“You, if that’s okay?” Toby said.
Hanna’s eyes narrowed. “Why can’t you take me?”
Cole took that moment to walk into the room. He stopped next to Damon.
“Where’s Addy?”
Toby jerked a thumb over his shoulder towards the hallway. “She’s just grabbing something. She’ll be back in a minute.” He turned his attention back to the girl. “Because I need to help your mom with something today, but you know Damon, right?”
Hanna nodded. “I think I need to ask Mommy.”
“Ask me what?” Addy stepped into the room, holding a small bundle of hand towels she must have grabbed from the laundry room.
“Mr. McClain says that … Mr. McClain…” The girl trailed off as she successfully managed to confuse herself.
“This is why I insist they call me Toby,” he told Addy, who was smothering her grin. “There are too many Mr. McClain’s and even more Mrs. McClain’s.”
Hanna, undeterred, pointed at Toby. “Mr. Toby McClain says that Mr. Damon McClain wants to take me to daycare.”
Toby arched an eyebrow at Addy. “Because that was so much easier.”
Biting her lip, Addy turned to her daughter. “You know Kari’s dad, right? I’ll pick you up afterwards.”
“Can I go with him?” Hanna asked as though she wasn’t exactly sure her mom had thought this idea through properly.
Addy laughed. “Yes, it’s okay.”
Hanna gave a confirming nod and glanced at Damon. “Mommy says yes.”
Smothering his chuckling behind the roll of his tongue over his teeth, Damon moved to where Hanna’s pink, Barbie backpack was slung over the back of one of the chairs and hoisted it up.
“All right, Jack. Let’s hit the road.”
Hanna stopped. Her tiny face bunched in clear outrage.
“I’m Hanna!”
Everyone laugh at that.
Damon settled a hand on her shoulder and turned her to the door.
“You most certainly are.”
With a grin to the rest of the room, Damon walked Hanna out. He shut the door behind them, leaving Toby, Addy and Cole alone.
“Hi,” Addy said to older man with a smile. “Thank you for coming. Would you like some tea or coffee?”
“Coffee, please.” Cole moved to the table.
Toby reached it first and grabbed Hanna’s soggy bowl of cereal. He carried it out to the sink and Cole pulled out a chair and sat. He met Addy’s worried gaze and offered her a comforting smile.
“It’ll be okay,” he promised.
Saying nothing, she took the drinks and the coffee pot to the table. It was joined by a plate of mocha bars and oatmeal cookies. His dad, as expected, went for the bars.
“I had six of these the other day,” he confessed around a mouthful. “I was at the café,” he explained. “And they kept calling to me. I swear I put on ten pounds that day.”
Toby snorted as he moved to the head of the table and pulled the chair out for Addy. “How do you think I feel since I moved here?”
“What are you talking about?” Addy cried as she sunk into the offered seat. “Have you seen your abs? They look like a cheese grater.”
Toby wrinkled his nose. “A cheese grater? I don’t see the connection.”
Addy chuckled. “I’ll show you later.” She turned her attention to Cole. “Sorry.”
His dad lifted a brow. “Because I no longer have cheese grater abs or that your baking is to blame?” He laughed when Addy blushed. “I have an incurable sweet tooth, much to Beth’s eternal dismay. But that isn’t why I’m here, is it?”
Addy shook her head. She took a deep breath and retold her story. She didn’t go into the same details, but she told him everything that was important. Toby admired how calm and collected she was. She spoke clearly and didn’t veer off topic. When she finished, she folded her hands in her lap and waited for his father to put it all together.
“That’s a hell of a problem,” he mused at last. He scratched at his chin. “Ethically, I’m not allowed to give legal advice. I haven’t been a lawyer in…” He blew out a breath. “Well, since before you were born,” he said glancing at Toby. “No one would consider me one now, but I do know someone who is and a good one too.”
“Okay, but what are your thoughts?” Toby cut in. “What do you think her odds are of fighting this guy?”
The corners of Cole’s mouth turned downwards. “I won’t lie, it doesn’t look good. It’s been five years. In all that time you could have gotten what he did on paper with the proper authorities. You should have gone to the police the night he attacked you. You were a child and he was an adult. That alone would have gotten him arrested. I understand you were scared and I sure don’t blame you. I do, however, blame your parents and that … asshole. This is on them and if I could, I’d like a few minutes alone with him in a room.”
“You’d have to stand in line,” Toby muttered.
“So, that’s it?” Addy whispered. “I have no case?”
“Oh, I didn’t say that. It’s not going to be easy, but we’ll fight this, no matter what it takes.”
“We?”
Cole shrugged. “Yeah.” He rose and reached for his phone. “You’re family now. It’s what we do. Now, I’m going to call Jim and see if he can make the drive up to talk to you.”
He walked away from the table and into the hallway.
Toby reached for the small, pale hand Addy had balled on the table and gave it a soft squeeze. “Addy…”
“He says I don’t have a case,” she whispered with urgency. “I screwed up.”
“Hey!” He tugged on her hands until she glanced at him with her wide, terrified eyes. “That isn’t what he said. He said it would be hard and we can do hard.”
“How?”
“Because it’s not impossible. It just means we’ll need to work extra hard to end this.”
“It’s my fault,” she gasped. “Macy told me to get seen, to file a report. So did my group and every therapist I went to see, but I didn’t because I was scared he or his father would find me and take the kids. I never thought…”
“Stop. Let’s not start panicking until you’ve spoken to Jim.”
“Do you know this Jim person?”
Toby nodded. “He went to school with my dad. He’s a big time criminal lawyer in Vancouver. Occasionally, he drives up for the weekend. Good guy.”
“I’m just so—”
Cole retuned, stuffing his phone into his pocket. “Okay, Jim will be here this weekend. I’m going to talk to Sloan and the others and see if they can take the boys up without us and we’ll drive up once we’ve talked to Jim.”
“The camping trip!” Addy put a hand over her eyes. “I completely forgot about that.”
“No worries,” Cole assured her. “Toby and I will just catch up with the rest later.”
Addy lowered her hand and peered at him. “Thank you for everything.”
Cole inclined his head. “You’re welcome.” He rubbed his jaw thoughtfully. “I do have a question. The inn and the catering business, which name are you using?”
Addy peered down. “Macy’s. She wanted to put everything into my name, but I wasn’t sure if they could track me like that. So Macy left everything in her name. I do have a business credit card that is under the inn name. The catering business, it’s my signature, but Calla had already typed my name in the contract and I didn’t correct her.”
Cole nodded slowly. “Okay, we’ll need to change that. Make sure everything’s legal and proper. The less they can use against you, the better. I’ll get Calla to bring a new copy with her when you come over this weekend.”
Addy nodded quietly, but Toby could tell it was all becoming too much for her. He started to tell his dad maybe it was time for a break when she spoke.
“I guess this means I don’t have to hide anymore if people ask who is doing the baking.”
“Yeah,” Cole agreed with a comforting little smile
. “You don’t have to hide at all.”
“Ever again,” Toby added.
“I have a second contract for the inn. Macy made me keep it in case I changed my mind. It puts everything under my name.”
“Great!” Cole’s smile widened. “I think we’ll get through this just fine.”
Toby rose and took his father’s hand in a firm shake. “Thanks, Dad.”
“Don’t thank me yet. I’ll be happy once that asshole goes behind bars. But in the meantime, let’s get outside before your uncle comes in here and drags us out.”
“Oh!” Addy lunged to her feet. “I’m so sorry I took up so much of your time.”
“Addy, I’d give you all the time you needed and Sloan would understand. We’re in this together now and you’ve got the whole family behind you so don’t you worry about anything, you understand?”
The emotion on Addy’s face was heart rendering. She bit on her lip but a tear still escaped. She made a sound between a sniffle and a laugh.
“I’ve never had anyone … Thank you.”
Cole just nodded. He glanced once at Toby before leaving.
“Are you guy’s angels in your spare time or something?” Addy teased, wiping her eyes.
“We can’t tell you that. It’s in the angel contract.”
Addy chuckled. “I don’t know how to thank you and your family for everything. I don’t feel like I deserve any of this.”
“I’m pretty sure my dad is doing it ‘cause he’s crazy about that girl of yours.”
“And you? What’s your reason?”
He circled the table to her side. “I’m crazy about the mother.”
Chapter 16 ~ Addy
“Thank you for driving back. I know you must be so busy.”
Nia waved the apology away with a dismissive flick of her slender hand. “I could be having dinner with the president and I would still drop everything and come see you. Everything okay?”
Shutting the door behind the woman, Addy motioned her to the table.
“Yes, at least, I hope.” She followed Nia and they both sat. “I’m filing for divorce.”
Nia’s eyes widened. “What? That is wonderful!”
Addy nodded. “I wanted to tell you in person. Cole, Toby’s dad, has a friend who is a lawyer. He’s coming down this weekend to talk to me.”
“What changed your mind?”
“Toby. I told him everything.”
“Really?” Surprise sent Nia’s eyebrows up. “Well, good for you.”
Addy nodded. “He took it better than I expected, honestly.”
“He’s a good man.”
“Yeah, he is and he gets it from his family. They’re all amazing.” She hesitated before adding, “They called me family.”
“Of course they did. They’re lucky to have you.”
“No, I’m the lucky one. I never imagined I would ever find someone who really cares about me, never mind an entire group.”
“Addy.” Nia settled cool fingers over Addy’s. “I am so happy for you, but I want to make sure you understand that, even if they are helping you and being kind doesn’t mean you owe them or that—”
Addy chuckled. “I know. It doesn’t feel like that. They are good people.”
Nia searched her face for signs of hesitation and, when she found none, her smile returned.
“Well, this is fantastic news. I am so happy for you. This is a good step.”
“Do you think so?”
Nia nodded. “Absolutely, and you know I am here for whatever you need as are the other members of the group. You just let us know what we can do.”
Addy squeezed her fingers. “Thank you. I think I might need to take you up on that.”
That weekend arrived and Addy found herself standing in the foyer, watching as Sean tumbled down the stairs, duffle bag gripped in one hand and his pillow tucked under his other arm. Owen was hot on his heels, talking loudly of all the things they were going to do when they got to the campsite. Both boys were flushed and beaming in a way Addy was sure she would never get tired of seeing.
Hair in bunched spikes, Sean hit the bottom landing and staggered to where Addy stood, practically tripping on his bag as he dragged it behind him.
“Mom! Owen says we’re going to have an actual fire and go canoeing!”
It was hard to smile when her chest hurt, but she wrenched her lips into one. “That sounds like so much fun.”
“Do you think we could take some of your treats along? I know Mr. Sloan said he’d bring everything, but—”
Reaching down for the old backpack leaning against her leg, Addy held it out. “Already ahead of you.”
Sean beamed. He dumped his duffle and snatched up the pack. He slung it on and grinned at Owen.
“Ready?”
Addy held up a hand before the two could go tearing off. “I packed an extra flashlight in there and some batteries. There’s also a compass and a map, just in case.”
Owen chuckled. “He won’t need those, Ms. Nixon. Grandpa has everything.”
Addy wrinkled her nose and gave a little shrug. “Humor me.”
“It’s okay,” Sean said excitedly to his friend. “You can never have too many flashlights. Thanks, Mom.”
Addy nodded. “You boys have fun, okay? Stay together and be safe.”
“We will!” Owen assured her, giving a little bounce on the balls of his heels.
Sean nodded, but he looked to his friend. “Hey, can you take this? I forgot something.”
Giving a shrug, Owen took the duffle and the pillow, and bounded from the house, into the nippy autumn afternoon. Sean waited until the boy was out of sight before turning his attention back to Addy.
“I’ll be okay,” he promised.
There he was. Her smart, too mature ten year old assuring her when she should have been comforting him.
She pulled him into her arms and inhaled his scent of soap and chocolate. His silky cap of soft brown skimmed beneath her stroking palm. She planted a kiss to his crown.
“I love you. Promise me you won’t ever forget that.”
“Promise,” he whispered into her shoulder. “I love you, too, Mom.”
Squeezing back the tears, she kissed him one last time before pulling back. “Don’t eat too much sugar.”
He offered her a lopsided smile. “I won’t. Don’t forget to turn off the computer and debit machine before you go to bed.”
Addy rolled her eyes playfully. “Yes Mom.”
It was his turn to wrinkle his nose and swat at her. “I better go.”
“Okay, baby.” She touched his head one last time. “Have fun.”
With a nod, he jostled the backpack higher and hurried onto the porch. Addy followed him and watched him bound down the steps and tear off in the direction of Sloan’s truck. The entire back was piled high under a blue tarp that crackled every time the wind blew. There was more stuff on Toby’s flatbed and crammed into Damon’s Jeep. She’d never gone camping so she couldn’t say if that was normal or not.
Sean reached Sloan and handed him the pack. Sloan opened the backdoor and motioned him in next to Colten. Sean hesitated for a full heartbeat before ducking inside. The pack was stuffed at his feet and the door was closed. Then Sloan was making his way to where Addy stood.
“Thank you again for taking him,” she told the big man. “He’s never been camping or away from home, really.”
Sloan nodded. “He’s a good kid. Plus he keeps the others in line so that always helps.”
Addy chuckled. “Yeah, that’s Sean.”
“So, listen.” He shifted a step closer and her focus turned away from the truck to the blond standing at the bottom of her new porch. “We’ll be back late Sunday. It’s about a five hour drive out so it’s not that far, but if you need anything, I have a sat phone.” He dug into his back pocket and unearthed a folded piece of paper. “I keep it on all weekend and have a cord to charge it in the car. The others like checking in and talking to the kids so
I make sure it’s always close by. You’re welcome to call anytime you like.”
Addy took the paper and stared at it a moment. “Thank you.”
Sloan scratched his chin. “Also, Lily asked me to ask you if you wanted to head on over there tonight with Hanna. It’ll just be the women and I know they stay the weekend together and do whatever it is my girls do, but they’d like for you to join them.”
“Really?” Even to her own ears, the question came out weak and pathetic.
“Yeah, I know Cole said Jim was coming up to talk to you, but afterwards, if you like.”
Addy nodded, her throat tight. “Yeah, I would like that.”
He offered her the ghost of a smile. “Great. Call Lily and let her know. She’ll be thrilled.”
With a wave, he turned on his heels and ambled over to where Damon and Jared stood. The three exchanged words before parting ways. Addy waved. Sean waved back through the window. Then the truck and Jeep were rumbling down the dirt road and out of sight, taking her baby with them. Heaviness settled in her chest, making her stomach hurt. She hugged her arms closer to her and struggled not to feel absolutely alone.
She was still standing there when Toby’s truck turned onto the driveway and pulled into its usual spot. A sleek sports car in shiny black followed and took the spot next to it. Addy watched as three sets of doors flew open and three men emerged.
Cole slammed the truck door shut and hurried to greet the tall, elegant black man rounding the back of the sports car. The two shook hands and then embraced enthusiastically. The thumps of their palms on the other’s backs echoed clear across the driveway. Their greetings tangled in a series of words she couldn’t understand, but had a feeling were full of all the things two people normally said when they hadn’t seen each other in a while.
“Hey.” Toby started up the porch steps and joined her. “How long have you been out here?”
Addy turned away to peer up at him. “I don’t know. Since Sean left?”
He touched her arm lightly. “You’re freezing! Come on.”
He led her inside and shut the door behind them.
“He’s never been away from home,” she whispered. “I know I’m being ridiculous…”
His Lullaby Baby Page 32
