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He spoke in her hair. "Are you alright sweetheart?"
"I am now," she sobbed.
He pulled back and stared into her eyes. His eyes roamed her face. His hands felt her head, her neck. "Are you hurt?"
"No." Then she remembered him lying on the ground by his truck. "I saw you on the ground." Her sobs broke free. "I thought you were dead."
He pulled her tightly to his body once more. "I'm not dead sweetheart."
28
Myles poured himself a cup of coffee just as Tate entered the kitchen.
"Morning. Glad to see you're home. I got some news this morning from Philadelphia police."
"That took long enough. It's been six days."
"I know. Larger cities move slower than small towns. Go figure."
Tate poured a cup of coffee and motioned to the table. "Let's sit."
Myles settled himself at the table. Tate sat across from him. "They have Dieter Johnston, Thomas Johnston, and Neve Johnston in jail. They are being kept in protective custody because apparently, Dieter Johnston got mixed up with a cartel. He promised them money and that he could get the colored Fentanyl for them and they don't give second chances."
Myles nodded. "What a messed-up family."
"Agreed."
Myles sipped his coffee. "So, what will happen to Neve? She did help us. Sort of."
Tate shrugged. "I'm not going to plead for her on her behalf. It's a shame she was born into a shitty family, but she did commit crimes. And she didn't exactly come back to help Shianne. She didn't fight us when we got her, but it's not up to me to help her either. I did let them know she cooperated - sort of."
"I agree."
Tate sat back. "So, what are your plans for tonight?"
He blew out a deep breath. “Mom and Dad will be here shortly. I think they're staying up at Maya and Jasiah tonight. Shianne and I will go up there and celebrate Christmas Eve on the mountain. We'll all be back here, Maya and Jasiah included, unless she has the baby, for Christmas with you all tomorrow."
"Sounds good. My parents will be here shortly as well. It's Barrett's second Christmas, and they don't want to miss a thing."
Myles chuckled. "I bet. What about Lara's mom and Kent?"
Tate shook his head. "She's not interested in spending time with her mom yet. And her mom doesn't make the effort to see her or Barrett. Kent, I'm not sure. I know she bought him a Christmas present. She hasn't mentioned anything about inviting him here or going to see him sometime outside of Christmas to give it to him."
"That's a mess there too."
"It is. But she handles it well."
Myles stood. "Are all the parents coming in for Christmas?"
He put his cup into the dishwasher. "I think so. Are you and Shianne staying at her place?"
"Yeah, we'll stay at the house. You can use my room for whoever needs it."
"Thanks. You're there most of the time these days."
Myles grinned. "Yeah. I like being there with her. And I’ve been running up the mountain a couple times a week."
Tate chuckled. "You still have a room here and you're always welcome. Shianne too. Lara loves her, so we have no qualms about you two being here if that's what works for you."
