36. Evie

I lookedat Rebel as we lay in bed after making love. "I'm so happy for Raider and Daisy. They deserve to be happy; both of them have been through so much. I saw the love shining in their eyes and the boys'. All of them were so happy I almost started crying."

"I've never seen Raider this happy. He loved Cheryl, don't get me wrong, but he didn't have the same joy in his eyes as when he looks at Daisy. Cheryl was raised differently, and she didn't like showing affection in public," I explained.

"I've seen Raider pull her in for a kiss before, and she would push him away. That's just how she was raised. I don't know how she acted in private. Raider didn't want to take the boys with them when they went overseas, but she wouldn't let them stay with any of us."

"It's sad their mom died like that in front of the boys," Evie said, cuddling closer to me.

"I think Raider whispered for them to run to the neighbor, who saved their lives when he ran out to them."

"I wish you didn't have to go away. You better make sure you make it home for our wedding. Or Hannah and I will go hunting for you."

"I only have to be away for seven days. That's four days before our wedding, which will give us plenty of time. I would never be late for our wedding. I love you so much." When she didn't say anything, I looked at her and saw she was sleeping. I kissed her lips and went to sleep.

"If I'm not home in time for my wedding, Evie will come hunting for me; she's already threatened that. I'll text her and tell her I'll be home tomorrow. That still gives us two days, which should be fine."

Steel smiled. "Your wedding is late in the afternoon, so I'm sure you'll make it in time if you run to the wedding."

"Are you being a smart ass?" I said, shaking my head.

"Yes, now stop worrying. Most of the time, we don't get home on the day we're supposed to," Steel replied.

"We'll see." I texted Evie again and told her the same thing I had told her the last couple of days: "Hey, sweetheart, I should be home sometime tomorrow. We are still waiting for the judge to lock him up. We can't leave until we know he can't come after the family."

I waited to see if she was going to message me, but she didn't, so I went back to where I was supposed to be, guarding six siblings and their grandparents. Their son-in-law went crazy and killed his wife and almost the children.

Thankfully, the neighbor saw him run from the house while it was on fire. They were able to get the kids out before they perished in the fire. They also found the wife, who had her throat slit.

The husband was picked up an hour later but was mistakenly released and tried to kill the grandparents and children. They got away but had to stay hidden until the man was arrested again. They wanted to ensure he was locked up and wouldn't be let out before we left. But the judge kept putting it off until he had proof it was the husband. He had all the proof, so I don't know why he was taking so long. The grandma looked like she might cry, trying to take care of six kids from one to six.

"Let me help you," I said, taking the baby from her. "I have a baby girl, and her name is Hannah. I call her sweet Hannah. I loved that baby from the first time I saw her."

"We thought our daughter and her husband were happily married because they were always so excited every time they got pregnant. They kept having kids. Monica said they loved them and wanted to have them a year apart, like her friend Rene, whose mom had ten kids in ten years."

"I don't know how I'm going to be able to raise six kids. Two of them are still in diapers." Then she just started crying.

"Do you have other children who could help with the kids?"

"No, I was forty-three when I had Monica. She was a surprise baby. My husband didn't want kids, and he won't let me keep these kids. I'm their grandmother, and they are my responsibility now. So I'm pretty sure we'll be getting a divorce because he already said they can't stay."

"What about Monica's family? Would they want to raise them?"

"I would put them up for adoption before I let them go to those people. Sure, they want them. They want them so they can let them visit their father."

"At least they would be with someone who loves them. Don't you think that is what matters?"

"I don't know what to think anymore."

"Did you like his family before this happened?"

"Yes, I always thought his sister was a wonderful person. But now, knowing her brother is a killer, I can't give the kids to her," she said, sobbing.

"Of course you can. You told me she's a wonderful woman. Do the kids know her?"

"Yes, she saw them at the hospital, and they cried to go with her. But all of my friends would think I'm horrible if I allowed her to have the children."

"Do you love your grandkids?"

"Yes, of course I do," Grandma cried.

"Tell me honestly, do you think the kids would be better off with their aunt?"

"I'll tell you right now they would be. I've been trying to tell my wife we must let Phoebe have the kids, but she worries about what her friends will think. Phoebe wants to move to another state so the kids won't have to worry about people talking about what happened to their mother."

"Do we want to call Phoebe?" I asked. I knew this woman couldn't care for these kids, and if I had to go to court for her, I would.

"Welma, these kids won't have a good life living with us. I'm not going to put these kids up for adoption. We tried telling Monica to stop having kids, but she wouldn't listen to us," Frank said.

"Frank, it wasn't her fault she was murdered."

"We both know Monica and her husband were strange. I couldn't stand being with them for more than two hours."

"I know, you're right. Call her and tell her she can have the kids. After she leaves, you men can return to your family."

They had me call the woman, and she cried; an hour later, she was there. Phoebe was maybe twenty-five. She sat on the floor as the kids sat on her and cried. Even the baby spotted her and crawled to her. She gathered all of them up and hugged them.

"Thank you for letting me have the children. I promise to take good care of them. We are moving to Idaho, so you can visit them whenever possible." Frank walked in carrying three suitcases. He kissed the kids goodbye, and Welma hugged them. Phoebe couldn't get out of there fast enough before they changed their minds.

"Phoebe, you can have your lawyer contact me, and I will sign the papers so you can have complete custody of the children. You're a wonderful aunt, and these kids love you. If you need something, please get in touch with me."

"I will. Goodbye."

I followed her outside and handed her my card. "Keep this card with you in case you need us," I said.

She turned her head and looked at me. "Thank you. Welma didn't give me the kids without someone talking to her and Frank. I love these kids. I had them all the time because their parents were crazy," she threw her hair over her shoulder and glanced at me.

"I'm not moving to Idaho. I'm moving to a place where we won't be found," she said. Then she looked at the card. "I'll keep this."

When I went back inside, Welma was crying.

"Stop blubbering," Frank said. "You are as relieved as I am. Sure, we love our grandkids, but I don't have the energy to raise six babies for another eighteen or more years," he handed Steel some papers.

"You're upset because of your friends. Tell them the court gave the kids to their aunt, who has lots of energy and money." Then he looked at me. "I want to thank you for making this happen. Someone was finally able to talk some sense into Welma."

"Have a safe trip home, and congratulations on your wedding."

"Thank you. If you need us for anything, don't hesitate to give us a call."

I was so glad when we left. I called Evie. "Hey, sweetheart, we will be home in a few hours. So that gives me a day and a half before the wedding."

"I'm so happy you are coming home; I can't wait to see you. Hannah goes around calling for Dada. We both miss you so much. Stay safe, I love you," Evie said.

"I'll see you in about five hours. I love you," I said as I hung up. I looked over at Steel. "So, I'll be a married man two days from now."

"Are you getting nervous?"

"No, I can't wait to marry Evie; I just worry she'll get cold feet. She is so independent, and I'm surprised she said yes. I have a few hang-ups."

"A few," he laughed. "I remember every time all of you piled into your grandpa's car, you would always stand outside begging them to stay home. You'll have to work through that, or you'll always be arguing about it," Steel said, glancing at me.

"I've improved a lot since Evie took the animals to her sister. I'm going to give her a puppy for her wedding present."

"What kind of puppy are you giving her?" Steel asked.

"I've already bought a French bulldog. I'm sure she will love him like she loved Tater. I can really tell she misses Tater and Cinder," I said.

"I hope he doesn't smell like Tater," Steel chuckled.

"He was actually doing pretty well about farting all the time. I miss them as well. Now that they are gone, Snookum always sneaks into our bed. I've found him down by my feet several times. It's really creepy thinking a rat is in my bed. But if that's what Evie wants, I won't say anything."