Free Climbing Out by Lila Rose Page A

proud smile on his face, but both of 'em didn't care at all.
    Mattie and Julian had somehow disappeared and I didn't even want to think about what they were doing. It was my turn to head out as well to let Talon and his family have this moment, while I went home to my woman and had my own moment.
    I picked up Swan from the floor, kissed a usually-loud Maya on the forehead as she silently watched her new brother and parents with warm eyes, and then walked to the door.
    “I'm out,” I said to the room.
    They all turned to me; I thought I’d escape without an incident, but Zara ran over to me, pulled me and Swan into her arms and cried, “Oh, Griz, thank you, thank you for bringing my best friend back to me.” Shit, with the amount of tears leaking outta her, my shoulder was getting wet.
    “Uh, sure.” I looked over her head to Talon. He shrugged and said, “Pregnancy makes her crazy.”
    Zara spun around. “Oh, shush it.” She looked over at Cody and must have remembered what he’d just said before I’d announced I was leaving. She sniffled and ran over to the poor kid, bringing him in close and hugging the shit outta him.
    “Dad,” Cody whined, though anyone could tell he was happy.
    “Good luck with that,” I said with a chuckle, not only to Cody, but to Talon as well, and then left.
    I lifted Swan into my car and onto her seat, and after strapping her in, I smiled down at her. “Did you have a good day, baby?”
    She looked up at me and smiled. I could see her brain tickin' something over in her mind and then in the next second, she blew me away. “H-home.”
    “Yes, sweetheart, we're going home to Deanna.” I kissed her head, closed the door and took a breath to get myself under control. I needed to get home to my woman.

Deanna
    ––––––––
    I noticed the house was dark and quiet when I pulled into the drive. I’d thought Grady would've been back by now¸ especially when he had Swan to think of. Then I wondered if they'd eaten...and if I should make something for dinner.
    Well, have a fuckin' look at me. I'm all Betty homemaker, thinkin' of the family. I chuckled to myself.
    I was just about to put the key in the lock when Billy called out from behind me, telling me to wait. I bit my tongue so I wouldn't argue. Yes, it had hurt me to do so, but I didn't want him to get chewed out by Grady.
    So instead of me entering the house first, Billy made his way in and told me to wait outside. Five minutes later, he came back out and told me it was all clear.
    With an eye roll, I said, “Thanks. Um...do you want to come in?”
    His eyes widened. “Ah, no thanks. Griz would kick my arse if I did.” That didn't explain why he looked so shocked when I had asked him.
    Shrugging, I replied, “Okay.” I then turned and shut the door behind me.
    After changing into jeans and a plain red tee, I went downstairs and looked through the cupboards and fridge for something to eat...for everyone.
    It didn't take long to see I had to do a shopping trip for groceries the next day, but I was lucky enough to find all the ingredients for chow-mein.
    The pot was boiling by the time I heard the front door unlock and two steady, heavy booted feet made their way into the kitchen. I looked behind me and my heart sped up at the sight of Grady holding Swan in his arms, both of them smiling at me.
    “Hey.” I grinned.
    “How you doing, darlin'?”
    Damn, that sounded nice. A thrill was sent straight to my core. “Good.” I nodded. “Dinner is nearly ready.” I looked at the clock above the fridge; it was just about six-thirty. “You guys must be hungry, eh?”
    Grady sat Swan in her seat that was attached to a kitchen chair at the table. He rounded the counter and pulled me into his arms.
    “Dinner would be great. Next time, I'll be home earlier so Swan's not eating so late. Yeah?”
    Home.
    Fuck. He'd said home.
    I thumped my forehead against his chest so he wouldn’t see what that one word had done to me. I