Page 22 of Adventures in Spring

“Do you trust him?”

“I trust him with my life. He’s the younger brother of Sebastiano and Domenico. He won’t let us down.”

Rhett holds me tight. “I won’t let anything happen. I promise.”

“I’m scared. You don’t understand. Seth’s parents have money. Lots of money and friends in high places.”

“I don’t care how much money they have, Emiko. I have the Mancinis and the Bastianinis. You don’t realize yet how they protect family. And we’re family.”

“Thank you, Rhett. I don’t know what I would do without you.”

“And you’ll never have to know what that’s like from now on. We should get up and check on the kids. You know, you can stay here whenever you want. Every night if you want.”

I laugh. “You’d get sick of me.”

“Never.”

We get out of bed and head downstairs. I can hear the twins laughing outside and I love that sound. I love how happy they’ve been lately. I hope they’re happy about me and Rhett. I know they love being with him, I just don’t want them to feel like he’s taking their daddy’s place.

“We have a surprise for you and Rhett tonight,” Felicity says to us. “Don’t ask me what it is. Just be ready later on.”

Rhett and I stare at her and laugh. We spend the day hanging out and playing with the kids. Every time I look at Rhett, he’s smiling at me. I love how it feels to have someone like him. He makes me feel whole again. And the best part? He loves my kids and they love him. Now all I need to do is figure out why Seth’s parents are doing this.

* * *

The surprise that Felicity planned was a dinner for Rhett and me. Adonis is a chef and he made the most incredible mushroom risotto and garlic-butter steak. Simone and Robin made a strawberry shortcake that was the best cake I’ve ever had.

“I still can’t believe that you called them all here just for this.” Rhett laughs.

“Well I can’t cook and neither can any of you weirdos. So I called in the only ones that could make this awesome feast. Now go inside and enjoy it. We have some barbecuing and s’mores-making to do out here.”

The twins cheer as Rhett and I go back in the house to enjoy our homemade feast.

This is one of the most perfect days I’ve had in forever.

ChapterEleven

Rhett

It’s been a couple of weeks and Seth’s parents have filed more papers. Emiko’s going to have to go back to Springfield to appear in court. I’ll be going with her. The kids, Lorenzo and some of the guys will be coming with us. I think Emiko could use the support. Plus we need to make sure the kids are safe too. Lorenzo has come to Wintervale to go over everything and tell us when we need to appear in court.

“I want to tell you both that this is going to be easy…but I don’t know that it will be. It looks like they’re giving false information and we have to work through it. It also looks like they have some heavy hitters on their side. But they don’t know who you have on yours. We will win this. That much I can promise you.”

“When do we need to go to Springfield?” Emiko asks.

“I’d like you both to come back with me tomorrow. I know it’s short notice, but I got a summons for a new date. I’m pretty sure they have the judge in their pocket. So I’m trying to get another judge. And I’m trying to get this moved to Lake Renegade Township. If I can get it moved, I know that our judges won’t be bought by their money.”

“Are you sure? I know they know a lot of people.”

Lorenzo pulls me to the side. “Does Emiko know who we are?”

I shake my head no. “I wasn’t sure what I could say so I figured I’d leave it up to you.”

“She’s your woman? No questions on what she is to you?”

“No questions. She’s everything to me.”

“Then you can tell her.”

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