Sheriff Daddy (Montana Daddies Book 10) by Laylah Roberts (good book club books txt) 📗

“How am I meant to get back to the motel if I don’t take a taxi? My car isn’t here.”

“You have other options.”

“What do you mean?” she asked.

“You’ll see.”

Did he mean Ed? Butterflies filled her tummy at the thought. She had kind of expected to see him yesterday or this morning.

You’re being silly. You sent him away.

Yes, but she hadn’t been expecting for him to go. She knew it was contrary and silly, but she guessed she’d hoped he’d ignore what she said.

That’s ridiculous. You should be glad that he respected your wishes rather than going all alpha caveman. That’s so not your type.

Liar. Because the fact was, she was struggling with being on her own, with doing it all. Sometimes, she wished she could just go home and have someone else take over for a while. To let her Little side out and have someone make all the big decisions.

But she didn’t know if she could ever actually submit to someone or if it was just a fantasy. Maybe it would annoy her. She was an FBI agent. And a James. She shouldn’t need someone to take over. To be in charge.

Ed had probably been relieved to be clear of her. She planned to go back to the motel, pack up then go. There was no reason to stick around. She’d come here on a fool’s errand. Time to stop making an idiot of herself.

As she’d been going over everything in her head, Xavier had been wheeling her out to the exit. And then she saw them. They were standing next to the exit, making so much noise that she was shocked they hadn’t been kicked out. They all appeared to be arguing with each other.

“What are they doing?” she asked as he stopped. They were partially hidden behind a hideous plastic potted plant.

She spotted Kiesha, Isa, Cleo, Juliet, O’Ryan, Loki, and even the guy from the motel room next to her. What on Earth . . .

She’d been a bit sad that no one had visited her while she was in the hospital. She’d figured that the friendships they’d struck up had been just a one-night thing. Alcohol inspired. Or maybe that they’d been annoyed by the fact that she wouldn’t open the door or answer any calls the next day.

Xavier sighed. “For God’s sake, they’re going to have Mary-Lee coming for my head if they keep this up.”

“Why are they arguing? Is there someone here they’ve come to see?”

He moved around the wheelchair and crouched down next to her. “They’re here to see you, sweetheart.”

“But why? None of them have visited.”

He winced. “My fault. I asked everyone to stay away to let you rest. They can be a bit overpowering.”

Yeah, no kidding.

“I’m her bestie, she’s coming home with me,” Kiesha suddenly yelled. “That’s final.”

“Well, I think she should come home with me,” Loki said, shocking her. “I owe her for the misunderstanding the other night.”

Misunderstanding, her ass. But as she listened to them all fight over her, part of the pain she’d been holding close faded away.

“She can come home with me,” Cleo announced. “I have a spare bedroom and I’m not as noisy as the rest of you. Kiesha will play her music too loud and Loki scares her.”

“Are they all arguing over . . . “

“Taking you home, yep. By the way, I’d totally win that argument if I didn’t have to work.” He winked at her and she gaped at him.

She turned back to the group in time to see Juliet whisper something to O’Ryan. She had her hand twisted in his shirt. He grimaced then stared down at Juliet. She nudged him.

“Juliet said that she wants Georgie to come home with her.”

Everyone went silent and stared at Juliet. Georgina did too. Why would she want Georgina to go home with her? The silent woman wouldn’t even be able to speak to her. She was amazed she was even here.

O’Ryan looked slightly ill as he said the next part. “She said Reuben offered to come home and help her care for her friend.”

“Jesus, didn’t see that coming,” Xavier muttered.

Everyone gaped at Juliet then Kiesha shook her head. “That’s a kind offer, Juliet, but I, umm, I don’t think it’s necessary to have Reuben come all the way here. He’s busy at work.”

“We hope,” Xavier muttered.

“And she’s coming home with me,” Kiesha said.

That sent them all off arguing again. Georgina winced. “What am I going to do?”

“Do?”

“Well, I can’t go home with any of them.”

“Why not? I’d prefer you go home with someone than be on your own. And here they all are, arguing over who gets to keep you.” Xavier’s lips twitched.

“I’m not a darn dog,” she muttered. “And why is the guy from the motel here?”

“Remy? Didn’t I tell you? He helped Ed search for you.”

“He did? But I don’t even know him.”

“Sometimes people do things because they’re good people, sweetheart. Not sure why he’s here, though.” Xavier grimaced as the volume grew louder. “We better get out there or we’re all going to be spanked by Mary-Lee.”

She gave him a startled look and he winked.

“Okay, I’ll ask Kiesha to give me a ride to the motel.”

He sighed and shook his head, giving her a disappointed look. Fudge. She hated disappointing him. But before she could say anything, a loud whistle hit her ears and she glanced around to see Ed there. Holding a bunch of flowers.

What was he doing? Who were the flowers for?

“What the hell are you all doing here?” he asked as everyone fell silent and stared over at him.

“We’re here to pick up Georgie,” Kiesha told him. “Why are you here?”

“I’m here to pick up Georgina. I’m sure she’ll appreciate that you’re all here for her, but you’re making a lot of noise. She needs quiet and rest. So why don’t you all go home and I’ll let you know when she’s ready for visitors.”

Then he turned his head and seemed to see her straight away even though she