Chapter Twenty-Seven

R oam flipped off the light in the kitchen and locked the door after Cane came in. Cane didn't even wait until Roam turned around before he was running up the stairs. Because it was a spur of the moment event and they hadn't been able to move everything, Grant, Oakley and Blake were having a sleepover on air mattresses in the main playroom. Grant and Oakley had conked out a half hour ago. Blake had been almost asleep when he left to let Cane out. He walked back toward his, now, their room.

He was one lucky man. The house hadn't been too bad. If it had only leaked in the bathroom, they could have stayed there because of the second bathroom. But a kitchen pipe and a bathroom pipe had both leaked. His mom had offered Sprite another house to move into, but Sprite had told her that they were going to be living together soon. Surprisingly, Blake had been fine with moving and wanted to know if that meant she could get the puppy earlier.

Sprite told her that they could go see them this week, but the puppies were too young to leave the mommy dog. That had seemed to relax Blake. Although the bathroom had suffered some damage with the water, none of the water had damaged anything in the three bedrooms. They were incredibly lucky.

He'd meant to ask Sprite if she'd heard from her brother's friends, but needless to say, the evening had been a whirlwind. Beth had dropped by and stayed at Roam's house with Matthew while Roam and Sprite, along with some others, loaded up some of the items they couldn't live without tonight.

Cannon and Bear, along with Flick, who'd gotten off work at emergency services, were overseeing the water cleanup. Cannon had brought a machine over to suck the water out of the carpeting outside the bathroom door. Since it was one of the older houses, it hadn't been upgraded to wood flooring yet. Roam was sure his mom would add it to the list.

He didn't want to let Sprite down, but he was tired. Bone deep tired after the weekend, then losing sleep with Matthew's sleep schedule and having clients all day. He needed to find time to work out or his shoulders would just continue to get worse.

Roam saw the back of Sprite as she slid a shirt on for bed. He walked up close to her and kissed the back of her neck, feeling a tremble go through her.

"You're so freaking sexy and I want to toss you on the bed and ravish you."

He paused.

"And..."

"I'm so freaking tired from being up late with Matthew and then us moving all the stuff, along with comforting the kids. I don't want you to be offended but can we please just sleep tonight?"

Sprite turned, wrapping her arms around his waist and kissing his chest. "Oh, thank goodness. I'm beat. The stress of how Blake would react, plus getting some of our stuff out of the house, was so much. I know everyone was helping and will help tomorrow but we both have a full day of clients. I would love to just sleep with your arms wrapped around me."

Roam smiled. Thank goodness they were on the same wavelength. He opened his dresser drawer and pulled out a pair of shorts to sleep in. He turned back toward Sprite and tugged his shirt off over his head.

"Hey, we're sleeping. Quit being sexy," Sprite directed.

He chuckled, unbuckling his belt, rolling it and putting it in the drawer. Then unzipping his jeans and shoving them down his legs, remembering at the last minute to toe off his motorcycle boots. He was tired if he was forgetting to take off his shoes first.

"I appreciate your admiration, but let's crawl in bed and sleep. Who knows how early Matthew will wake us up?"

Sprite ran into the bathroom, closing the door behind her. He finished sliding his shorts on and put his phone on the charger. He pulled back the comforter and then walked over and turned off the overhead light, leaving his bedside lamp on.

He listened to the toilet flush, then water running. Sprite opened the door and came out.

"I don't have a preference on which side. Where are you comfortable?"

Sprite walked over and leaned up to rub her fingers across his beard. "Anywhere, so I'll go to the other side since your phone is charging on this one."

Instead of walking around, she put a knee on the bed and crawled across with her ass swaying as she did.

"No fair," he grumbled.

Sprite turned and crawled under the covers, giggling as she waited on him. He sat down on the bed, turned off the light, then laid down and tugged Sprite closer.

"Goodnight, Sprite. I love you."

She snuggled against his chest, her leg flung over his hip and her hair brushing against his shoulder.

"Love you too, Roam. Night."

SPRITE WOKE TO A HAND patting her face. She cracked open her eyes and tried to see in the darkened room. When she didn't say anything right away, a small body crawled on the bed beside her, leaning their face close.

"Matty's crying. I's can't sleep with the racket."

Despite being tired, Sprite almost laughed out loud. Grant had a way with words.

"Okay. I'll get him," she whispered.

She sat up and Grant crawled around her to get under the covers by Roam. He was sleeping deeply. He'd mentioned Matthew had woken him up a couple times last night. She'd slept fine last night so she could take her turn tonight.

She walked out in the hall and could hear Matthew whimpering a little as she walked into his room. She leaned over the crib, lifting him out.

"How's my little, buddy," she asked, checking the monitor since she hadn't heard him cry. It was off. With all the excitement last night, they'd both forgotten to turn it on. Not that she wouldn't have heard him once he got wound up. Sprite preferred to get him changed and fed before he got too upset.

She finished quickly, then walked out to the kitchen. She looked in the refrigerator and realized they'd forgotten to make any bottles. She reached up to get the formula out of the cabinet. A warm body at her back and an arm getting the formula canister out had her turning.

"I was trying to let you sleep."

Roam smiled, then grabbed one of the sanitized bottles. "Grant's a little restless sometimes. I woke up with him starfished in the bed and his foot connecting with my crotch."

Sprite bit her lip, trying not to smile but knowing her eyes were filled with mirth. She couldn't imagine that was the way Roam wanted to wake up.

Roam had the bottle heated and stuck in Matthew's mouth before he could start crying.

"So you're saying the next time Grant comes to bed that I should protect your package?"

He wrapped his arms around her and Matthew. "Yes, like maybe put a pillow down by my waist would be greatly appreciated," he said, yawning.

Sprite glanced at the clock. Matthew had slept over six hours. It was just past five in the morning. Sprite usually got up between six and seven, depending on what time she needed to be at work. At this point, there really wasn't a reason to go back to sleep.

"So I thought I'd fix some coffee and just stay up."

Roam nodded against her head. "Sounds good. How about we go out and sit on the front porch swing and watch the sunrise while he takes his bottle?"

"I can't go outside in this."

"Well, you can because no one cares here but you can grab a robe if you want."

Sprite nodded and handed off Matthew to Roam. She walked quietly in their room to not disturb Grant. She didn't need to worry because he was breathing deeply. She slipped into her robe and then hurried upstairs to check on the rest of the kids before she went outside. Blake was sleeping soundly. Oakley was cuddled up to Blake and snoring lightly. She peeked in on the twins.

After seeing everyone asleep, she felt comfortable joining Roam on the front porch. The front door was open with the screen door closed. She walked outside. Even though it was early, it hadn't cooled down much overnight. It was going to be another hot day.

She settled beside Roam. He slid the arm that wasn't holding Matthew around her. Matthew was asleep in his arms. The empty bottle was on the floor of the porch.

"That didn't take him long."

"Nope, he sucks it down pretty fast. I worry it's because he didn't get enough to eat before."

Her chest ached at the thought of someone denying a baby food.

"Oakley always had food, but she still sucked down her bottle like she'd been starving for days. When Blake was little, we'd have to wake her up because she'd fall asleep before she finished. I think kids are all different. I wouldn't worry about it because there is nothing you could have done. And we'll make sure he has a fantastic family and life."

Roam sighed deeply and kissed her forehead. She adored how affectionate he was with her and the kids. Each of the men and women she'd met here showed love to the kids. It was just a way of life here. She was fortunate she'd found him. She leaned her head against Roam just enjoying the early morning.

Roam tilted his head. "Do you hear that?"

Sprite listened. "I think that's my cell phone."

She jumped up and ran into the house. Grant was walking toward her.

"Now this is making noise. I's tired," he grumbled, holding up her phone.

"Thanks, Grant," she took the phone and looked at the display. Thank goodness.

"Liam?" she asked.

"Sprite, it's good to hear your voice."

It's good to hear her voice. Was he kidding? How about sorry?

"Where have you been? I've been trying to reach you for the last couple months."

The relief of finally hearing from him had tears trickling down her cheeks.

"Sorry. Mission ran longer. Until I came in, we weren't allowed outside contact. I got your first message about Mackenzie but didn't listen to the rest before I called."

Sprite walked out to the porch where Roam was waiting for her and sat down. "Liam, I'm putting you on speaker. I want my man to hear everything."

"Your man? What the heck has been happening? Who is he? Is he after the money?" Liam's outrage came through loud and clear despite the poor connection.

"So one, yes, my man. I met him at a tattoo convention and fell for him immediately. I'd lost my job and Roam owns a tattoo studio. He and Rascal offered me a package that included a place to live and really inexpensive daycare. He's former military. And two, I don't know what money you're talking about. When Mackenzie dropped Blake off, she barely had a suitcase."

Sprite knew her voice was a little harsh, but her brother wasn't going to jump all up in her business when he hadn't been around. She'd done the best she could. And it had all worked out in the end because she found the man she loved and a family she'd dreamed of.

"I'm sorry, Sprite. I shouldn't have raised my voice. I refuse to be like our parents were. I'll check on the money. I have half my salary deposited every month. I'll get the info from you and change where it's going. Did the attorney take care of everything, so if Blake gets sick you can do what's needed?"

Sprite nodded, then realized that her brother couldn't see her. She was warring between being so happy to hear his voice and mad. He'd apologized but he wasn't going to solve anything it sounded like.

"Yes, I have temporary custody of Blake and can make all medical decisions. I guess I need to know what your plans are."

Sprite held her breath, waiting to hear what he said. She loved Blake with all her heart, and it would kill her to lose her, especially if Liam took her far away.

"My plans haven't changed even though Mackenzie has changed hers. I'm career Army. I'll try to take leave in the next six months but what I uncovered has to be taken care of. I can't leave my team in the lurch."

Sprite breathed deep and realized she'd known the answer before she asked. Her brother was a patriot who was a protector at his core. He had a burning need to serve and make the world a better place. She couldn't fault him because she loved that about him. But how do you explain that to a six-year-old?

"I understand and I'm proud of you. How do we tell Blake?"

It was so quiet from the phone and around the farm that Sprite could hear the insects buzzing in the fields. She waited and Liam didn't say anything. Sprite did not want to be the one telling Blake and honestly, freaking Liam needed to man up and have some balls.

"I think we need to set up a time for me to call and then you can all be there to help her through it. Going forward, I'll try to see her once a year at least."

Sprite sniffed. She understood but this was going to break Blake's heart.

"Hey, Liam, this is Roam. I want to thank you for your service. I served along with my brother right after we graduated high school. Do you and Blake write? I know sometimes you're unavailable but when you can, do you send letters?"

Sprite swallowed. She was glad Roam had talked because she didn't know what else to say. Sure, she was thrilled she got to be Blake's mom, but she wanted her brother here too.

"I haven't but she's old enough I could. I'll get the address and I'll try for once a month."

Roam squeezed her shoulder reassuringly. Thank goodness, she'd found him. She couldn't imagine how she'd feel if she was still in the house in Oklahoma with no job and knowing she was on her own.

"Okay, I'm glad you're safe, Liam. It's early morning here. When do you want to set up the call with Blake?"

"Let's do tonight at seven pm your time. It will be early morning here too. Love you, Sprite."

She hung up and turned to Roam and Matthew. She kissed Matthew's forehead. She sniffed but then decided she couldn't change what was. She was going to find a way to get through this rough patch. Part of it might include taking Blake to see the puppies tomorrow.

"Are you okay?" Roam whispered against her hair.

"I will be but only because I know you're with me."