Chapter 23

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

Ajax

I look over at the dirty dishes and groan. I don’t want to move. I’m content—mind, body, and soul.

Piglet sits cuddled between Lulu and me with a bowl of popcorn in her lap. Sweet and salty, who does that?

Lulu , apparently.

I dip a hand into my own bowl. Tossing a piece and catch it in my mouth.

Mary giggles before trying to copy me. A handful of popcorn rains down on her.

“See what happens when you mix sweet and salty?” I tut. “Here, baby, try this one,” I encourage, handing my daughter a few of my own.

She throws them high, and the pieces scatter, but by some miracle, my sweet girl catches one. Squealing, she sticks her tongue out to show us.

“Yay!” I cheer, my arms shooting up in the air.

Mary laughs, flashing me her chewed popcorn. I cup the back of her head and tilt it forward, even the cringe at the thought of her choking doesn’t take my smile away . . . but the knock on our door does.

I shoot up out of my seat, snagging the fork off the top plate. It’s sharper than the blunt knives we ate with, so I’ll make do.

“You girls, go get ready for bed, please,” I say, pointing at the hallway that holds the bedrooms.

“Awwww,” Piglet whines.

Lulu swallows when a second knock sounds.

“Pajamas and clean teeth,” I tell her with a raised brow.

“But then I can’t have more popcorn.”

“Mary Lou . . .” I force myself to take a deep breath, bending closer to her height. “Go.”

“How about we get you in your pajamas, and I’ll brush your hair instead so we can have more popcorn?” Lulu offers as a compromise.

Mary contemplates for a second, then looks at me.

My fingers twirl the fork behind my back. “Fine,” I fold.

“Can I sleep in Daddy’s room?” Mary asks as they walk to her bedroom.

Lulu glances back at me. I shake my head and call out, “No. Lulu is. ”

“Awww,” Piglet moans, and her little shoulders drop.

A third knock sounds, pissing me off. I glare at my phone on the kitchen counter. I missed the notifications that someone was close. They shouldn’t have gotten to the door without me knowing.

I’m motherfucking pissed, yet I have no one to blame but myself.

After one more glance in the direction of my girls, I go to the front door. Sheriff McCallister stands on the other side.

“Sorry to interrupt your night.” He smiles.

“No problem, it’s bath and bedtime. Everything okay?” I ask, keeping my hand on the door handle. The thought of the three plates on the living room table makes me sweat.

“Yeah, great actually. Well, not great since two people are dead.” He grimaces, threading a hand through his gray hair. “I meant I have great news for you. The FBI has agreed to open the roads leading in and out of Cromwell.”

The fork clatters loudly behind me.

“Great, thank you for popping by.” I start to close the door.

The sheriff looks at the fallen cutlery.

“I was just cleaning up.”

He smiles. “A few officers are letting everyone know they’re free to leave. The feds are doing car searches,” he says, rolling his eyes. “And I’d advise waiting until morning. Everyone’s going to be rushing to get on the road tonight.” He glances at his watch, and I copy the move.

7:23

Shit, how did that happen? I guess time really does fly when you’re having fun.

I glance toward the bedrooms again. McCallister tries to peer around my large body to follow my eye line, but he can’t.

“I thought your daughter was in the bath?”

I nod. “She is old enough to want to be independent but young enough that I worry,” I explain.

“Your wife isn’t with her?”

“I’m not married.” I smile, motioning to my ring finger.

Not yet, anyway.

“Say no more.” He waves me off. “I have a sister. She’s a single parent and the same with her kids.”

“Thanks for coming out. It was real nice of you. I think we’ll head out tonight. I don’t really fancy staying in town, given what’s happened. You understand.”

“Of course.” He nods. “I hope this doesn’t put you off returning to Cromwell Town.”

“Hmm,” I hum with a noncommittal shrug.

“Well, I can’t really blame you. Thinking of leaving myself after the past few years.” He sighs tiredly. His eyes bulge at his own words.

“I didn’t hear anything.” I wave away, mimicking his own actions.

He chuckles, shaking a pointed finger at me .

“You make sure to come through the exit that leads straight to the I-90 on the west side of town, a few miles past Duke’s station. I’ll make sure the boys don’t search you. Get you and that little girl of yours on your way.”

“I appreciate that. Thank you, Sheriff,” I say, trying not to show my delight. I wave, then close the door and lock it.

The girls must have heard the door because they join me in the living room.

“Can we play another game before bed?” Mary asks.

“Not tonight, Piglet. But you do get to stay up late and then sleep in Daddy’s bed tonight. Go pick another film,” I encourage.

I watch Mary sit in front of our DVD collection. When she’s fully focused, I turn to Lulu. “We’re heading out. No, not a word,” I rush when she opens her mouth. I’m not arguing because I’m not asking. Lulu is coming with us. “You will settle on the sofa and watch Mary while I pack up everything outside.”

Lulu nods. She twists her lips but remains silent.

My large hands frame her face. “You’re ours now.” I kiss her, my lips staying on hers until she responds. “Mary doesn’t like to sleep while I drive, so you might have to stay in our room with her tonight.”

The little girl in question pushes her way between us. “I picked one.”

“Well, we watched Babe , so which one have you chosen? ”

“ The Little Mermaid .” She grins. I mouth the words to Lulu, and something shifts in my chest when she laughs.

“I’ve never seen it,” she tells Mary, and my baby girl gasps in horror.

“Oh, you’re going to regret saying that.”

I help settle them on the sofa, collecting and spreading a blanket over them and steal the popcorn bowls away as I leave.

“I wanted more.”

“Not tonight, Piglet. You’re going to be up late. Snuggle with Lulu and watch the film.”

She doesn’t argue anymore and instead leans into Lulu’s side.

“Stay inside,” I order Lulu. “That door doesn’t open.” I point.

She blinks up at me.

I lean down, my hands on the back of the sofa, my arms bracketing her in, and whisper against her lips, “Say you understand.”

“I understand,” she repeats. I feel her words more than I hear them.

Fuck, I need to make her fully mine. One day, I’ll be able to leave without worrying that she’ll run off. I can’t fucking wait.