Page 41 of Gideon

I chuckled. “Yeah, he mentioned my sister might have a drinking problem.”

Georgia laughed. “I would go with you, but school starts next week, and it’s my last year. I’m going to have some fun before it starts.”

19

Gideon

I heardHaley’s small footsteps before she came bursting around the corner, talking a mile a minute. “I have a big family now! If Mama dies, I can stay with one of them and not end up in the rotten foster system. I’m so happy we’re home!”

She ran straight to me, climbing on the wheelchair and hugging me. “And Mama’s going to take care of your stubborn ass because she loves you, whether you like it or not. I love you, too!”

“Haley,” Laney said, walking into the room, “what are you telling Gideon? Gideon, what has she been saying to you?”

“Why didn’t you call me and tell me you were home?” Laney demanded, her tone shifting from playful to serious. “You were injured, and no one called. I’m taking care of you whether you like it or not. You took care of us, so it’s my turn now. Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Like what?” I asked, feigning innocence.

“I don’t know,” she said, narrowing her eyes. “Why didn’t you tell me you needed me?”

“I’ve only been home a few days,” I explained. “I was in Germany—that’s where the hospital was. I didn’t call because… I didn’t think you’d want to take care of me.”

“Don’t say that,” she replied firmly. “I’ll get that swelling down in no time. I told you I had feelings for you, so you don’t get to decide whether I take care of you or not.”

“You can’t lift me,” I said, though what I really wanted to do was kiss her.

“No, but I can massage your legs and your back to help with the swelling,” she said, stepping closer. “I missed you.”

I took her hand, pulling her gently toward me. “I missed you, too. But you need to watch what you say around Haley. She repeats everything.”

Laney raised an eyebrow. “What did she repeat?”

“She told me I was a stubborn ass and that you were going to take care of me whether I liked it or not,” I said, chuckling.

At first, Laney looked shocked, but then she burst into laughter. She laughed so hard she ended up sitting on my lap.

“I’m glad that’s all she repeated,” Laney said, wiping a tear of laughter from her cheek. “I guess I need to be more careful around those big ears.”

“I’m glad you’re home,” I said. “Please say you’re staying with me.”

“I don’t want to be anywhere else,” she said softly. “Now, tell me about your injury.”

“First, tell me about your family,” I countered.

Laney’s expression softened as a tear slipped down her cheek. “I love them so much. Ronald and I grew up in the same town—can you believe that? Georgia doesn’t have a drinking problem; she’s beautiful. And Ellie? She hadn’t spoken a word before we got there. Haley spent two minutes with her, and suddenly, Ellie was talking up a storm.”

“That’s incredible,” I said, smiling. “Did you tell Georgia what I said about her drinking?”

“Yes, and I was going to lecture her until she burst out laughing.”

“And Mike?”

“Mike’s doing well,” she said. “I’ve seen him looking over his shoulder a few times, but that’s to be expected. I made sure all his charges were cleared. He’s planning to join the Navy SEALs. He’s already done three years of college while locked up, so he will finish that before enlisting.”

“That’s great,” I said, but my tone grew more serious. “I’ve been looking into something. The lawyer—David March—didn’t leave the country. He lied to you. He’s been seen hanging around your ex-father-in-law’s house.”

Laney started to stand, but I held onto her hand. “Stay here,” I said.

“Why would he lie? He told me he was leaving the country that day. Did he even go anywhere?”

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