14. Trace
Chapter 14
Trace
The darkness was calming. I had my girl laying against my chest. Despite her injuries from this morning, or wait, was it a new day? If so, it would be yesterday now.
I glanced at the clock on the nightstand. Yep, it was almost 5:00 A.M., so it was yesterday. Despite her injuries and being scared, she was able to process what happened and what kind of a hard place I’d been in. We talked it all out over ribs and steak. That woman and her meat fetish.
My fingers gently caressed her golden locks as she lightly snored. It was adorable, but I’d never say that to her for fear of losing my balls. After getting back to Wayne’s, we’d come in here and talked for hours. Talking led to something more, and I think giving in and letting her have control was what she needed. She worked us both into a blissful ecstasy that was good for our souls. It healed the fissures that were starting to form.
Even now, hours later, I wanted more of her. She had no idea how much I always wanted her. She was my one true desire. The reason I got up in the morning. The reason I’d opened my heart to love.
I shifted, restlessly. My leg was asleep and hurting a little. Thank God for good pain meds. Yes, I’d finally given in once we were home and settled.
The gash seemed to be healing well. I’d let Shelby check it this morning after she saw me grimacing, to make sure there was no infection setting in. That was all I needed.
Sighing, I gave in and closed my eyes again. It wouldn’t help me much since I’d laid here for hours wide awake already.
“What’s wrong?” Her sleepy morning voice made me smile.
“Nothing, baby, go back to sleep. It’s early.” She shook her head and shifted, groaning.
“When I find that psycho, I’m going to shoot him in the foot, break his other foot, nut-punch him, and beat the ever-loving fuck out of him.”
I chuckled as I reached over and turned on the lamp. She sat up, rubbing her biceps.
“Calm down. We’ll find him. I promise you can get at least one good hit in before we let Davenport have him.” Her head whipped around, and the look on her face promised murder. Before she could say anything, we were saved by the baby crying.
Stel frowned and looked at the crib. It was empty.
I chuckled. “Your dad has him. I watched him sneak in about an hour ago. I guess he thought we’d need extra sleep this morning.”
“You let him just slink in and take him?” she asked, her lips tipping up.
“Yep. Who am I to spoil his fun? He’s loving having a baby in the house. Can’t tell me any different.” She turned to look at the closed bedroom door then back to meet my gaze, her legs up and her arms laying across her knees. Her eyes went to the bedroom door again and then to her hands. I knew that look. Something was on her mind.
“What are you thinking about?”
“I want to keep the baby—Ethan.” Her words came out in a rush. “If no family is found, and we can agree to give him a home, I want to. He deserves a life of love and happiness.”
I sat up fully, propping myself against the headboard.
“I’m not opposed to doing that.” I held up a hand when she went to speak. “Let me finish, please. I’m not saying no, but I want you to really think about this baby. He’s going to be about ten months old when you have our baby. Unless the little one comes early. I work out of town, out of the States a lot of the time. I want to make sure you understand what you’re going to be left with when I’m not home. It’s a lot to take care of one baby, let alone two.”
She sat quietly for a few minutes. I was beginning to think the worst when her eyes met mine.
“I know. I’ve thought about that. I have help if I need it. Something Doc said yesterday made me stop and think. Everything happens for a reason. People come into our lives for a reason. That little boy has opened my eyes to a few things. I want to be there for him. To show him love. To teach him to tie his shoes. How to shoot, hunt…”
I chuckled. “Whoa, tiger. He’s only a few weeks old. There will be plenty of time to teach him anything you want.” I pulled her hand to my lips and kissed her palm. “I will support you and him in any and all endeavors. Just no explosives until he’s eighteen? Yeah?”
Her squeal made my ears ring. Her arms came around me, and we both groaned as our aching bodies protested the movements.
“I need to check on Ethan.” She pulled back, but I grabbed her hand.
“Your dad has him. We need to get up and get ready for the day. That shower is calling my name.” I winked at her.
A second passed before she gave me a devilish grin. “Good thing it has a bench seat in it, huh?”
“Oh yeah. Now, shift it, woman.” I swatted her ass hard as she went by me. She scowled, but she wasn’t fooling anyone; she liked it.
“Daddy,” Stella said as we walked into the kitchen. I’d helped her tend to her hand after we got out of the shower, changing the bandage. The cut across her palm was looking good. The stitches were still in place, and there was no sign of infection. In return, she’d helped me with my bandages. My thigh was a little red, but the wound looked fine. It was sore, but no more than normal. I’d have Shelby or Doc G check it in a day or so.
“Yes, princess?”
“Where’s Ethan?” She took the mug he offered. It wasn’t coffee, which was what she’d wanted but couldn’t have right now. The alternative was hot cocoa. It was hot as Hades outside, but she’d still drink it. Chocolate was as good as caffeine, sort of.
“In the family room with Carter.” She brought my mug with her and walked down the small hall and into the family room. She leaned against the doorframe and watched her brother. He had Ethan laying against his shoulder, his hand patting the baby’s back.
“How much did he eat?”
“Two ounces. He needs to burp, and I’ll see if he’ll take the rest.”
“He will. He’s a greedy little man.” She sat on the couch beside him, watching them both. “You like him, huh?”
“Of course I do, he’s a baby.” He looked at her as if she were nuts.
I snorted and flopped down in the chair. I was so tired and sore. Was this what old age felt like?
“I mean, you like having him here, with all of us?” she questioned him.
“Yeah. He’s a cool baby. He eats, sleeps, and poops. But he’s not fussy like some babies are.”
“He is a good baby. How would you feel about me and Trace adopting him, if no family is found? Which I don’t see happening. I want to give him a good home and a happy life.”
“I think it’s a great idea. I mean, everyone needs a family.” Carter shrugged.
“And we’re all attached to him already. Your dad comes in and steals him a lot.” I chuckled. “It would hurt to give him back.”
“That’s saying something.” Stel frowned, pulling her legs up in front of her, wrapping her arms around them.
“Sissy, don’t worry so much. You’ll get wrinkles.”
I was halfway to standing; I had intended to move to the couch beside them, but laughing made me lose my balance. I pitched forward but managed to turn so I hit the floor on my ass and then laughed harder.
“Trace!” Stel moved to the floor beside me. “You big dummy.”
“No frowning, you’ll get wrinkles.” I laughed harder still. She swatted my chest, and I pulled her to me, tickling her sides. She jerked, trying to get free of my grip. I sat up, using my abdomen so I didn’t have to let go of her. She was now laughing and calling for help. Help came all right. In the form of a hundred and fifty pounds of drool and muscle. Diesel clobbered us both. We howled in pain and laughter. It was the craziest thing. AJ whistled and he sat, woofing loudly. I held onto my girl, meeting her gaze as I spoke to my sister.
“Hey, beanpole, didn’t know you were coming over.” Stel relaxed against me and shifted so her back was against my chest, her ass in a very delicate place. It was doing things to me that were not appropriate for mixed company. I gave her a squeeze, and she stilled.
“I came to see you since I was in town. I brought a junker down for the firehouse to use as a burn car.”
“Cool. Always glad to see you.” She moved to the couch where Carter sat and without asking, took the baby from him. I shook my head. She was always demanding like that.
“You know, I’m sure that youngin’ would like to eat breakfast in peace.” Wayne came in, wiping his hands on a towel.
Stella snorted. “If he’s gonna be a member of this family, he best get used to racket. Plus, the bottle looks almost empty. He’s done.”
Wayne nodded, a grin pulling up the corners of his mouth. “Why don’t y’all get off the floor and wash up. Breakfast is almost ready. AJ, can you join us?”
“Oh, I’d love to, but I can’t. The boss,” she said as she rolled her eyes, “is at the shop, and if I leave him long, he gets all pissy.” Wayne looked around her, confused.
“I thought you were the boss?” He watched her.
“She means Chip is there. We use her office as much as we use the desk at the station or the bar.” I chuckled. “Those two butt heads more than two rams on a cliffside. It’s entertaining, though.”
“Your friend is a jerk and bossy.”
I could see the joy in her eyes as she spoke. They were an item, dating, seeing how their lives could be more than a friendship.
“Girl, the making up is worth the fights.” Stel laughed.
AJ’s face bloomed in a shade of red that had me shaking my head. “Nope, that kind of talk is not allowed.”
“I should make you both find your own offices. He’s always moving stuff around on my desk. Makes me mental, and he enjoys it. Ugh.”
“Well, you were already mental, so that wasn’t a far jog.” I grinned.
“You best be glad I have this baby in my arms right now.”
“Or what!” I taunted her as Stella and I finally got to our feet, me with Wayne’s help.
“It’s a good thing Stel is already pregnant. You might not be able to father a child after I’m done with you!”
I chuckled and moved toward her as she stood. I let her say goodbye to Ethan before Stella took him.
“Bye, AJ, thanks for stopping in. You can come back soon, when it’s just me and the baby. We can talk about things,” Stel said, shaking her head.
Stel was about to get up to no good; I just knew it. We both knew how much Chip liked AJ. Hell, everyone knew it. After the attack in the garage…yeah, we all knew. They’d had a big talk months later. I thought they were in a good place.
Maybe AJ didn’t see it fully for what it was, I didn’t know. But he was trying to make sure she figured it out. I’d given my blessing, but my best friend had already been given the talk . Friend or not, if he ever hurt my sister, I’d skin him alive and tie him to stakes in woods where no one would find his body. I’d leave him for the critters and bugs to eat.
“Bye, big brother.” I hugged her tight and patted Diesel’s head.
“Don’t let Chip aggravate you too much,” I teased.
“I should just let Diesel eat him.” She laughed as she walked out the door. I shook my head. I wasn’t sure if that was her just being playful or if she truly meant it. I followed the train of Malones to the kitchen. Stella laid the baby down in the pack-n-play, then washed her hands. I followed her lead. I washed my hands and sat down at the table, leaning my crutches up against the wall out of the way.
“Daddy, this smells amazing,” Stel stated, kissing his cheek. “Wait, today is Thursday, right? Why aren’t you at the gym?” She put the silverware out on the table, then the glasses.
“Gary went in for me. I’ll go in for the early morning tomorrow.” He moved two big platters to the table, and Carter set down another.
“Is this country fried steak?” Stella asked, flopping down into a chair.
Wayne nodded. “Sure is. Country fried steak with country gravy, hash brown casserole with extra cheese, and a platter of eggs.”
“Damn, if I didn’t love you before, I sure do now.” She was all but drooling. I chuckled and passed her a plate full of eggs and the steak. I took her empty plate, and for a moment I paused just to watch her enjoying her breakfast. Then I fixed my own.
“You just eat, princess. Feed my grandbaby. That’s all I need you to do.” He chuckled.
“Roger that.” We sat there for a moment, the three of us just watching her. When she noticed, she scowled. “Eat and stop watching me; I’m not a soap opera.”
Laughter filled the room before silence descended, and the only noises you heard were forks on a plate.