Page 18 of Chaos has a Name (An FBI Romance/Thriller #66)

Caryn loved this woman. She’d married into the family, and Takoda had chosen well. It was hard to believe that just a couple years ago, that Cora was just dating Takoda and they were in high school.

Time flew.

Unfortunately.

“I don’t want to burden you. My troubles are nothing compared to the stress this family is under right now,” she said, as EJ and CJ ran past the porch, Demeter chasing them to make sure they didn’t get into trouble.

Coraline was honest.

“It’s not a burden. It makes me feel like I’m part of the family.”

Caryn looked over.

“Oh, you are. I bet Elizabeth held onto this baby and Oliver had to be pried out of her hands.”

She snorted.

“Let’s just say that Elizabeth has been a godsend. Since my mother passed, I always wondered if I’d have the support I needed. I found it here. It’s here for you too. Now, spill it,” she said, picking up a big bag of jerky that Caryn had handed her.

It was tasty, and she needed the calories.

“I just worry that when Wyler dies, I won’t have a home here.”

Coraline patted her hand.

“Oh, well, that’s silly. Who do you think is going to babysit this bunch?” she asked, as Charlie walked by and tripped CJ when he went to run past her again.

He rolled and went after her. Only, she was ready for him, and put him on his back as she knelt on his chest.

“Don’t do it, bub. I’ll make you cry for your mommy,” she said, making Coraline laugh.

Since his mommy was her mommy.

“Charlie, don’t break your brother,” Caryn said. “The male ego is very fragile.”

Charlie looked over at her and grinned.

“Good. I’m going to collect egos like shoes,” she stated, getting off of him to let him up. “Specifically my brothers’ egos.”

Both women shook their heads.

She was definitely her mother’s child. That was for damn sure. No one would ever say otherwise.

“I know it’s silly, but I’ve fallen in love with this family. If Wyler dies—when he dies, I don’t think I’ll make it without them.”

Caryn was legitimately worried about this. Coraline could see that.

“Well, here’s a thought,” she said. “If for some bizarre reason that happens, even though I know it won’t, you can come live with Koda and me. I can use someone to help me with the baby. I have backup now, but at some point, Elizabeth is going to be busy. Coming here is a lot of work for her.”

She was aware.

“I hope she’s not angry.”

Cora laughed, and when Oliver began fussing, she took the baby, pulled up her sweater, and let him feed. He was going to be a big boy like his dad.

There was no doubt.

“She’s not angry at anyone but Granddad. Trust me. She wants to boot him in the ass. She won’t, but she wants to do it. Between you and I, she’s scared. It takes a lot to make her upset like this. Wyler running and dying…she’s rattled.”

Yeah, everyone was.

When Bethe came around the corner, she was holding a handful of flowers. Willa and Dolly were following her, picking up any she dropped.

“Here, Grandma,” Bethe said. “These are for you.”

She took them.

“Thank you, sweetheart. They are so pretty.”

Bethe pointed at the one vehicle parked there.

“Can I get my tea set? Willa and Dolly want to have tea with me.”

She nodded, and the three girls walked over to the car where Benning stood, and he hooked them up.

“The kids wouldn’t be able to live without you,” Coraline admitted. “Don’t worry about not being wanted in the family. Be worried that the two boys are going to blow up the house,” she stated as Michael walked by with EJ hanging upside down.

The man explained.

“He was trying to see if a live tree burned down quickly or slowly,” he said, as the boy smiled. “We’re in the ‘magnifying glasses can do damage’ phase of his life.”

They were both amused. Once EJ hit his growth spurt, no one was going to be able to dangle him anymore.

“Hey, Grandma. Got any cookies?” EJ asked.

She sighed.

“Inside, trouble.”

Michael let him down, and the boy ran into the cabin to find snacks.

When Michael sat down, Caryn rubbed his shoulder as he sat in front of her.

“Sore?”

He nodded.

“Yeah, I’m going to have to sling it tonight. I’m not back one hundred percent yet.”

Oh, they all knew that.

“Anything on the news?” he asked. “From you know who?”

Coraline shook her head.

They were all on Riley watch. The man kept trying to see Michael when they were home. They had to keep Michael behind the gate, and inside the house—away from the TV too.

He was being stalked by his ex.

“Nope. All is silent.”

Well, that worked for him. The less he heard from the man who betrayed him, the better off he was.

They all heard something crash.

“I’ll go,” Michael said, knowing it was likely EJ up to something. That was generally the case.

When he was gone, Coraline handed Caryn the very full baby, and she burped him.

“Grandma, you always have a place in our world. You’ll need meds and therapy, but you’re never leaving.”

Caryn relaxed.

Yeah, she could see that.

No matter what happened with Wyler, she knew the truth.

She was a Blackhawk in more than just a name. She was one in her soul, too.

This was her tribe and this was her home.

Forever.