Free Family Matters (DiCarlo Brides book 4) (The DiCarlo Brides) by Heather Tullis Page A

at the silliness and moved on. “And Sage is there. She does massages on people’s feet,” she pulled a face at this. “And the big dude behind her is the security guard. You guys were married a couple months ago. You’re a military guy and like to swim. Joel.” Cleo looked at Alex and shook her head. “I don’t know who you are.”
    Rosemary introduced Alex. “But he’s not around much. He’s important though, because he’s going to make sure that you get to stay with me forever. And he’s sort of family through the two redheads.”
    “Good to meet you.” Cleo looked around the room and back at Rosemary. “Can we eat now? I’m starved!”
    Rosemary smiled, relieved that Cleo didn’t seem cowed by all of the new faces. “As soon as you pick out your room. There are plenty of bags out in my car still, guys. If any of you are man enough to help.” She headed for the stairs leading to the open second story. “I’m the only person still sleeping upstairs, the rest have all defected to live with their husbands. They said you can have your pick of the rooms.”
    “All right.” Cleo raced for the stairs and all of the guys headed into the garage.
    Predictably, Cleo picked Lana’s room with the ocean-themed mural and comforter that looked like ocean waves. When they came back downstairs, everyone was getting food or already eating.
    “Young ladies first,” Lana said when Cleo approached. “Go ahead and get into line.”
    Everyone had contributed something from Sage’s humus and organic rice chips, to Jonquil’s chocolate cream cake rolls—a recipe Rosemary had taught her that summer—to a goulash Vince must have made because Cami was hopeless in the kitchen.
    Cleo ate, but didn’t last long after that, worn out from her trip. “It was all really good. Thanks.” She had turned suddenly shy, so Rosemary took her upstairs.
    “Get into your jams while I put some of these clothes away. Tomorrow we’ll take you to the school and get your enrolled.”
    Worry filled Cleo’s eyes. “Do I have to? Already? I’m tired.”
    “That’s why you’re going to bed now.” Rosemary waited while she changed, then sat on the edge of the bed. “Look. I know this is really scary. It’s been rough, and it’s not exactly going to get easy overnight. But all of those people out there care and want to make sure that things are okay for you, and hopefully things will even be good before too long.”
    Cleo played with the stuffed cat she’d had since she was a toddler. “They aren’t my parents.”
    “Nope. No one will ever be Cecilia and Don. They were super special people. But so are you and you’re going to be okay. You know I love you?”
    “Yeah. I do.” Cleo hugged her tight. “I love you too.”
    “All right, get some sleep. I’ll try to keep the riffraff from making too much noise.” She dropped a kiss on Cleo’s head.
    Cleo giggled again as she settled under the blankets.
    Rosemary felt incredibly unprepared for what lay ahead. She came back down the stairs to sit with the others.
    “She seems to be doing pretty well,” Joel said when Rosemary sat across from him.
    “Yes, she sure does seem to be.” She wanted to say more, but wasn’t sure how much to say.
    “Do you think she’ll settle in okay?” Sage asked.
    “Who knows?” Rosemary touched the back of her neck, slumping into her seat. “She’s been keeping it together by sheer force of will, but she starts in a new school tomorrow, and everything is different. It could be nightmarishly emotional tomorrow, or we may have a couple weeks of smooth sailing, but eventually that little girl’s pain is going to come out, claws extended.” Rosemary knew all about pain-induced claws. It was a miracle she’d not turned to alcohol or drugs to get through some of the rough times.
    “It doesn’t have to be like that,” Jonquil said.
    “Nope, I could get lucky, but let’s face it, she’s my daughter, so she’s going to wig eventually.