“Napping,” Mike said, rising to shake my hand. He had a solid handshake, and he didn’t squeeze too hard, like some assholes did. Not that I assumed Mike would be an asshole, but you never knew. “What’s this now?”
“Carter found a car off the road, called 911, and stayed until the driver and baby were off in the ambulance. I’m assuming now it was Miranda.”
“Oh!” Jenn rushed around the large counter that separated the kitchen from what was the dining area. She held out her arms and before I could even blink, she was hugging me. It was sort of awkward and she seemed to realize that after a second. She pulled back, wiped a hand under her eyes, and then peered up at me. “You saved them.”
I shook my head and smiled gently. “No, ma’am. I just called the people who did. That’s all the credit I’ll take and not an ounce more. I’m glad they’re going to be okay.”
“They are, thanks to you. Who knows what could have happened if you hadn’t come upon them. No. I’m not goingto think it. Thank you for doing the right thing and stopping. Helping. So many people wouldn’t.”
“Uh. You’re welcome.” I shot a look at Hawk who smirked and stepped in between me and his mother.
“Mom, how about you—”
The donkey’s loud as hell bray interrupted Hawk’s words and Jenn darted around us toward the door. “They’re here.”
Mike headed outside after his wife. I stood there completely nonplussed. The chaotic energy was unmatched and not what I expected when I walked in this house.
“Sorry,” Hawk said, voice low and not looking at me. “I should have realized there was a possibility that we’d know the person in the accident.”
I wasn’t sure why he was apologizing. “It’s fine. I take it you know a lot of people?”
“Small town. Really small town. And Mom knows just about everyone.” That smirk graced his lips for a second. “I went to school with Miranda. And Demi babysat for Robbie and Sammy when they were little. Miranda’s nephews. They’ve gotta be like eight and ten now. I’m sure Ms. Lucinda was getting them off the bus.”
I nodded, glad for the explanation. Not that I cared too much about people I didn’t know but it was at least good to have context. I realized suddenly that, even though I knew Miranda was expected to make a full recovery, I would be privy to a full update if I wanted one. I was sure all I had to do was mention it at some point in the future, and any one in this family would know. I found comfort in that. I wanted to know that Miranda had recovered fully.
Mike popped back in the house. “Luke, hey, can you take the boys to the barn and keep them entertained? Luce is pretty shaken up, so Jenn is going to drive her to the hospital and I’m going to follow behind.”
“Yeah, of course,” Luke said quickly, standing up. He passed Aria to Hawk on his way out the door. “Go see Uncle Hawk.”
“Hawkle!” the little girl squealed, wrapping her chubby arms around Hawk’s neck. One of her pigtails nearly went into Hawk’s eye.
I raised a brow. “Hawkle?”
Hawk groaned. “My dumbass brother Keegan’s sense of humor. Our little angel here doesn’t say a whole lot of words yet butthatone she’s got.”
I chuckled, because his grumbling was good natured. At least in this instance. It was clear he loved his family and doted on his niece. He made funny faces which Aria loved, judging on her peal of laughter and the way she squished his cheeks together. I liked seeing him this way. I was used to the cranky, pissy man who didn’t seem to like me most of the time. This was a breath of fresh air.
There was a crash that had the three of us turning toward the stairs, and then the wail of a baby crying. Hawk shoved the little girl at me and I barely had my hands around her before he’d taken off at a run, going up the stairs two at a time. I looked down at the cherub in my arms. She looked back at me like I was an alien.
“What just happened, huh?” I tried for a sing-song voice, not wanting her to be scared of being held by a stranger. I didn’t have a whole lot of experience with kids, and certainly none as young as she was. Weirdly, she didn’t seem scared. Just confused and wary. “What was that noise?”
She lifted her arms and shrugged her shoulders. I barked out a laugh, which startled her, but then she smiled. After a second, she laughed too, but more like she was mimicking me and not like she actually knew what was funny.
I glanced around, trying to figure out what I should do with this toddler in my arms. Was there a stuffie or a juice cupor something? She was pretty young. Not a baby anymore but probably no older than three. Though, to be fair, I was shit at guessing kids’ ages. I knew jackshit about them.
Fortunately, boots on the stairs signaled Hawk’s return just a moment later. I turned to the stairs to see him emerge, and he stopped dead. For a second, he just stared at us, eyes wide. Then he shook his head and finished his descent, walking quickly toward us.
“What happened, Hawkle?” I bounced Aria once, and she giggled, then dove at Hawk as soon as he was within reaching distance.
He took her back and snuggled her for a second. Then he spoke directly to her while answering my question. “Mommy woke up too fast and knocked her cup right off the table. It made such a loud noise! It woke up Emerson. Can you believe that?”
Aria shook her head and clapped her hands. “Down.”
Hawk walked toward the space that was clearly the living room and dotted with all sorts of toys and blankets. He set Aria down and she immediately pointed at the TV.
“On!”
“What do you say, baby girl?”
