Chapter 30
“Get him,” Dolly said around a snore, her breathing even almost as soon as the words finished.
Bea laughed softly. “At least she didn’t knock anything over this time.”
The first few times she woke up with a start she’d swung the purse she had clutched in her hand. After knocking down one of our cute little side tables and a vase of flowers, we moved them out of reach.
She’d barely stayed awake through the entire thing.
Our little adventure wore her out, but just having her here made me feel a whole lot better. Henry surely wouldn’t try anything if he saw her again.
His bruises hadn’t even healed properly yet.
Despite the extra protection, I kept expecting Henry or his crazy sister to pop out and try to attack me again. She’d somehow snuck in despite a fairly obvious resemblance and I didn’t trust either of them.
Henry seemed so calm at his house. He almost made her out to be the crazy one, but her same unhinged smile was a mirror of the one he’d given me a few times now.
He truly thought they were untouchable. That right there was enough to keep me nervous as hell.
I tried my best to keep my worries under wraps, but the way Bea and Taryn kept checking on me made it obvious I wasn’t doing a great job.
Hell, even the guys had been tugging on the bond on and off. We didn’t want to part ways but it was just a short time.
We had lives to live and jobs to keep.
It was almost closing time anyway. I’d already started my closing walk through just to make sure everything was in order and there was no trash or anything else littering the floors. I just had to vacuum and sweep before I left since I completed my dusting in between customers and packing boxes.
"Dani?" Taryn called.
"Here," I said before walking back towards the register.
"Your favorite nephew told me that he needed some snuggles before it was time to go home," she told me as we met in the center of the store.
Little Liam was wiggling and screaming in his mother's arms but as soon as she passed him over he quieted down.
Taryn leaned close to her son and whispered, "Traitor," with a laugh.
"I can't help that he loves his Aunt Dani," I said as I bounced him gently and made a silly face. He was finding his giggles more and it was my favorite thing ever.
"Well, at times like these I'm glad that he has you. I think I'd be bald without you and Bea and all your help," she admitted. "Don't get me wrong, the guys help, too, but I couldn't get anything done here if I didn't have you two."
"No need to explain. I'm happy to help. I love our little family. Now we just need Bea to find her pack and we'll be whole," I joked.
"Bea needs a what?" our friend asked as she walked in with Gem. She raised a dark eyebrow, green eyes full of knowing.
"Who said Bea?" I teased, acting as if I was innocent.
"Let's get you and your men settled before you start trying to pack me up," she reminded me.
"Yeah and these assholes in their place," I added with a sigh.
"You really think that they are going to start something?" Taryn asked. “After all that?”
"I don't trust them as far as I can throw them," I admitted. “They’re just crazy enough to push past boundaries and restraining orders. We’d been granted a temporary one but I knew they didn’t go far for people like Henry.
With a sigh I glanced toward the window. Dolly shifted in her chair and I clung to the distraction. "Who’s waking up Dolly?"
Taryn sighed, "I guess since you two have the twins, I'll do it."
"Just make sure to watch that bag, she’s got a mean swing," I cautioned her.
"Roger that," Taryn said with a little salute. She tossed her blonde hair over her shoulder and stood tall before approaching.
Liam squirmed a little as she walked away, but I distracted him as I turned back to my checklist. It seemed he was going to make sure I added vacuuming to my morning tasks.
I was just about halfway through when the bells over the door chimed. My eyes drifted closed in defeat.
Great, last minute shoppers.
They were the one thing I despised. Why did people do that to workers when they were clearly getting ready to go home?
"Welcome in, can I help you with anything?" I called from behind the counter.
"Yes, my girl promised me dinner," Jackson called back with a laugh. The annoyance was gone in an instant, replaced by relief.
"Sir, I think you have the wrong person. Are you sure that you're in the correct store?" I shot back as I walked around the corner to greet them.
Liam let out a coo as my guys came into sight. That melted my heart. Does he adore them, too?
When Griff got close, Liam's little arms reached for him and my man took him with a smile.
Okay, there went my ovaries.
Griff was usually grumpy but this little boy had him wrapped around his fingers.
It had my mind wondering just how sweet they’d all be to our own little babies.
Teaching them baseball, their daddy Jackson making them costumes for comic conventions.
Which reminded me. Before all the chaos I’d snagged us tickets for the one coming only an hour away.
It wasn’t for three more months but it was just the thing to lift our spirits.
"How was your day?" Cy asked, moving towards me and pulling me in for a kiss. “You seem distracted.”
His scent enveloped me and I felt like I was at home already.
"Great, Dolly came back with us and stayed all day. When she napped she would swing her bag here and there. I think she was dreaming about Henry and whacking him with her bag again," I told him with a laugh. “And I was genuinely thinking about something not Henry related at least.”
"No one tried to mess with you?" Jackson asked.
"Just that little guy Griff is holding," I teased. “His hand can sure latch onto hair and not let go.”
"Well, he is the only one that is allowed to," Griff smirked at me before looking at Liam. “Anyone else touches your auntie and we’ll make sure to handle it.”
Even said in a cute little voice he sounded menacing. Liam just found it hilarious, a soft giggle bubbling out of him.
"Are you sure? Look at that cute face, I bet he could steal your girl," Taryn said, walking up behind me.
"I think Taryn has a point," I agreed as I blew the little guy a kiss.
"Nah, he loves his Uncle Griff. There’s no way he would betray me," Griff said. I nearly lost it at the baby talk. He was better with kids than anyone gave him credit for.
"Woah, has he been body snatched or something?" I asked Jackson and Cy.
"Must be, or he’s sick. Quick someone grab that baby," Cy teased.
"Ha-ha-ha. You're just jealous that I'm Liam's favorite," he said, sticking his tongue out at us.
"I'll remember that the next time that he wakes up at 2 a.m.," Taryn said. “Expect a FaceTime call.”
"What's for dinner?" Dolly interrupted from the chair she was just snoring in. Her stomach rumbled loudly, effectively ending the teasing.
We had an old lady to feed. She deserved it after the way she kept Henry in line.
"I can make some ribs," I offered. “I was craving some cheesy carbs, so maybe some mac and cheese, too.”
"Give me an hour and I'll whip up my famous potato salad," Dolly said, jumping up faster than I thought she would be able to.
"Oh, a potluck. I'll call Holt to whip up some desserts," Taryn added excitedly. "Do you want to do it at the ranch?"
"Nah, just bring some chairs and we can sit around the lake," I suggested.
“Yeah, Dani has the grill to end all grills,” Cy teased. I rolled my eyes but couldn’t deny it. That baby was worth every damn penny.
Dolly didn't have to be told twice, she headed out the door with a shouted ‘see ya’ later’ and a wave over her shoulder.
"I think we will need a few more options mixed in. I'm not sure how many grannies she'll bring," I told them.
"You go get started and I'll lock up," Bea offered. “Count it as my contribution because I’m not in the mood to cook.”
"Are you sure? I don't lock up enough," I told her with a wince. They’d been covering me more than I liked lately.
"Of course. You're feeding me, it's the least I can do," she said. “Plus, we’re partners, remember. We help each other out.”
"Thank you," I said with a quick hug before turning to the guys. Truth be told, I was ready to get the hell out of here today. Ever since that video I didn’t feel safe in my safe space and I hated that. "Are you all ready?"
"Griff, can I have my baby back?" Taryn asked when he started for the door with Liam in his arms still.
"If you must," he sighed and handed Liam over. “I’ll see you soon, little buddy.”
"I'll give him back at dinner," she promised.
Griff gave her a nod and took my hand to lead me out. "It will be nice to have a family style cookout. I’m getting used to this whole ‘small town’ life."
"Yeah, I'm sure that Holt will insist we do it at the ranch but I think that we can all take turns. Plus, he can't cook shoe leather like I can," I teased, smirking at Jackson.
"I stand by my choice," he grinned back before taking my other hand.
The sun was still high in the sky but it was starting to feel like an autumn breeze was coming in. Just enough to chase away the humidity.
The guys were greeted as much as I was, but it wasn’t for their baseball careers. It was because in this town they were starting to make a name for themselves.
Just like Taryn’s pack did. If that didn’t scream fate, I don’t know what would.
The grocery store was a quick walk. At least we had enough hands to carry everything back.
"When we get home I’m changing into something more comfortable. Then I’ll season the meat and start on the sides while you guys get the chairs set up.” I wasn’t trying to be bossy, but making a plan was helping me to feel a bit more in control.
Something I severely needed tonight.
"Sounds like a plan," Cy promised. "Do we need anything else besides the meat and macaroni ingredients?"
"Maybe some drinks and ice? I have enough plates and napkins at home," I answered.
"Perfect. Jackson, you come with me. Griff keep eyes on our girl," he ordered, serious now. “I don’t want to linger here for too long. My alpha is still on edge.”
Griff gave him a low growl in response. I’d take that as he felt the same.
"Easy there boy," I joked, patting him on the arm. “Let’s go. You get me to yourself for a bit.”
"I like the sound of that,” he practically purred, burying his face in my neck. “Let’s sneak off.”
“Behave, you two,” Jackson said as Cy dragged him away.
“Come on, we have time for that tonight,” I reassured him. “We need to hurry before the others beat us home.”
"Yeah and little Liam will be waiting for his Uncle Griff," he said with a small laugh.
"Who knew that you had a soft spot for babies?" At first, he was the most awkward with the twins. Now he was just as good with them as I was.
"Don’t act like you don’t love it, omega.” He raised a brow as he added a pack of steak to the basket.
"I do. Until you hog that sweet little boy," I said, bumping my hip into his.
Thoughts of Henry slipped away as we shopped. It was so easy to be around my pack. Plus, we were going back to have dinner with what I now considered my family. Something I never had before Willow Lake.
Grannies. Older brothers in my besties pack. ‘Packs’ when Bea found hers because I had no doubt they’d be just as perfect.
And my own pack that knew me better than myself.
“You seem happy,” Griff noted as he grabbed the pack of ribs I pointed to, adding it to the growing pile. We were definitely going to have leftovers.
“I am,” I admitted. “Despite all the bad, I can’t get over the feeling of having a family like this. That you guys are as amazing as you are. You protect me and you even sought out Henry to make sure this stops. I’m just… happy. I never had this much support.”
“Your family is the one missing out. I learned a long time ago there are two types of families. Neither one is wrong, as long as everyone is happy. We all deserve to feel accepted and supported. You give us that, too,” he said.
We’d stopped walking and he was facing me now.
His fingers ghosted over my cheek before tucking a stray curl behind my ear.
His dark blue eyes were shining with the same happiness I felt through the bond.
Then two more alphas sent the same feeling back, adding to ours until I felt like I could burst.
No matter what happened, I knew I at least had them.
Shopping wrapped up quickly and we raced home as fast as we could walk. The guys were amazing, splitting up tasks and rushing around to get the house in order. Cy and Griff handled the patio while Jackson was helping me.
We turned on music and his voice soon filled the air, singing to the old country song as I sprinkled seasoning on the meat. Our counter was lined in baking sheets covered in meat at this point.
I started to sing along but a yawn hit me hard. It was a long day, but why was I so tired?
“Jackson?” I asked as my head spun. My fingers clung to the counter as my vision blurred.
Something was wrong.
My eyes fluttered as my men raced toward me and just before they closed completely, I watched in horror as Jackson fell in front of me.