Rock Chick Redemption (Rock Chick #3)(110)

“Get over here!” I demanded.

He came over and his big arms went around us.

“Happy?” he said over our heads as we repositioned ourselves to include him in the hug.

I looked up at him. “Yeah,” I whispered.

He was looking down at me and his eyes flickered. He waited a beat and then he kissed the top of my head. When he was done, he kissed the top of Mom’s. She and I looked at each other and burst into fresh tears.

“Jesus f**king Christ,” Tex groaned.

We ignored him.

We held on for awhile then Dad said, “Okay, now that we’ve done the family reunion business, maybe we can talk about my daughter being kidnapped and stalked. I might want to know a little more about that.”

I disengaged from Mom and Uncle Tex, wiping the tears from my face with my hand, and turned to Dad. “Hank’s handling it,” I told him.

“Yeah. Tex told me,” Dad didn’t sound happy and he turned to Hank. “How ‘bout we talk?”

“Dad,” I butted in.

Dad interrupted me. “Tex tel s me these are good people and they know what they’re doin’. I believe him. But, Roxanne Gisel e Logan, you got cuts on your face and fear in the back of your eyes and I’m your goddamned f**kin’

father and I need to be briefed on this f**kin’ situation. You got me?”

I’d heard that tone before so I kept my mouth shut and nodded.

“Herb. Your language.”

Mom had heard that tone before too and she never kept her mouth shut.

Before Dad’s head exploded, I said, “Why don’t I make us some coffee?”

“I don’t want no coffee. I want a f**kin’ beer,” he turned to Hank. “Is there a bar around here?”

Hank looked at me then to my father. Then he said, his voice quiet, “There is but there’s also beer in the fridge.” voice quiet, “There is but there’s also beer in the fridge.” Dad regarded Hank. “Son, we need to talk away from the women. I got things to say and Trish’s ears can hear what’s happenin’ two doors down. You get what I’m sayin’

to you?”

“What do you have to say that I can’t hear, Herbert Logan?” Mom asked.

“I’m not leavin’ Roxie,” Hank ignored Mom and how he said what he said stated quite clearly that he was not.

Dad watched Hank a beat, then I saw him smile.

Oh shit.

I thought I was in trouble, official, definite, certifiable trouble but I realized that now I was real y in trouble.

Dad approved of Hank.

I knew he would but I didn’t know it’d make me feel al warm and squishy inside.

“I’l stay behind,” Uncle Tex offered.

Dad nodded and turned to Hank. “That work for you?” Hank didn’t look happy but he also nodded.

Then his eyes came to rest on me.

I heard his non-verbalized request and walked to him.

His arms came around me.

“We’l be quick,” he told me.

“Okay.”

“Lock the door and don’t open it to anyone,” Hank said.

“Okay,” I replied.

“The couch in the office pul s out into a bed. Your parents want to stay here, they’re welcome,” he went on.

That was not okay but I said, “Okay,” anyway.

He grinned at me and I got the impression he knew my thoughts. Then he kissed my forehead, let me go and nodded to my Dad.

Then they were gone.

“He’s cute,” Mom said to the closed door.

Shamus came and sat on my feet so I gave him an ear scratch.

“You’re not spending the night here,” I told my mother.

“Your father doesn’t want you out of his sight,” Mom told me.

“He just went to a bar with Hank,” I pointed out.

“Wel , you know what I mean,” Mom returned.

“I’l get you a hotel.”

“You are not getting us a hotel. We’ve got money. Don’t fight it, it’s a parent thing.”

“Mom,” I whined (yes, whined).

“Roxanne Gisel e –”

“Trish, for f**k’s sake, she’s sleepin’ with the guy. Get a f**kin’ clue,” Uncle Tex boomed.

I stared at Uncle Tex in horror.

Mom was total y unaffected.

“That’s okay. I’m liberated,” Mom announced. “I’l talk Herb into being liberated too. I don’t think he’l care though, he likes Hank. I can tel .”

Mom had never been “liberated” before. Bil y and I had always slept in separate bedrooms when we visited, and my brother Gil and my sister Mimi also had the same arrangements with their girlfriends and boyfriends and Gil had been living with his girlfriend for three years.

I looked at Uncle Tex. “Please make them stay with you.”

“It’s outta my hands,” Uncle Tex said.

I sighed and gave in. I was too exhausted from my weird day and two bouts of crying fits to fight it.

“I like his house,” Mom announced. “It’s cozy but it needs candles. And his dog is so cute!” Mom bent over and cooed at Shamus. Shamus sauntered over to her, smel ed her outstretched hand and then gave her a sloppy, wet, doggie kiss on her cheek. “Ooo! He’s sweet!” I turned to Uncle Tex. “Wil you shoot me?” I asked.