Loving Her (Mitchell Family #9)(9)

“Good morning, Ty.”

“Oh my God, have you brushed your teeth yet? I can smell your breath through the phone.”

“You’re smelling your own breath. What do you want? I’m not in the mood for you this early, and since you’re being your normal douche-bag self, I’d imagine you’re not calling because something is wrong.”

“Okay, you got me. Nothing’s wrong. I miss the hell out of you and need a hug.” I winked at Miranda, who sipped at her coffee, shaking her head at me.

“I saw you a couple weeks ago. I’m in the middle of making breakfast. Can I call you back?”

“No! Iz wants to come see Noah. We’ll be there in two days. Get your ass to the store and make sure the guest house has toilet paper and ketchup.”

“What?” I could tell she was wondering why I wanted toilet paper and ketchup. “The house already has those things, but I can make sure to adjust the temperature. Oh wait, didn’t I tell you that we’re going away? We won’t even be here.”

I looked over at Izzy and knew how excited she would be to see Noah. It had been a long time and they were still so close. “Cancel your plans. We need family time.”

A deep voice shocked me as it spoke on the other end of the phone. “We ain’t goin’ anywhere. She’s yankin’ your chain.”

“She wishes she was yanking me.”

Colt couldn’t help but put his foot in his mouth. Didn’t he know I waited like a wild animal, to pounce on his every word?

Van got back on the phone. She was whispering, asking him why he didn’t want to talk anymore. I continued to laugh as she spoke. “What did you say to him? He just walked out front. Why must you piss him off?”

“Because it’s so much fun. Chill out, I’ll be there to make things better in a couple of days.”

“Yay,” she said sarcastically.

“Wear something hot. I’m tired of seeing you in those church clothes you keep wearing.”

“My clothes are fashionable,” she argued.

“You dress like the Amish.”

“Goodbye, Ty.”

“Love you bunches, Van. I’m coming for you in two days.”

She’d hung up, and I wasn’t sure if my last comment was for nothing.

Miranda sat there, watching me. She had that scornful mother look on her face. “I’m goin’ to regret sayin’ this to you, but I’m glad you’re gettin’ back to your old self again. It makes me feel like things are goin’ to be alright.”

I reached my hand across the table and touched hers. “Baby, everything’s going to be fine. Izzy is home and she’s better. The worst is over.”

“I think goin’ to Kentucky is a good idea. Maybe we all need to get away for a couple of days.”

I heard screaming coming from the living room. Izzy had grabbed the remote and turned off the boy’s game. She had half the remote, while Jake had the other. “Gimme it, you little jerk!”

I turned back to Miranda. “Can we take separate cars?”

She stood up and put her hands on her hips. “We should.”

As we both walked into the living room, to bring order to the newest conflict, I felt confident that the worst was behind us.

Our lives could return to chaos and everything was going to be okay.

Seeing her fighting with her brother was a good sign of that. It gave me peace knowing that she was home and getting healthier by the day.

I’d never have to feel that lost again. It was reassuring and kept a smile on my face. Even the bickering, reminded me that our family was strong again. At the end of the day, it was all I cared about.





Chapter 6


Miranda


Visiting the Kentucky family was always a treat, but packing and riding with the twins and Ty was the opposite of the word treat. Aside from the boys constantly tormenting their sister, Ty played these stupid games.

This trip was no different. We left in the evening, thinking that the kids would sleep the whole way. For a while it was peaceful. Ty held my hand and I got comfortable in my seat and started to doze off myself. He had the radio down low, and instead of him singing, like normal, he hummed to himself.

I thought he was being respectful, but I should have known better than to trust him. Like a little child, when Ty got quiet, it meant he was planning something mischievous.

I’d no sooner let myself fall asleep when I heard him screaming and the brakes locking. I grabbed the dash and screamed, along with the kids behind me. Assuming we were preparing for impact, I closed my eyes, reacting the best to the situation.

Then when nothing happened, and the SUV began driving normally, followed by him laughing loudly, I turned and smacked him hard on the arm. “You *! I thought something was wrong.”

He continued laughing. “I’m sorry, baby. I couldn’t help it. You were all sleeping and I knew I could get you good.”

I smacked him again and turned to check on the kids. Like every time their dad did stupid pranks, they seemed to be taking the situation way better than I had. Izzy had put on her headphones and shook her head, while the boys were back asleep, as if it had never happened.

“I could have hit my head on the windshield.”

“I checked to make sure you were buckled, geesh, give me some credit!”