Chapter 30
Chapter Thirty
ANGELO
Lex, one of the guys who works with Owen, is at the house within thirty minutes to install the new security system. The man is efficient, and eerily silent. He barely speaks a word other than to say hello to Owen and to ask where he wants everything set up.
Within a few hours, there are cameras covering all areas of the house and motion sensors that automatically light up the area any time someone or something crosses their path.
It might seem a little excessive, but I would rather the people in my life be safe than worry about what my neighbors are going to say every time a squirrel gets too close to the house.
"Daddy, why are there so many cars here?" Livy asks as soon as she and Zoey step off the bus.
"Gracie's brother and a few of his friends stopped by to say hi. I thought you would like to meet Gracie's sister and brother."
Besides Owen, Annie, and Lex, a few more of Owen's coworkers stopped by to check in. Including Nolen. If I had made a bet that the situation would be weird between Annie and Nolen, I would've lost. Nolen walked straight up to her and gave her a hug as soon as he arrived an hour ago.
"Oh," is the only answer my oldest gives, and I can tell she's nervous. Livy doesn't do well around new people, and so many at one time is going to be a lot.
Zoey, on the other hand …
"Yay! New friends," she squeals as she dances her way up the sidewalk and into the house.
By the time I get inside with Livy, Zoey is already hogging Owen's attention. And, to his credit, he’s listening to her describe her school day like it’s the most important information in his world.
"And Nicholas—he's the mean one—told Jenny that her hair looked stupid and made her cry," she exclaims, her hands flailing dramatically around her.
"Sounds like Nicholas needs to be put in his place," Owen tells her seriously, all the while deftly avoiding being smacked in the face by a wayward flail.
"That's what I said." Zoey throws her hands up in the air in a triumphant gesture. "But Jenny said we need to tell the teacher," she adds with a huff.
I've met both Jenny and her family. It's hard not to in such a small town. They’re a quiet family, and I'm afraid my outspoken little girl is going to corrupt her at this rate.
"Jenny sounds like a smart friend." Owen's words say one thing but his tone says another. I can practically see the wheels turning and can only imagine what plan he’s concocting.
Livy and I walk up to where Owen is standing with Zoey. "I see you've met my middle child, Zoey."
"I did," Owen answers. "And already I've got beef with a kid named Nicholas. You don't by chance know who his parents are?"
I shake my head and smirk. One minute alone and already Zoey has Gracie's big brother wrapped around her little finger.
"As a matter of fact, I do." And Nicholas's father is the kind of man who needs to be put in his place—along with his son—so I have no problem sharing those details with Owen.
After giving him the information he asked for, I introduce Livy. "This is my eldest, Olivia." Unlike Zoey who talks a mile a minute, Livy barely says hello before hiding behind me.
Owen isn't the least bit deterred by her behavior, though. His voice softens when he talks to her. "It's nice to meet you, Olivia. I just so happen to be the oldest of my siblings as well."
This gets my little girl’s attention. "Really?" she peeks out from behind my leg to ask.
"Yup. I'm the only boy, though. I've got five younger sisters.”
Livy steps out a little further and holds up one hand, her fingers splayed wide. “Five sisters?” she says, a bit of wonder and disbelief in her voice.
Owen nods. “Yep. You know Gracie, and Annie is around here somewhere."
We both look around, but don't see Annie. Or Nolen, for that matter. It makes me wonder if maybe their initial greeting was all for show and they really couldn’t stand to be in the same place together.
Owen continues to talk to Livy, only now he's down on her level and it seems to work because she's no longer hiding behind my leg. Instead, she's quietly explaining her day, much like Zoey did, except with far less theatrics.
Once I'm sure both girls are comfortable, I go in search of Gracie and find her getting a snack for Everly.
"I'm probably just going to order some food from the diner since everyone seems to be sticking around." I don't want her to think I expect her to make food for everyone.
"If you feed them, they will stay," she chuckles in return.
"It's the least I can do for the system they put in today."
It's state of the art and probably costs a fortune. I would know, as clients have had me look into installing them for the properties I built in the past.
"I guess you're right." Gracie looks back down at the strawberries she's cutting into small pieces for my daughter. "Maverick said they went to serve Jeremy with the PFA, but he wasn't at his apartment. Not that we expected him to be but they had to try."
I run my hand along the stubble of my jaw. I'm overdue for a shave.
"So he could still be here in Willow Creek." The thought of Jeremy so close to my family makes my skin crawl.
"If he's smart, he's not."
"Why's that?"
Gracie puts the knife down and gives me her full attention. "Maverick said the PFA is the least of Jeremy's worries at this point. His company fired him for embezzling from them. The way Maverick described it, Jeremy is going to be spending an awful lot of time in jail once he's caught."
"Is it bad of me to say that makes me feel better?"
Gracie chuckles. "Not at all. I said the same thing to Maverick. Plus, it would keep my brother out of jail."
She doesn't realize it yet, but Owen wouldn't be the only one looking at charges. If I get my hands on Jeremy, there's no telling what I’ll do.