Chapter 15
CASSIA
As Jamie and Kim escorted me across the street, I was still reeling from the chaos of the last few hours, trying–and failing–not to think of all the horrible injuries Ivy could get without me watching her in the shop.
I was doing my damndest to trust that Memphis wouldn’t let anything happen to her, but then I remembered he’d mentioned he used to do all of those things and more when he was a child.
I was terrified of what might happen next.
I spun around and started walking back the way we’d come. Kim burst out laughing as Jamie caught up to me and took my hand, pulling me to a stop.
“Trust him, Cassia. Daughtry and Kale are there, and they’ve helped raise God only knows how many children. My kids grew up watching the other kids in the family. None of those men will let anything happen to Ivy.”
“Head injuries, broken bones, mechanical failures . . . you drilled a hole in the structure of the building to install a swing for her, Jamie!”
“Because if she’s enjoying herself in the swing, she won’t be underfoot when we’re using heavy machinery. We can strap her into the harness and know for a fact that she’s secure and safe, and even more importantly, out of the way.”
“Oh.” I was stunned at her forethought. “I had no idea that was the . . . wow. That’s a great idea.”
Jamie winked before she said, “This ain’t my first rodeo, sweetheart. Now, come with us, and we’ll introduce you to the queen of the rodeo. She’s had a hand in raising some of the wildest children the world has ever seen, and she’s still alive to tell the tale.”
Jamie let go of my hand and walked beside me back to Kim, who was waiting patiently.
We crossed the street and walked across one of the lawns I’d admired when we arrived yesterday.
I knew that the houses on this street were all owned by members of Memphis’s family, but I was surprised when, rather than knocking, Jamie just opened the front door and walked inside.
“Martha, Martha, Martha! You’re being invaded!”
As I followed Jamie across the living room toward what I assumed was the kitchen, a woman called out, “You must have read my mind! I was getting ready to walk over!”
“Kim and I brought Cassia over to meet you,” Jamie said. “She’s got some reservations about how wild Ivy is going to become with your boys’ influence.”
“My boys? I was only in charge of four of them. You are responsible for seven, and Kim’s got her four.”
“Who were raised by two of your four–with the help of the dozen others you took under your wing–and have become wildly unhinged just like their fathers,” Jamie pointed out as she gave the woman a hug. “And secretly, you love watching how the wild streak runs rampant in all of them.”
“And now their children,” Martha said, stepping around Jamie to stand in front of me. She stuck her hand out and said, “Hello, Cassia. I’m Memphis’s grandmother, Martha.”
I took her hand in mine. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“Your sister told me so much about you that I feel like we’ve already met.”
“She and Memphis told me that you were there the day Iliana showed up out of the blue, and that you convinced him to hear her out.”
“Memphis eventually would have without my influence. I just helped kick-start his understanding.” I smiled as Kim and Jamie started laughing. Martha smiled, too, before she said, “It’s a skill I learned early on in my marriage and one I’ve honed over the years.”
“Just like she’s figured out how not to go crazy when any of her kids or grandchildren do stupid shit,” Kim added.
“It depends on what you call stupid shit,” Martha said, motioning toward the kitchen table for us to sit before turning and walking into the kitchen.
As I sat down, I said, “I would consider that to be anything that requires a child to wear a helmet.”
Martha laughed as she pulled four mugs out of the cabinet and walked over to pass them out. I took mine and bit back a grimace at the thought of drinking coffee this late in the day, but I decided I could at least use the mug to warm my hands.
Obviously, Memphis had lied when he said there was no heat in the shop, but the large area wasn’t exactly toasty. Since I was sitting still rather than running around, I’d started to feel the chill.
“Luckily, the kids have helmets for their exploits now. When my boys were young, they didn’t, and depending on who you ask, that could explain a lot,” Martha admitted as she used the carafe to fill our mugs before she sat down and lifted her own for a sip.
While Jamie and Kim added cream and sugar, I held mine aloft with my hands wrapped around it.
Martha took another sip before she said, “I’m sure it’s hard to get used to how wild they are if you’re not accustomed to it. ”
“I raised three boys before I moved here, so it was easier for me to adapt than some of the other wives.”
“I thought they were all crazy–grown-ups and children included–and I loved every second of it,” Kim said cheerfully. “I’m sure you’ll adjust over time.”
“The urge to wrap her up and run for safety has been almost overwhelming several times today,” I admitted.
“There’s no running, sweetheart,” Martha said with a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “If there’s something you’re adamantly against Ivy doing, then discuss it with Memphis and come to a mutual agreement. That’s part of a healthy relationship.”
Kim snorted, but Jamie wasn’t nearly as covert and burst out laughing before she asked, “Mutual agreement?”
Martha’s smile was genuine when she said, “Usually, we mutually agree that I’m right and he’s wrong, but that comes with time.
” She winked at me. “You’ve got to let him have some small wins here and there just to keep things healthy, but dig in your heels on what you believe in and he’ll understand. ”
“And if he doesn’t, come talk to me,” Jamie announced. “If I’m not available, come see Martha. She’ll either tell you that you’re being a ninny or she’ll smack whoever is being stupid with a spoon, and the argument will be decided.”
I hadn’t even spoken to my sisters about what happened this morning, but the words spilled out. “I asked him to marry me this morning.”
Martha, mid-sip, started coughing, while Jamie sprayed hers all over the table. Kim handled it better, likely because Memphis was just her nephew. She pulled a stack of napkins from the holder on the table and started cleaning the mess while Martha and Jamie collected themselves.
I felt the need to explain, so I hurried to say, “Other than taking him at his word that he’ll never shut me out of Ivy’s life, the only way I can guarantee that is to marry him and legally adopt Ivy as her stepmother.”
“Once that’s done, you’ll still be married,” Martha pointed out.
“But we won’t have to be.”
“That’s not how we do things in this family,” Martha said firmly. “Marriage is forever unless there’s no way to salvage it. Is there no other way to legally become Ivy’s mother?”
“Right now, I am her legal guardian, but all it would take for Memphis to strip that title from me is a good lawyer and an open-minded judge.”
“Memphis would never take Ivy away from you,” Jamie assured me, her voice hoarse from coughing. She cleared her throat. “He knows you’re the only mother Ivy remembers. You’ll always be the most important woman in her life.”
“I’m a proof kind of person. I’m not trying to insult Memphis, but until I have something official that will stand up in a court of law–on the off chance something happens–I’ll always live in fear.”
“I don’t blame you,” Martha said softly, staring down at her coffee.
Then she looked at me with tears in her eyes.
“The worry that someone could take your child and there wouldn’t be anything you could do to stop them is a powerful motivator, Cassia.
When my boys were small, I would have done anything to protect them.
When Smokey suggested he would stand by me and do the same, I originally balked.
It took time for him to convince me, but now I can’t imagine what my life would’ve been like if I hadn’t taken that chance. ”
“I get it too,” Kim agreed. “If something happened to Memphis, Ivy wouldn’t automatically stay with you. With enough determination, Jamie and Daughtry could fight you–and likely win. Even Memphis’s siblings have more documented ties to Ivy than you do.”
“I know. I’ve thought about that too,” I admitted quietly. “I’m flying blind here, with only my sisters at my side, and they don’t have any more claim to Ivy than I do.”
“Your parents were together when they died, correct?”
‘Yes. They met shortly after my dad graduated from med school and were married a month later.”
“After knowing each other only a month, they got married and built a life together, raising four wonderful children.”
My voice was thick with emotion as I said, “I still think of them all the time. My sisters are just as heartbroken and lost as I am. It’s even harder without my brother here to lift me up when the grief gets so heavy. Ivy is a bright light on my darkest days.”
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Kim reach for more napkins and pass one to Jamie before wiping the tears off her own face.
I was surprised when I felt a hand on my shoulder.
I looked up to find Martha standing beside me, reaching out.
I didn’t even try to hold back the sob that escaped as she pulled me out of my chair and into her arms.
As I cried on her shoulder, she held me tight and murmured support and condolences in my ear.
“Let it out, sweetheart. The grief is never going to get lighter if you don’t let it all out.”
I don’t know how long I cried on Martha’s shoulder. All the emotions I’d been trying so hard to tamp down to stay strong for my sisters and Ivy bubbled over. I sobbed like I never had in my life.
When I finally got myself together, I hugged Martha one last time before I pulled away.