Page 50 of Gideon

“Oh, yes, we are,” Gideon announced, pulling me closer. “Raven will watch her for a few days while we go to Starbury. We’ll relax and stay in bed all day.”

“That sounds wonderful,” I agreed, smiling. “I’m looking forward to visiting that quiet little town where you grew up.”

“We’re leaving in an hour. We’ll get there before dark.”

“I’d better pack a few things, then. I never even thought about a honeymoon. This is going to be so much fun!”

“I’ll stay here with Haley, just in case Raven gets called away on a job,” Georgia offered.

“Georgia, you’d do that for us?” I asked, touched by her generosity.

“Of course I will. You’re my sister. I’d do anything for you.”

“I love you, sister,” I hugged her tightly.

“I love you, too,” Georgia replied, returning my hug.

25

Gideon

We wereon our last day at the cabin when Wilma from the store showed up. She looked upset, and a sense of foreboding washed over me.

“What’s wrong?” I asked.

“Brenda is going to cause trouble,” Wilma said. “She claims Laney can’t be your wife because she still is.”

“That’s ridiculous. Brenda and I were married for one week until Grandpa went to court and got the marriage annulled. I didn’t even know she was still in the area.”

“Well, she’s been here for a couple of years, stirring up trouble. Do you have the annulment papers? You might need them.”

“Who’s Brenda?” Laney asked, walking outside.

“She’s someone I knew briefly when I was younger. We dated for a couple of months before I turned eighteen. The day I turned eighteen, we got married. Grandpa found out and had the marriage annulled. I was a stupid kid who let someone talk me into doing something dumb. Brenda was twenty-five. She was my first, and she could convince me to do just about anything—until I figured her out. I haven’t seen her since the annulment.”

“She’s telling everyone she’s still your wife,” Wilma said. “You might want to talk to her before you leave.”

“Is she as crazy as she used to be?”

“Worse. She has four kids and an older son who she claims is yours. I have to tell you Gideon—he looks just like you. Brenda stays at the bar until it closes, and the oldest boy watches the children. He’s not in school because he’s taking care of the babies,” Wilma explained.

“What?” I said, stunned. “Why didn’t she ever tell me I had a son? Did you say his name is Ryan?”

“Yes. Ryan. His grandparents raised him in Oregon. They were killed in an accident recently, and that’s when Brenda and the kids showed up here.”

“We have to bring him and the kids home with us,” Laney said immediately.

I hesitated. “Before we take Brenda’s word that Ryan is my son, I need to know the truth. So don’t start planning to take the other kids home with us. I doubt Brenda would allow that.”

“I’ll get my shoes, and we’ll figure out what’s going on together,” Laney said.

“Hang on, Laney. We need to take a deep breath, and when we go over there, we have to stay calm. I’ll grab the annulment papers and show them to Brenda so she stops spreading lies.”

“She lives on Planes Road, where her mother grew up. If I were you, I’d go early, before she starts drinking,” Wilma advised.

“I’ll go see her this morning,” I said.

“We’llgo see her this morning,” Laney corrected. I knew she wouldn’t let me go alone. She wanted to see Ryan for herself. That’s one of the reasons I loved her. She was ready to take those kids into her arms and make them part of our family.

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