“No room in the plane for you, bud,” Joe said. “Quinn’s going to fly us to Lyntacky in her dad’s plane. It’s only got six seats.”
Fin did not look happy about that. “I’m a ranger and important. I might be able to do stuff and stop you lot from doing things you shouldn’t.”
Luke left them to debate who was coming. Pulling out his phone, he called Quinn.
“Harper,” she said in that way she had of speaking. Nothing flashy, just short and concise… unless he was about to kiss her or had just kissed her. Then she sounded breathy and uncertain. He just bet those under her command listened when she talked. Pride swelled up in his chest when he thought about just how much Captain Harper had achieved. He didn’t dive into why he was feeling that way; for now he had enough to deal with.
“It’s Luke.”
“Hey.” The tone was softer.
“Hey. I just wondered if we can take you up on the offer of a ride to Lyntacky? We’ll pay for the trip, but the family thinks getting there as quick as we can is the best course.”
“When do you want to leave?”
“Soon.”
“Okay. I’ll go tell Dad and get things ready for a flight. Text me what time you estimate leaving.”
Why did he find everything about this woman sexy as hell?
“You need to talk to him or something, to confirm it’s okay?”
“We don’t have any charters. I told him I may need to use it and where I would be taking you, so we’re good.”
Luke was silent.
“I didn’t tell him why. Just that it was a family matter and it was important you got to Lyntacky fast, Luke.”
He exhaled. “Thanks. I know it will get out, just not yet.”
“No worries. See you soon.”
“Thanks, Quinn.”
He wandered back into the kitchen to find them still debating who should go. Luke dropped to the floor beside the small table his nieces and nephews sat at and stole a cookie from their plate.
The youngest of the brood got off his chair and hurried to Luke. Blake was Pip and Dylan’s boy. At four, he was showing signs of being more like his daddy than his mommy. Quieter.
“Hey, big fella.” Luke felt the little arms go around his neck and hugged him back. Blake then settled into his lap and ate his cookie quietly. Unlike the others, who talked, shrieked, and annoyed each other while eating theirs, Blake was a watcher.
This was his life. He looked around the kitchen. His people. He was home here with all of them, and a grown-ass adult. There was no need to fall apart because of what was going down. He felt his body start to relax. They would deal with what came at them as a unit. It wouldn’t change this. His people. His circle.
“I called Quinn. She just wants me to text her with a time,” he said to anyone listening.
“Right. Tell her we would like to leave as soon as possible,” Dylan said. “We’ll be at the Harper Farm in an hour.”
He pulled out his phone again and texted her. She came back with I’ll be ready when you arrive.
“Okay, let’s get ready,” Joe said, rising from his seat. “We’re going with us three and Dylan, simply because we may need to bring Nixon back with us, and he’ll need a seat.”
Fin and Pip didn’t look happy about this but accepted it. Dylan may be needed simply because of his contacts.
They packed a bag because none of them knew what was coming or if they’d be back today, which was unlikely, as it was now afternoon. Would Quinn need to fly back and they drive home?
“It will be all right,” Aunt Jess said when he went to say goodbye to her.
“You are the man to deal with a wounded boy, if Nixon is that,” Mr. Goldhirsh said to him. “And we are here to help you all in whatever way is needed.”
“I know, and thanks.” He hugged him and Aunt Jess hard.
They climbed into Dylan’s SUV, and Luke took a final look at his home. He had a feeling the next time he saw it, everything in his life would be different.