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The Hatfield men hadn’t been inside that church in over ten years except Seth. Rachel made him go with her until she kicked him out of the house last year for what he was doing with Jameson.
“I’m going to help your mother finish brunch,” Disa declared.
“Me too.” Danni followed her to the kitchen.
“I’m going to watch…” I didn’t get further than that.
“No, you’re not. We need to talk to you.”
Heath grabbed my arm and pulled me back. Suddenly Matt appeared, and we headed to the dining room. When Dad came down the stairs, he took care of all the kids and Elijah and Walker joined us too.
“You can’t get me into trouble,” Walker warned Matt.
“I’m not sure you should be here,” he said. “I don’t want you to ever get in trouble where you might end up back in prison.”
“Then leave,” Danni said. We hadn’t realized she was standing in the door. “Walker, please.”
My sister had tears in her eyes. “He’s given enough for family, his own. Let him have peace.”
He held out his arm to her and she slid into his embrace. “I promise. I won’t get into trouble.” He kissed her temple. “I’m pregnant again, you guys. You better not hurt him.”
My brother, Matt groaned. “She just had a baby, man.”
“She wanted another one,” Walker informed him.
Matt rolled his eyes.
So maybe if Disa was pregnant it would be all right except my children would have different mothers. That made a difference. I sighed.
They all looked at me.
“What is this?” I asked.
“He made a bold move,” Heath declared. “Cornering you in public, at the church.”
I nodded. Ron Parsons was getting desperate, I thought. I wondered if my brothers thought so too.
Lilah came into the dining room and sat down next to Matt. He leaned back in his chair and looked at her. She twisted her fingers together. “I don’t want to put your family in danger. It’s me he wants, isn’t it?” She asked. She refused to look at anyone.
Her lashes hid some beautiful eyes tortured by a man who claimed to love God. A man of God wouldn’t do the things that he had done to her.
Matt slid his arm around her shoulders. She froze for a second. Then she settled into his embrace. “Maybe I should go somewhere but I have no money.”
“Where would you go?” My sister’s voice was filled with compassion and concern. She and Jenny were competing for bringing home the most injured and needy animals. Jenny tried to keep them, and Danni tried to find homes for them because she had an allergy to pet hair. The two women had the biggest hearts of anyone I knew but the woman leaning in the doorway. Disa was listening now too.
“I don’t know I just feel like I need to get far away from here to protect your family,” Lilah said. Then Rachel slipped in behind Disa and sat at the head of the table usually reserved for my father.
“Lilah, you have no family but us. We aren’t letting Ron Parson run you away. If he catches you, he’ll kill you. You’re safer with Heath.”
“But…” She couldn’t get any further with what she was going to say. Rachel cut her off with a hand in the air.
“No buts. We’re all good. I don’t know what you boys are planning.” She glanced around the room. I don’t want to know. Just don’t get killed. I’m supposed to die before you.” She sniffed
then she got out of the seat where she sat. “Come on ladies. The food won’t finish preparing itself.”
Lilah slipped out of Matt’s arms and followed Mom. Disa gazed at me for several seconds then she turned and went to the kitchen too. Danni was the last to go.
She stood at the doorway and gazed at Walker for a moment, then she looked at us. Her brothers. “If you cause me to lose him, I will never forgive you.” With that, she turned and went to the kitchen.
