But Ellie’s mom didn’t speak until we were outside on the deck and she’d shut the patio door.
She folded her arms. “Okay, now listen, son. I think you’vegot this in the bag. But you could bring this whole thing home. What else have you got?”
I was picking up that she’d planned this, of course. With Tommy. But I wasn’t prepared to be ambushed.
I wanted to tell Grace I knew what I was doing. That I had a plan, which was to give Ellie time, but show her I was all in. But Grace, I realized, was already not just on the same page, but several chapters ahead.
My shoulders dropped. Once again I felt like that pathetic dope I’d been all week. “I appreciate what you’re doing here, Grace, but it’s not up to me. I don’t want to scare Ellie off.”
“Honey, you might be just fine as-is. But what Ellie needs is absolute proof. Irrefutable evidence that you’re all in on this family. You’re doing it right by showing up, but I think you can do better.”
Nerves flapped through me. But she was right. I knew she was. Ellie needed to know I was all in, and she needed to know now. Even if it made her pull back, I wanted to be her rock if she wanted to pull forward again.
I ran a hand over my forehead. Then I dropped it again.
“Okay.” I did have a thought. I’d been worried it was too much. Maybe it didn’t have to be, though. It could be perfect, especially if I got Grace onboard.
I told Grace what it was, and she beamed. “Okay. I can do that.” Then a flash of concern went over her face.
“What is it?” I asked.
She hesitated, as if she didn’t want to say this part. But she squared her shoulders and said, “Well, I’m going to bat for you, Sam. And if you let me down, I’ll probably have to murder you in your sleep.”
I smiled, for the first time feeling completely nerve-free. This part I wasn’t worried about. Not in the least.
“Grace,” I said. “There is not a chance in hell I’ll let you down, okay? No matter what the outcome, if this building isburning, everyone in this house is on my back. Including you. I mean, if you’re here.”
I probably could have stopped there, but I wasn’t done.
“I’d walk a thousand miles to get to them. In bare feet on burning coals. If they need a single thing, I’m knocking down anything in my way to get it for them, whether it’s a minor inconvenience or a brick wall. And if anyone—and I meananyone—fucks with this family? They’ll answer to me.”
Maybe that was too much. But she didn't know about what I’d been through. She didn’t know how my failing to protect the people I cared about would live with me the rest of my life.
But that was also the very thing that ensured I’d nevereverlet it happen again, and by the smile on her face, I think she sensed that.
“I know Ellie and those boys are your babies, Grace. But they’re mine now too.”
Grace finally loosened her set shoulders. And after only another second of hesitation, she threw her arms around me. “Thank you, honey. Maybe now I can finally sleep at night.”
“Thankyou, for bringing the love of my life into the world,” I said back.
She released me and nodded, her eyes glossy.
“We better get this show on the road,” I said. “Ellie’s going to get suspicious.”
She laughed wetly, and began to move for the shed. But I put a hand on her arm and moved past her.
“I got this, Grace,” I said.
And I meant it. With every fiber of my being.
CHAPTER 38
I Want it With You
ELLIE
Despite my protests that it was too late for Henry, Mom said she wasn’t going to be back until ten-thirty, when the fireworks were over. “He can sleep in the stroller,” she assured me. I stopped arguing as the three of them whistled their way out the door.
