Page 25 of Night Moves
Natalie watched Erik step into the cabin from his surveillance detail and set his laptop on the table. He seemed like such an easygoing guy compared to the others, but underneath it, she saw an iron will much like she’d witnessed in Drake. She felt Drake watching her right now and could easily imagine his narrowed eyes. The burning intensity in them. Maybe questions like he seemed to want answered all the time.
She was coming to know him in such a short time. It was like they had an innate connection, or one God was fostering, which made it feel right. But was God behind it or was she just imagining things? Letting her fatigue get to her and make her want something she couldn’t have. Maybe she just wanted to hand off all her problems to Drake and let him sort them out instead of her doing the hard work for once. Or maybe she was just plain attracted to the guy.
She turned to face him, stifling her frustration at the uncertainty of everything. She was usually so sure of what she wanted, but now it was all up in the air.
He gave her a tentative smile, seeming out of character. “My family’s a lot to take in at one time. And I’m warning you that our mom is something else.”
She didn’t know how to respond, so she didn’t. “I can make the coffee if you tell me where things are.”
“We can do it together.” He stepped into the galley-style kitchen open to the living area that consisted of a tiny stove, an apartment-sized refrigerator, a worn enamel sink, and cabinets painted a cheery blue color. His vibrant personality seemed to take up the entire kitchen, and physically he commanded much of the minuscule space, leaving little room for her.
Turns out it didn’t matter. Not at all.
The door opened, and a tall woman with silvery-blond spiky hair rushed inside. She took one look around and marched into the kitchen.
“Scoot,” she said to Drake, taking the coffee pot out of his hand. “No one needs the kind of coffee you make.”
She all but pushed him to the other side of the island and turned to Natalie, a big smile on her face that reminded Natalie of Erik. “I’m Peggy Byrd. Mother to this gaggle of boys and a daughter who’s going to birth our very first grandson any day now.”
Natalie loved the woman’s enthusiasm, so opposite of Natalie’s mom, who’d been sullen and noncommunicative. “Nice to meet you, Mrs. Byrd. I’m Natalie.”
“Please call me Peggy.” She smiled, and her eyes crinkled with the kind of joy Natalie had once imagined seeing reflected in her own mother’s eyes. At least imagined it in the days when she still had hopes for a happy childhood like most of her classmates.
Peggy stepped closer. “I don’t know the details of why you and the children are here, but you can trust my boys to keep you safe.”
Boys.Surely, she didn’t mean the herd of testosterone that had rushed in and out of the front door only moments ago. Natalie loved that this woman still thought of those fierce men as her boys.
Natalie glanced at Drake to see if it bothered him, but he was just giving his mom a tender smile that made Natalie’s heart swoon. If she was looking for a relationship, a guy who loved his mother with so much zeal would be a guy worth getting to know.
“My husband, Russ, is unpacking the car,” his mother said. “But I knew the boys would want something to eat so I came right in to check on them. They’ll want coffee, but what about you? Coffee or tea? I’m a tea drinker myself.”
“Coffee for me,” Natalie said.
Peggy’s firm nod was reminiscent of the certainty her sons possessed. “I’ll get it going and if Russ doesn’t have things in here by then I’ll grab a few snacks from the bins.”
“I can help,” Natalie offered.
“Thank you, but no. This is my thing, and I’ve got it.” She gathered Natalie up in a hug.
Shock had Natalie standing like a statue, but then she relaxed and enjoyed the warm embrace. When was the last time an adult had hugged her? Probably people at Gina’s funeral. Peggy’s closeness felt warm and odd at the same time. And it brought tears racing to the surface. Natalie wasn’t going to cry in front of these people. She swallowed and pushed back.
Peggy smiled. “Now don’t you worry. The boys have you well in hand and so does God. Do you believe in Him?”
“Yes,” Natalie answered, liking the woman’s straightforward nature.
“Good. Good.” She squeezed Natalie’s arm. “Then you know everything will work out.”
Drake met Natalie’s gaze. “You might want to escape the kitchen now, or Mom will be asking for your life story.” He gave his mother a fond smile. “We’ll need our cups to go, but thanks for making the coffee and for agreeing to watch the kids. They’re asleep in the loft. Hopefully we’ll be back before they wake up.”
“But in case we’re not,” Natalie said, “Willow’s the oldest at eight. Then four-year-old Logan and two-year-old Sadie. I hate to leave them. They’re kind of vulnerable. Mostly Willow. She might be difficult.”
Peggy waved a hand. “I can handle just about anything after raising five headstrong boys and one super opinionated girl. So don’t worry.”
“Thank you.”
“While the coffee finishes, I’ll run out to the car to grab something for you to eat for your trip.” She hurried out the door.
Wow. She could move. Especially for her age and for the middle of the night.
