Chapter 37

37

Gene made it back to the house after repairing stalls in the far barn where Grady kept most of their horses. His youngest brother was damned good with horses. People sought Grady out to have him train horses for them. But like everything else on a ranch, the barn needed maintenance occasionally, too.

And it gave a man time to think. He needed that today. Charlie had called—the two guys who had taken Chantal had been found in Oklahoma that morning. They were going to be booked up there on burglary charges—and Texas was going to have to sort out what will happen to them after what they had done to Chantal.

He and Grady worked hard until lunch. His brother was the quietest of the Hiller brothers and preferred to just listen.

Gene found he worked best with Grady. Sometimes Gunn got on his nerves. A man couldn’t even feel comfortable letting out a curse word in front of that brother.

“You have something on your mind,” Grady said on their way back to the house from the far barn. “What is it? What happened to Hudson?”

Yeah, that had been part of it. “I have plans for tonight.”

“What kind?”

“I’m taking Chantal to dinner in Finley Creek.”

“What for?”

Well, Grady could be a bit clueless. Usually because he was lost somewhere in his head most times. “Just because I want to.”

They hadn’t discussed how much they were ready to tell their families yet.

“Oh.”

He and Grady finished up. He had time for a shower.

Then he had a few more things to get into place. Like a sitter. And getting Hudson settled in, with his son. Gene was closest in size to the massive guy—he got Hudson some clothes to wear and made sure his friend had what he needed. Then he headed back to the living room—people were there. Like always.

Hudson was on the couch. Giavonna was nearby.

That could always be problematic.

Hudson and Giavonna had declared a temporary truce, at least.

But the woman Gene really wanted to see was nowhere to be seen. “Where’s Chantal? She said something about coming back out here after she was finished at the library.”

“She called. She’s on her way.” Giavonna gave him a narrow-eyed, suspicious look. “Why?”

“Just making plans. I promised her I’d take her to Finley Creek tonight. To celebrate… the guys who took her being arrested.”

His sister wasn’t stupid. Nor was she naive. “Uh-huh.”

Giavonna was going to say something else—probably interrogate him, she was an attorney, after all—but Ryan, Hudson’s son, called for her.

Hudson was still half out of it. Gene helped Guthrie get the other man down the hall to the guest room. They got him settled.

Hudson nodded at Gene. “Thanks. All of you. Other than Hala and my cousin in St. Louis, I don’t have anyone else to help out right now. It’s appreciated.”

“Hell, Hud, you know you are practically family. You are welcome here anytime.”

“As long as Giavonna doesn’t curse me for eternity or something. She is a witch. I’m sure of it.”

“I wouldn’t waste my time cursing you, Hanan,” Giavonna said quietly, from the door. She still had Hudson’s son in her arms. The kid was clinging to her. It was obvious he was hurting and scared.

Giavonna was good with kids. She cuddled Ryan closer, showing him that daddy was going to be okay, while Gene helped Hudson change his shirt. Guthrie had pain pills ready.

Hudson thanked them again. And then the other man just went out. Gene was a bit hesitant to leave him like this—if it hadn’t been Chantal… he wouldn’t have. But there would be people around if Hudson needed something. He knew that. And Hala was around somewhere, too.

“He’ll be out for a while,” Guthrie said. “I need to head back to the hospital. Call me if he needs anything.”

“When will Genny be home?” Giavonna asked.

“I think she has the later shift tonight,” Guthrie said. “I’ll have her call when she gets a chance.”

“Will you rock me?” Ryan asked, his little arms around Giavonna’s neck, after Guthrie took off.

“Of course, sweetheart. We’ll go rock in the big chair, while Daddy and Aunt Hala are sleeping.”

Gene scooped his own kid up, once again reminded of what Hudson could have lost. He held Calvin close for a moment as he carried him to the living room. Gene’s mother waited in the kitchen, fussing like she always did when something had upset her.

Hudson’s sister was sprawled on the end of the sectional in the living room, sound asleep. She apparently hadn’t slept at all. Grady scooped her up—she never stirred. “She’s still the size of a beetle bug. Hudson should feed her more or something. She’s still too puny. Where should I put her?”

“Guest room next to mine,” Giavonna said, rocking Hala’s nephew as his eyes closed. “I’ll put Ryan in Calvin’s bottom bunk in a little bit. Once he’s fully asleep.”

His family was pitching in. Everything would be okay tonight.

“I need to shower.” He kissed Calvin on the forehead again. “You are going to hang out with Grandma and everybody here tonight. I am taking Chantal to dinner in Finley Creek, okay?”

“Okay, Daddy. Take care of my Chantal. Don’t give her any sugar stuff. Me and Ryan are going to watch movies. Aunt Gia is going to make us candy popcorn. After he takes a nap.”

“He’ll be fine.” Giavonna’s eyes narrowed when she looked at Gene. “As for you… you’d better be good. Or I’ll clobber you myself. Got me?”

Well, Giavonna could be a bit scary sometimes. When she wasn’t hiding, anyway. He put his kid on the couch, then leaned over the rocking chair where his sister sat. He saw the surprise in her big eyes. He kissed her on the forehead next. “I love you just the way you are. Whether you are a witch or demon or not.”

“Go. Have fun. I have everything handled here tonight. And if I don’t… well, Mom is right here. We’ll be fine.”

“Of course you will. You’re a Hiller. You can handle anything.”

But Gene didn’t miss the uncertainty and fear in his little sister’s eyes. And that’s when he knew for sure—something was going on with Giavonna.

He was going to get to the bottom of it. As soon as he possibly could. He wasn’t going to sit back and watch one of the women he cared about be afraid.

Not for even a moment.

Not if there was something he could do to fix it.