Chapter 21
There were cars everywhere when Kurt pulled in to the Hiller Ranch on Saturday, both his girls in their carseats behind him. He was going to storm the battlements, and get inside somehow. Greer was being difficult.
He’d even texted her last night to see if he could help her today or something. She’d told him to…go chase flies. He thought the woman was enjoying yanking him around. Never had he met a more stubborn woman than that one.
He was probably taking his life into his own hands coming here after what had happened Thursday, but…his woman was here. He was going to get her.
But maybe with two dozen cars and trucks around that weren’t Hillers—he recognized the sheriff’s personal vehicle, for one—the Hiller brothers wouldn’t kill him right away. And he was really hoping they wouldn’t kill him in front of his girls.
He had gotten good at moving the girls around. He put Bronte in the baby carrier on his chest, facing out, where she could see the world. Bristol was a fast little kid demon, though. He grabbed her hand immediately.
“Why here?” she asked, looking up at him with big brown eyes just like his brother’s had been. At least…he thought they were Kevin’s eyes. Kurt hadn’t seen his brother since he’d been nine years old. Just a few old photos.
“Looking for Greer.” How exactly did he explain what he was after today? “I love Greer and I want to see her today, too.”
“Oh. Me play?”
“Maybe. We’ll find Greer first, okay?”
“Hungry.”
She was always hungry. “Just wait a little bit, okay?”
He had waited long enough to catch his woman. And she was avoiding him. She was really, really good at avoiding him.
Kurt knocked on the door.
And waited.
It swung open.
A young woman with curly brown hair, freckles, and big brown eyes stared back at him—one of Greer’s identical brothers was right behind her.
“Hel—“ the brother said. The woman elbowed him in the stomach. “You aren’t welcome here, Chase.”
“I didn’t figure that, but that is my baby growing inside your sister. I at least need to talk to her.”
“She doesn’t want to talk to you.”
“Daddy Kurt, me hungry!” Bristol had to add. “Now!”
“Whose kids are they?” the brother asked. “You do the same thing to some other guy’s baby sister?”
The brown-eyed woman elbowed him--hard.
“My step-sister’s, actually. She and their father passed away recently. They live with me now.”
“I’m sorry,” the woman said. “I’m Hala Hanan, Mr. Chase. I teach kindergarten at the Value Elementary.”
That meant she’d be the girls’ teacher someday. Then her last name registered.
“Hudson’s sister?” Gene’s attorney was a big ox of a man, standing a good six-six and weighing three hundred twenty pounds of solid muscle. He made Kurt feel petite.
This woman was a little elf-looking thing who might break one ten.
“Yes. I’m also Greer’s best friend since kindergarten. So I know all about what happened. Everything. All the details. Greer is in the backyard. I can go get her. If you promise not to be a jerk.”
“Nonsense,” a female voice said from behind her. “He can come in, as long as he promises he’ll behave himself. There is plenty of food. Mr. Chase, do you promise not to do anything to upset my daughter today?”
Greer’s mother was right there. Watching him like she could see his every sin. Judging him. This woman—his brother had lived with her before. In this house. While Kurt had been so far away in another corner of the state.
“Yes, ma’am. I just need to talk to her. I’ll be on my best behavior. I have to set a good example for these two, after all. I’ve mended my ways. I swear.”
“I’m going to hold you to that.”
Then she was leading him into the backyard. Where the rest of the Hillers and their guests waited, ignoring her son’s protests behind them all the way.