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Charli answered before the girls could, “They have a habit of listening at open doorways and heard your code.”
Kayla looked away, her face red. But Angie just grinned.
“Right. I’ll make sure it’s changed.” Blake added, “And close the doors before I reveal any more secrets.”
Kayla started to apologize but stopped when Blake put his arm around her shoulders and pulled her close for a hug. “Don’t ever apologize for today, Kayla. You did good, sweetheart, acting at the exact time you were needed.”
“That’s what the lieutenant said. I asked him about being a police officer, how his family felt about him being in danger sometimes, and he mentioned he had a daughter my age who’d asked him repeatedly to teach her how to use a gun, and he’d refused. He hated to think of her even near such a dangerous weapon. After what happened to us, he’s rethinking his decision.”
Blake cut in, “You go to the same school as Lisa, his daughter. She’s a good kid. I’ll introduce you two sometime.”
Charli saw the slight withdrawal from Angie and squeezed Blake’s knee where her hand had been resting while they sat with their chairs as close as possible. Not dumb, he picked up on it and added, “You too, Angie. You’ll like Lisa, she’s quiet and unassuming, but gets top marks in all her classes. Newton is damn proud of her and brags to the point of where I want to shove a roll of toilet paper in his mouth to stop it.”
Laughing and brightening instantly, Angie nodded. Charli had noticed an extreme change in her new ward over the last two days. When she’d arrived with piercings in her eyebrows and multiple ones in her ears and lip, Charli had pretended not to be disturbed by anyone mutilating their body so savagely. Now that they’d been removed, she kind of missed the silver balls she’d previously gotten used to as part of the girl’s identity.
Angie’s hair, washed and tamed from the old style, now lay flat, an ordinary brown and lifeless, giving her the appearance of a stranger. Charli surmised the girl wanted to fit in to some stereotype she’d formed in her head.
They needed to have a talk. She’d soon let the girl know that she’d be loved no matter if she had a silver ring hanging off the end of her chin. If she liked her old image, she needed to keep it or find whatever suited her best.
She watched as Kayla reached over to take Angie’s hand as her way of including her into their plans. As much as her heart went out to Angie’s desperate need for stability, love and reassurance, Kayla had notched her own space in Charli’s heart.
She’d proven to be an anomaly that needed to be researched carefully, with love and attention so the girl would bloom into her potential.
After the police had arrived at the scene earlier, Kayla had refused to let Charli go, as if she needed the reassurance of her arms and her soft voice telling her, “You did good, kiddo. We’re fine, thanks to you. You’re a hero now, baby.”
It wasn’t until she’d whispered the magic words that had Kayla pulling back so she could look into Charli’s face. “I love you, too.” Her response – a confession of such huge proportions that Charli knew she’d never said those words before.
After her grandfather had agreed to be a part of their newly formed family, they’d all joined in to clean up the dinner mess and separated to change into their swimming gear for late night family fun in the pool, a playful time of splashing, racing and diving, a wonderful release to the stress they’d been under.
The stars had provided a surprising light show and the warm evening air carried a lovely breeze that spread the fragrance of the surrounding tropical flowers. It swirled around to add a layer of detail to a night Charli would never forget.
She watched her grandfather swim carefully to the edge of the pool where the gradual stairs and a railing were there to help him get out. He scooped up Star, who’d waited impatiently for him to emerge, and held her close, his hand petting and calming.
Charli joined him there and listened as he spoke low. “It’s been a wonderful night, kiddo, one of the best in a very long time.”
“I’m glad, Popsicle. And I’m thrilled you agreed to stay with us. The girls need you just like I did when you brought me to live with you after Mom and Dad died.”
“You were in so much pain; I wanted you to always know you weren’t alone.”
“You see, you’re a genius, because I never felt that way. And now, Kayla and Angie will have the same good fortune of knowing that they belong because you’ll be there to make sure.”
He squeezed her hand. “For as long as I can stay with you, darling. Just know I’ll try my damnedest not to kick the bucket too soon.”
She giggled, like he wanted her to, but she also understood the warning as his way of reminding her his time with them would be limited. Even more reason not to waste a precious minute.
As she always did, she pushed the thoughts away and leaned her head on his shoulder. “Then we’ll have to love you twice as hard while you’re with us, won’t we?”
They held hands as they sat on the stairs to watch Blake race Kayla and Angie from one end of the pool to the other, beating both, but having to work hard to outperform Kayla with her long legs and strong arms.
When Blake swam to the edge and pulled himself from the pool, his muscles glistening in the patio lights, Charli almost swallowed her tongue. The man’s body exemplified that of a male model in a magazine sold to thrill women and spur on other men to work harder.
Every nerve in her body reacted. Not only for the pleasure she anticipated, but for the sheer need for them to have time alone. Everything had moved so fast, and though it all felt right, there were plans to be discussed and assurances made. And… a long honeymoon to enjoy.
One thing she did acknowledge. Any time she’d imagined joining into a relationship with a man, having a family, she’d had trouble picturing the scene. Everything inside her would scream,are you out of your ever-loving mind?Keep things simple, stupid. Live alone. Be yourself. Keep the doors locked between you and all that pain from the unknown.
Those thoughts were completely overshadowed now by her anticipation of life surrounded by people who loved each other. She couldn’t make it happen fast enough.
Except for one thing… did Blake really know what he was letting himself in for?
