Chapter Nineteen #2
He pulls me in for a hard hug, his embrace is something I’ve grown accustomed to over the years.
Affection was an unfamiliar thing until him.
I’ve often wondered how different my life would have been if I had been born to him instead of a woman who hated me.
But whenever I get the thought I shove it aside, knowing I wouldn’t have found my brothers and life would not make sense without them. That I’m certain of.
“Awe, look at the love fest happening without us, Knox,” Braxten’s mocking voice cuts through the air as he and Knox step out onto the porch. “I’m feeling a little left out. How about you?”
My father ignores his attempt to lighten the moment and reaches for the both of them.
“Come here. I want to talk to you all for a minute.” He ropes them in next to me, forming a circle between us.
“This family is going to face a lot of obstacles over the next while and it’s important we stick together.
We need to keep our heads straight and not let our anger override our senses, ya hear? ”
“How are we supposed to do that when you won’t tell us what’s going on?” Knox says heatedly, speaking what’s on all of our minds.
“I will soon. I have a few phone calls I need to make first.”
The statement has me even more intrigued and I want to question him further but decide against it because I know he won’t say shit until he’s ready. If I know my father, he’s gathering as much info as he can before making any kind of move.
“I appreciate you boys ready to battle on my behalf. I know it’s your instinct to protect but we must tread carefully. All we need to do is stick together and we will conquer. I have no doubt. Because our family possesses a trait stronger than any threat.”
“What’s that?”
“Love,” he responds. “Love will always conquer hate and no one loves like we do. No other family is as loyal as we are, and no one will fight like us.” His words ring through the air, strong and true.
“And no one can shoot like us,” Braxten adds.
A grin cracks my lips and my father chuckles. “You’re damn right about that. Now bring it in.” He gathers all of us into a group hug. “I love you boys, our family will overcome this, together we are unbreakable.”
Damn right we are, and whoever is fucking with us best remember it.
Our moment comes to an end when Ryanne and Hannah step out of the house hand in hand; the sight of them inflates my chest with indescribable emotions.
“Sorry to interrupt,” Ryanne says nervously, her hazel eyes meeting mine. “I’m gonna go on and take Hannah over to the guesthouse for a bath and get her ready for bed.”
“I’ll come.”
“You don’t have to,” she rushes to say. “Stay and visit. We’ll be fine.”
“No. We’re done here.”
As much as I want to catch up with my brothers, I don’t want to miss putting Hannah to bed. It’s something I refuse to live without again.
“We didn’t want to hang out with you anyway,” Braxten says.
I punch him in the shoulder for being a pussy and he delivers one back, making Hannah giggle.
My father kneels down, opening his arms to her. “Come here, child.”
She happily obliges, stepping in to give him a hug. “Good night, Papa Thatcher.”
“Good night. Get a good sleep and you can help me milk the cows in the morning, all right?”
She gasps, her entire face lighting up. “You really mean it?”
He nods. “You can be my helper for the day.”
“Sounds good to me. Just call me Farmer Hannah.”
My father chuckles and Ryanne smiles.
Hannah moves for Braxten next. “Night, Uncle Brax.”
He reaches down and pulls her feet out from under her, flipping her upside down. Her laughter fills the night as she dangles in front of his face.
“Good night, little bit. I’ll see you at breakfast.”
“You sleeping here, too?” she asks.
“You bet.”
I figured they would. Until we figure out who is threatening my father, we all stick together.
Once he places her back on her feet she turns to Knox. “Good night, Uncle Knox.” Dread seizes my chest when she opens her arms and moves for him.
“No!”
Both Braxten and I reach for her but aren’t quick enough. She throws herself at him, hugging his waist.
My brother’s entire body stiffens, his face draining of color.
I push past my father to grab her but he stops me with a hand on my chest. “Give her a chance,” he murmurs, quiet enough that no one else hears.
Everyone is silent, our attention on Knox as he stares down at her, fear bleeding from him as his demons surface. They take hold, swallowing him right in front of us all.
Ryanne’s questioning eyes burn into the side of my face but I ignore them, only focusing on the embrace before me.
Eventually, Knox lowers his hand to her back, awkwardly patting it. “Night.” His voice is strained, gruff with whatever emotions dominate inside of him, but within the tortured sound lies affection.
Hannah backs away, smiling up at him before skipping over to me. “Ready, Daddy?” She raises her arms, having no idea the impact she just made on not only my brother but also this entire family.
Bending down, I scoop her up and pull her into my chest, burying my face in the side of her hair before sparing my father and brothers a parting glance.
“I’ll see you in the morning.”
At their nods, I grab Ryanne’s hand and start down the stairs, walking away from one family but leaving with another, both meaning everything to me.