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“Does that mean you’re going to spank me a lot?” My voice dropped low, and I tried to hide my face in his shirt.
“Among other things.” Jesse rubbed my back as he carried me into the den. “You need to rest before we get into the details.”
The awful pressure on my shoulders and chest suddenly lifted. My heart filled with so much warmth that I felt like I was glowing from his attention. I squeezed him tightly and he pressed a kiss to the crown of my head. Despite everything, somehow, he forgave me. Like he kept saying, he forgave me, but I needed to do the same for myself. Shifting so I could see his face, I tested out the new title on my lips.
“I love you, Uncle Jesse,” I whispered.
He grinned and a gorgeous smile spread across his face, showing me how much I meant to him. I’d been so silly to think anything else all these years.
“I love you, buttercup.”
Jesse deposited me gently on the couch. Luke raised his eyebrows, probably wondering why I’d caved so easily, but someone else could explain it to him since I was suddenly exhausted. Jesse took an extra minute to remove my boots and I stretched out. He pulled a throw blanket off the top of the couch and tucked it around me. Even though I was covered in dirt and other things, I was too scared to leave the safety of the den, not that he or Luke would let me out of their sight anytime soon.
Jesse kissed Marissa’s forehead before nudging Luke. “Elias went in the helicopter with Tanner. I’m going up to the hospital, but I can bring him home.” Jesse sent a text message on his phone while he spoke.
“Can you bring Lee back here instead?”
“I can. Unless you’d rather go?”
“No, no, you should be there.” Luke rubbed his chin. “Is Dane going with you?”
“Yes, but we are all welcome to stay here for the night. My Mom and her boyfriend are on their way to the hospital.” Jesse looked up at the ceiling as if trying to remember all the pertinent information. “I requested two patrols stay on the premises until we get more information about what is happening to Chet. He’s in jail for at least the night, hopefully getting transferred first thing in the morning, but I don’t want to risk anything else happening. No one else is coming or going other than the police unless I give them permission.”
“Sounds like a plan,” Luke agreed. “Is everyone that is staying here at the house already in the den?”
“Yeah, Luke. I also texted you the names of the officers on duty. If something happens and you need to leave, they will escort you.”
“Tell me you’re going to take a vacation after all of this is said and done.” Luke shot Jesse a look, one that the men in our group typically directed at me.
“It’s not in the cards yet, but I switched a bunch of shifts around so that I’m off the next few days, at least. If I need to take more time, I’ll request it.”
“That asshat guarding the front door wouldn’t let me in!” Monica, Marissa’s sister, stormed into the den from somewhere. “I practically had to sneak in through the back.” She seemed more frantic than mad. “Is everyone okay?”
“I thought you went home, darling.” Jesse arched his brow. “Where did you come from?”
“My parents tried to cajole me into the car earlier, but I wasn’t leaving without seeing my sister. Anyway, I assured them this house was probably the safest in all of Falcon Creek right now, but I didn’t expect to do a song and dance routine to be granted access.”
“How did you get in the house, Monica?” Jesse repeated his question. “If there is a breach in security, I need to know.”
“Um.” She bit on her lip. “Uh, I sort of lost my wallet somewhere along the way,” she said sheepishly. “So, I used my tattoo of Trinity and Marissa’s names to get inside.”
“Did you flirt with a cop?” Marissa marveled. “Because our names live under your boob!”
“I didn’t flirt with anyone,” she protested. “Or at least I wasn’t trying.”
Marissa had Monica and Trinity’s names on her ribcage, but her younger sister opted for another spot.
“Who was at the door, Monica?” Jesse nearly growled his question, demanding that she listen.
“Why does it matter?” Monica rolled her eyes, but she caught Jesse’s authoritative glare and gulped. “Sam Nash.”
“I will have a talk with him.” Jesse shook his head. “Now, sit down. I just finished saying that no one else is coming or going tonight unless they speak with me first.”
“Geesh.” Monica blew out a breath as she flopped in between Marissa and Emma, looping her arms around each of their shoulders. “I don’t remember your boyfriend being so bossy.”
Emma giggled. We all turned to look at her and somehow it made her laugh harder, until her sides shook. Soon we were all laughing.
A bunch of tension finally eased. It didn’t change the seriousness of the situation, but it helped. For the moment, we were hanging out again like we did so many years ago. Jesse spoke the truth, and it was finally sinking in. Everyone cared about me in their own way.
