Chapter 181 Family Means Everything
Pulling into Case’s driveway was even more exciting for Andrea than usual. Not only was she finally back with the man she loved, her entire family was there waiting for her. She practically flew out of the car the second Case stopped. Her mother, stepfather, sister, Charlie, and even Grandpa Jack were outside waiting for her.
“There she is!” her mother exclaimed, wrapping her up in her arms. “Oh, how I’ve missed you! I’ve been so proud of everything you’ve done recently!” Nancy pushed her back so that she could look at her face and then pressed a hand to each cheek. “You’re just as beautiful as ever, dear.”
“Thank you, Mom. You look great, too. It’s so nice to see you.” She hugged her mom again before moving on to her stepdad, her sister, Charlie, who hugged her way too tight, and then Grandpa.
“How are you feeling, Grandpa?”
He patted her on the back. “I can’t complain too much. You know how much I hate riding on airplanes. But I made it.”
“Good.” Andrea kissed his cheek. She knew it was a lot of strain on him to take a flight, especially after his heart operation. But he looked strong and healthy, and she was happy to see him out of his chair.
“Case’s house is so lovely!” Karen exclaimed as their host led them inside. “I love all of the beautiful trees. There’s plenty of place for children to run and play.”
“Mom….” Andrea said, looking at her mother with narrowed eyes.
“What? I didn’t mean now. But you know, someday. If you decide to have children. Which you should because grandchildren would be wonderful.”
Case chuckled and Andrea tried to hide her smile. Her mother was incorrigible. They settled into the living room and the woman who kept Case’s house clean while he was away, who also sometimes served in other capacities as she was doing now, brought them all glasses of cold ice tea.
“Now, where do you live, Charlie?” Tim asked as they all looked outside at the beautiful view of Case’s back yard through the large windows.
“Not too far from here,” Charlie replied. “My house ain’t as nice as Case’s, but it ain’t too shabby.”
“I’d love to see it,” Grandpa Jack said. “Seein’ as though you’s datin’ my other granddaughter.”
“Sure. Y’all can come over for dinner tonight if you’d like.”
“Andrea and I have been talking about going to a new restaurant in town,” Case said, looking at the others’ faces as if he thought they might object.
“The two of you can do that while Charlie shows us his place,” Karen suggested.
“Good idea,” Tim nodded. “As long as Leslie doesn’t mind since that means she won’t get to have a date night with Charlie tonight.”
“I don’t mind,” Leslie said with a shrug. “We could cook out. Charlie’s really good at barbecue.”
“How wonderful!” Karen exclaimed. “It’s been ages since we had a good barbecue.”
Andrea listened to the conversation, one eyebrow twerked as everything they were saying sounded so odd—almost as if it was rehearsed. She wondered if perhaps Case had asked them all earlier if they would mind if he took her out to a restaurant that night, and this was what they’d come up with. While it seemed strange, she wasn’t about to question them because she really did want to go to that restaurant, and as much as she wanted to see her family, she also wanted a few hours alone with Case.
“So, dear, we heard all about what that awful man did. You look so calm. How are you dealing with it?” Karen asked, concern all over her face.
The question brought back the terror she’d been through the night before, and she was thankful to have Case’s hand to squeeze. “I’m all right,” she said, though she doubted her face displayed that at the moment. “It was a nightmare. I’m just glad it’s over with.”
“Now that Cam is dead, do you think they’ll lay the whole thing with Sven to rest?” Leslie asked.
“I hope so. I don’t know how much Sarah had to do with it, but I think anything she did before wasn’t meant to be malicious, certainly not deadly. We just need to move forward now, and put all of this behind us.”
“I think that’s for the best,” Karen nodded.
“We’re just glad you’re all right,” Grandpa Jack noted. “That Rick sure seems like a handy guy to have around.”
“Yes, he is. I’m glad Kelsey is dating him. The doctors say she’ll make a full recovery.” Andrea still felt bad for leaving her friend, but she’d found out Kelsey should get to go home the next day. She’d be going to Rick’s apartment for a while, until they got the carpet replaced in their apartment.
“Are you going to move?” Charlie asked her. “I ain’t sure I could stay there.”
“Probably,” Andrea said with a shrug. “I just really don’t want to think about it for a while.”
“Understood,” Charlie said with a reassuring smile.
Case squeezed her hand again, and Andrea rested her head on his shoulder, knowing she could fall asleep at any moment. She’d slept on the plane, but not much. Now, she was so tired, but so thankful to be with her family. She’d do her best to keep her eyes open, but it seemed to be a losing battle.
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