father had come after them.
“Base,” Roman said, walking over and hugging him.
“Uncle Roman. You look good,” Base said.
“Renata, you look great, hon. The city must be agreeing with you,” Roman said.
“It’s not bad at all. I’m really glad to be home, though,” Renata answered. “Thanks for looking after our place while we’re away.”
“Naw, don’t think nothing of it. Glad to do it,” Roman said. Then he returned his attention to Summer. “Let me hold that baby before she gets old enough to figure out she doesn’t even know me yet.”
“Here you go,” Base said, carefully handing Summer to Roman.
“Hi,” Roman said, bouncing her slightly as he walked toward the sofa while speaking to her. “What a pretty little girl you are!” Roman said.
Summer looked just like Base with dark curly hair and piercing blue eyes. She focused on Roman while he talked to her, then reached out with her hands to touch his face. When she did he blew raspberries into her hands, and she laughed so hard she had tears running out of her little eyes.
“I think you’re officially her favorite,” Renata said.
“All the kids love Roman. He’s got a way about him,” Lazarus said.
“I want to hold her,” Yvette said.
“Of course,” Renata answered.
“Here ya go,” Roman said, handing Summer to Yvette.
“Uncle Roman, I’ve got some information for you. My attorneys have colleagues who work in criminal law… not all celebrity clientele is law abiding,” Base explained. “I’ve given them a retainer. They’re looking into Talie’s case, and they’re working with Ms. Autry, not replacing her just as you asked. You have a meeting with them scheduled on January 3rd. It’s in Ohio. Can you be there?”
Roman nodded and stood up. He yanked Base into a hug and pounded his back a few times. “Absolutely. I don’t know how I’ll ever repay you, but I will.”
“Don’t want your money. I’ve got more than enough and if I can help you get your mate home where she belongs, I’m happy to help. Besides you and Riley took us in, no questions asked. And then every male here stood up and helped me protect mine when I needed it. You don’t owe me a single thing,” Base said emphatically.
“I’m going to pay,” Roman said.
“Fine, but I’m just going to give it back,” Base argued, equally as stubborn as Roman was.
“You know what?” Renata said, sensing a standoff developing. “We’ve decided that Base will play as long as he’s able. It could be years before we’re back here full time. In the meantime, if you could be our caretaker, make sure everything at our place is in good condition, the land kept clear and neat, that would be payment enough. Otherwise we’re going to have to pay you for your services, and you’d just be handing it right back. And from what I understand, the going rate for a caretaker is quite high,” Renata said.
Base and Roman both looked at her.
“I can do that!” Roman said excitedly.
“Well, then, problem solved,” Renata said. “We help you, you help us. Now, where’s our new niece?” she asked, walking off toward the kitchen.
“She’s a good woman,” Roman said.
“The best,” Base agreed.
Chapter 27
Libby stood in front of the mirror and looked at herself. She smiled at her reflection. She looked nice. Her hair was sleek and shiny, her face practically glowed and her eyes sparkled. Constance had told her this was what was meant when people said a pregnant woman glowed. If not for the morning sickness, and the crippling fear at telling Travis, she’d almost be happy with the rest of it.
“Baby?” Travis said, poking his head in the bathroom.
“Do we have no boundaries at all? I mean, bathroom here,” she said, her hands out to her sides to indicate the room she stood in.
Travis grinned. “Nope. Had ridiculous boundaries for too long. No more. Anyway, you ready to go?”
“Yes. Let me grab the food I made and I’ll be ready. Did ya’ll get the gifts in the jeep?”
“Yep. Put the gifts in the truck, because you know Scotty has to drive his new truck. We’ll bring the food, already loaded it in the back of your jeep,” Travis said.
“Aren’t you awesome!” Libby exclaimed.
“Yes, yes I am,” he said.
Libby walked out of the bathroom, flicking the light off as she went past it. Travis escorted her out of the house, and locked the doors behind them, then got her situated in the passenger seat of her jeep and waved Scotty off so he could go