“Because they’re so nice!”
They all laugh, and I grip his shirt and tuck tighter against him so I can hide how bright red my face must be.
“They’re not nice at all, but you’ll learn to love them in time.”
“Come on, Ellie, we have a lot more to say, and we’d like to get to know you,” one of them says and then touches my back.
I sigh and step away from Connor because I can’t hide against his chest forever and, well, crying rarely leaves a girl looking beautiful, they all probably know that.
Connor and I turn to head up the first few steps, but the three brothers stare at the house as if it might grow teeth and eat them.
“What’s wrong?” I ask.
“This house . . . it’s not easy for any of us,” Connor answers.
I can only imagine. “Well, I promise that I will protect you all.”
They all smile the same lazy and attractive grin. I am so glad I wasn’t a teenage girl growing up around them. They are all insanely hot, and I would bet they are all good at getting what they want.
Declan is the first to take a step to me. “On that note, what could we possibly have to fear?”
Connor beams at me, and I can feel the fresh blush painting my cheeks.
We all walk in, and I hear a whistle from behind me.
“Nothing like it was the last time we were here.”
“Yes, and it feels nothing like it either,” Connor adds on.
Connor spent months fixing the house, barn, and equipment on the property. While he’s worked on the outside, I’ve done my part to help by cleaning the whole house from top to bottom and adding plants and curtains.
“I’m sorry that we’ve sort of taken over the house,” I say sheepishly.
“Sean, you’re sleeping in the barn or you can snuggle with Jacob,” Connor says with a laugh. “It’s Hadley’s bedroom until we move.”
My eyes widen. “Move?”
“We’ll discuss it later. First, let’s all go and talk.”
I don’t like the sound of it, but I’m not about to argue in front of his brothers.
I grab a pitcher of lemonade and cookies I baked before joining them at the table. I really did go above and beyond because, while they may be here to apologize, I don’t need it from them. The more Connor shared about his life inside this house, the less I cared about anything. I may have married an abusive man, but at least I could leave.
They couldn’t.
“I’d like to say something first, if that’s okay with you?”
They share a look, but then Declan nods. “Of course.”
“I’ve never really had a family. I was an only child, and when my parents were killed, I was young and made bad choices—well, mostly bad choices.” I sigh and shoot a small smile to Connor. “I just thought you should know that when I was eighteen, I was stupid. When I was nineteen, I was still stupid. And honestly, until Connor came back here, I was still stupid, only this time I was making stupid choices that affected my daughter as well. My point is, what you all did was wrong, but I don’t have the right to judge you. Your father, from all I’ve heard, was a horrible man, and he took advantage of the love you four share to get himself out of trouble. And he’s doing it even now by forcing you to be in a place that causes you grief, and for that, I’m sorry.”
“Ellie . . .”
I put my hand up to stop Declan. “No, I’m sorry for what you endured. While my adult life has been pretty horrific, my childhood wasn’t. So, I’d like to make a deal.”
Sean leans back in his seat with a smile. “A deal?”
Then I remember what Connor told me about their word to each other. “No, I take that back, I want to make a vow.”
Declan’s eyes shoot to Connors, and he grins. “You know an Arrowood vow is unbreakable.”
“So I’ve been told.”
“Well,” Jacob interrupts, “it is for some of us.”
“I hope you’ll forgive him for breaking the one about love and kids. I’m really okay with that one going to the shitter.”
They all chuckle. Connor takes my hand and lifts it to his lips, kissing the back of my knuckles. “I am too.”
God, I love this man. I look into his eyes, and I get lost. He loves me so deeply that it hurts to imagine what life would have been like had he stuck to that vow. I wouldn’t have him, and that would be a tragic thing.
Someone clears their throat. “The vow?”
Crap. “Yes. The vow. I’d like for you all to give me your word that you will forgive me for all that I’ve done in the last eight years, and in turn, you’ll get mine that I will forgive you for all that happened eight years ago.”
Declan clasps his hands in front of him. “While I appreciate that, I think our debt is a little greater.”
“Why is that?”
“Because you lost parents who were good people. You’ve made the choices you probably wouldn’t have made because of that night.”
“And so have you. All of you. This is my only request. I’d like the five of us to be a family. I want Hadley to know her uncles and . . . I hope you’ll love her.”
Sean smiles, sits forward, and puts his hand on my and Connor’s hands. “I vow to forgive.”
Jacob follows, his hand covering his brother’s. “I vow to protect this family, as insane as it is.”
Connor’s other hand goes to the top. “I vow to love you.”
Sean makes a choking noise.
Declan is the only one who still sits back. He watches Connor, and the two of them seem to speak without opening their mouths. Finally, Declan leans forward. “I vow to move forward—as a family.”
This moment, this fragment in time, is something I will never forget. Here, holding hands with these men I just met, I feel at home.
They all did what I asked, and I pray that we can all find our way through the next however long with nothing hanging over us.
A tear pricks, not from sadness but from the beauty that this all is.
All four Arrowood brothers turn their gazes to me. “Oh, I’m supposed to vow?” Connor winks at me with a grin. “Okay then. I vow to let go of all the past sins and do everything you already said.”
After a second, they all remove their hands, and then Sean releases a heavy breath. “You know, you better marry that girl, Connor, or I just might.”
My heart accelerates at even the suggestion, so I pretend I didn’t hear it and decide I will get through the trial before I allow myself to even consider it as a possibility.
Connor laughs once and then shrugs. “One day, I’ll break the bow.”
I smile at him. “And then maybe your shot will hit the target.”
“I think it already has.”
“I think so too.”
Just then, the door flies open, loud footsteps echo down the hall, and in comes Hadley, skidding to a stop when she sees everyone at the table. I watch her take in the scene and before I can do anything, Connor handles it. “Hey, Squirt, you’re here a little early. We have a special surprise for your birthday. Remember how I told you that I have three brothers?”
She nods.
“Well, they were so excited that they’re your uncles and wanted to meet you.”
“Uncles?”
Connor heads over toward her. “Yes, you already met Declan. He’s my oldest brother.”
He winks at her. “He loves the tree house,” Hadley mentions.
“You should definitely show it to him again,” Connor encourages.
Then the other brothers walk over to where we stand.
“The tall one with the ugly hair is your uncle Jacob.” Connor drops his voice to a whisper. “He thinks he’s super special because he’s on television.”
“No way!” she yells and then waves at him.
Before Connor can introduce Sean to her, he squats down and hands her a cookie. “I’m your uncle Sean. And I’m the best one out of all of them.”
Her eyes narrow on the suga
ry goodness in his hand before she grins. “I like you.”
Connor wraps his arm around my shoulders and chuckles. “You like him now, but don’t let him know your fears.”
Hadley nestles herself against Connor’s side, her shyness is something I rarely see. “Are you all here for my birthday?”
“We are,” Jacob says. “In the car, I have the biggest present for you.”
Hadley looks to us and then to her uncles. “I really like your brothers, Daddy.”
And I think it’s Connor who got the best present of all.
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Connor
I hold Ellie’s hand as we sit in the courtroom. The hearing is over, and we are waiting for the verdict. Nate did an exceptional job painting Kevin as a cruel husband who abused his wife and threatened Hadley.
It was incredibly hard to listen to Ellie recount the times he hit her, how he used her, and how he tore her down emotionally. It took everything in me not go over the rail and choke him myself.
Of course, it was even harder to hear his attorney paint Ellie as a whore who was having an affair with me, even though that isn’t even remotely close to the truth. Hadley being my daughter, though, did little to help our case.
However, all of us spoke the truth, and thankfully, Nate was able to have Hadley speak to the judge in chambers instead of subjecting her to the actual trial.
“Are you ready?” Nate asks from his desk.
Ellie does her best to smile. “I’m . . . not sure, but regardless there will be a restraining order, right?”
“Yes, a permanent restraining order has already been granted for both you and Hadley.”
She looks to me, and I give her a reassuring smile. It’s little comfort to her, I know this, but I will never let that motherfucker near her. If he wants to break it, I’ll be happy to break his face. Though, there is already a for sale sign up on his property, so I doubt we’ll ever see him again regardless.
The trial took a lot out of us. We were stressed, but at home, I did everything I could to ease her worries. I hated seeing her nervous and unsure, hated seeing that Kevin had the ability to keep hurting her while he was locked up.
Nate’s lips form into a thin line. “I wish I knew a little better which way the jury was leaning, but I feel as though we did the best possible job presenting our case.”
Ellie nods. “You did great, Nate. Thank you.”
“If I had known about what was going on earlier, Ellie. I would’ve done something.”
He said as much a few weeks ago when Ellie was really delving into her past with him. The horror in his eyes at how long it had gone on was clear. She spoke of times they were together and the bruises she hid and how much a simple hug could cause her to almost faint. I thought Nate was going to lose it when he found out that the reason Ellie and Kevin had canceled a dinner party was because she had a black eye.
I was proud of her for not protecting him any longer.
She was cold and distant after that, seeming to retreat into herself, but that was nothing compared to how she was in the days leading up to the trial. She couldn’t eat or sleep, and if she managed to close her eyes for a few hours, she had nightmares that had her screaming in her sleep.
It wasn’t until Hadley broke down in tears that Ellie admitted it was an issue. Sydney referred her to a counselor, and it’s helped a lot. She urged me to go as well, to deal with my past, but right now . . . I’m not there. I’m happy for the first time in my life, and I’m not ready to dig up things I’ve buried.
I am glad she’s getting help, though, because it has allowed her to sit here, strong, solid, and unafraid. It’s a sight to behold, that’s for sure.
Ellie looks around. “Where’s Sydney?”
She’s signing paperwork that I was waiting for, hopefully, she’ll be carrying in a deed for me, but I don’t tell her that. I plan to surprise her tonight. “No idea.”
I hate lying to her, but this is more of a fib because of a present. Surely, she’ll understand.
“I figured she’d be here for this at least.”
“I’m sure she will be here.”
Then, as if us talking about her had summoned her, she strolls through the courtroom doors. Her face is stoic as she approaches. She looks every part of an esteemed lawyer and nothing like the girl who would chase Sean around the lake with snakes because he was—and still is—terrified of them.
Then I think about how the next seven or so months are going to be for her. Declan comes back in a little over a month, and Sydney has basically demanded we not talk or mention it.
“Hey, sorry, I got tied up at the office.”
“No worries.” Ellie tries for upbeat, but it comes out a little nervous because Kevin is staring at her.
I want to knock his head off his neck. Instead, I smile because, in the end, I won. I have my daughter and Ellie, and if all goes well, he’s going to jail.
A few seconds later, the judge enters, and we all rise. He takes his seat and everyone waits.
“Has the jury reached a verdict?”
Ellie squeezes my hand so tight I wonder if she breaks bones, but I let her hold on to me.
“We have.”
I hold on to my restraint, knowing that whatever happens will in no doubt affect our family. Ellie told me that if he’s released, she’s going to pack a bag and we leave with Hadley. I’m on the other side and would like to stay and stand our ground. However, those two girls are my world. If they want to leave, we will be packing three bags, not two. Sure, I came to an agreement with my brothers to buy a huge plot of my family’s farm, but I could always sell it back to my brothers—hopefully.
The judge reads the paper and then hands it back to the bailiff. “What say you?”
The foreman of the jury stands and looks at the judge. “We, the jury, find the defendant, Kevin Walcott, ‘guilty.’”
And just like that, Ellie relaxes and lets out a sob of relief.
He can never hurt her again.
“What do you think, Daddy?” Hadley asks as she holds up a drawing of a four-story house with a steeple, a gate, and a moat around it. I’m not sure who the hell she thinks is living there, but it’s nice. “It’s a bit small.”
She beams. “I know, it should be bigger! We could have horses and pigs and goats and chickens all over here.” She points to the other large building, which I’m assuming is a barn.
“I was thinking something like this.” I show her my drawing. It’s a lot simpler, a modest house with a porch, much like this one.
“That’s boring.”
“Boring?”
Hadley shrugs. “We should have a palace.”
“Because you’re a princess?”
“Exactly!”
Oh Lord, I’m in so much trouble. “Well, Princess Hadley, we’re going to have to compromise.”
Each day, Hadley and I have drawn different houses. She has no idea why and for good reason. The kid is the worst secret keeper in the world. She loves knowing things and can’t wait to tell everyone else who will listen.
Therefore, I’ve just made it something we do. I have seven drawings from Hadley and seven from me.
“What are you two doing?” Ellie asks from the doorway.
Her hair falls down around her shoulders, barely brushing the swell of her perfect breasts, and her soft lips are turned up. Basically, she’s nothing short of breathtaking.
“We’re drawing houses!”
Worst. Secret keeper. Ever.
“Houses? For what?”
This wasn’t how I wanted to tell her my grand plan, but I’m learning that life doesn’t ever really go according to how we think it will anyway. Life with Ellie and Hadley has taken a lot of turns, but all of them have led me to this moment.
I want to propose, and if I thought for one second that she was ready, I would marry her tomorrow. I’m finding that it doesn’t much matter that she isn’t ready.
What does matter is having a
home that is wholly ours and free of the ghosts of bad memories.
I’d like to tear this one down, but that’ll be my brothers’ issue, not mine.
I get up off the floor where Hadley and I were coloring and grab the papers. “Which do you like? I think mine are better, but Hadley likes this one.”
Ellie takes them and seems to ponder each one carefully. “I see.”
“You like mine, right, Mommy?”
“Hmmm.” Ellie’s noise is thoughtful as she moves to the next.
“Mine is better than Daddy’s!”
“Hey!” I grumble at my daughter playfully. “I think I did good.”
She nods and then pats my back. “You did okay, for an adult.”
“Gee, thanks. Here I thought I was your favorite.”
She giggles. “You are! But I’m going to win!”
I scoop her up into my arms and kiss her cheeks. “No way, Squirt. I’m going to win.”
Ellie clears her throat. “I have made my decision.”
“Put me down, Daddy.” Hadley kicks her feet while laughing.
“Yes, we must be very official.”
She mimics me when I stand at attention as though Ellie is my commander and I am receiving orders.
“At ease, soldiers.” Ellie gives a salute, and I groan.
“We aren’t soldiers, we’re in the navy.”
“Okay, whatever, sailors, people who can’t draw.” She winks, and Hadley and I both blanch in mock indignation. “I’ve decided which house is my favorite.”
She lifts the drawing that Hadley did with the moat and entire farm. “I knew it! You owe me ice cream!”
I don’t remember making that bet. “When did I say that?”
“You didn’t,” Hadley informs me. “I think I should get some since I’m the winner.”
I think we’re going to win something else.
“I have another idea . . .” I walk over to my jacket and tug out the papers hidden in the inside pocket. “What if we did something else for a prize? Something we all might want?”
Hadley’s attention is piqued, and so is Ellie’s. “What are you up to, Arrowood?”
I grin as I walk to Ellie. “I was thinking that this family has one big flaw.”
Come Back for Me Page 26
