Chapter 24
“ Y ou just say when it gets too much. Okay?” Mitch smiles as he gets out of the driver's seat and rounds the hood so he can open my door. “You’re in control,” he reminds me, taking my hand and leading me toward the group of people who are gathered on the lawn in front of the chapel.
“Everleigh?” Savannah looks as shocked as she is excited to see me and nearly takes me out with the huge hug she greets me with.
“Maisie, Leia, this is Everleigh.” She still seems stunned as she introduces me and both women greet me with warm smiles and kind eyes. “I had no idea you were coming today.” She beams at me.
“It was a last-minute decision.” I try to stay engaged and ignore the crowd of people around me. But I still feel everyone's eyes judging me.
“Well, we’re glad you did, we’ve been wanting to meet you,” Leia tells me, and as if Mitch can sense my discomfort he wraps his arm around my waist and pulls me in close.
“That there is baby Dalton, he’s named after my nephew and his uncle.” He gestures his head into the stroller that Leia is holding onto. “And Garrett over there is holding little Brianna. Where are the boys?” he asks Maisie, looking around for them.
“Cole took them for a walk to get them off to sleep,” Maisie informs him, then leans closer to me and lowers her voice. “They aren’t big fans of church.”
“We were just telling Maisie to stop panicking about her dress, she’s nervous about Bianca's stupid party,” Savannah pipes up.
“Will you keep your voice down?” Maisie whisper-yells at her friend. “It’s just been a while since I wore anything fancy, and this isn’t exactly comfortable.” She tugs on the bottom of the tight-fitted dress she’s wearing. “I think it’s far too short for church.”
“It’s the perfect length, and I’m sure God doesn’t mind a little thigh. Why else would he have given ya such nice ones?” Savannah points out, making both me and Leia smirk at each other. Mitch slots his hand into mine and squeezes gently when everyone starts moving through the chapel doors, and Savannah gives me another quick hug.
“I’m so freaking proud of you,” she whispers, before waddling over to join the guy who’s pushing the double stroller from the other side of the lawn.
“You good?” Mitch checks as he leads me inside and I nod back at him because I actually am. Yes, having all these people surrounding us feels a little overwhelming, but I can tell just from meeting the girls that they are kind like Savannah, and having Mitch by my side makes me feel capable of getting through anything.
The service is much different from the ones we had at the village. Abraham would rant at his congregation and victimize people for their sins, sometimes there would be lashings if he wanted to make an example out of someone. Here in Fork River, I find myself intrigued by the words the preacher speaks. In fact, I find all he has to say very insightful. Maisie still looks nervous when the service is over, and when Leia and Savannah take all three of her little ones so she can leave for her party I notice they’re going to have their hands full, especially considering they are helping with the bake sale.
“Can I help?” The words stumble out of my mouth, shocking everyone around me.
“Sure.” Leia smiles as she finishes wrestling one of Maisie’s boys back into his stroller. “There's always room for an extra set of hands.”
“Garrett is dropping me off at the Mason ranch now, make sure you call if you need me.” Maisie kisses her babies goodbye.
“You don’t have to do this,” Garrett speaks under his breath as he stands in front of her.
“That bitch sent a rotting head to my house. I’m doing this.” She fixes a fake smile on her lips as she looks across to the circle of smartly dressed women opposite us.
“Good to see ya.” Garrett raises his hat at me, before taking his wife’s arm and leading her over to his truck.
“I wish we could have gone with her.” Savannah watches them leave, shaking her head.
“You’re in no condition to be starting anything, besides, we want peace. This family has been through enough turbulence to last a lifetime,” Leia points out.
“I second that.” The man I assume is Savannah’s husband comes from behind her and slides his hands around her rounded stomach. “I think ya should take the kids home and put your feet up, they got enough help for the bake sale.” He kisses her cheek.
“Put my feet up? With these hell raisers? Cole, you have to be kidding.” She looks at me and rolls her eyes.
“I just don’t want you overdoin’ shit.”
“Thanks to Everleigh, I won’t be, she’s gonna help out too.” Savannah reaches out and takes my hand. “Come on, these men can watch the kids and we’ll see where we are needed. If not, we can just eat cake.” I let her drag me away, looking over my shoulder to Mitch and smiling so he knows I’m okay.
There are lots of tables lined up around the town square and people are chatting while they tuck into all the homemade treats that are on offer. Leia is also child-free as she steps behind one of the tables and helps with the selling, and when I look back over to Mitch and his friends I see that Mitch has his eyes on me.
“You must be Everleigh.” I have to strain my neck to look up at the man who stands in front of me. “I’m Hunter, I’m new too.” He checks around him and looks awkward.
“Pleased to meet you.” I hold out my hand the way everyone around here seems to when they greet each other.
“He said you invited me to supper and I just wanted to say thank you. The ranch has been busy and I’ve rarely had a chance to sleep let alone anything else, but I was hoping I could join ya tomorrow night.”
“We’d like that.” I smile up at him.
“Not like Mitch to have favorites,” Savannah interrupts while scoffing on a brownie. “These are so good. They must be the ones I made.” She winks.
“We’ll see you tomorrow.” I smile at Mitch's son before taking Savannah’s arm and pulling her toward Leia, who looks like she could use some help.