Page 86 of Never Fall Again

“No, they won’t. It’s a small town. None of the officers willbe at church either. Our entire family knows what’s going on. No one’s going to get their shorts in a twist. Just relax.”

Didn’t he know that telling a woman to relax never worked? “Your family is being so kind. I don’t know how I can ever repay—”

Cal’s finger over her lips froze the words in her throat. “No.” He was so solemn, she swallowed but didn’t speak, even after he moved his finger. “You’re ours, Landry Hutton. There’s no repayment. That’s not how family works. I realize your experience with family didn’t teach you that. But in our family, you help when it’s needed, and then you accept help when you need it. There’s no ledger. No tally sheet. No scorekeeper.”

“That’s not how the real world works. Someone is always keeping score.”

“Welcome to Gossamer Falls. Where we do things the way we want to. You can learn to do it our way, or you can leave.”

“That’s not the town motto.”

“Sure it is. Unofficially.”

At some point, he was going to realize he was holding her. And he was going to let go. And she was going to let him.

She could let go first.

The idea hurt her. She didn’t want to let go.

Not now.

Not ever.

“While you’re packing Eliza’s bag, I have something else for you to think about.”

Her entire body tensed. “What?”

“Meredith is moving in with her parents for the next month. Aunt Jacqueline is struggling with her treatments, and someone needs to be there.”

“I thought there was a rotation?”

“There is. And it will continue. But Meredith can’t walk away. It’s not in her nature. She’s wired to help, and she’s determinedto be there for her mom and dad. Mo’s there too. A lot. But Aunt Jacqueline doesn’t want her thirty-two-year-old son helping her to the bathroom. Not that she wants Meredith to do it either, but it’s different.”

“I get that.”

“And Uncle Douglas has to get some sleep. He’s been a zombie. I told him if he slept three nights straight, I’d put him to work on Favors. He’s still got two nights to go. Meredith thinks her dad will settle if she’s there.”

“I know where this is going. You want me and Eliza to move into Meredith’s.”

“Well, Gray does.”

Wait a minute. “You don’t? Why not?”

A grin tugged at Cal’s lips. “Of course I want you to come. Maisy’s going to deliver her puppies soon. I’m sure Eliza would love to be around for that. And Mo’s added surveillance to our security system. You’ll be safer at our place than you are here.”

“But you’re blaming Gray?”

“I’m not blaming anyone. I’m”—Cal blew out a breath—“strategically arranging the playing field so that when you decide to tackle someone, I’m not in the way.”

She poked him in the ribs. He jumped, but instead of moving away from her, he jumped toward her. They wound up touching from chin to toe. Cal’s gaze held hers. “I know we have a lot to discuss, and now isn’t the time. But please come to Meredith’s. I had to force myself to leave Friday night. After all this, I can’t stand the thought of being far away from you.”

It was an easy capitulation. “Okay. We’ll come.” There was no way she could stay here. The Haven, despite its robust security measures, wasn’t safe for her right now.

She wasn’t an idiot. She knew Cal, Meredith, and Gray had discussed it and come up with a situation that would be hard torefuse. But she didn’t care. She needed to feel safe, and right now, the only time she felt safe was when she was with Cal.

“I’ll pack a bag for Eliza to have at Abby’s. And I’ll pack for each of us to stay at Meredith’s for a while.”

Cal’s relief was evident. “Thank you.”

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