Chapter Twenty-Two

F or Blake being so levelheaded when she called, it wasn't what Sprite walked into when they arrived at the clubhouse. They'd stayed ahead of the storm according to radar, but it looked like they'd be in for a stormy night.

Blake grabbed her and immediately started crying that she wanted to sleep at home tonight and wanted Clara over too. Sprite had planned on staying at Roam's because that's where everyone had been staying, she thought. When she looked over Blake's head to Roam, he mouthed do whatever you need to for her . This is one of those times where she didn't want to do what her daughter wanted, she wanted to put her foot down and stay with Roam. But sometimes as a parent, you gave up your own wants to give your child what they needed.

Clara walked over and patted Blake's shoulder. "I'd love to have a sleepover at your house. Where will I be sleeping?"

"I'll sleep with Mama Sprite, and you can have my bed," Blake whispered.

"Sounds like a plan. Let me go pack a little bag. I want to be in the house before the storm hits," Clara said, then headed toward her room.

"Hey, let's all get where we're going to be staying tonight. Radar is showing eighty mph winds with hail. We're under a tornado watch but there haven't been any warnings yet," Baron said.

Sprite kissed Matthew goodbye on the forehead and then gave Roam a hug. "I'll see you tomorrow."

By the time they'd finished at the courthouse and got on the road, it had been noon. With stops for diaper changes, bathroom breaks and food, they'd pulled into the compound at six p.m. By the time they ate supper and the kids had baths, it would be bedtime. She'd been in plenty of storms in Oklahoma, but she still disliked them and dealing with one in a new place had her on edge.

"Yep, I'm not sure you've checked it out yet, but all the houses have basements. Yours has a queen size sleeper sofa and a day bed with a trundle down there, along with a storm tote filled with batteries, flashlights, weather radio and a walkie talkie if we lose telephones. If we're under any type of warning, we'll all bed down in the basement. It's so much easier than moving the kids after the weather has passed. Are you comfortable being in a new house during the storm?"

She leaned closer to whisper, "Not really but I don't want to upset Blake by demanding to stay with you. Stay safe."

"Cannon, can you run us to Sprite's house?" Clara asked.

"Clara, you're the woman who wears a Property of Cannon T-shirt, I'll do anything for you."

Sprite smiled that Cannon was taking it better than she expected. He was being a good sport instead of getting irritated.

Sprite picked up Oakley and followed Cannon out to the side-by-side.

"Do you have a bag in the SUV?"

Sprite nodded and Cannon went to the SUV holding up bags until she nodded. He loaded it on just as Clara brought her bag out.

The temperature had dropped, and the smell of rain was in the air. The sky to the North was gray and dark. The wind was picking up and Sprite wanted to get everyone inside. She'd get their baths done and get them in nightclothes. They could have a special snack and maybe a movie downstairs if it was set up for it. With the laundry on the main floor and how busy she'd been, she hadn't even checked out that they had a basement yet.

Cannon pulled up and parked, then grabbed the bags and carried them up to the door, waiting for Sprite to unlock it. Once they were all in the house, Clara took Oakley from her arms.

"How about I get her bathed and in pajamas?"

Sprite nodded and let Clara take care of Oakley. "Blake, why don't you take a quick shower and then get in night clothes. Then we'll cuddle up with either a book or a movie."

"Kay," Blake called.

Sprite went over to the door in the kitchen and opened it, flipping on the light. The same flooring as the upstairs was downstairs. The walls were a light, creamy color. The main room looked like it ran the length of the upstairs. A large couch was along the back wall with a love seat beside it against the east wall. Farther down that wall was a daybed, which she assumed had the trundle underneath. With the sleeper sofa pulled out, the daybed was far enough down the wall that you'd be able to pull it out too.

She checked the two doors on the other wall. One led to a bathroom with a shower. The other led to a storage room that had the HVAC unit and a tote labeled storm supplies. She went and opened it. She checked the flashlight and the two-way radio. Both worked. There was also a large lantern beside it. She grabbed those and also the weather radio Roam had mentioned. She set them up on the side table between the couch and the love seat.

She was taking Roam's advice and if the storm was going to be severe, they'd just have a camp out in the basement.

She went upstairs and looked through the refrigerator to see what would be an easy snack tonight but would seem special to the kids. She breathed deep and just leaned against the counter for a second. This weekend had been a maelstrom of emotions. Add in the stress of worrying about Matthew and she was ready for sleep.

Her phone beeped with a text.

Roam: Stella checked out our little guy. He seems to be good. She said he's behind on vaccinations but she can catch him up. He's great on weight and height. You okay?

Sprite: Kids are getting in pajamas. We're taking your advice and having a special sleepover in the basement.

Roam: Let me know if you need something. War and Remi are staying with me to help with the kids, but I really think they just want a baby fix.

Sprite: I'll miss you tonight. He is very cuddly.

Roam: I'll miss you too.

"Mama Sprite, I can't find my pajamas," Blake called.

Sprite: Duty calls. Blake has lost her pajamas.

Roam: :)

Sprite headed to her daughter to look for the missing pajamas. Blake was so like Sprite's brother, not being able to see sometimes what was directly in front of her face. Once things calmed down, Sprite was going to try to contact a couple of her brother's friends and see if they knew anything.