Walk Through the Fire (Finley Creek Book 10)

by Calle J. Brookes

  “So what does that have to do with the shooting?”

  “It’s possible someone forced this man to confess. I still have Daniel and his people trying to connect the dots. But watch yourself out there.”

  “I will. Do I need to worry about Annie? Honestly?”

  “After what happened with me and Gabby, I will never tell you not to watch the woman you love closely. Losing her is just not worth the risk.”

  “She’s got court today.” Her caseworker had called just as Turner was stepping out of the shower. The judge’s docket had been suddenly changed because of a family funeral to take place in Oklahoma in three days. Her adoption hearing had been moved to 1:45. Three days earlier than she’d expected.

  It was the first time he’d ever seen Annie panic.

  He had calmed her down just fine.

  Turner had wanted to be there. But he had a meeting with the city council that probably wouldn’t end until two.

  “Finalizing?”

  “Yes.” She’d been a nervous wreck when she’d opened her eyes that morning and saw him next to her. Heat had hit her cheeks, and her blue eyes had been so shy. He’d had to love the shyness away.

  Before Elliot’s office had called, they’d been cuddled around each other. He’d made her a promise to see that everything was ok. He intended to keep that. He was going to be her oasis from the world whenever she needed him.

  “Then give her my congratulations.”

  “I’ll do that.”

  And if he was lucky, he’d be at the courthouse to support her and the boys. He was just going to have to find a way to make it happen.

  102

  Annie had always hated court dates. The boys hadn’t had many—no one was fighting their placement with Annie, and the social worker was fully on board with them staying right where they were—but there had been several in Josie’s case. Her sister had had a slight rebellious phase right after Annie had moved out, that had abated after Annie had moved back in less than a year later. Annie had understood it, even if Josie hadn’t spoken up and said she didn’t want to stay with Annie’s mother. Fear of the unknown was far worse than the fear of the known.

  But all that was behind them now. Josie was on her way to a good life, thanks to scholarships and aid available. She would be ok. And in the meantime, her sister was gathering the diaper bag and scooping Seeley into her arms.

  Annie’s tightened around Syrus. He’d just fallen asleep, and she wasn’t about to interrupt his nap for anything. Even if he was asleep through the whole thing. He’d missed her last night. Just as she’d missed the boys.

  But she wouldn’t trade the night she’d spent in Turner’s arms for anything, either.

  Never had a man loved her like that. Like she was his entire world, and him hers. Like she belonged right there next to him. And the way he’d held her that morning…she would always remember that moment pressed close to his heart.

  She stood and looked at the boys she had loved from the moment she had first seen them. Hers. They were about to be hers.

  This was real. It was finally happening.

  She bit back the sob of relief.

  It wasn’t over yet. Once it was, once they were really hers…

  “Hold on! Wait for us!” a voice called behind her. Annie turned.

  And there they were. Her family. Everyone she loved was right there. Caine and Nikkie Jean led the way. Izzie was right behind them, talking to three other women. Lacy, Jillian, and Cherise. Her real family. The people who loved her and the boys and Josie.

  Annie fought the tears.

  Cherise reached her first. She hugged Annie around the sleeping toddler. “Wanda’s parking the van. She and I are claiming grandmother positions, if you’ll let us.”

  “I—” She didn’t know what to say. They’d helped her when she needed it, been there as babysitters and sounding boards for a twenty-two-year-old girl responsible for three little babies and would just listen when she needed to talk. Cherise and Wanda had each been the mother she had always wanted and needed. She’d just gotten lucky enough to get two just when it mattered most. “I’d like that very much.”

  Jillian and Lacy each had balloons. Jillian lifted Solomon and hugged him. “Rafe wanted to be here, but he had a meeting with the board he couldn’t escape. We’re claiming aunt and uncle, along with the rest of this crowd.”

  The clerk spoke her name again.

  Annie pulled in a deep breath and led the way, just as Wanda hurried up.

  Her family. The ones that mattered were right there next to her.

  They filed into the courtroom. Nikkie Jean and Izzie each took one of the older boys’ hands. They, her two closest friends in the world, were right there with her at the biggest moment of her life. The most important.

  The best.

  Her mother hadn’t bothered to show.

  No surprise. But that didn’t matter.

  Once the judge banged the gavel, they were done with her mother forever—and the boys were hers.

  She listened to the judge’s words and answered when appropriate. Listened as he read reference letters from the hospital, from Mel Barratt, and even from the governor of the state of Texas.

  And the mayor of Finley Creek.

  When had they asked Turner to do that? He’d barely had the time. The judge nodded to someone near the back of the courtroom, and Annie turned.

  To look into darker blue eyes that stared back at her with more emotion than she could process. She smiled, fighting tears again.

  Turner. Even though he had a jam-packed schedule of his own.

  The judge spoke to Seeley and Solomon. And even asked the courtroom at large if they promised to help her, to be a family for the boys. The resounding yes would be something she would always remember—and it was loud enough to wake Syrus. She comforted him quickly, snuggling him even closer.

  The judge, a pretty woman about ten years older than Annie, smiled when he said, “Yes, my mama…,” and went right back to sleep, clutching his blanket.

  Then the judge looked at her. “Congratulations, Ms. Gaines. You are now the legal mother of Solomon, Seeley, and Syrus Gaines. I wish the best to you.”

  It was done.

  Her boys…they were hers. Annie’s tears overflowed. Somehow, they ended up in the hallway again to make room for the teenage boy who had a preliminary hearing after them. Annie wasn’t certain how they’d gotten out of the courtroom.

  Then there was a lot of hugging and passing the boys around.

  Turner pulled her closer, and they kissed right in the midst of all of them.

  No one seemed to even blink an eye or be the least little bit surprised. It was like he just…fit. Like they had expected him to do just that.

  Caine lifted the older two boys in his arms and spun, making them laugh and say, “Uncle Caine rules!” a dozen times.

  Since he and Nikkie Jean had gotten together, he was taking the idea of family so seriously. Annie didn’t mind. It slammed into her like a ton of bricks brought down by a storm. They had a family. A real one, even though no biological ties existed between any of them except Rafe and Caine.

  Family was who you loved, who you wanted to be with. Not bonds of biology. Her family was surrounding her now.

  “Thank you. All of you.”

  Jillian met her eyes. “We’re here for you. Whenever you need us. All you have to do is ask.”

  Izzie and Nikkie Jean threw their arms around her and just hugged her tight.

  Annie hugged them right back. Family.

  They were a family now.

  Warm, strong arms went around her for another hug seconds after she’d passed Syrus to Jillian. The arms were distinctive.

  Annie looked up into dark blue eyes filled with more emotion than she could identify.

  “Congratulations, Annie Belle Gaines. I’ve never seen anything more beautiful than this moment.”

  Annie threw herself against Turner’s chest and cried.


  Happy tears.

  It was done.

  The boys were hers.

  103

  Mel had recruited him to be a minion while at his office. She’d called, in a complete panic, at the speed of what had happened. He’d rarely seen Houghton’s wife so disconcerted. When he’d found out why, he hadn’t resisted. He’d had a caveat first. He was going to be at the courthouse when the final hearing took place.

  To make that happen, he’d cancelled the city council meeting for the first time in his tenure.

  He was the mayor; it was well within his prerogative.

  And he was going to be there with her. If even on the periphery. And even if it was just to say congratulations. Turner couldn’t explain it.

  He was just supposed to be there. And he had been.

  Then he’d left and returned to the Barratt Hotel like the good little Mel’s Minion that he was. The crowd parted, and he could see her. With the kids. Finally.

  As she turned, with the toddler in her arms, it struck him exactly what he wanted for the rest of his life. That woman. Those boys. And any more kids they were blessed to have. He wanted Annie forever.

  “You’re staring,” the man beside him said. Somehow—and he thought it was through Jillian’s machinations—Allen had ended up a Mel’s Minion for the day, too. They’d stuck together since Turner’s arrival after the hearing—better protection from Mel that way.

  The boys wore tiny suits, complete with bow ties. Turner smiled. They were three seriously adorable kids. Annie came alive with the boys in a way he hadn’t seen before. He could watch them together all day. “I should go over, collect my lady and her small humans.”

  “Of course, that’s all that’s in your head right now.” Allen shot him a significant look. “She’s not exactly your type.”

  “Well, what does that have to do with anything? It’s not like Izzie’s yours—and I saw you making the moony eyes in her direction before.” More like death-glare rays, but…it was guaranteed to get a rise out of Allen.

  Allen gave a soft curse. His expression darkened. “Not likely. The woman is a little viper at times. The last time I made her angry last week, she told me to just break it off and shove it down my own throat.”

  Turner winced. Izzie was usually a bit on the sweet side. He couldn’t imagine her saying that…well, maybe he could. She had a fiery side, too. One that Allen seemed destined to ignite. “What did you do to warrant that?”

  “I merely suggested she not leave the hospital AMA. That’s all.”

  Turner suspected he knew what happened—Allen could be a bit autocratic at times. Not arrogant exactly, but he thought he knew the way things should be.

  Hell, Turner was probably just the same himself. He’d always liked Allen. They had a lot in common—and not just a certain pair of blond twins from fifteen years ago.

  “I say we stick together with the two of them. You be my wingman? Build me up to her at the hospital, and all that? Next time I see Iz, I’ll tell her you’re not a half-bad guy. She should give you a chance.”

  Allen snorted. “I’d sooner kiss a salamander than that woman.”

  “You may want to see a shrink for that; a guy would be lucky to get to kiss Iz. And, Al? I never said anything about you kissing Izzie. Your mind went there all on its own.”

  Turner didn’t want to be with Allen right now. He wanted to be there with Annie. He’d tied the balloons that had IT’S A BOY all around the table him. That had been the task Mel had assigned him.

  “You’re serious about her?”

  While giving him a mischievous and knowing grin that had kind of scared him.

  He was as serious about Annie as a man could get. For a Barratt, that was all the knowledge he needed. Now it was time to plan.

  “As Rafe is about that redheaded demon of his. As Houghton is about her sister. As—”

  “I get it. Well, I wish you the best of luck.”

  Annie was looking at him now. Turner didn’t take his eyes away from hers.

  Heat hit her cheeks. Turner grinned. He refused to look away first. Her youngest needed her, and Annie finally looked away. But Turner hadn’t forgotten the look on her face.

  No doubt she was remembering exactly what they’d done last night. She wanted him, too. He was going to use that to his advantage.

  “Leave the woman alone, Barratt.”

  “Nope. That’s my woman over there. I just have to get her to admit it.”

  “If she says no and you hurt her in any way, I’ll be the first one to kick your ass.”

  Turner turned serious. “If I ever hurt her, I’ll bend over and let you. That’s the one woman in the world for me right there. I just have to convince her of that.”

  “If you manage it, you’ll be one of the luckiest men on the planet. Take care of her, Turner. Annie deserves a man who sees her for exactly who she is.”

  104

  The party was the best one in her life. Her friends—Mel and Nikkie Jean especially, diabolical pair that they were—had turned the adoption party into what amounted to a belated baby shower. Complete with silly games.

  And lots of gifts.

  Mostly for the boys. The boys were in high heaven, unwrapping clothes and toys and books. She had no idea where they were going to put all of them at.

  No doubt most of the presents were Houghton’s doing. Mel said he even loved to wrap.

  Nikkie Jean had conspired with Josie to have all of the photos of the boys she’d taken and reprinted. Annie had not been allowed to really do anything with the photos because of social media rules for foster children. Josie and Nikkie Jean had had them collected into beautiful photo albums listing their new names, complete with the additional middle names she’d added in honor of important people in their lives. Solomon Joseph Frederick—after Mr. Henderson, Seeley James Jacob—after Jake, and Syrus Jonathon Caine. Caine hadn’t been a part of their lives for long, but he’d made an impact on the boys. It was a relationship she wanted to cultivate for her boys.

  Her boys, hers. Finally. No one could take them away from her. They were safe.

  She tightened her arms around Solomon and just held him as close as he’d let her for the moment. He was going to hit that age where he hated cuddles soon. Annie was going to enjoy them as long as she could.

  She’d been their mother from the moment she’d opened her heart and her arms to them. But now…now no one could ever take them away from her again.

  The guests were everywhere. Annie took the time to thank all of them personally. They hadn’t had to come support her and the boys, but they had. Taken time away from their busy lives to be there. For her and the boys. Just how much that mattered could never be expressed.

  She hugged Mel, so thankful for what she’d done that she couldn’t put it into words.

  “It’s what we do for our friends, Ann. Letting others help sometimes, depending on them, it’s not always easy. I know that for a fact. Sometimes, though, it’s the best decision we can ever make.”

  Sometimes, though, Mel could be a little cryptic. Sometimes she spouted things like Fear robs you of the future. Don’t let it.

  Annie half-thought those words could apply to her, too. For so long she’d lived in fear of one thing. That one thing had overshadowed everything.

  Losing the boys. Now, now she could breathe again.

  She kissed her son’s honey-blond head, then looked up at the friends and family that had joined them today.

  And right into beautiful blue eyes.

  Turner had been there, too. Heat hit her cheeks.

  He was watching her, an almost-tender grin on his handsome face.

  Annie just looked at him and smiled. Today was the most perfect moment of her life. Turner stepped closer.

  Annie reached out her free hand to him before she stopped to think what it meant. His fingers wrapped around hers as Syrus gave him a quiet little wave. And then he was pulling them closer.

  Nothing had been more perfect
than today.

  105

  Dennis Lee was going to have to do some housecleaning.

  That was going to have to start with the mayor. The man had finally rolled over from irritant to problem. Dennis Lee knew how to deal with problems.

  Timing was everything.

  So was having people on your team who you could trust. He was starting to doubt that. Officer Eugent wasn’t as forthcoming as he should be. With Jenny’s betrayal, Dennis Lee was seeing ghosts of mistrust everywhere.

  And he just didn’t give a damn any longer.

  “You aren’t hiding things from me?” Dennis Lee stood. He wasn’t an imposing man, and he knew it. He’d gotten where he was using his street smarts, not his fists. Collin Eugent had a good half-dozen inches and forty pounds on him. Not to mention the forty years difference between them. “Tell me the truth.”

  “Of course not.” Eugent’s eyes met his, dark and inscrutable. “Daniel McKellen is on a rampage. He’s brought in MacNamara. They…are watching everyone who was on the clock when Officer Royce was killed. I’ve never seen McKellen like this. The man usually doesn’t rage. That’s not the case now.”

  “Of course, they would be. A dead TSP officer means bad press. It’s Marshall’s strategy.”

  That damned Elliot Marshall was just as much a problem as the mayor was proving to be. As were Marshall and McKellen’s lackies, getting into business they had no place in. Dennis Lee was composing quite a list. Someday…someday, he would strike, like a rattler.

  “I’m trying to keep my head down.”