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How can I trust Landry when we’ve never spoken before? I’m giving her the power to destroy me.
Despite walking a dangerous line, I still enter the house. Beyond Landry’s fear, she’s exhausted by life. This beautiful, broken woman needs someone to save her. I can’t be rational right now. That won’t help her or me and certainly not the little ones unfortunate enough to have Neal Copper as their father.
“I’ll take you to my house now,” I explain after laying out what I did and why.
Exhausted, bruised, and swollen from her approaching due date, Landry remains frozen with indecision. She thinks I’m crazy for wanting her. I saw her reaction when I said I wanted her to love me. No doubt Landry worries I have evil intentions. I probably look like the devil to her.
“Do you have suitcases or bags for your things?” I ask Landry.
“What can we take?”
“Take what you need for the next day. I’ll have people come around tomorrow to move your other stuff. Leave Neal’s garbage for his kin.”
“What if someone thinks you got rid of him?”
“Let them prove it,” I reply and gesture toward the hallway. “I brought my SUV. Let’s get the kids ready to go.”
Landry remains stuck until Blair tugs her mom toward the hallway. I don’t know if I should follow. They might attempt to escape. Of course, the only other door is in the kitchen, and I can’t imagine Landry climbing out a window. Blair could run for help, though.
I end up walking to the hallway, ducking when I reach the door. This house is too cramped for so many people. I feel claustrophobic after only a few minutes.
In the smaller bedroom, two full-sized beds are jammed together along with a dresser and several toys. Soon, three blond kids whine as she wakes them.
I’ve always wondered why her kids have “B” names. After Blair, there’s four-year-old Beau. I think he might be a little slow. The kid never talks much. Weeks ago, I overheard Landry on the phone, saying Beau’s on a waiting list for a speech therapist.
Three-year-old Brooklyn points at me while sucking at her fist. “Bear,” she says as I shadow the room.
Two-year-old Beckett gasps and throws a stuffed toy at me. The kid is horrified by the monster in his doorway until Landry explains I’m their friend. Realizing he’s not in danger, Beckett gets upset over the weaponized stuffed toy. “Fire truck,” the boy whines.
I step into the room, gaining their attention. My massive size swallows up the small space. They stare at me while I reach down to pick up the stuffed toy. Beckett smiles when I hand it to him.
“Mine,” he says and looks at how his mama slides on his socks.
“They don’t need shoes,” I tell her. “It’s warm enough outside.”
“Where we go?” Brooklyn asks and climbs on top of Beckett.
“Nomad has a house,” Blair says while dumping clothes in a garbage bag. “We can sleep there.”
“I got those safety things for the beds,” I say, and Landry looks at me like I’m insane. “So they won’t fall out.”
Her big chocolate-brown eyes stare at me in the oddest way. I think maybe she hates me. Once Blair turns on a light and I see Landry better, I realize her eyes are so big out of exhaustion rather than horror.
“This is our stuff,” Blair says, lifting a garbage bag full of clothes and toys.
“You ought to be careful about using your arm,” I say, and Blair frowns at my criticism before I ask, “What about your mama’s stuff?”
Blair nods, dropping the bag and rushing out of the room. I smile at how ready she is to get out of this fucking hot box.
“You don’t have air-conditioning,” I mutter, wiping the back of my neck.
“Only the living room unit,” Landry says while she gets Beau a fresh diaper.
The boy’s brown eyes stare at me with the blankest expression. Though he’s got a wire loose in his head, I know he can smile and laugh. I’ve seen him get silly with his mama. However, right now, he seems like a paused robot.
“I got your pregnancy clothes,” Blair tells her mama and lifts the garbage bag. “I put in your vitamins and other lady stuff. But I can’t find Succotash.”
Hearing panic in the girl’s voice, I explain, “We’ll round up your cat tomorrow if she doesn’t show herself before we leave.”
