Chapter 47
He drove her to Gil’s. He hadn’t been to the Preston Ranch since it became the Tyler-Preston Ranch, but he had been there several times before.
The older man had been a real estate client in the later years of his life—and the earlier years of Cal’s career.
Vince Preston had been a good man, a mentor to many in business, generous with his skill and knowledge.
Cal had seen that before. He’d even benefited a time or two.
“I could have driven myself. I am going to need my van eventually.”
“We can figure that out. I can bring Cadell with me tomorrow and I can drive it out here for you.” He liked taking care of her.
Cal knew himself well—he secretly liked to fuss over the people he cared about.
Nothing wrong with that. This was a woman he could fuss over for a lifetime if she’d let him.
“So what happens next? I have no idea how long we are staying out here.”
And he suspected that was bothering her. He had no doubt her cousin would keep her and the girls there and safe until Bruce Tyler was caught. But how long was it going to be until that man was caught? It could be indefinitely.
They couldn’t stay with Gil forever.
Auggie and the girls would want to be home, living their own lives. Not stuck in limbo because of Bruce. “What did Claudia say?”
“Pack up the girls, get to Gil’s, and stay there. Until Claudia finds him. I think she’s making him a personal mission.”
“Not exactly reassuring me, considering that I know how stubborn she can be.” And no matter how much he wanted to, he couldn’t hide his precious baby sister away from the world and protect her. Any of the three—no matter how much he wanted to do just that.
“Yeah, no kidding.”
Then they were parked, and he was walking her to the door like a gentleman. “I am not too thrilled with the idea of just leaving you here.”
“You’re hurting. How bad did he really get you? I’ve seen you wince a few times. And I know what pain looks like.”
“I am big and strong and manly. An old fart like Bruce could barely touch me.” He made himself a vow right then and there. He would never call Bruce her father ever again. A father was someone who cared for his children, period. Bruce didn’t deserve that honor with Auggie or her sisters.
The door opened, and Gil was standing there, barefooted, Markie in his arms. “We were starting to wonder when you’d get here.”
“We finished with the WHP and then grabbed something to eat. So we could talk.” She reached for her little girl. Cal loved watching her with the girls, she was so natural at being their mom. And her defenses went down—the real Auggie Tyler was there when she was with the girls. “How are the girls?”
“Distracted. Hunter sent me a new children’s movie from that studio in Texas. The kids really enjoyed it. It’s not even in theaters yet. Sage made popcorn balls with the older girls. Shane’s kids are both here, too. Jan’s been distracted, and I think Jules knows, as well, though.”
“I’ll talk to them.”
“Truth—how badly did he hurt you?” Her cousin cupped her cheek and looked into her eyes. Cal and Gil had tangled before, but there was no denying he loved his family.
“I’m good, Gil. I promise. He mostly just shoved me away from the desk so he could get to the door. Cal is the one who fought with him. Not me.”
Gil looked at him. He and Auggie favored each other strongly. “You good, Grady? Thanks for driving her home.”
Here’s your hat, where’s your hurry? Cal smirked right at him. Hell, he understood—he did have Claudia-, Cloe-, and Clancy-beasts of his own to watch over. “I’m good. The day I can’t take a Tyler on, is the day I’m done for.”
“You two will behave,” Auggie told them both. “Or else. And Grady—I will take you up on that bet.”
“It wouldn’t be a fair fight. I am already yours to do with as you wish.”
Her cheeks flamed bright red at that. He knew exactly what she was thinking now.
“Behave yourself with her. That’s all I am saying. And don’t ever hurt her. Or you’ll have more than one Tyler to take on.” Gil practically growled the words. Cal understood.
“You have my word. I will never do anything to hurt her. Or the rest of her little feral pack of she-devils.” He looked at her, holding that precious little girl. “Any of them. I promise.”
“Then, come on inside. There are rum-flavored popcorn balls left. I saved some for us grown ups, just in case.”
Just like that, Cal was in the inner sanctum with his woman.
He reached out and took his favorite preschooler when Markie leaned toward him. “Hi, Mister Cow-way. Me have popcorn stickies. Baby Miss Missy, too. They good.”
“Sage cut the popcorn balls into small pieces for her,” Gil said, leading the way into the big house.
Cal adjusted her more comfortably—and the sticky-covered doll in question. Poor Baby Miss Missy. That doll had really been through hell in the last twenty-five years, that was for sure. Cal had definitely gotten his money’s worth when he’d picked that doll out so long ago. That thing had lasted.
“Oh, I bet she loved that. Aunt Claudia always loved sticky things, too. She’d get sticky handprints on everything when she was three.”
Markie just nodded and let him carry her. Cal ignored the twinge in his ribs. Some things were worth it.
“Don’t overdo it with the ribs, Cow-way,” Auggie said, smirking at him. “Mister Tough Guy.”
“I have my reputation to uphold.”