Chapter 24
BLAKE
I come to with a groan, screams and shouting infiltrating my sleepy haze until I crack my eyes open and become aware that I’m in a different house. That’s right. It’s the Football Frat holiday weekend and… why are people screaming?
“Mommy?” Nichelle sits up, rubbing her eyes and looking kind of scared.
“It’s okay, baby.” I pull her close, wrapping my arms around her and smiling with relief when I hear adult voices. “I think it’s just a little skirmish between the kids, but the adults are down there now sorting it all out.”
“What’s a skimish?”
“A skirmish is like a little fight. Not a big deal, but still something that needs to be stopped, you know?”
Nichelle nods, relaxing against me.
“What time is it?” I reach behind me for my phone, tapping the nightstand until I find it.
With bleary eyes, I check the screen and am guessing we’re probably the last ones up. What else is new?
“Hey, should we go downstairs, say good morning to everyone?”
“Okay.” Nichelle looks up at me, her sweet smile melting my heart.
I kiss the tip of her nose and grin down at her. “Let’s go, cupcake.”
Nichelle gives me one more squeeze before jumping out of the bed. I’ve never settled on a particular pet name for my babies. They get a little of everything, from pumpkin to sodalicious, baby to sweetness. Whatever tumbles out of my mouth, really, but they seem to love them all.
Flicking back the covers, I walk to my suitcase, pull out my fluffy robe, and wrap it around me.
I know it’s nearly nine, but it feels way too early to be up and facing the entire crew.
But I also don’t want to be the one holding up the party.
Satch has so much stuff planned for the day, plus we’ve got the big Valentine’s dinner.
Oh yeah, it’s Valentine’s Day. Better go find my man and give him some lovin’.
Wandering down the stairs, I strain to hear Grady’s voice but end up bumping into a flustered Nylah instead.
“Hey.” I steady her shoulders when she nearly loses her balance walking into me. “Are you okay?”
“I’m looking for Harley.” She rubs her forehead, closing her eyes and so obviously counting to ten in her head.
“What did she do?”
“Nothing, really. It’s her sister I’m annoyed with.
Portia said some really nasty things to her, and Harley took off.
I want to find her, give her a little hug.
” Her voice gets thick, and when she opens her eyes, she looks about ready to cry.
“You should have seen Harley’s little face. She was crushed.”
“I’m so sorry.” I squeeze her shoulder. “Sisters can be so mean to each other sometimes. Nichelle and Kendall are awful when they want to be.”
Nylah sniffs, resting her hand on the side of her neck and nodding.
“Harley’s really sensitive. I know she can be awkward sometimes and doesn’t always have the best skills in social settings, but she’s so aware of that, and to be told she’s not wanted…
” Her expression crumples. “I just need her to know that she’s just as special and beautiful as Portia, and that even though they’re both so different, I love them equally.
” With another little sniff, she wobbles out, “Harley’s always in the shadows, you know?
And I just need her to know that she’s just as important, even if her light shines a different color to everyone else’s. ”
Wow. That’s so sweet.
Rubbing Nylah’s arm, I reassure my friend. “She knows you love her. You’re her mommy and her favorite.”
Nylah’s lips twitch with a smile.
“And hey, you know what? She probably just needs a little minute to lick her wounds, and then she’ll come find you for a cuddle.
” Pulling Nylah into a side hug, I rest my head against hers.
“Come on, don’t stress. You look like you’re about to fall over.
Why don’t you sit down, and I’ll go find Harley for ya.
At least let you know where she’s hiding out. ”
“Really?”
“Yes, definitely.” I grin. “Give yourself a minute, and I’ll be back with a situation update soon.”
Nylah closes her eyes, looking relieved. “Thanks, Blake.” Kissing my cheek, she eases away from me and limps back toward the dining room area.
I peek my head into the living room and see that Wily and Grady have set the kids up with a game of charades that they are also playing.
There’s a lot of laughter and noise, and I don’t want to disturb them.
As much as I’d love their help in finding Harley, I think that sweet little girl would hate the entire house looking for her.
I’ll just quietly check each room.
Heading right, I take the corridor toward the downstairs rooms and check the office and bathroom. These quiet spaces are probably the most likely hiding spots for Harley, and I’m sure I’ll find her soon. I’ll also check the rec room; maybe she’s tucked away behind a pile of beanbags.
As I head down toward the den first, my phone starts to ring. I pull it out of my robe pocket and grin when I see Dani’s name on my screen.
“Hey, girl! How’s it going? Where are you up to?”
“Hi, Blakey.” She’s sounding pretty alert for a woman who spent her night on an airplane. “We’re doing good. Just landed at O’Hare and are collecting our bags before we head to the domestic terminal.”
“How’s Tucker coping?”
Dani groans. “He did pretty good for the first part of the flight, but the second half sucked. Poor kid just couldn’t settle, and he cried and fussed for hours. I really hope he sleeps on this next flight. It’s doing my head in.”
I laugh, remembering those early days. Kendall was a nightmare baby. She just would not sleep. It took me weeks to figure out that she was allergic to dairy and my breast milk was giving her stomachaches. I thought she was just being fussy. Poor kid.
Thankfully, we got to the bottom of it eventually and things improved.
“Everything’s just a phase,” I assure Dani, sitting down on the cool window seat in the den. It’s a cozy little spot, perfect for reading a book and looking out at the snowy landscape.
I don’t think it snowed much more last night. The thin layer we got is already melting away in the morning sun, which is disappointing. I love it when you get that “winter wonderland” feel. It’s like being transported to the North Pole or something.
Stretching my legs out, I cross my ankles and keep chatting with Dani. I give her the rundown on how last night went and how everyone can’t wait for them to get here.
“I’m so desperate to walk through the door. The house sounds amazing! We’ll hopefully be there by dinner.”
“Yay! We can’t wait to see you.”
“Oh, our bags have just come through. I’ll see you in a few… in a several… hours.” She laughs.
“Okay, you amazing, woman. Can’t wait to give you a hug.”
“Me too!”
We say our goodbyes, and when I hang up, I smile down at my screen. It’s gonna be so good to see her again. I really love this family. These weekends are so special, and I should get back out there and into the fray. Charades looks like fun, and—
The door creeps open and Jane appears, her sweet face puckered with worry.
“Hey, sweetie.” I tip my head, then stand up to greet her. “Are you okay?”
She worries her lip, just the way her mama does. “Have you seen Harley?”
“No.” My eyebrows shoot up. Crap. I’m supposed to be looking for her. I got distracted. “I’m just looking for her. I checked the bathroom and the office already. Where have you looked?”
Jane’s expression crumples even more.
“What’s the matter?” I rest my hand on her shoulder, giving it a quick rub. “Everything’s going to be okay.”
“But Aunt Nylah asked me to help find her, and I’ve been looking all around the house.” Her big gray eyes are bright with concern. “She’s little, and I’m worried about her.”
“Hey, it’s all right.” I lean down so I can catch Jane’s eye and smile at her. “This house has like a thousand rooms, and she’s going to be in one of them. She’s probably with Kendall. You know how much those two adore each other.”
“That’s the thing, though.” Jane blinks at me, her chin bunching. “I can’t find her either. All of the kids are in the living room… except those two.”
My stomach drops down to my butt, and it’s taking major effort to keep my smile in place.
Kendall’s missing too?
Shit.
Harley’s most likely to curl into a ball and cry out her sorrows.
But Kendall?
Who knows what that girl will get up to. And she’ll no doubt drag Harley into whatever mischief she’s concocting in an effort to make her friend feel better.
We need to find those two and find them fast.