Chapter 444 Chapter 444
Three hours later, Noah opened a door he hoped would lead outside. His heart was racing, and he was one step from hyperventilating. There was too much going on inside. Not only had Blair and Kobie returned, but they’d brought others with them to help. Beth had called Gage and Kelsey, also—which brought the total of bodies inside to way too many.
He was thankful for all everyone was doing to help set this place up, but with so many women discussing ideas and things being moved, boxes unpacked, and children screeching around in all the excitement, his head felt like it was going to explode. Beth had come through with the toys, so much so that they were going to have to make one of the rooms into a toy room.
Blair had brought Akira back with him and it had been a loud reunion when the rest of the clan saw that she was alive and well.
He leaned back against the door and took a deep breath.
“I couldn’t deal with it either.”
Noah turned to see Emersyn sitting on a bench. Out in the yard, Aspyn and Wren ran around chasing each other.
“It’s so busy in there, I couldn’t breathe.” Her voice shook when she said it.
Blowing out a breath, he went over and sat on the bench across from her. “It’s ah,” he looked at the house, “a bit crazy in there.”
“I’m so used to it,” she touched the side of her head.
“Being alone and having just your thoughts?”
“Or torments.” She nodded, “but yes.” Turning, she watched the girls for a moment, “I thought I’d keep a few of the kids out of the way.”
Noah looked at them, the yard was empty, nothing for them to do but run around. “We’ll have to see about getting a slide or something.”
“Maybe some swings?”
He nodded, “Did you claim a room?”
She looked at him for a moment before answering. “I’m going to be sharing one with Penny and Wren. The girls are quite attached to each other.”
Noah watched Wren help Aspyn up. The image of him doing the same for Carlene when they were little came to mind. He cleared his throat, “that’s good. That they have each other.” When he turned back to her, she had that look in her eyes, the one that made him feel like she was seeing inside of him.
She blinked and looked down at her hands, “Noah, there are locks on the doors.” She whispered it.
Straightening, he shook his head, “not now. I had Cooper go around and take them all off.”
When she closed her eyes, he took that opportunity to admire how lovely she was. He was glad at that moment that all her scars were on the inside, and she was left to appear perfect on the outside.
Lifting her lashes, she gave him a small grateful smile. “Thank you. I should have known you would notice that and do something about it.”
The way she said it made him wonder if she had some sort of misplaced belief that he always did the right thing. He wished that were true.
“Emersyn?”
They both turned to see McKenna standing at another door. Noah wasn’t even sure where that one was located inside.
“Beth is going over the online school options.” She gave Noah a quick glance, “if you wanted to join, for you or Aspyn.” McKenna turned back to her, “I don’t know about you, but I’m tired of reading at a beginner level.”
Noah clenched his jaw. He needed to speak to Beth, or maybe Cooper, about his own education or lack of one.
Emersyn stood up, “I would love that.” She smiled at Noah, a real smile—it made him feel like some of the weight sitting on his chest lifted, if only for that moment.
He watched them round up the girls and go back inside. When the door closed, he just sat there for a moment and looked around the yard. He still couldn’t believe this place had been sitting here empty. Later when everything was organized and the excitement settled down, he’d have to ask Ed what sort of camp it was meant to be. The locks on the outside of doors really hit him in the gut, setting off all sorts of alarms—and bad memories. Taking a deep breath, he exhaled it like he was expelling the bad images in his head.
He jumped up off the bench, needing to move. It was a good thing this place was here though. He moved toward the back fence, noticing that some boards had recently been replaced. He wondered who he had to thank for that. The yard was almost the size of Ed’s equipment yard. More than enough space for kids, of all sizes, to burn off energy.
Nodding as he went, he’d help them get settled, then go back to Ed’s to work. Turning he spotted Cooper walking along the side of the building, he stopped and pointed in the direction he’d come from.
Curious, Noah started toward him. “Did you need me?”
Cooper took off his hat and gave his nearly bald head a brisk rub. “I wanted to show you something.” Putting his hat back on, he grinned, “they’re moving the appliances in.”
Noah looked at the house, “maybe I should go give them a hand.” Doing something physical right now would help keep him out of his head.
“Jake and Gary will try to outperform Blair and Gage; you’ll just get stepped on.”
Noah grinned, “it might be fun to watch.”
Cooper shook his head, “then you and Calum would end up involved and that’s more testosterone than should ever be in one space.” He motioned along the house, “come on.”
Noah walked slowly so Cooper wouldn’t have to try to walk faster on his leg. He wanted to ask how it was feeling, but also didn’t want to get that look from Cooper. “Do you have a clan? I mean, one before Ed’s.” He had no idea where that had come from.
Cooper glanced at him but kept walking. “Yeah. I keep in touch a bit. My sister is there.”
Noah waited to see if there was more.
“I have a niece too,” he scoffed, “she lives in the city,” he glanced up at him, a look of annoyance on his face, “she refuses to acknowledge what she is—I don’t know how a body can do that.” He shook his head, “once you know, it’s hard to unknow something like that.”
Noah was surprised, by all of it. “She’s safe in the city?” He didn’t feel like anyone could be safe in a place where there were that many people.
“I have to believe she is.” He stopped and looked at him, “if she’s never taken a chance of being what she is, then I guess she’s found a way to pretend she’s one of them.” He nodded and then pointed.