Page 60 of Sean

Later, she’d talk to him and try to get past whatever it was that was making him do that. She didn’t like how it felt like she was being closed out.

“Take these.” He shook a few tablets into her hand and gave her a bottle of water. After she did, he closed the door and returned to the driver’s seat. He put on his sunglasses and took one glance over the seat. “Close your eyes and try to get some rest on the drive back.”

She bristled at his order. Being shot hadn’t made her tired. If anything, she didn’t want to be silent because then her mind kept reviewing what had happened in those seconds when the shot had been fired. So she ignored his command and began a conversation with her mom, filling her in on the kids and their latest achievements and interests. Julia was happy to see how well her mother could engage and how easily words seemed to come to her now compared to right after she’d suffered the stroke.

When they crossed under the arched sign to River Birch Ranch and Sean keyed in the code for the gate, Charlotte grew silent and looked a little apprehensive. New places and new people had never bothered her in the past, but this situation was unlike anything she’d dealt with.

“It’ll be fine, Mom. Sean’s family are lovely people, and the kids are going to be so excited to see you,” Julia said.

“I’m looking forward to giving them each a hug.” Her mom found a smile for her.

As soon as Sean pulled his truck up in front of the house, Lucy and Amos burst from the door. They paused for just a second on the porch until they saw their grandmother, and then they were running straight toward her again.

“Nana,” Amos cried and threw his arms around her waist.

“How’s my boy? And my girl?” Charlotte pulled them both into a hug and held on. Julia got around to that side of the vehicle in time to see her mother flick away a tear.

“Mom?” Julia asked, worried. Was this too much for her?

“It’s all good. So happy.” The kids had her hands and were leading her up the steps to the porch where Sean’s parents waited.

“You must be Charlotte. Welcome to our ranch.” Kelly’s voice was warm and inviting. “I’m Kelly Miller and this is my husband, Joe. Our daughters and granddaughters are in the house.”

The next few minutes were happily hectic as they went into the house and continued the introductions. Julia thought her mother might want to sit down and have a cup of tea, but the kids were too excited to see her to allow for that.

“Nana, come see our bedroom,” Lucy said already leading the way down the hall with Amos right behind her.

“I’ll bet it’s as pretty as the rest of this place.” Charlotte trooped after them with Kelly next to her.

Julia was about to follow when Joe leveled a look at Sean and her.

“What happened?” He nodded toward the bandage on her arm.

“Wilson was waiting for us when we came out of the convalescent home. I should have been ready for that,” Sean said to Julia’s surprise. He had been ready. He’d been armed and vigilant.

“You couldn’t know that he’d actually shoot,” Julia said. Why was he beating himself up over this?

“Shouldn’t have let her go at all.” Sean ignored her words.

“I had to be there,” she argued, annoyed that he wasn’t including her in this conversation. “Mom would never have gone with you.”

“Did you return fire?” Joe asked.

“Couldn’t. No clear line of sight,” Sean said.

“That was the right choice, then,” Joe said and turned his attention to her. “Julia, I’m sorry this happened to you. The injury is superficial?”

“Do you want me to take a look?” Tara came closer. “I’ve got some experience binding up wounds.”

“It’s fine,” Julia said. “Sean took care of it. It just needs time to heal.” And to stop hurting—not that she was going to mention that in present company.

While his sisters were fussing over her, Julia noticed that Sean left the house. He might be just moving his truck, but it seemed more like an escape. Julia assured everyone that she was okay and went to find her mother in the kids’ room. They spent a few more minutes there before Lucy and Amos ran off to play with the other kids. When it was just her and her mother, they went to the room next to the one that Julia had been half-inhabiting, intending to make her mother comfortable there. Charlotte’s suitcase was already on the bed and fresh flowers were on the nightstand.

“This is so nice.” Her mother looked around before sitting on the chair by the window. She seemed tired, which was no surprise after the day they’d had. This had to be exhausting and a bit overwhelming for Charlotte. “It’s all so lovely.”

“I like it here,” Julia admitted and because she was still reeling from the drama of the day, she added, “I could see myself staying here and being happy.” It was too honest of a statement, but she hadn’t been able to keep it in.

Her mother’s expression immediately shifted from tired to sympathetic. “Oh, Julia, you shouldn’t get attached,” she warned. “You know no home lasts forever, especially the good ones.”

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