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“He really is, and he’ll never come here again.” She hesitated and then continued, “You know that Jean-Luc was the bad guy.”

“That makes me a little sad,” Danny said softly. “I thought he was a good guy.”

“It makes me a little sad, too,” she replied. She leaned over and kissed him on his sweet cheek. “And now I want you to have wonderful dreams of all the things you love.”

“Mommy, I love you,” he replied. “And I love Gramps and Johnny. Is Johnny okay?”

“He’ll be fine. We might see him tomorrow.”

“Good. I like it when he’s here with you and me,” Danny said.

“I like it, too.” She kissed him on the cheek once again. “Now, go to sleep and have sweet dreams.” She got up from the bed and left his room.

She went back into the living room and collapsed on the sofa. “It’s been a long day,” she said.

“I’d say that’s an understatement,” Gramps replied. He looked exhausted, and his eyes were red-rimmed, letting her know he had cried at some point during the day.

“When I was at the hospital, I told Johnny he was Danny’s father.”

Gramps raised an eyebrow. “What did he have to say?”

“He told me he already knew. Now I have to figure out how to resurrect him from the dead with Danny.”

Gramps smiled. “Danny will believe anything you tell him. And now I’ll tell you this, Johnny was very good with him this afternoon. Danny already loves him, and he’ll be thrilled to find out Johnny is his father. And where does Johnny stand with you?”

She released a deep sigh. “I need to think about things, but I’m too exhausted to think about much of anything tonight. I’m just grateful to be home.”

“So am I. I was so scared for you.” Gramps’s gaze on her was so filled with love it brought tears to her eyes.

“I’m glad my parents abandoned me. They would have never raised me with such love,” she said

“It’s been a pleasure and a privilege to raise you.” Gramps’s eyes misted, and he scrubbed away the impending tears with his fists. “You look like you tangled with a wild cat.”

She smiled and ran her hands down the dozens of tiny cuts on her arms. “It was actually some kind of a bush with needlelike thorns. I hid in it for a while.”

“Hopefully it won’t take long for them to heal up. And on that note, I think it’s time for me to go to bed.” Gramps stood from his chair.

“I’m ready for bed, too.” She got up from the sofa and walked to the front door. She locked it, and the two said their goodnights.

Before Gramps headed to his bedroom, he walked over to her and pulled her into his arms. She melted against him, love for the man filling her heart. “I’m so glad you’re home,” he said. He squeezed her tightly and then released her.

“I love you, Gramps,” she said.

“And I love you, baby girl,” he replied. “Good night.”

“Good night, Gramps,” she replied, and with that they both headed to their bedrooms.

Minutes later as she eased into her bed, tears burned hot at her eyes. They were tears of both residual fear and profound relief. Thank God she was truly home. Thank God Johnny was going to be okay. And thank the Lord that she didn’t have to be afraid anymore.

She only cried for a few minutes, and then she released a deep sigh of utter exhaustion. As she closed her eyes and sleep started to claim her, one question floated around in her mind.

What was she going to do about Johnny?

Chapter Twelve

It was late the next afternoon that Johnny was released from the hospital. Since Jean-Luc had been so far away when he shot Johnny, the bullet had lodged in him instead of going through his shoulder. Therefore, Johnny only had one wound to attend to. The wound had been thoroughly cleaned, topped with antiseptic cream and bandaged well before the doctor released him.

He was seated on the edge of the bed when Frank walked into the room. He’d called his buddy to come and pick him up instead of Mimi. He didn’t want to bother her, although he planned to go to the shanty later.