Page 36 of Gideon

“Ellie, are you happy that Uncle Raven found us? Say yes.”

“Yes,” Ellie said softly.

Haley clapped her hands. “That’s so good! I knew you could talk. Are you ready to talk to everyone now?”

“Yes.”

“Say, ‘I love Daddy.’”

Ellie turned to Aaron, her small voice clear. “I love Daddy.”

Haley beamed. “She waited for us to get here to show everyone she could talk!”

Aaron picked Ellie up, his eyes glistening. I scooped Haley into my arms and kissed her cheek. “I love you, Haley.”

Georgia wiped at her face, sniffling. “Okay, everyone, there are so many miracles happening today, I’m going to get a headache trying not to cry.”

“What are we having for dinner?” Mike asked. “I’ll start cooking.”

For some reason, that struck everyone as funny. We burst into laughter, the kind that shook our shoulders and made our sides ache.

“This is fun!” Haley said, giggling.

“Yes, it is, sweetie,” I said, smiling.

Aaron sat down heavily, glancing at Mike every few seconds, as if he couldn’t believe he was really out of prison. “Ron’s bringing pizza. He’ll be here in about thirty minutes. If you give me your keys, I’ll move your truck for you.”

I patted my pockets. “I left them in the truck.”

“I’ll make some sweet tea,” Georgia offered, heading to the sink.

Mike turned to me, smiling. “So, how do you like us so far?”

“I love all of you,” I said, reaching for his hand.

“Yeah, me too,” he replied. “You saved my life.”

“I’m glad I could help.”

Aaron returned, glancing at me. “That’s a nice ride you’ve got out there.”

“Thanks,” I said. “I just got it from Bass Pro Shop. They keep me supplied with everything. I only advertise their products when I’m fishing, so they sponsor me. I have a big following on YouTube. I haven’t been on much since Jonah kidnapped Haley and me, but I did post a video of us fishing in the ocean. My followers are still there. I told them I’d be fishing this weekend.”

Everyone turned to look at me.

“What?” I asked, suddenly self-conscious.

Aaron’s expression darkened. “What do you mean you were kidnapped?” he growled.

“I thought Raven might have said something,” I said.

“No,” Aaron replied. “Raven only mentioned I have a daughter and a granddaughter.”

I took a deep breath, bracing myself to tell my story again. They listened intently, asking questions and wanting to know more about my father-in-law.

“He was the mob boss,” I explained. “But now he’s dead.”

“How did he die?” Aaron asked, his brow furrowed.

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