Chapter Thirty-Nine
MATO
I GOT the call while I was talking to the contractor about the concrete pad they are laying for the fighting cage in the gym. It’s mostly an aesthetic thing, but he wanted to confirm the placement before they cut into the hardwood to make a space for it.
The CPS agent called to let me know she would stop by the ranch in two hours to check on the kids and speak with Breanna and me.
They warned us they would schedule last-minute visits; it’s just what they do, but I know it’s harder for Breanna to drop everything for a phone call because she has a schedule at the hospital.
As I’m parking in the circle drive, I don’t see Breanna’s truck, but she sent a text to let me know she’s arranging coverage and leaving soon.
I don’t know why I’m nervous; we’ve done everything they’ve asked us to do.
I know Breanna is even more nervous than I am; this entire process is bringing her insecurities to the surface, and I’ve been reassuring her all week.
It’s only been a week since we brought them to the ranch, but it’s starting to feel like they’ve always been with us.
I’ve noticed that Nova has attached herself to Breanna; every evening at dinnertime, she climbs up in her lap to eat from her little plate next to Breanna’s bigger one, and it happens so naturally that I don’t think Breanna has noticed she’s also become attached to Nova.
When I walk in the front door with Koda, he runs to the kitchen to see if Sloane has a snack for him. Following him, I hear Mr. Harlow’s gravelly voice in the den, and I glance that way as I pass; what I see makes me smile.
He’s on the big leather couch in sweatpants, a sweatshirt, and slippers, looking more comfortable than I’ve ever seen him.
The twins, Sofi and Niki, are sitting on either side of him, their heads leaning on his arms, and Nova is on his lap, leaning against his chest as he animatedly reads a book about blue fish and red fish.
They all look up at me when I stop in the wide doorway, and a smile splits Nova’s face, filling my chest with warmth. In just a week, her eyes are brighter and her cheeks seem fuller. She’s a child of few words; she watches everything but says little. Unless she’s talking to Breanna.
The front door opens and closes, and Nova pushes herself off Mr. Harlow’s lap, knowing who just walked in.
Taking a step back out of the den, I look toward the entryway at Breanna, my chest expanding just from being in the same space.
Her blond curls are confined into a braid down her back, and she hangs her coat on the coat tree by the door.
Our eyes meet when she turns in my direction; hers sparkle and happiness shoots through me.
In the past week, around everyone else, she’s stood closer to me, her hand brushes mine often, and I’ve pulled her into a corner once or twice needing to feel her lips against mine, needing to feel her.
Maybe more than once or twice. But at night, she’s mine.
Since Koda hasn’t said he wants to sleep in the cabin yet, I’ve stayed in the guest room just for the simple fact that I want to slip into her bedroom at night. Sleeping next to her and feeling her body pressed to mine when I go to sleep and when I wake up is a fucking dream come true.
Nova swings around the corner and runs across the entryway with her arms up; Breanna picks her up as if she’s done it her whole life and kisses her cheek. “Are you having a good day?”
Nova nods her head. “Papaw’s reading a book.”
It’s the first time she’s called Mr. Harlow Papaw, at least in front of us, I’m sure she’s following the twin’s lead. Breanna’s eyes flick to mine, a combination of happiness and panic is looking at me. She has the same fear I do: what if something goes wrong and they are taken from us?
Us.
Trying to play it off, Breanna keeps her smile on her face.
“Oh, yeah? He used to read to me all the time when I was a little girl. Let me guess…” She taps her finger on her chin and pretends to think about it before she sucks in a breath and acts like she just thought of a brilliant idea. “Is it the one about fishes and feet?”
Nova giggles and nods her head.
“I knew it.” Breanna pokes her finger at Nova’s ribs, and the little girl detonates into a fit of giggles as she moves her ribs this way and that to get away from her finger. “Let’s go see what Bubba’s doing.”
As she walks past me, I grab her waist and pull her to me to kiss the top of her head, making Nova giggle again.
Sloane must have found out about the CPS visit because there’s a tray of cookies on the kitchen island and a pitcher of sweet tea with several cups next to it.
Breanna kisses the top of Koda’s head as he takes a bite of his cookie in the breakfast nook.
I swear I see him lean into her when she does it.
A hard knock on the front door freezes us all; Breanna’s spine goes rigid as she sets her hand protectively against Nova’s back, and my shoulders tense up. We look at each other, and I smile to relax her. “Nothing to be afraid of; it’s just a visit.”
She nods, but I can still see fear in her eyes.
I let Ms. Briggs in, and we all sit at the breakfast nook, well, almost all of us. Koda is leaning against the island close to the door to the hallway, like he might have to run and needs the six-foot head start. His arms are crossed over his chest, and he’s scowling.
Yesterday, I took him to get his hair trimmed. He didn’t want to go; he said he wanted his hair to be the same length as mine, but I talked him into just getting everything evened up. With his fresh cut, new clothes, and fuller face from eating so much, he almost looks like a different kid.
Nova takes her place in Breanna’s lap, and I notice that Ms. Briggs is watching everything like a hawk as she makes herself comfortable and opens an official-looking folder in front of her.
She smiles like an overworked woman who can’t get to the bottom of a list. “The background checks came back clear on both of you.”
I had no doubt they would.
She sets her pen down on the open folder and takes a drink of the tea Breanna put in front of her when we sat down.
“Mr. Blackwell, your tribal affiliation and the children’s Cherokee heritage through their mother is the piece that might move this along faster.
Because of the Indian Child Welfare Act, the district court will pass this case to the tribal court. ”
Nodding, I say, “Mrs. Harjo reached out to me a few days ago and said she would call when the case is transferred.”
She seems surprised. “Oh. Good. That was fast. But I’m glad it’s moving along.”
Resting my elbows on the table, my eyes move to Koda, who is taking everything in like a sponge, before I look back at Ms. Briggs and express a fear that has been niggling at the back of my head. “Do you know if they have any family who want to step up and take them?”
Nova has found the end of Breanna’s braid and is winding it around her tiny finger, her head leaning against Breanna’s chest. I’m worried about what it will do to Breanna if they are taken; she knows way too much about feeling abandoned.
Ms. Briggs nods. “There are some distant relatives. Their grandparents are deceased, and there are some cousins that the children have never met, but I don’t know about their circumstances.
” Her facial expression doesn’t change; it’s obvious she is used to explaining every type of situation.
“That’s something that will be between you and ICW when they step in. ”
“Can you give us any kind of timeline?” Breanna asks.
Ms. Briggs takes a breath. “Realistically, while the case is being transferred, we can move forward with temporary placement in the district court. However, once the case is transferred, the tribal process is similar, and the process will start over: background checks, family meetings, home assessments, training, and licensing. The standard process could take three to six months to complete.”
Breanna protectively hugs Nova closer as she listens, I’m not sure she realizes she’s doing it. Across the table from me, I see a mother who needs a child and two children who need a mother, and I know I will do everything I have to do to make that happen.