“Harper, I know what you’re saying. There have been women who haven’t been particularly nice, but if you know the couple they made up, you’d see that it’s just different.”
“I don’t get how you can be okay with that.”
Maddox wrapped his arms around her shoulders and kissed her temple. “I’m in love with my wife. Charlotte is the best thing that has ever happened to me. I will spend the rest of my life, happy and in love. You see it as a curse. I see it as something to be happy about. Where many people flit in and out of people’s lives, I know my life was meant to be spent with Charlotte. I’m happy, I’m content. I’d rather know the love of my life than spend the rest of it searching for something else.”
Tears filled her eyes. “Is that how Abel feels?”
“Yes. He loves you, Harper, and right now he’s hurting. We all told him that he had to tell you the truth. He’s a stubborn, irritating boy. He will do whatever the hell he wants.”
“You love him.”
“Of course. He’s my son. It grieves me having to be hard on any of them. The same goes for Landon, the boy that is currently in England. We all make mistakes. Abel, he’s a good man with a good heart. Do you love him?”
“Yes.”
“Then let your heart lead you with this.” He kissed her temple. “We are your family.”
“I guess I was expecting to be tied in the basement until you wanted to deal with me.”
Maddox chuckled. “Not a lot of good. Charlotte would kill me. I’ve got to go and see what chaos they’re causing.”
Harper stayed out in the garden, watching the clouds pass her by. Her life had gotten so crazy in the last couple of days. There were times she missed the simplicity of just being normal.
“Stupid men. They do not care,” Charlotte said, coming outside.
The woman in charge of the Denton men stood beside her, looking ready to slaughter the entire world. “How are you?” she asked.
“I’m okay,” Harper said. “You?”
“They trashed Tamsin’s room. They’re animals. I cannot stand them when they refuse to listen to reason. Stupid men! I’ve now got to go in and clean it all before Tamsin comes home.” Charlotte growled. “I’m not offering them a hot beverage. I think a new rule should be adhered to. If they can’t find anything, they clean up the bloody mess.”
Harper laughed. “I imagine there wouldn’t be many warrants.” She glanced back at the house. The officer who had come out and questioned her stood staring at them. Harper gave him a little wave.
“I appreciate you not screaming murder,” Charlotte said.
“I wouldn’t do that.”
“I know this life, it sucks. I’m not going to lie. There are so many dangers with it. I worry that Maddox will get killed, and then Jacob will have to take over. It’s so … soul-destroying. Or it can be if you allow yourself to fall victim to it.”
“You don’t struggle?”
“In the beginning when I found out the truth, I ran. Jacob was born, Abel, too, and I couldn’t help it. You see, we don’t fall like our men. We don’t know right away, and that in itself can be our curse.” Charlotte ran fingers through her hair, taking deep breaths. “They know, and I wish I could have that ability, you know. Wish I could have looked at Maddox and known he was the one for me. I didn’t. Our early years were hard. They were tiring, and scary.”
“You’re here. Seven kids later.”
“I know. Seven kids. In the beginning I didn’t want one.”
“You didn’t?” Harper asked.
“I was a little like you. I wanted a career, or I thought I did. I didn’t know what I wanted, only that I wanted to be something. When I was with Maddox, in the beginning, it was just a fling. A one-time thing. I got pregnant with Jacob, and Maddox wasn’t going away. We’re both strong women. Right now, I know you don’t think you can handle this life, but I see the strength inside you. It’ll be nice to have another woman around. If you ever need anything, my home will always be open to you.”
“Thank you, Charlotte.”
“Thank you. I was always worried about Abel. I still am. Since he’s been with you, he’s different, and I know that’s all because of you.”
****
“This is fucking bullshit,” Landon said, following his uncle out into the field. They were going to pick some mushrooms. Mushrooms! They weren’t going shooting. He’d been in England a week, and he hated it. It was miserable, cold, wet, and the school, they all talked funny. Some thought the English accent was nice, but he didn’t. It was all a nightmare. None of them had any respect for him, and he couldn’t start any fights either.