“It’s just that Donovan had Travis come with Cammie and me after all because he was meeting with his brothers and one of his teams to discuss . . . me. My situation, I mean. And while I’m grateful that complete strangers are willing to help, I wanted—needed—to know what they were planning. What they’re deciding.”
Sarah nodded her understanding. Shea reached over to squeeze Eve’s hand.
“That’s perfectly understandable,” Shea said. “I’d want to be included in any conversation that dealt with my future too!”
Sophie made a sound of disgust. “Typical men. Or rather typical Kelly men. They mean well, but their motto is to surround their women in bubble wrap and take on any and all threats in their stead. If they had their way, we’d forever remain ignorant of anything that could potentially harm us. And I love them for it, but it’s still aggravating.”
Sarah chuckled. “That about sums up Garrett in a nutshell.”
Shea rolled her eyes. “So why don’t you go back over there and demand to listen in?”
Eve’s eyes rounded. “Oh, I couldn’t.”
“Why not?” Sophie challenged, a fierce, determined glint in her eyes. “Cammie and Travis can stay with us. I know you don’t want to worry them, but it’s equally obvious that you’re worried sick and you aren’t going to feel better until you know what’s going on. I get that Donovan is trying to protect you. But he doesn’t understand that not knowing is worse than being confronted with whatever his plan is.”
Eve slowly nodded. “Yeah. That about covers it.”
“So go,” Sarah quietly encouraged. “We’ll hang out here with Cammie and Travis. You can let us know when we have the green light to bring them back over.”
“But you guys set this up for me—for us,” Eve said. “It was nice of you, and Cammie and Travis do need things. Clothing.”
“As do you,” Sophie gently pointed out. “But leave it to us. We’re the queens of Internet shopping, remember?”
Shea elbowed her sharply. “That’s my title, thank you very much.”
Sarah laughed. “At any rate, we’ll take care of the essentials. We have your sizes. Shea and Sophie have excellent tastes in clothing. And we’ll make sure we get Cammie and Travis what they need.”
Eve wavered on the edge of indecision. But the encouragement—and blessing—she found in the other women’s eyes gave her the courage to do it.
“Okay,” she breathed out, pushing herself up from her perch on the couch. “I’ll head over. I just hope it doesn’t make him angry with me.”
Sarah put her hand on Eve’s arm and squeezed lightly. “Eve, I understand that you haven’t had much reason to put your faith in the male species. But trust me when I say this. Donovan may not like that you want to know what’s going on. But he’ll understand even as his primitive instincts scream at him to haul you back to his cave by the hair, beat his chest and mutter my woman and wrap you in the bubble wrap Sophie mentioned.”
Shea and Sophie broke into laughter. Even Eve had to chuckle at the image Sarah painted.
“But my point is, Donovan wouldn’t hurt a hair on your head, nor would he hurt you emotionally. He’s just not wired that way. Of all the Kelly men, he has the biggest, softest heart when it comes to women and children. He’d cut off his right arm before ever intentionally hurting you.”
Eve smiled. “Thanks. I needed to hear that I think. I feel like such a ninny. I’m not usually. I stood up to my stepfather, though in the end it did me little good. I’m not a woman who just rolls over, but the last few months have taught me a lot about self-preservation.”