when Blake jumped when he looked to his right and found her sitting there. What hit me was the amusement in Ford’s eyes as he watched her. I bet if asked, he’d have been aware of where she was at all times.
“I’m not sure if I’m ready for this next step in their lives,” I muttered quietly, heaving a silent sigh. Kids were so much easier when they were little.
Much later that night, once everyone was back in their own homes and the house was silent, Roman filled me in on everything that had happened. It was hard to believe that tiny little Rowena had done so much damage, but I also knew that grief and heartbreak could change a person, and having lost her twin, the other half of her soul, I imagined that she had a lot of anger built up inside her. It made me want to gather her up and hug her tight. I’d have to do some checking to find out what her family life was like. Either way, I’d ensure she knew she was welcome in our home.
Closing my eyes, with Roman’s steady heartbeat under my ear and our kids safe in their own beds tonight, I relaxed for the first time in hours and let sleep claim me. Whatever happened, we’d deal with the fallout if it came our way.