Page 47 of Blood

My eyes spring open at his words. Did I say it out loud?

“Go to the cabin. No work, no stress. Relax and just do whatever you want. I’ll send out a family text. No one will go there. You’ll be by yourself. Sleep until your body is rested.”

I open my mouth to argue.

“No,” he interrupts, holding up a finger. “I’m not asking. I’m telling. I’d say two weeks, but your mom will probably give you a week, ten days tops.”

I laugh because it’s true. Helen Cromwell likes her babies close.

“Daniel and Charlie will be home with the baby.”

“They’ll understand. Besides, you can do what you want, go where you want, see who you want. But that cabin will be a no-go zone for at least seven days. I want you healthy and happy, Kaleb. If that means having time to yourself, then so be it.”

“Work—”

“Can manage,” he interrupts. “You work more shifts than anyone there, but we have new hires and plenty of drivers. I’d rather lose contracts than lose my son.”

His words fill me with love. I couldn’t have asked for a better family or a better father.

Pushing off the car, I hug him. His arms instantly wrap around me.

“I love you,” I breathe.

Christopher holds me tighter. “I love you too, kiddo.”

I pat his back and try to step away, but he hugs me for a few more seconds.

“You’re really okay?” he asks, releasing me.

“I am. Nothing rest and a mini staycation won’t fix.”

“Good.” He smiles.

“Can you ask Lara to keep sending me daily pictures of the baby, please? And will you tell me when Daniel and Charlie are home, and I’ll come over? I don’t want to miss it.”

“Of course. You won’t miss anything,” he promises.

I go to leave, but Dad hesitates while opening his car door.

“I know what happened at your house last week with the burglary probably added to the stress and your health. Is it wrong of me to be thankful that you were there to protect your sister?”

“No.” I shake my head. “I’m glad I was there too.”

“I’ll never be able to thank you enough for that, Kaleb. Take as long as you need. I’ll make sure no one bothers you. Except your mother. After about a week, she’ll hunt you down. Like a lion with her cubs, that one.”

“You love her for it.”

“One of many things I love about her,” he agrees.

I want that. I want someone to love me for who I am. My strengths, my flaws, all of it. Not just anyone, I want Samantha to love me that way.

How am I supposed to do that when she won’t even talk to me?

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

Kaleb

Sighing so hard my lips move, I throw the television remote down to the other end of the sofa, past my feet.