Free Walker Revenge (The Walker Family Series Book 5) by Bernadette Marie Page A

you.”
    “Of course, he does. I’m loveable,” she
agreed.
    He looked at the boy—studied him as he
raised his head. Blond hair, blue eyes, and a familiar smile gazed
down at him. He looked like his mother, and that eased the pain he
was having in his chest.
    As Gerald pushed him toward the house, each
of his brothers and their significant others shook his hand, patted
him on the back, or kissed his cheek.
    Lydia jumped right in front of his chair,
placed her hands on his cheeks, and gave him a generous kiss on the
lips.
    “I’m so glad you’re home. You will heal so
much better here. And then when you’re ready…”
    He laughed. “I can help you with your new
place.”
    “Absolutely.” She kissed him again before
stepping to the side.
    Just as Gerald pushed him to the door,
Chelsea stepped into view. “Welcome home,” she said, with as much
trepidation as he was feeling.
    “Thanks.” His voice cracked as he spoke. How
was this possibly going to work, when both of them were so
obviously uncomfortable?
    “I’d better get Lucas, so your mom can get
you settled.”
    She started by him, and he reached for her.
“He looks just like you,” he said, hoping the sincerity relayed
correctly.
    “He’s my life.” Though her words should have
sliced right through his heart, seeing her there, and having seen
him, he knew the extent of her love for her son. It was admirable,
especially considering his paternity.
    She slid by them, and Gerald pushed him into
the house, through to the kitchen where it looked as though they
were having a party.
    “What’s all this?” he asked.
    “They’re all excited to have you home. So if
you need to rest, you’d better let me know. You know how this
family is, this could go on for hours,” Gerald joked at their
family’s expense.
    Russell chuckled. “I know I’m supposed to
rest, but I think this might be what I need for the moment.”
     
    Chelsea reached for Lucas and pulled him to
her. “He’s going to do much better at home,” she told Glenda, who
watched her family file into the house.
    “I know he will. It’ll surprise
everyone.”
    “Would you mind if I took Lucas out back and
showed him the chickens?”
    Glenda’s brows drew together. “Now? Don’t
you want to come in and eat?”
    “I think I need a few minutes to collect
myself. I’m just a little overwhelmed.”
    Glenda rubbed her arm. “Take all the time
you need. Our home and our land is yours. He should explore and
enjoy every part of it.”
    Chelsea watched Glenda follow her family
back into the house. She took a deep breath and gave Lucas a kiss
on the forehead. “Would you like to see the chickens?”
    “Chick-in,” he replied as he wiggled out of
her arms and down her body. He started off, stopped and held his
hand out for her, and waited for her to catch up. “Chick-in,
Mommy.”
    She wondered if there would ever be a time
when she didn’t nearly tear up when he called her Mommy . How
could it tug at her heart still? But it did.
     
    Russell watched Chelsea and Lucas from the
back door. Lucas had a lot of energy, and she had a genuine smile
to match. Russell had been prepared for it to hurt when he saw them
together, but even he could admit, he’d never made her as happy as
she was just looking at the chickens with her son.
    “He loves his mommy,” his mother said as she
set a plate of food on the table next to him.
    “I didn’t know what to expect when I saw
him—or her here for that matter.”
    “She needs us, and you need her,” his mother
sat down next to him. “Be open minded.”
    “I’ll do my best,” he said with a hint of
sarcasm. Then he relaxed in his chair. “I’ll admit, I’m not sure
what my mood will be now that I’m home. Sitting in this damn chair
only pisses me off.”
    “It’s part of your recovery. Be strong of
mind and you’ll recover physically,” she offered as she took a
piece of cheese from the plate she’d brought him and popped it into
her