Free My Stallion Heart (The Stallions Book 7) by Deborah Fletcher Mello Page B

someone like him to lean on.”
    * * *
    The home had finally gone quiet, the last of the well-wishers pulling out of the driveway. All of the Stallions were grateful for the moment, each falling into thought as they sat together in Noah’s living room. It had been an exceptionally long day and Natalie and her siblings were grateful for it to finally be over.
    John was the first to break through the silence. “I want to invite you all to come to Dallas whenever you want. Our home is always open to you, so whenever you need or want to get away, just call. The Stallion jet will always be at your disposal. We’re your family and I hope you know that you can always trust us to be here for you.”
    Noah nodded. For the first time since his mother’s passing tears misted his eyes. He dropped his gaze to the floor, his hands clasped tightly together as his elbows rested against his thighs. He nodded but the words were caught in his throat. As he struggled not to cry, John moved to his side, resting a large hand against his broad shoulder. Noah cleared his throat and took a deep breath, pushing warm air past his full lips.
    Natalie chimed in from her seat in the corner. “We really appreciate that, John, and we appreciate everything you all have done for us.”
    Naomi nodded her concurrence. Her face lifted with a bright smile. “It feels good to have family here to support us,” she said. “This is a new experience for us.”
    Nicholas chuckled. “It feels odd!”
    Tierra smiled. “With this clan, you’ll get use to it.”
    Noah moved onto his feet, having salvaged his composure. He extended his arms and hugged his cousin, the two men tapping each other on the back. Gratitude seeped from every pore. “Thank you,” he said, his voice a loud whisper.
    Everyone in the room struggled with their emotions, the women fighting not to cry, the men holding tight to their own tears. Naomi changed the subject, shifting the conversation.
    “Did you see Nolan Perry when he came into the church?” Naomi asked, looking from one brother to the other.
    Nicholas and Nathaniel shook their heads.
    “He was at the funeral?” Natalie questioned. She shifted forward in her seat. “I don’t think I’d even know what he looked like if I ran into him on the street.”
    Noah nodded his head. “Yes, he sat in the back. But he didn’t stay long. He was gone before the end of the service.”
    “Who’s Nolan Perry?” Tinjin questioned, asking what everyone else was thinking.
    Natalie heaved a deep sigh. “Our sperm donor,” she quipped.
    “Don’t be ugly,” Noah admonished. His gaze swept around the room. “Nolan Perry is our father, but he’s never had anything to do with us and we really don’t know him.”
    “He’s never been a father,” Naomi snapped.
    “But he came to your mother’s funeral so that means something, right?” Marah asked as she looked from one to the other.
    Nicholas grunted. “He probably just wanted to make sure she was dead.”
    Nathaniel laughed. “He’s going to get a surprise when he lays his head down to sleep tonight,” he said.
    The siblings all laughed.
    “Why is that funny?” Mark questioned.
    Noah’s head moved from side to side. “Norris-Jean use to threaten to come back from the grave to haunt him if he even thought about showing up at her funeral.”
    John chuckled. “Well, let’s hope she goes easy on the man.”
    “Let’s hope she haunts the hell out of him,” Naomi retorted.
    They all chuckled, the laughter ranging from anxious to liberating. The tense air seemed to dissipate as the family joked back and forth. An hour later the Texas Stallions rose to take their leave. Hugs and kisses filled the air, promises ringing between them all to stay in touch, everyone committed to building on the familial foundation that had been established.
    Tierra wrapped her arms around Natalie’s shoulders and kissed her cheek. “You have all my contact information, right?”
    “I do,”