I shoved at his chest and hopped out of bed. “Your ego really needs some work.” I grabbed Calder’s robe from the hook in the closet and wrapped it around myself.
“I like you wearing my clothes, Little Daredevil.”
I could feel the heat rising to my cheeks. “Would you stop it?”
“Never.” He dove for me, hiking me over his shoulder and heading out of the room.
“What is it with you and carrying me like this? Put me down.”
I could hear the girls’ giggles coming from the bottom of the stairs.
“What are you doing, Dad?” Sage asked.
“Just making sure Hads gets down the stairs safely.”
“I’m sure,” Hayes mumbled.
I squirmed once we reached the bottom and Calder put me down. It took a second for the world to right itself again. The living room was a lot fuller than I expected.
Everly stepped forward, holding out bakery boxes. “We brought breakfast.”
Addie stood next to her with a tray of coffee cups, and Shiloh moved around them into my space, pulling me into a hug so quick, I wondered if I’d imagined it. She kept hold of my shoulders. “I’m sorry.”
I blinked a few times at my sister. “What?”
“If I hadn’t been taken, Mom wouldn’t be like this. You guys wouldn’t. I should’ve fought harder.”
I didn’t move, couldn’t even breathe. Shilohneverspoke of her kidnapping. Not once in all the years since. I itched to pull her into my arms, but I knew it wouldn’t go over well. Instead, I ducked my head to meet her downcast gaze. “None of this, not one single thing, is your fault. If you take it on, I’m going to be royally pissed.”
Hayes moved in closer. “She’s right, Shy. Mom’s actions are hers alone. So many people in this world carry trauma, but it’s each person’s responsibility to process and deal with it so they don’t hurt others because of it. It’s time for her to do that.”
Shy’s gaze traveled from me to Calder and back again. “Don’t let her ruin this. You deserve to be happy.”
“So do you, Shy.”
She gave me a smile that looked more like a grimace. “I am happy.”
I wasn’t so sure about that, but I wouldn’t push. “So, what’s for breakfast?”
Everly wiped under her eyes. “We’ve got egg sandwiches and donuts. How does that sound?”
“Sounds perfect to me.” I drilled a finger into Sage’s belly. “What do you think? Could you force a donut down?”
She linked her fingers with mine. “I think I could handle that.”
We crowded around Calder’s dining table, moving in extra chairs from the garage. We stuffed ourselves silly and didn’t talk about anything serious.
Calder slipped his hand under my hair and absentmindedly traced a design on the back of my neck. “What do you want to do today?”
I leaned back in my chair and looked around the table. “I think we should all do something. Take a picnic to the park or go on a hike.” I wanted to spend the day with these people who’d gotten up early on a Saturday to make sure I knew they cared.
“Park!” Birdie shouted. “We can bring our skateboards.”
Calder’s fingers stilled for the briefest of moments, and then he picked up his ministrations again. “That sounds good to me. What do you guys say?”
“We’re in,” Everly agreed.
Shy nodded, and I sent her a grin. My sister rarely volunteered for more group time, but she loved me and knew I needed her today.