It was a small town, and word traveled quickly. From the grapevine, we learned that Helen had been trying to subtly sell her jewelry and purses to keep up with some form of the lifestyle she was accustomed to. She rented a small condo on the outskirts of town and was able to save on the rent by having a roommate—Maxwell.
“Max was able to bond out, but a trial date has been set,” Mason had explained to us a few weeks earlier.
“He has been formally charged with embezzlement, misappropriation of funds, and assault. Both he and mommy dearest are out, but are sporting the latest in ankle monitors,” Mason informed us.
“What about Natalia?” I asked. She wasn’t a huge concern of mine, but the more distance between those three and us, the better.
“Well, Nat isn’t quite as lucky as Helen and Max. Loyalty does not appear to be a quality among any of them. Even though we have evidence that Helen helped Nat get the drugs she used on Max, he seems to have forgiven Mommy. Meanwhile, he is divorcing Nat, fighting to make sure she gets nothing in the settlement, according to rumors, and her parents cut her off before she could even call them for help. Can’t afford to pay bond, so she’s been sitting behind bars, and will continue to do so.” Sophie made a face at that, almost as if she felt guilty.
“Whatever you’re thinking, stop it. Do not feel bad for any of them. They all took deliberate actions to try and hurt you,” I told Sophie, her eyes widening when I first called her out before shesoftened, nodding as she moved closer to me. I wrapped my arm around her, pulling her against my side so our bodies were flush.
“I agree with Linc. They’ve gotten away with things for far too long. If we didn’t get them now, they would have hurt someone else.” Mason agreed with me, thankfully.
“Anyway, she has a public defender who seems to have convinced her to take a plea deal. From what I hear, she’s going to plead guilty to assault and illegal administration of a controlled substance. She’ll be facing eighteen to twenty-four months, depending on good behavior.” I looked down at Sophie, who smiled softly at me. We both nodded—that was good with me. I knew Sophie was satisfied; her public dismantling of Helen was rewarding enough.
Lindsey had been extradited back to California for the hit and run she was in. That trial took precedence over the charges here, but a separate date was set once she was finished in California. Either way, her future was going to be filled with cell bars, no matter the location.
For me, though, it wasn’t enough. Both Helen and Max tried to hurt my family. I wouldn’t be happy until they were both run out of town for good. I was confident we could make that happen as soon as the legal shit was sorted.
Needing a break from all the drama, we had driven out to Nebraska to spend a few days at Sophie’s parents’ farm. It was a tradition she and Lou did every Spring, and it was also the first time I would get to meet the couple in real life. We had chatted over the phone or FaceTime when they had called to talk to Sophie or Lou, but this was different.
We had arrived late the night before, Lou already asleep from the hours cramped in the car, and not so great sleep we got the night before at a hotel off the highway. Now, it was just after dawn, and I was wide awake.
I pressed a kiss to Sophie’s forehead, and she frowned in her sleep before burrowing deeper into her pillow. I smothered a laugh before slipping out of bed and getting dressed quietly. I was not surprised to find her father awake at the kitchen tablewhen I got downstairs.
“Morning,” I replied, and he lifted his mug at me in response.
“Just brewed it. Grab yourself a cup, then meet me on the porch. We can have a chat.” Nodding in agreement, I went into the kitchen and fixed myself a cup. Taking a sip before heading back toward Ben, I took the empty chair beside him on the porch. We were facing the back lot, chicken coops to the immediate right, with Norma’s garden in a raised bed next to it.
There were neat rows of various vegetables and herbs visible from the house. The fields in the back were thick, and the areas were separated to make sure the cows and goats had separate pastures. In the distance was a sea of yellow and gold, where corn and soybeans grew in thick stalks that glowed in the early dawn light. Ben and Norma had done a hell of a job on the place, each area maintained with obvious care and dedication.
“What are your intentions with my girls? You got them living under your roof, but I don’t see a ring on her finger. I know that’s old-fashioned, but I ain’t got time for pleasantries.”
“I want to marry Sophie and adopt Lou. Maybe add a few kids of our own. Whatever the universe has planned for us. The only reason I’ve waited this long is because I wanted to get your permission, in person, first.” I pulled the small velvet box from my pocket, passing it over to him.
“It was my grandmother’s. My father proposed to my mother with it. He bought her a new ring for their twenty-fifth anniversary so one of us kids could use this,” I told him, watching as he studied the antique ring with approval.
“Well, alright then. See if you can make me some grandsons, then. You’re gonna need all the help you can get once Lou becomes a teenager, and you’ve got high school boys knocking on your door.” I started to laugh, but was cut short, the idea of anyone dating Lou not sitting well with me. A low chuckle erupted beside me, and I raised an eyebrow at Ben.
“I don’t envy you. Then again, with your size, I pity any of those kids that come knocking at your door.” I shrugged, trying to play it off, but was relieved by that reminder.
“When you gonna pop the question then, now that you got my permission and such?” he asked, and I paused.
“I have a few ideas. I haven’t been able to decide on one yet. I want Lou to be involved, but I don’t expect her to be able to keep something a secret for more than a few hours, maybe a day.”
“Well, you need help with anything, let us know. And film the whole thing. I know my Norma will want to see it.”
“I was hoping you guys could be there. I would arrange travel for you, of course. If you give me your cell, we can coordinate.” He looked at me, silent for a moment before nodding.
“Her ex didn’t give two shits about us. Didn’t bother me too much in the beginning because he treated my Sophie like a queen. Should have realized, though, that wasn’t a sign of how much he was willing to do for her. Big gestures they can brag about at parties are well and good, but the things that count? True family and friends, together in silence and in conversation, are irreplaceable. Failed my girl once and didn’t trust my instincts about that family. I won’t sit back quietly again, and believe me, you don’t want to see me get loud,” he warned, his tone sharp and serious as was his expression.
“I appreciate that. The more support Sophie and Lou have, the better. Over time, you’ll realize I’m not going anywhere, and more importantly, I’m not Max. Happiness for me is making sure my girls are happy and don’t have to worry about anything, including the relationship between you and me,” I told him honestly.
“I’ll hold you to that,” he replied, a smile on his face.
“I’d expect nothing less. It’s what I would do if it were Lou,” I replied honestly.
“I think you’re gonna do just fine, Linc.” He nodded at me, a mix of hope and surprise on his face.
