Page 253 of Redeemed

“What?” Xander and I both ask.

“I was on track to retire next week anyway,” Josie says. “We’ve already worked it out. I’m going to move into the spare room and help take care of your dad and Rachel while they recover.”

“Aunt Josie, no.” Xander stands. “What about Uncle Bob?”

“He’ll help, too. We’ve got it covered, honey.”

“But—but I can’t leave. I can’t abandon them.”

“You won’t be,” she says gently, stepping closer. “You’ll be leaving them in the perfectly capable hands of your family. Phil may be your dad, but he’s my brother, too. Let me do this.”

Glancing between the two of us, Xander releases a disbelieving breath. “Do I actually have a fucking choice in the matter?”

“No,” I say firmly.

“Your father doesn’t want you to move back,” Josie says gently. “He doesn’t want you to sacrifice your future for him.”

“It’s what he did for us.”

“That’s a parent’s job. It’snota child’s job.” Josie squeezes his shoulder. “Xander, you’ve come so far. Farther than most of us ever thought you would, and…” She blinks back tears. “I’m sorry we didn’t believe in you. You deserved better.”

Shrugging, Xander looks away. “It’s fine.”

“It’s not, and I’m sorry, Xander. I’m so sorry.”

It takes everything in me not to gape at Josie. Getting an apology from a family member, along with support? I don’t think Xander or I expected anything like this to happen on this trip. But I’ll take it. This is what Xander has always deserved, and it shouldn’t have taken twenty-one years for him to get it.

“Thank you,” Xander mutters as he blinks back tears. “That… that means a lot. And thank you for being willing to take care of them. I know it’ll be a lot.”

“I think the only thing we’ll struggle with is the finances, but we’ll make it work.” She squeezes Xander’s hand. “We always have.”

I shake my head. “Colton already offered to cover everything.”

Josie blinks rapidly. “What?”

“Everything,” Xander repeats. “Hospital bills, the mortgage, utilities, groceries, any school fees that come up for Rachel… all of it.”

Aunt Josie gasps. “What? That’s—that’s too much. How could he even afford that? We can’t—”

“Oh, he can afford it,” I cut in.

“He takes care of his family.” Xander gestures to me and then back to himself. “Dad and Rachel included.”

Josie makes an uncomfortable sound. “Still, that’s a lot of money.”

“Trust me,” I say. “He won’t even feel it.”

Her jaw drops.

“Yeah, no.” Xander rubs at his face. “The guy has more money than god.”

“Lord,” she murmurs. “Well, I don’t feel quite so bad, then. It’d be really helpful, especially with me losing my income. Social security will kick in, of course, but it won’t be nearly the same amount.”

“He’s got it.” Xander takes her hand and squeezes. “And if you end up needing help, you tell me, all right?”

“Of course.” Josie backs away. “I’ll leave you two alone, now. I’m sorry for interrupting.”

“You saved me from having to tie him up and throw him in the back of my car to get him home, so no worries,” I say with a wink, and while it doesn’t make her laugh, she at least smiles.

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