Page 82 of The Stone Family Warrior

Chapter 28

Was it a tad overwhelming to have the Stone family descend seemingly all at once? Yes, it was. First came Trey and Ava with Micah, who Ava introduced as her oldest son and the one they were lucky enough to have visit over Christmas. Trent had explained that Ava had been married to Charles. Of course, Liberty had known Charles. Yet the way Micah and Trey interacted, you never would’ve guessed that he was anything but his biological father. She also met the rowdy Trey Junior. He was almost eighteen months old and a spitfire.

Then came Kensi and Tim and their daughter, Zoey. When they unbuckled Zoey from her car seat, Trey Junior ran to her and threw his arms around her as if he had been freed from prison. Liberty was surprised to find how easy it was to talk with Ava and Kensi and Trey and Tim. Honestly, it felt like old times.

Then Marshall and Kat pulled up along with their son, Cade, who was from Kat’s first marriage. After Liberty and Kat shared a hug, Kat blushed and told her that she was four months pregnant.

But the most impressive entrance was the helicopter that quickly descended and dropped off Brooks and a woman Liberty knew to be Serenity, his wife. Even though Brooks looked all formal in his black suit, he casually gave Liberty a hug and whispered to her, “You did good work.”

Then he introduced Serenity, who threw her arms around her. “Can I just tell you how glad I am you figured out what those numbers mean?”

Brooks wagged a finger at Serenity. “There is still a lot of work to do to figure out the treasure.”

Serenity shrugged. “There always is.”

Everyone helped get the kids and the luggage inside. Liberty found herself happily helping in the kitchen as Ava took the lead and they got lunch going. It was kind of ridiculous that Liberty felt so at home and at ease with her friends all these years later. Was this what her grandmother had been talking about? Coming home and remembering the friendships she once had?

It wasn’t long until Dawn and Lucy and Matt and Tatum showed up, taking turns hugging everyone. They were honorary members of the family anyway.

Trent mostly stayed by Liberty’s side, except when he was pulled away by one of his brothers who wanted to tell him something or show him something. She also noted that he was really comfortable picking up baby Zoey or Trey Junior and playing with them.

The whole event was loud and fun and crazy—everything that family gatherings should be. Pain pierced the center of her chest as she once again thought of baby Ian and Will. But it was actually a moment of clarity for her.

“Okay, you have that thinking face going on.” Trent was by her side, cutting vegetables for a salad.

She finished spreading ham and cheese onto a sandwich and reached for more bread. “I don’t know what you mean.” It still unnerved her that this man could read her thoughts. Well, he couldn’t really read her thoughts, but he could read her face. It was just as disconcerting.

“You don’t have to tell me, but you looked like something was going on inside that head.”

For few moments, neither of them spoke. Then she said softly, “I like being here, in the thick of this …”

“Craziness?” He laughed.

“There is that element to it. But Will never wanted kids. Granted, he was a good father to Ian, even though in bad moments he would say mean things to me like I had tricked him by getting pregnant.” Those memories still hurt her. She rushed on. “Anyway, this is what I always dreamed I would have. Children and laughter and noise.”

Trent paused and met her gaze. “I’m sorry Will was such a jerk.”

She brushed a hand through the air. “It’s fine. I’m not talking about that. I was just thinking how much being around you and now your family has made me feel connected. It’s really nice.”

Casually leaning in, he kissed her cheek and smiled. Then he went back to cutting vegetables.

The garage door swung open and Hunter walked in, grinning and calling out, “I’m here. The Stone family party can start.”

His siblings erupted with laughter and called out funny things to him. They started gathering around him, and Kensi was the first to take him into a hug.

Trent nudged Liberty. “Be right back.” He pointed at his brother and called out, “The brothers are back in town!”

She laughed as all the other siblings seemed to part and Hunter pointed back at Trent. “Brothers forever.” They ran at each other and jumped into the air, chest bumping.

She giggled, bringing a hand to her mouth. As she looked around, it felt like everyone in the room was glancing at her and then back to them.

The boys hugged, and then Hunter scanned the room and met her eyes. “The woman who figured out the numbers.” He rushed toward her. She put down the bread she was holding and found herself laughing as Hunter bear-hugged her. He whispered in her ear, “You brought my brother back from a psychotic break. If we wouldn’t have figured out those numbers, I think he would’ve gone crazy.”

She hugged Hunter, finding it wonderful that she was a part of all of this. “I’m just grateful to be part of it.”

Hunter pulled back, and the rest of the siblings lingered around them. It seemed like they were waiting for her to say something.

She smiled at all of them. “I’m grateful to be here with you guys. I’m grateful that Trent included me in all of this.”

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