Page 121 of Hot Puck
It might be the baby she’s growing draining her, but I don’t think so.
I think the situation with Gannon and Shelby Byrd is having a bigger impact on her energy.
And as of two-fifteen this morning, the threat to Gannon and Shelby is over.
Anton Banks was caught, by a routine traffic stop of all things, on his way to search for the one who got away. Shelby.
I don’t know the details, but I do know the FBI had set a trap for him, and while they didn’t catch him where they expected, they still caught him.
And my wife took the news in a way I’ve never seen.
She burst into tears.
I’m sure it’s the pregnancy hormones.
I’ve never known her to show such deep emotion outside of her circle of close friends and the look of horror on Ray Denim’s face confirmed my thoughts.
She’s resting now. Sleeping soundly. Thankfully. I’m not sure she’s slept more than a few hours at a time since Gannon got the call Shelby had been assaulted.
Luckily, I’ve cut back on my training now the season is over, and I’ve picked up the slack in our lives that Gem normally deals with. Plus, Cass and Stell are on summer break, so having them around all day has helped.
“Chase?” Speaking of the twins.
Slipping from the room I now share with Gem, I close the door behind me and turn to find my sisters at the top of the stairs. “Hey.”
“Is she sleeping?” Stell asks, the worry for Gem she hasn’t hidden still stamped on her face.
“Yeah. I think she’ll be out for a few hours.” I walk toward them. “Need something?”
“Um, yeah,” Cass looks over her shoulder before her wide eyes meet mine. “They’re all here,” she whispers.
“Who’s all here?”
“Everyone.”
The closer I get to the twins, the more audible the murmur of voices from downstairs. “Everyone? I need you to be a bit more specific.”
“Oakley and Blake and Cami,” Stell says, her voice low.
“And Walker and Beck and Bran,” Cass adds.
“What? No kids?” I’m joking but when the girls both shake their heads, the smile on my face drops. “Okay. Let’s see what they want.”
Leading the way downstairs, I see Deanne Harper hovering near the front door. “Deanne?”
“Oh, hi, Chase.” Her smile is unsure and only adds to my concern.
“Is something wrong?”
“No. She’s here to collect the girls. Take them to Pa’s for the night. He’s declared it grandparent night.” Cami walks toward me. “Mom and Dad are going too. And Blake’s parents are arriving in the city in about an hour, so they’ll join once they drop their bags at home.”
My gaze moves behind her. “And you’re all here because…”
“We figured it would be good to get together.”
“Gem’s sleeping.”
“Let her. Go get the girls ready to go with Deanne and then meet us in the kitchen. We’ve got food and drink. Nat can join us when she wakes up.”
