AllFreeNovel
Share Us
The sisters go to the pantry to find bandages. Beckett sits next to me on the couch and picks a leaf out of my hair. He gives it to Beau who walks around, seeming calmer now.
Rosemary and Woodrow stand in the kitchen, watching Landry and the little ones tend to my shallow slashes. For the one across my chest, he thinks a few stitches wouldn’t hurt. Woodrow whips out his supplies and shows off his skills.
Beckett isn’t happy with the man, thinking he’s hurting me when I wince. I feel a grin on my face that won’t quit. The kids don’t see a big scary man after a violent encounter. They look at me like I’m their buddy who needs pampering.
When I shower up after Woodrow sticks a waterproof bandage on my chest, I hear the kids in the bedroom with Landry. They even paw at the door in the way they do with her when she tries to piss in peace.
“Welcome to fatherhood,” Landry teases when I return to clingy kids.
Kissing her, I recall this morning when she asked me to love her. I also consider the first time I decided to stalk her. I figured I’d been losing my mind to stoop to such behavior.
As I stare into her no-longer-sad eyes, I don’t regret a single moment of those lonely hours in the woods outside her old house. Landry and these kids were mine, even before they knew me. Now, they’ve embraced me in the way I did them long ago.
LANDRY
Silas surprises meby organizing a playdate with Ruin’s sister. I’m startled by how he would consider such a thing. Even after a week in his house, he still wows me with new sides of himself.
The kids have begun attaching themselves to their rooms. Beau sleeps in his during naps. Beckett and Brooklyn share a bed, taking turns between their new rooms.
Blair will start school again in a few days. Until then, she’s always on her bike or helping Woodrow around the house. She’s also gone with Silas to his workshop to see the table he’s building.
Rosemary and I talk throughout the day. She acts so protective of me. At first, I thought she just didn’t want to piss off Silas. Now, I realize she’s a genuinely warm person. Like me, she struggles with new people. However, spending every day together helps us quickly bond.
I’ve gotten accustomed to having more help with the kids. Silas insists I stay off my feet as much as possible. When I do play with the kids in the sandbox or on the swing set in the evenings, I’m not in as much pain.
Succotash has settled into her new home and rarely wants outside. She really is an indoor cat shoved into a life she didn’t enjoy. Like her humans, Succotash is loving her new environment. She follows Silas around a lot and sits behind him on the couch most nights. I get the feeling they’re old friends.
Kourtney haggled Brooklyn’s grand-bitch down to a reasonable price. Now, the paperwork is filed to make everything official.
Neal’s family can no longer reach me since Silas switched out my phone. He also got one for Blair, so she can feel more independent.
Before I gave up my old phone, I inform Aunt Darlie about how my life has changed.
“I’ve left Neal,” I explain, knowing she only cares about the gossip. “I’ve met a new man. He has money. We’ve moved into his big house. He adores the kids. Things are good now.”
“Don’t leave me hanging. I need details.”
