Triple Beat-nook(33)

“We?” she asked.

Blake grinned. “There’s not a snowball’s chance in hell you’re meeting that guy without reinforcements. Jett and me. Wouldn’t hurt to have those two giant bandmates of yours along as well. Intimidation might be enough to scare the guy off. Especially when he sees how many bad-ass protectors have your back.”

Dani laughed, looking down in an attempt to hide the tears that filled her eyes. She was touched by Blake’s kindness.

Blake rubbed his chin. “You said he’s been in jail again since you left?”

Dani nodded. “I found something on the Internet when I Googled his name. An article about his arrest for assault and battery.”

Blake ran a hand through his short, dark hair. “Well, if he’s been in prison twice for felonies, he’s facing the three strikes, you’re out law.”

“What’s that mean?” Dani asked.

“It means if he steps over the line again and commits a serious crime, he’s facing life in prison. It’ll be game over.”

Dani got the feeling Blake meant that information to be comforting. Like all she had to do was wish for dear old Dad to f*ck up again. Unfortunately, that idea wasn’t reassuring. She didn’t think her dad gave a shit about the possibility of spending the rest of his life in jail. Right now, he seemed wholly focused on her. And until it all played out, Dani wasn’t safe.

Their conversation was interrupted when Chloe stepped out on the porch. “There you guys are. What’s up?”

Blake smiled as he stood and joined his fiancée. “Getting some fresh air. We didn’t miss dessert, did we?”

Dani was grateful to Blake for dodging the question, protecting her secret. So far no one had mentioned her father. Probably because they knew it was such a painful subject for her. Bryson and Aiden had return flights back to Nashville tomorrow. She’d simply say she wanted to spend more time with Mama Lewis, bid them farewell at the airport and make plans to see them at home again next weekend.

Hopefully by then, she would have gotten Russell off her back and out of her life.

Chloe started back into the house with Blake, then glanced over her shoulder. “Mama’s looking for you, Dani. She’s in the kitchen.”

Dani rose from the porch swing. “I’ll go see what she needs. It was nice talking to you, Blake.”

He nodded once. With any luck, he’d discover something about her dad that she could use.

As Dani passed by the living room, she peeked in. Aiden and Bryson were kicked back on the large sectional with Caleb and Justin, beers in hand, bitching about some call the umpire had made. They were settled in for the duration of the game.

Dani continued to the kitchen, surprised to find Mama Lewis alone, sitting at the kitchen table with a cup of coffee.

“Where did everyone else go?” Dani asked.

“The girls are out back, soaking up the sunshine and a bottle of wine while looking at bride magazines. Chloe is planning an October wedding.”

“That’s a nice time for a wedding.”

Mama Lewis nodded, then gestured to an empty chair at the table. “Care to join me?”

Dani grabbed her own cup of coffee, and then took the seat as she glanced around the room. “You got new cabinets.”

Mama Lewis smiled. “Yeah. The boys put them in for me a couple of years ago. I like the white. They brighten the room.”

She agreed.

“How are you, Dani? Are you happy?”

Dani smiled. “I am. Very much so.” For nearly a half an hour, she filled Mama Lewis in on everything she’d done since leaving New Orleans, telling her about the people she’d met who had helped her along the way.

“I’m so sorry I never got the chance to meet Stella. Sounds like she was a wonderful person.”

Dani dashed away a tear. “She was. In a lot of ways she reminded me of you. I think the two of you would have loved each other.”

“I love her for finding you and keeping you safe. Benji too, though I’ll admit he sounds like a character.”

Dani laughed. “Oh my God. You have no idea. You’ll have to come visit me in Nashville sometime and I’ll take you to the club.”

Mama Lewis reached over to take her hand. “I’d like that very much.”

“So would I.” Suddenly Dani regretted letting her fear keep her away for so long. So many wasted years.

“Aiden and Bryson are very nice. Have the three of you been performing together for long?”