Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 77980 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77980 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
“I wish this didn’t happen to you, Ma.” Cal leaped forward like the little boy he used to be, wrapping his arms around her small form and squeezing tight. “I’m sorry about everything. I forgive you for Bonnie, and I’m sorry I was such a fucking idiot. I promise you, Sadie, that from here on out, I will be the man that Ava Rose needs. That this family needs.”
Sadie pulled back and studied Cal with a skeptical look that quickly transformed into a smile. “I must look worse than I thought.”
“You could use some sun, but you look great, Ma.” He kissed her cheek and stepped to her side, helping Sadie to the sofa while Thomas set a few pillows behind her.
“Stop fussing over me. I got shot in the head, and it barely grazed me. I’m no f-f-fucking charity…” She paused like she was looking for the word.
“Case ma? Charity case?” he asked her.
“Yes! Charity case.” Her words came out a little stilted as Purcell said they would as her memory returned.
“Ma, you haven’t walked or sat up on your own for months. Let us help you until you get your strength back.” Cal didn’t stop fluffing pillows and fussing even as he spoke.
“Fine. Someone get me a drink.”
“Now, Sadie. You know it’s too early in the day for that.” Maisie stepped forward and wrapped Sadie in a long, warm hug. “Damn, it’s so good to hear your voice again.”
Sadie patted Maisie’s back and sighed, tears forming in her eyes. “Glad to be heard.”
Maisie laughed against her and pulled back. “You missed a lot while you were in the hospital. I’m so happy you’re home.”
Sadie leaned against the pillows with a relieved sigh. “It’s good to see you too, Maisie. You look beautiful,” she said and examined her carefully. “You’re practically glowing.”
“Like I said, you missed a lot. Maddie had her baby boy, Jameson Bailey, and he’s absolutely friggin’ adorable. And in about six months, Virgil and I will be adding to the family as well.” Her hand went instinctively to her still flat belly with a smile.
That news was a shock to me as well as everyone else in the room.
Sadie gasped. “Another grandbaby? Now that’s good news to wake up to.” She pulled Maisie into another hug.
“Congratulations.”
“Thanks.” Maisie smiled back at Virgil. “You woke up just in time. We were going to tell everyone next Sunday.”
Sadie nodded and looked around the room at all the people who gave a damn about her and beamed.
“The gang’s all here,” she said, smiling at Terry and Kat, Ava Rose in my arms, me, Cal and Thomas.
Emmett and Vanessa were there, along with Hulu, Evan, Provo, and Mace. “It’s good to see all of you. I hope there’s enough food to feed everyone.”
Thomas smiled and pressed a kiss to her cheek. “I’ll go make sure,” he whispered in her ear and slipped out of the living room.
“So, what else did I miss?”
“Beck is no longer a problem for us.”
Sadie smiled. “Is she in the desert?”
“No, Ma. She’s not in the desert. She’s leaving Nevada as we speak, a whole lot richer and looking forward to a family reunion.”
The whole family didn’t know about Jack Beck, but I hoped her memory was well enough to understand my vague words.
“Now, that is excellent news.” Sadie patted the seat Thomas had vacated, and when I joined her, she put one small hand on top of mine.
“Thank you, Jasper, for everything.” She smiled up at me, looking just like the woman I remembered. “I’m…I’m proud of you.”
I shrugged off the compliment. “Well, there’s only one of me, and Thomas was eager to keep Lucky Lopez running smoothly until you were on your feet again, so I let him. The help was much appreciated.”
“It’s nice to have a man who has your back.”
“Amen,” Maisie, Kat and Vanessa answered in unison before a fit of laughter erupted around the room.
“And the person who shot me? Did you find him?”
The air in the room went still. Virgil’s smile darkened into a scowl. Cal froze with fear burning up his eyes. Everyone else just wanted an update.
“Yeah. Three of them are rotting in the ground, and the last one turned himself in before we got to him.”
Another smile lit up her face, and she brushed a finger across my cheek, an uncharacteristic move on her part. “Thank you, Jas. I knew you would make this right.”
I nodded. “That’s my job. To protect this family, and all the people in it.”
That was my purpose in life, and I was fine with it. Kat was happy and safe with Terry; they would probably expand the Ashby family soon.
Maisie and Virgil were bringing another Ashby into the world, and Cal, well, his pardon had given him a renewed purpose in life and in this family. Eventually, Calvin would find another woman to help him raise Ava Rose, and I would still keep them all safe and protected.