The door opened and her children filed in, lined up by birth order like she used to demand whenever they were in trouble. No surprise they still knew how to do it.
Carson’s hand tightened on hers. His mouth brushed her ear. “Any time this is too much, let me know and I’ll kick ’em out.”
“I always make you the bad guy, don’t I?”
“No reason for us to change that now.”
Her gaze started with Cord, who gripped a bouquet of flowers from her garden. Then she focused on Colby. His hair held more gray streaks than Cord’s. Her gaze moved to Colt. Still the image of his handsome father, down to his dimpled grin. Cam, her burly boy, wept openly. He’d clamped his hand on Carter’s shoulder, as if his little brother was holding him up. Then she noticed somber-eyed Carter also clasped Keely’s hand. Tears streamed down her daughter’s cheeks.
None of them said a word.
She cleared her throat. “What a fine looking bunch.” And because she was feeling ornery, and because these hellions had played numerous pranks on her over the years, she kept a confused look on her face, and said, “Who are all of you again?”
The room, already silent, went deadly still. The kids exchanged bewildered looks with each other. Then they looked at Carson. And finally at her.
Just as Cord opened his mouth to speak, Carolyn smiled and said, “Just kidding.”
“Jesus, Ma, that was mean,” Cam complained.
“Really mean,” Carter added.
She flapped her hand at them. “Oh pooh, you all deserved that and you damn well know it.”
Colt grinned. “And you’re swearing at us? Now I know you had a head injury.”
Silence.
Then Colt said, “Ah, too soon?”
“Ya think, asshole?” Colby shoved him.
Cord elbowed Colby. “Knock it off, you two.”
Carson sighed. “Some things never change.”
“Thank God for that.” Carolyn held her arms open. “Well, kids, come here and give me hugs. Then tell me everything I missed in the past week.”
They gathered around, pushing each other out of the way to be the first in line.
Then they all started talking at once.
She turned her head and looked at Carson.
He gifted her with that dimpled grin and mouthed I love you.
That’s when her topsy-turvy world righted itself.
This chaos was her life and she wouldn’t have it any other way.