“True, but with the world against them, I’m not so sure.”
Ryan phoned one of his clerks and they modified the statement with English’s new surname. He read it to us and we were in agreement with everything.
“Okay, I’m ready to face the hungry mob.”
He opened the door as we stood behind it and walked onto the porch. We listened with our ears up against the door. English giggled. “I feel like a spy.”
“Or a child listening in on their parents.”
“Yeah! I remember doing that when I was little. BB2 and I wanted pancakes and we’d wait outside Mom and Dad’s bedroom for them to get up.” She chuckled at the memory.
I put a finger to my lips. “Shh, he’s talking now.”
“Mrs. English Baines was attacked in her home by Stuart McLure, the son of William McLure, several weeks ago. Had it not been for the intervention of her husband, she very well might not be alive today. Mr. McLure was arrested and an order of protection was served on him, which he later violated. He was arrested again and is awaiting trial for forcible entry, assault and aggravated battery with intent to kill.
“A few days ago, William McLure was arrested at the home of Mrs. Baines’ parents, Mr. and Mrs. Beckley Bridges. He was charged with forcible entry and assault with aggravated battery against Mr. Mark Bridges, who was hospitalized for his injuries. A trial date for Mr. McLure has not yet been set. Thank you.”
A barrage of questions from the reporters erupted, but Ryan ignored them and came back inside.
“That should get the gossipy press onto the McLures and away from you two. The police will not be happy with me, but that’s not my problem.” Then a laugh broke out of him. “I wonder what the governor’s office will think when they hear this.”
“Who cares?” I asked.
“Not me,” he answered. “You two need anything else from me?”
“No, but you can’t leave until the vultures do,” English said as she looked out the peephole. “Hey, they’re scattering.”
“I expected they would. They’re probably rushing to the police department to find out the details of the information I gave them.”
“I hope the cops don’t hate me. I need them on my side.” English bit her lip.
“This is part of their job and now all they’ll do is make a statement like I did.”
Ryan checked the front yard. “Looks like the coast is clear. Call me if anything else pops up.”
He went outside and let the police officer go since he didn’t need him anymore. Then he drove off.
“Hey, I was very proud of you.” I took my wife in my arms.
“Me? Why?”
“Because you didn’t shrink away from anything, and I have to tell you, I’m proud to be your husband.” I kissed the tip of her nose.
“I never knew you had such a gentle side to you.”
“I have lots of things you don’t know about.”
“Yeah?”
“Um-hum. Wanna see?”
“I thought you showed me all your magical gifts.” She quirked a brow.
“I have plenty more tricks up my sleeve that you can’t begin to imagine. Just wait.”
“Up your sleeve or in your pants?”
“I’ll let you decide the answer to that.”
I was kissing my wife, preparing to take her to bed, when the front door swung open and we heard, “Mommy! Mimi said you’re home and I wanted to kiss you and Daddy.”
The joys of being a new father. No one had warned me about these little interruptions.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
English
As much as I adored my daughter, her timing was terrible. “Easton!”
“Did Daddy give you a pretty ring?” The word Daddy rolled off her tongue with so much ease, it was as though she’d been saying it her entire life.
“He sure did. Look.” I held out my hand to show her.
Her tiny mouth formed an O as she said, “Ooh. It’s sparkly like the stars at night.” Then she broke into her rendition of “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.”
When she finished the song, I asked, “Do you like it?”
“Uh-huh.” Her head vigorously went up and down. If I did that, I’d have a migraine. “Can I wear it?”
“Afraid not, lollipop. It’s way too big and I wouldn’t want you to lose it. But one day, your Prince Charming will give you a fancy ring.” With any luck, I added under my breath.
“Is that what Daddy is? Prince Charming?”
It was only an expression, but her eyes had widened and the toothless grin she wore had me saying, “He sure is.” Wait! Toothless grin? “Easton, where is your other front tooth?”
“The tooth fairy took it from under my pillow.”
“When did you lose it? I can’t believe I missed it!”
“I lost it in the dirt when I fell down.”
“Say what?”
“Uh-huh. Rey was showing me how to kick the soccer ball when I ran and I fell down. It got stuck in the dirt when it came out. See?” She lifted up her lip and there were traces of an old cut. Good thing kids healed so fast.
“You hurt yourself?”
With a lift of a shoulder, she said, “Not so much. Rey said I was a superstar cuz I only cried a little.”
“Good girl. That means you’re tough.”
“Like a warrior?”
“Yes! You’re a warrior.” I held out my fist and we bumped them.
Then she went to Tristian. “Daddy, did you do special things with Mommy?” If she only knew.
“I sure did. We had a very fun time.”
“When can I come and live here again?”
“Listen, peanut, Daddy and I are going to have some alone time because he’s going to meet Boppy in Vietnam for work. As soon as he leaves, you’ll come back here.”
Two small creases appeared between her eyes. “But I won’t get to live with Daddy?”
“Sure you will. He’s coming back with Boppy. They’ll only be gone a few weeks.”
“Can he sleep in my room? I can sleep on the floor and give him my bed.”
“That’s very nice of you, dumplin’, but I plan on sleeping with Mommy,” Tristian said. “Maybe when I get back, we can have a campout in the back yard.”
“A real campout in a tent and sleeping bag with a campfire? And roasted marshmallows?”
“Yup. Would you want to do that?”
“Yesssssss! Camping, yay!” She flung herself at him and he caught her, grinning.
“Sounds like you’re in on that. When I get back, we’ll make a plan.”
“Mommy, can you get me a pink princess sleeping bag? With some oonicorns and rainbows on it?”
“I’ll do my best, sweetheart.”
Mom came in and asked, “Easton, what’s taking you so long? You were supposed to be right back out.”
“Mimi! We’re having a campout in the back yard and Mommy’s getting me a pink princess oonicorn rainbow sleeping bag and Daddy’s roasting marshmallows in the campfire.”
“Wow. That’s some big plan. But we have to go, sunshine.”