“I know,” he says. “I heard about the others from someone in town. You are all welcome here at the house. I can make room for everyone. Otherwise, I can get you guys some rooms at Martha’s Bed and Breakfast down the road.”
“Martha’s is fine. I don’t want to overrun your house,” I say.
“We can leave out first thing in the morning,” Dean says to me. “We can wrap up a few things for work, but we had all planned on taking some time off anyway.”
“Ah, good. I can bring my laptop if I need to check on anything,” I say. “Dad… I hope you understand that it doesn’t change that I’m angry.”
“I know, honey. I would like to sit and talk about a few things, if you are okay with that,” he says hesitantly.
“As long as the guys can be with me, I’ll sit down with you,” I say.
“Everything will be on your terms, darlin’,” he says. “Let me know when y’all will be in town. I’ll do my best to keep people from bothering you, but you know how they can be around here.”
“Annoying? Yeah, I do have a request,” I say.
“Anything,” Dad says.
“Leo Donaldson’s parents… I don’t want them anywhere near me,” I say. “I have no problem explaining when I get there, but I will leave and come home if I am forced into the same area with them.”
“Understood,” Dad says. “I’ll let Pastor Mark know they’re not allowed at the visitation or the funeral.”
“I don’t know who that is, but thank you,” I say.
“You’re welcome, Sadie. Please know that I love you so much,” he says, and I sigh.
“I love you, too, Dad,” I say. “I’ll see you tomorrow.” When I end the call, I rub my hands down my face.
“Looks like we are going home,” Mason says. “I’ll call Mom, and she can tell Lance’s and Dean’s parents.”
“I hate this already,” I frown. “Should I be sad she’s dead, because I’m definitely happy?”
“Not bad,” Lance says. “She was an abusive cunt. Your father had no backbone to protect his daughter, but she’s the one who did the damage. I’m glad the bitch is dead, too.”
“Might even celebrate with a glass of whiskey tonight,” Dean laughs. “Let’s get some lunch and go home.”
Chapter Twenty Four
Sadie
All eight of usare piled into a brand-new Escalade. We all went in together and got a vehicle we could be together in, and it’s also what I drive daily now. I don’t know why we needed something this nice, but I won’t complain. It’s comfortable. Although at this rate, we are going to need a bus.
“Home sweet home,” Dean says as we drive past the sign welcoming us into our hometown. We go to the Bed and Breakfast first, and Martha steps out to greet us.
“Sadie Graves,” she says happily, hugging me.
“Hey, Mrs. Martha,” I say sweetly.
“You look amazing,” she says, stepping back to look at me. I am wearing a form-fitting maternity dress that comes to my knees that the guys went out and bought for me last night, so I look very obviously pregnant.
“Lying doesn’t look good on you, Mrs. Martha,” I laugh, and all of the guys glare at me, making Martha laugh.
“You are living my dream, sweet girl. Eight men to take care of you? Hell, I’d give anything just to get my husband to do the dishes,” she says, and I laugh.
“I’m sure the gossip is juicy. I’d love to hear what people are saying,” I say.
“Oh, the usual. They say that you’re living in sin and acting like a harlot. Your momma would be rolling in her grave if she knew you were pregnant,” Martha says with a grin.
“Wait until they find out I don’t know who the father is,” I say with a wink.
