A big wooden porch ran the back of the house, and a few round tables and chairs sat in the middle of it, covered by colorful umbrellas that stretched out to protect from the searing heat of the Alabama sun.
A built-in grill and outdoor kitchen had been built at the opposite end of it. Smoke already puffed from the closed lid, twisty plumes of white rising into the air, carrying with it the divine scent of grilling steaks.
Hope leaned a little closer to me.
“You’re with me, baby. You don’t have a thing to worry about.”
She peered up at me. “I know. It’s ridiculous, but I just always worry when I get Evan in new situations. How he’s gonna react and how people are gonna react to him.”
I slowed to a stop, tucking Evan to my side before I dropped his hand and turned to take his mother by the face. My hold emphatic. “I would never bring him somewhere he wouldn’t be welcome. Would never put him in danger. Not ever.”
She blinked up at me, her hands winding around my wrists. “And that’s why we’re right here, with you.”
I wanted nothing more than to drop everything right there and kiss her wild, this woman who’d do anything to stand up for her son.
Protect him.
All I wanted was to hold her and keep her and tell her that bastard was never going to hurt either of them.
That I’d make sure of it.
That I’d never let her down.
It was getting harder and harder to ignore what was going on in her life. Something I hadn’t seen firsthand but saw the same as if I was standing in the middle of it.
Her ex a lowlife fucker I wanted to beat down with my bare fists. Destroy and ruin the way he intended to ruin them.
I shoved the urge back, my voice gruff when I murmured, “I can’t wait for them to meet you.”
A tender smile fluttered across those full lips, and I hugged her closer before I gathered Evan’s little hand back in mine.
Fighting the shudder that ripped through me because I loved the way it felt against mine so damned much.
I led them up the side steps to the porch. Everyone was already lounging beneath the umbrellas, enjoying the Sunday afternoon.
Rynna noticed us first. The second she did, she pushed from her chair and hopped to her feet, all welcoming the way she always was. “I’m so happy you’re here.”
That chatter quieted to nothing, and about five different pairs of eyes snapped our direction.
Sure, it was unnerving, but it was totally expected.
I knew showing up this way was going to shock the hell out of them. Each of them was doing their best to play it cool when really it was clear their minds were working at a hundred miles an hour.
Because I’d been completely straight up with Hope.
This was a first for me.
Rynna crossed to the edge of the porch where we’d stopped at the top of the stairs. Her sincere gaze moved over us before landing on Evan. When they locked eyes, Evan’s hand moved in an exuberant wave.
Her expression grew tender, and she knelt down and signed HI.
“Oh,” Hope breathed at my side, awe oozing out at Rynna’s display of welcome.
It was at the same second that one simple gesture made joy light on Evan’s face.
A goddamned sunburst.
Because the kid was so damned sweet.
“I’m Rynna. You must be Evan,” she said, her lips moving a little slower than usual.
When I’d called to tell her I was bringing guests, she’d launched into a thrilled-sort of third-degree, badgering me for as much information as she could possibly dig out.
I’d told her about Evan’s disability, giving her what I could without revealing too much, telling her he could read lips and not to treat him any different from Frankie Leigh.
Which was ridiculous I’d even felt the need to say it.
Evan gave her one of those enthusiastic nods, his little hand still wound up in mine, swaying at my side.
“Well, it is so great to meet you, Evan. I hope you have a blast at my house today.”
With an affectionate touch of his chin, Rynna pushed to her feet and extended both her hands toward Hope. “I’m Rynna Gunner. Welcome to our home. Thank you so much for coming.”
Hope pushed the plastic container out in front of her like a peace offering. “Thank you for having us. I brought cupcakes.”
Rynna accepted them with a generous smile. “Oh, my goodness, this is exactly what we needed. The only treats my family gets around here are my pies, and I’m pretty sure they have to be getting sick of them by now.”
“That’s impossible,” Hope said.
The girl was so genuine there was no question of her sincerity.
She tucked a strand of that red, red hair behind her ear almost nervously and offered a smile. “I’ve eaten at Pepper’s Pies plenty of times to know it never gets old.”