Page 32 of Crossing Lines

“I love being with him. He’s good for my heart.” I ran a finger along Ethan’s little cheek; watching him sleep was so therapeutic. “I don’t want to give him back to anyone. Is that wrong?”

“Of course, it’s not. He’s a sweet baby. I wouldn’t want to give him back either,” Daddy said, looking over at me with a knowing smile.

“Can I do it? That’s my question. Can I really handle an eleven-month-old and a newborn? If I keep him, I mean. Will Trace be okay with keeping him? I know he wants kids…”

“Princess,” Daddy stood up and moved to sit in the chair beside me, “talk to him. I’m sure he will be right there with you if that’s what you really want to do?—”

“I do. I just…” I met his gaze. “I can’t explain it. It’s a feeling.”

“I’ll support you in whatever you want to do. I’ll always be right here with you. You need to talk to Tracey though. I know you’re upset that he didn’t tell you what he was thinking. How was he to truly know that someone was going to come down and try to hurt you? You and I both know he’d never intentionally let you be hurt. If he had, he wouldn’t be standing in that waiting area, and I’d be behind bars. I don’t take this situation lightly. I understand his hesitation to say anything. Why worry you when he didn’t have to? No one could have predicted this happening.”

“I was attacked on the street. If—fucking hell, man. If I’d had any idea that monster was on the hunt, I’d have left the baby with Dani Lynn. I could have taken him down right then and there.”

“Princess, I see your point, but again, he wasn’t sure. He honestly tried to message you the moment he figured it out. You know things happen for a reason. We all believe that. You learned a valuable lesson today.”

I glared at my father. “What in the name of all that’s holy didIlearn today? Other than not using a stroller was stupid. As stupid as trying to shoot a monster when you can’t see, having a screaming baby in your arms...” I trailed off, wiping tears from my face.

“You learned that you’re more than your weapons. You held your own while injured, in pain and bleeding. You fought a man twice your size with no weapons and still protected this sweet baby.”

I stood, gesturing toward myself in a half-ass wave. “Look at my face. Does this look like I did a good job?”

“Stop being a brat.”

“Father—” He scowled at me. And yes, when I’m mad at him, I call him father. He knew it. He hated it. He wasn’t getting it. I wasn’t prepared for what happened today.

“Stella Grace, you can’t choreograph every day of your life. Shit happens. When it does, you either roll with it or slide through it. Stop acting like some big injustice happened to you. You had something bad happen, I’m not taking that from you. I’m not, but I’m saying it’s not all you should focus on.”

“Well,” Doc interrupted our conversation. I looked down to meet his kind eyes. “Not that my two cents matter here, but I’m going to give them to you anyway.” He reached out and patted my hand as I flopped back down. I wished I hadn’t when my sore ribs protested. “In life, when something bad happens, you have two options: You accept it or let it eat you alive.”

“I’ve heard that a lot in my life,” Shelby said, coming out onto the porch. Her smile was warm as she leaned down to kiss her grandpa’s cheek. “He makes you think, doesn’t he?”

I nodded. “I know I’m being a nut job—I’m hormonal, and it’s adding to my already in-place imbalance.” I sighed and rubbed the back of my neck. “I’m being a neurotic fool…again.”

Daddy laughed. “No more than normal.”

I scowled.

“We love you no matter what. But you have to start thinking before you react. Things are changing. It’s going to be scary, intense, and completely overwhelming sometimes. You have to be okay with that.”

I swallowed hard and looked down at the floor. I didn’t like being scared. It wasn’t an option for me. I couldn’t letthatvulnerable girl out. She’d driven me nuts as a teen. I shook my head.

“That’s it!” Dani Lynn’s voice had my head coming up. “You got scared and that set you off. I’m not judging, I get it. I react the same way. Being scared makes me a royal bitch.”

“Is everyone standing at the fu—freaking door listening or something? Sorry for the cursing, Doc.”Seriously?

“No need to be sorry, sweetheart. I’ve been known to say a few of those words in my time.” He winked, causing me to grin.

“To answer you, heifer, it was just us. You’re still under doctor’s care as it is,” Dani Lynn said, grinning.

“Where are Trace and the boys? Did they leave?” I asked, frowning. I was already tired, but I’d have to go talk to him. Clear the water. Eat my words.

Shelby and Dani Lynn shared a look before they looked back at me. “Well, they’re out front. Drew and Jacks joined the group too.”

“What aren’t you saying? Why are you out here and everyone else is out front?” I stood and balled my fist. Something was up. I was gonna kick someone’s ass. I watched Dani Lynn; she was chewing on her lip. “Dani Lynn, what’s going on?”

“For fuck’s sake,” she muttered. “Carter got upset—” I didn’t let her finish. I had a bad feeling in my gut.

Carter and Trace had already had one face-off after the truck incident. I didn’t want that again. I moved through the house and office quickly, which my body protested, but it was needed. I pulled the front door open, and it was like a battlefield. But not. Trace stood on his crutches letting Carter chew into him. I felt really bad now. This wasmyfault.

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