Chapter 30
Azalea
We hadn’t even pulled up yet when Damon’s boys, Jason and Trent, came barreling outside toward us. Then the whole family started to pile out of the house.
McCrae turned to me. “I’m sorry. They just care a lot.”
I let out a light laugh, feeling touched. “I love it.”
He parked, and we got out of the car.
Kayla rushed toward my side, pulling me into a long hug. “Oh my gosh, are you okay?” She pulled back and looked me up and down. “We’ve all been so worried. How’s your brother?”
There was no time for me to answer; she took my hand and dragged me toward the house.
I was engulfed in hugs by Ella, and then Isla, and then McCrae’s mom and dad, and then Noah and Canyon. Dylan was there too.
McCrae turned to him. “You still in town, dude?”
Dylan shrugged. “I’m working from home right now, because my brother and this new person who’s in our family are kind of in the middle of some crazy stuff.”
McCrae let out a laugh, and Dylan hugged him.
It was touching to see how this family was so close. I thought of the past couple of days, how they had taken me in with no hesitation. I realized I was crying.
McCrae’s mother stepped forward and gently put her hand on my cheek. “Are you okay?”
I grabbed her hand, then looked at all of them. “I just want to tell all of you how grateful I am that you took me in for the past couple of days, and I’m so sorry for bringing all of this into your lives.”
His mother pulled me in for another hug. “Are you kidding? You gave us something to do in this sleepy town.”
A rumble of laughter went through all of them.
“She’s right,” Canyon said. “We’re grateful to have something interesting.”
His father snorted out a laugh. “That’s right.”
I couldn’t help but feel so grateful for all of them.
Jason and Trent were suddenly at my sides, hugging me. Isla was holding Damon’s new son, and Ella held her own little daughter. The family was so cute.
Jason asked, “Is your brother okay?”
I couldn’t help but smile at him. My vision was swimming, making everything look blurry.
“Why are you crying?” Trent sounded a little alarmed.
“I’m crying because you guys are the best family ever. Thank you for asking about my brother. He’s healing. He’s okay. He’s in the hospital, and he wanted me to come hang out with you guys for a couple of days, if that’s okay.”
Jason looked confused. “Because someone is chasing you? That guy who shot the gun in the hospital?”
I felt nervous that they knew about all of that.
Damon cleared his throat and then let out a light laugh. “Sorry, Azalea. As you can tell, no one is good in this family at keeping secrets.”
I shook my head. “No, it’s fine. I pulled you all into this.” I turned to Jason. “Yeah, there was someone shooting at us, and I want you all to be careful, because I don’t know what kind of trouble I brought to your family. I just hope it stops soon.”
Everyone was quiet for a minute.
Damon cleared his throat. “I told you how that van full of people was intercepted, and we’ll wait a couple of days to see how that works out. The FBI is on it. They’re going to be here in the morning, and we’re taking precautions. It’s going to be okay.”
I hugged the kids to me. “You guys be careful and keep a lookout for anything strange. Okay?”
Jason flexed his little bicep. “We’re ready.”
Everyone laughed, and McCrae’s mom waved toward the house. “I bake when I’m nervous. So I baked up a bunch of treats that are inside, if you guys don’t mind just staying and talking for a little bit.”
McCrae looked at me, questioning.
I grinned. “That would be great.”
The house was filled with the rich aroma of fresh-baked goods. The kitchen counters were covered with plates of cookies and bread, bringing a sense of normalcy to this utterly abnormal situation.
They all began asking questions about me.
I recounted everything I’d told McCrae about my childhood, the fire, and my parents being gone.
I was surprised that it was easy to talk to this family.
They all moved around getting different treats; banana bread, chocolate chip cookies, and other assorted cookies that his mom had made.
I found myself eating three chocolate chip cookies.
After I finished filling them in, Kayla held my hand. “So what you’re saying is that you have room for a family just like ours in your life.”
My eyes fluttered. “Don’t make me cry again. I’ve been crying all day.”
A warm smile filled her face, and she hugged me. I looked around the room, and all of them seemed to have tears in their eyes. I was touched by how wonderful they all were.
McCrae’s mom sniffed and wiped at a tear. “We’re so glad that God put you in our life. I think everything’s going to work out. I really think that. And your brother’s going to heal. If he needs a place to recover, and he’s up for it, he can come stay with us.”
I was surprised that all of them were nodding, and then Damon’s kids started asking a bunch of questions about my brother, and I explained that he was a cop and how he would really like this family.
Finally, McCrae’s dad said, “Well, it’s been a big day. Let’s all get home, get some rest. We’ll touch base in the morning.”
We all filed out of the house, giving hugs, and it was strange how comfortable I was hugging all of them. It was like the past few days and my normal life had seamlessly merged.
McCrae and I drove back to his place.
“Are you okay?” he asked as we walked inside.
I nodded. “Your family’s just amazing. I can’t say that enough.”
“Yes, they are,” he agreed.
I moved toward the bathroom. “I’m going to shower and then put on my pajamas.”
We reconvened after we’d both gotten ready for bed.
In the kitchen, I turned to him. “I made myself some lavender tea. I hope that’s okay.”
He smiled at me and then moved to my side. “You know it’s okay.”
I hesitated, staring into his eyes. “What?” I asked, feeling slightly uncomfortable.
He let out a light breath and then shrugged. “I don’t know. I mean, this whole past couple of days has just been really intense, but I just …”
Looking at him in question, I reached out and grabbed his hand.
He took a step closer to me. “I just don’t want to put pressure on you, but I can’t lie. I just feel so much for you.”
I scoffed. “Even after hearing about how I got us into this mess?”
With his other hand, he lightly moved a strand of hair out of my face. “Yeah.” He grinned. “I like your curious nature. I mean, I would prefer that no one comes after you or your brother. But I was happy today to learn that you don’t have a significant other.”
Warmth filled me, and I stared at his lips. Acting boldly, I leaned forward and gently pressed my lips to his.
He his hands looped around my back.
The kiss was simple, but everything I could have asked for. I pulled back. “I’m grateful I don’t have anyone either, and I’m grateful you actually know about me and you still like me.”
Then his hands were on my hips and his lips were back on mine. I felt the strength of this man and his intensity, and I wrapped my hands around his neck, pulling him closer.
He deepened the kiss, and I felt lost, complete, so many things.
I pulled back and couldn’t help but smile at him. “You found me. You found me in so many ways. You found me trembling on the side of the road. I’m not going to lie and say that this has all been easy, but you found me in other ways too, and that doesn’t mean you’re obligated to have me.”
He let out a light growl. “Well, I do think I started wanting a relationship with you when you told me I was responsible for you.”
I laughed. “I guess I didn’t give you a choice, did I?”
He kissed me again and held me tighter. “I’m glad you didn’t.”
“It’s nice to be in your arms and kiss you and know that this is okay.”
He smiled against my lips. “You’re telling me.”
I laughed, and then he laughed, and I wondered if this moment could go on forever. I wanted it to.
He held me tightly for a second, then pulled back. “Let’s go to bed and we’ll see what tomorrow brings.”
I felt a little scared about tomorrow. Still, I did trust him. “Sounds good.”
We walked down the hallway.
I hesitated. “Wait a sec.”
“Yeah?”
“Will you read me a Bible story?”
He laughed and pulled me in for another hug. “I thought you’d never ask.”