Chapter Five

R oam had loaded the last of the boxes and packing material in the SUV, along with some totes to contain the kids' toys and clothing. His mom had texted a list of items that would make it easier for Sprite and her family to relocate to Bluff Creek. She'd mentioned Winnie and Bear were two of the people coming to help. They were bringing Phoebe with them to meet Sprite's kids. Regina hoped the kids would feel comfortable enough to ride back with Phoebe.

Regina and Baron were having a grandkid sleepover at their house with Meg and Rascal whenever they got to Bluff Creek. Phoebe was in charge of inviting Sprite's kids. His mom had hoped immediately introducing them to the Bluff Creek kids would help with the transition.

With the phone call from Clara last night asking if there was room at Bluff Creek for her, they'd made a couple of changes in the plans. They were leaving it open to either leave on Monday for Bluff Creek after packing all day Sunday or leave Tuesday if they needed the second day to pack. Since he had no idea how big Sprite's or Clara's houses were, he had multiple contingencies.

He asked Sprite what she and the kids liked to eat for take-out. She'd mentioned pizza and Chinese. Since he expected his brothers to pull in about the same time he got to Sprite's house, he was picking up both. He'd already bought enough plasticware to get them through meals until they left town. He'd texted Bear to grab drinks for everyone and had been informed Winnie had loaded up a couple coolers before they left Bluff Creek. He'd hoped to be there before noon but even with the two-and-half-hour drive and the shopping for packing items, he'd be getting there right before eleven.

He got in the truck and started to put his phone in the holder but realized he'd missed a text.

Cannon: Flick, Beth, Ellie and I just got in town. Need us to pick anything up before we get there? Bear, Winnie, Phoebe and Kennedy are ahead of us, I think.

Roam: I think we're good.

Roam grinned, thinking of Sprite's face when his family invaded. They were loud, loving and sometimes a little crazy. He hoped they didn't scare her away because he was looking forward to working normal hours at the tattoo shop with the three of them working to get caught up.

He placed the first order from the drive-through in the large cooler he'd bought. He figured it would keep the food warm and then they could use it to transport Sprite's refrigerator contents.

He had hoped when he attended the tattoo convention that he'd find someone to work at the shop, but he'd guessed they'd need a couple weeks to a month to relocate. They'd gone from zero to ninety in a day. It might be fast, but Roam knew deep in his heart that it was the right thing to do.

Sprite would be an asset to the shop. He needed to do what was best, which might mean putting his own wants and needs on hold for a little while. He needed a definite separation of her job and anything that happened with them. He also wanted to make sure her children adapted well. Sometimes kids were shy around new people, and he didn't want them overwhelmed.

He picked up the last order, hoping he hadn't bought too much. Surely with all the people it wouldn't go to waste. He had asked what kind of pizza they liked but forgot to ask what type of Chinese. He'd not only bought some of everything on the menu but had bought extras of a lot because he wanted the kids to feel comfortable and have what they wanted. Plus, they'd need food for supper and snacks.

He pulled up to Sprite's address and turned into the driveway. Both vehicles with trailers were parked on the street with the one directly in front of the house, having the ramp down. He saw Cannon coming out of the trailer as he stopped and motioned him over. He opened the doors and Cannon grabbed some of the packing items while Roam grabbed the cooler.

He stepped into the house and the sound hit him. Phoebe was chattering at another girl who looked to be her age. Sprite had the smaller girl held in her arms and was listening to what Phoebe was saying.

"I have lunch. Who's hungry?"

Sprite smiled and led him to the kitchen.

"The food's warm in here. The paper plates and silverware are still in my truck. Let me..."

"I'll get them," Winnie yelled.

Sprite pulled a high chair close to the kitchen table and strapped her daughter in.

"Roam, I'd like you to meet Oakley, who is three. Oakley, can you say hi?"

Oakley tried to hide behind Sprite beside her chair but waved a hand.

"That's okay. One of my little ones can be kind of shy. I brought pizza and Chinese. What sounds good?"

"I like cheese pizza, and do you have goons?" the cute, dark-haired girl sitting by Phoebe asked.

"Goons?" Roam questioned.

"Roam, this is Blake. She wants to know if you bought crab Rangoon. It's her favorite."

Roam reached into the cooler and pulled out a large bag and a container. "I did get goons. They are my favorites too, so I bought a huge amount."

He placed the bag and containers down by the girls, then walked to wash his hands. Everyone crowded in the kitchen, but most of the adults stood to make sure the kids had room and that their plates were full before filling theirs. Sprite and Winnie sat down to help the kids.

"I want Cannon by me. We can have a tea party with my new friend, Blake."

Roam bit his lip, hiding his smile but watched his brother sit down beside Phoebe. "Queen Phoebe, thank you for inviting me to your tea. Could I interest you and your friend in some noodles or pizza for tea today?"

Cannon's fake British accent had the adults laughing right along with the kids.

"Phoebe, I didn't know Cannon could smile," Ellie joked.

"Cannon comes by and holds Joey while we have tea parties."

The silence before giggles burst out had Roam watching Sprite's reaction to his family. She was smiling and had a couple pieces of sweet and sour chicken cut up on Oakley's tray, along with some noodles. Roam got a plate and silverware and put it in front of Sprite.

"What would you like to drink?"

Sprite stared at him for a couple seconds. "I'd like some iced tea. It's in the refrigerator."

Roam grabbed a disposable glass and added some ice. Then he opened her refrigerator for the tea and paused. He definitely wouldn't need the whole cooler for the items in her refrigerator. There was milk, eggs and some cut-up fruit in a container but otherwise, it was empty. He guessed Sprite had been rationing her money since she was let go. He would make sure neither she nor her kids were going without.

"Mama Sprite, Phoebe said they have animals. Cats and dogs, like lots of them. Can we get one?"

Sprite looked at Blake and smiled. "How about you let us get moved in and check out the house? Then we'll discuss any new additions."

Blake tilted her head, then nodded.

"That's better than maybe. When mom or dad says maybe, I know it means never. Never stinks."

Roam had to admit, Phoebe had summed it up. He was guilty of using maybe when Grant asked for things. Georgia and Casper were still small enough they weren't asking for large items yet. Although at the time he'd said no, now he got a kick about his oldest Grant naming his puppy Cane after Roam had told him he couldn't name his dog Dog. The fact his kid had gone to his Papa Baron to figure a way around it had him worried for the teen years. Grant was three. The same age as Oakley. Well, Sprite's kids would have plenty of other kids to play with.

They finished the food, and Ellie and Beth worked to pack it away.

"Okay, so how about Beth and I, along with Phoebe, help Blake pack her room?" Ellie asked. "Oakley can play with us too. That would leave all you adults dealing with the big stuff."

Sprite nodded. "I'd really appreciate that."

"Let me grab the totes. My mom suggested the kids' favorite toys, books and clothes go in totes so they'd be easy to get to and you wouldn't have to unpack everything to have their favorites."

Roam headed out to grab them and get more packing done. Maybe they could get a lot done before dark. Bear, Flick, and Kennedy headed over to Clara's to help her pack.