Page 57 of Sean

But he also saw that there wasn’t any choice. He’d have to take Julia and go prepared to deal with Wilson.

“You’re right,” he reluctantly agreed with her. “You’ll need to be there.”

“Thank you,” she said and rested her head against him. “We should go check with your family.”

“Let’s talk with them after Tara gets home from taking the kids to school.”

“Right. I’ll go get ready for the day and meet you downstairs.” Julia brushed a kiss to his cheek and slipped out the door.

Sean showered and got dressed, thinking through what they would need to take with them. He didn’t want to freak Julia out any more than she already was, but he had the distinct feeling that they were walking into danger, and he needed to be ready.

When he saw Tara return to the ranch, he headed to the kitchen. Julia was already there, eating a bowl of cereal. She wore her usual outfit, one designed to blend into the world around her. That was her camouflage for the day. He hoped she didn’t need it.

“Sean, we’ve got a load of hay coming in today,” Tara said while he poured coffee into a travel mug. “Can you make sure it gets stored away?”

He glanced at Julia. It seemed like she hadn’t yet brought up their plans for the day. She’d been waiting for him. Since Amos and Lucy were in the family room where they were singing along loudly with a DVD, he broached the subject.

“Sorry, Tara, I can’t today. Julia’s had another message from Wilson. We’re going to be gone for the day.”

“More threats?” his mother asked, pausing where she was working to clean up from breakfast.

“Against my mom this time. She had a stroke a few months ago and has been in rehab. Wilson made it clear that he could and would get to her,” Julia explained. “We…”

“We need to bring her here,” Sean picked up where Julia faltered. “If that’s okay with all of you.” He wasn’t expecting any opposition on this, but he felt he should ask.

“Of course, it is,” Joe answered as Sean’s mom and sisters nodded.

“We’d love to have your mom here. I’ll get things ready for her,” Kelly said. “Will she need anything special to help with her recovery?”

“I honestly don’t know,” Julia admitted. “I haven’t seen her since before I took the kids and ran. I’ve only risked calling a few times. She’s better, but that’s all I know.”

“We’ll figure things out when she gets here, then.”

“Thanks, Mom,” Sean said. He’d asked a lot of his family lately, and they’d come through again and again. “Tara, I’ll help with the hay when I get back tonight.”

“We’ll see what we get done today,” Tara said. “You’ve got something more important to focus on.”

“The kids will be thrilled to see their grandma,” Emmy said.

“I’d appreciate it if you didn’t say anything until we get her safely here.” Julia looked around at his family. “And thank you all. You’ve done so much for us.”

His mom went to Julia and hugged her, whispering something in Julia’s ear that made her smile. Sean was reminded of just how lucky he was to have a family like this and just how stupid he’d been to shut them out. He wouldn’t be making that mistake again.

“I’ll be ready to go in five minutes,” Sean said and headed back to his room to get ready for the trip. His dad followed him.

“Got what you need?” Joe asked with a nod to the bag Sean was checking through. His dad would understand exactly what he was taking.

“Yeah.” He sure as hell hoped so.

“You be careful out there,” Joe said. “Bring Julia and her mother home safely.”

“Will do. Make sure the kids are okay for me.” The ranch should be safe—but nothing seemed guaranteed anymore.

“I’ll be around.” His father’s simple words were good enough for Sean. They meant that Amos and Lucy wouldn’t be out of his sight at any time. It took one huge worry off Sean’s shoulders.

Now, he just needed to get Julia safely to Norfolk and back to the ranch with her mother.

TWENTY-NINE

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