Chapter 7
7
She let him carry her across the drive toward the house, when he asked. It was dark, she was tired, and they needed to fix the walkway lights. She was still crying, shaking, in his arms.
He’d make that a priority.
If she was going to be out there with his sisters, he was going to make sure it was safe for her, even at night. And the porch steps were wide enough, they’d had a ramp on it before. When Greer was hurt as a kid. He’d get a new one built as soon as he could.
Grady… Grady was the best builder he’d ever seen. He’d talk to his brother about making it happen, as fast as they possibly could.
His brothers were inside playing cards at the table when he pushed open the door, Ayla in his arms. They were snacking and talking, probably about what had happened tonight.
He checked the clock quickly. It was already half past midnight. He looked at his twin. “Her crutches are still in my truck. Grab them, will you?”
“What’s going on? Where is Guth?” Gene pulled out a kitchen chair. Gunn lowered her, still wrapped in his sweatshirt, into it. She looked like a little lost kitten right there.
“Someone vandalized their house tonight. Guthrie is a few minutes behind me. He and Aubrey are finishing up with Charlie at their place. She and Ayla are going to stay here for a few days.”
She just looked up at him, those big blue eyes staring right into his soul and just… taking it for herself forever.
He was hers.
Just like that. With just one look he was hers, and he knew it.
Her words in the truck had nearly destroyed him. Had him thinking… about what he really wanted now.
He was going to see to it that she fell for him, and no other man out there. Regardless of how long it took. They would go slow, see what developed, but… in his gut, he had the feeling… he knew…
He knew it was right.
He just didn’t know how he was going to make it happen.
Probably slowly. She hadn’t even dated a man before. He wouldn’t want to rush her. He had some thinking, some strategizing, and some praying to do tonight.
Until he figured out his plan.
“How do you feel about pizza?”
“I love pizza. Any kind. Except those microwave bagel ones; those things just aren’t very good.” She shot a nervous look at his brothers when Grady came back with her crutches. “I don’t want to cause any trouble.”
“You’re not any trouble at all.” He looked at his brothers. “I know it’s late, but do we have any frozen pizzas in there? Neither she nor Aubrey have eaten dinner yet, and they need to eat.”
His family would take care of them tonight. Of that he had no doubt.
Gene nodded. “I think so. Just so you know… Chan is still asleep, in George’s old room.”
Gunn wasn’t stupid; he doubted that gorgeous woman his brother was head-over-heels in love with had started out in George’s room. It was their choice—and he respected that.
He just nodded. It would probably help Aubrey and Ayla feel safe having their friend here, too. He just wanted to scoop her close and help her feel safe more than anything else in the world.
“I’ll make the pizzas. You say Guth and Aubrey are on their way?” Gene asked.
“As soon as they finish up with Charlie. Guthrie is sticking pretty close to Aubrey tonight.”
“I’m sure he is,” Gene said, a world of memories in his own eyes. A sound came from the hallway. Then Chantal was there.
She took one look at Ayla, who looked so… defenseless… there in Gunn’s sweatshirt, with her hair in two braids, and her eyes big and wide and wet.
Just like that, Chantal was in full-out overprotective mother mode.
Chantal went all mother-hen for several long minutes, fussing and practically rocking her. Until Ayla relaxed and some of the fear left her eyes.
By the time Guthrie walked in with Aubrey, they had the pizzas ready and Chantal had found Aubrey and Ayla some things to sleep in. Including two of Gunn’s own t-shirts and some of Greer’s old sweatpants.
But when Chantal just wrapped her arms around Aubrey, and the other woman started crying and couldn’t seem to stop, that was all it took.
Guthrie turned into a complete puddle of goo right at Aubrey’s feet. Gunn and his other brothers weren’t much better. Especially when Ayla’s face crumbled after she saw her sister. Chantal’s own face was wet.
Crying women could destroy a Hiller man in an instant. Three of them was more than they could take.
But… they had them at their ranch where they could keep them safe now, and that was what mattered.
They didn’t have to be alone anymore.
Gunn was going to see to it.