She made it to the bathroom and Francie met her with a change of clothes. Grace scrubbed with wet paper towels until she could see no splattered blood on her face, neck or chest. She washed her hands and arms with soap and water. She ended by pulling her hair into a pony tail and dressing with Francie's clothes. She tried to hide the bandage on her hand by putting it in her pocket. She walked out of the bathroom and straight to Walker's side. He led her back into the barn to find her son. She could feel Walker near, silent and guarding her. Her protector.
Jaxson looked up from coloring. “Mama! Where have you been? Did you fall in the toilet?” Jaxson laughingly asked. He looked at her and said, “You changed your clothes. But why? I wanted to and you told me no. And now I’ve been sitting here coloring in this stupid outfit.”
Grace knelt down to Jaxson and softly stated to him, “I had some stomach stuff happen and had to go find some meds to help. Then I had to change my clothes because of it. I’m sorry you’re still in that stupid outfit. We’ll go get you changed in just a bit, I promise. Did you eat okay? Did you save a piece of cake for me, pumpkin?” Grace looked up at the faces around her. Birdie, Gertie, Francie, Kresley, Cade, Ash, Boots and Braxton were all standing there, staring at her like she was going to collapse any second. She cut her eyes at the group at large as if to say for them to knock it off and back up. And they did just that because they knew Grace well. She had a will of iron and a stubbornness that would rival any mule.
“I saved you some cake mama. Aunt KK said we had to or you’d get witchy.” Jaxson began to giggle at saying that and went off to find her piece of cake at their table. Grace rose back to her feet and wobbled back and forth to find her footing. Her head was spinning and she needed to sit down quickly. She didn’t have time to say anything or look at anyone before she felt big, strong arms picking her up. She looked at Walker as he carried her over to where her friends had sat and deposited her in a chair. Everyone took up seats around her for a little while longer and the guests began to thin out, coming by to congratulate Kresley and Cade. It seemed the majority of them didn't know of anything that had happened before. And didn't need to know. Soon, it was down to just their table. Jaxson was asleep in Francie’s lap.
“Okay, let’s let the elephant in the room die. I was kidnapped. I woke up. I was able to figure out a way to try to disarm him. He tried choking me and I'm sure I'll have fingerprint bruises by tomorrow. I might have killed him with that knife, but Boomer took care of it for me regardless. I cried in the grass, calling out for Walker and Cade to find me. They did. I’m back here with my family and son, safe. The end.” Grace summarized, more tired than she had ever felt.
“Grace, I’ve talked with Captain Phillips and we’re okay with waiting until tomorrow to get your official statement on what happened tonight. Boomer and I can come to your house tomorrow and maybe Kresley can keep Jaxson occupied so he won’t overhear. I think you’ll appreciate that better than coming down to the station”, Cade said with thick emotions in his voice. Lord what this woman had gone through tonight.
“Thanks Cade. I would appreciate that more than you know. Now, can we all go home so Kresley and Cade can get some sex and we can get some sleep?” Grace said with forced humor. Everyone laughed quietly and murmured agreement. She found herself standing up beside Walker again.
Boomer went over to Francie and took the heavy child from her arms, gathering Jaxson to his chest, making sure his head was securely on his shoulder. He then walked back over to Grace, took her hand in his large one and said goodnight to everyone, saying without words that he was taking Grace and Jaxson home.
Everyone looked on with huge eyes and waved goodbye. Grace looked back at Kresley, helpless to say no to Walker. Kresley gave her a thumbs up and nod of approval, ending with a big grin. Grace ignored that grin of hers and just concentrated on her hand, snuggled in Walker’s as he held her son. How can so much be said with just the touch of hands? She wasn't going to overthink it and just feel. She squeezed Walker's hand and snuggled into his side, her other hand laying over Jaxson's back as he slept on. Usually Grace liked to be someone's "hero", but it seemed tonight that Walker had taken on that role for her. But maybe in the future she could be "Boomer's saving Grace".
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Cade and Kresley pushed through their garage side door, already kissing each other wherever they could, pushing clothes off each other before they could fully enter their house. Kresley had been married less than twelve hours and the emotional roller coaster that she had been on was making her feel extra sensitive to everything, including her husband’s sexy, muscled looks and sweet demeanor. It was an explosive combination. She pushed his jacket off his shoulders and started pulling at his tie at the same time.
“Why does there have to be so many buttons on this
