Page 54 of Cannon

Cannon nodded, kissed her on the cheek, and headed toward his father.

Cannon was livid, but he’d already decided that he wasn’t hitting or beating up his father. It wouldn’t change how he’d been treated, and his father would just believe Cannon had grown up like him. Plus, if there were enough drugs, hopefully he would go to jail. Remi had said he had a record.

He walked toward the man who’d been so big when he was little. Now all he saw was a man who wasn’t worth anything. He still lived in the same vehicle and camper Cannon had grown up in. The truck had to be over forty years old because it wasn’t new when Cannon lived there. His father was as dirty as his little brother was.

He stopped at the table and looked to where the paperwork was in front of his father. Remi and War were standing there, along with the others.

“Sign the paperwork and I won’t pursue charges of child abuse against you,” Cannon said.

“Moss, can’t see me alone, can you? Have to have someone else stand up for you.”

Cannon chuckled. If that was all his father could say against him, Cannon would take it.

“No. I have no problem standing up to you. These people are here because they are family. Family loves you. Family takes care of you and family has your back. I’m not going to waste my breath trying to explain it to someone who will never understand. Now, sign the papers or I will spend my considerable wealth making sure you go to jail for child abuse.”

His father stared at him, then picked up the pen and signed his name. “Fuckin’ kid’s been a drain anyway. Life will be easier without him.”

Remi called Locks over to sign as a notary. He had to hand it to the Franks sisters. They covered their bases. Once Remi deemed the paperwork was in order, she handed it to him.

“If you don’t have anything left to say to him, then Locks and Flick will drive you all back. War and I will stay along with a couple others to finish out our business. With what was in the cab along with what’s on the table, it’s distribution, and it’s his third strike.”

Cannon nodded. “Thanks. I hope you get everything you ever deserved where you’re going.”

Cannon walked toward the vehicle and glanced at the papers. His brother’s name was Henry. Henry seemed like a huge name for a kid. Maybe he’d like to be called Hank. If not, Henry was perfect too. Cannon paused for a second on the way back to the vehicle. He had three kids. He chuckled, then walked on toward his future. He’d need to get Hank something for the wedding since they’d be a family.

Chapter Thirty-Four

Cannon sat in the rocker in the twins’ bedroom, holding Ginny after the four a.m. feeding. Jesse had fed them both and Rissa had immediately fallen back asleep. Ginny had been restless, so he’d tucked Rissa into bed and then cuddled in the rocking chair with Ginny, singing softly to her.

Hank had been bathed, changed into warm, clean clothes, and had supper plus a snack. He’d fallen asleep against Jesse’s shoulder on the couch but had woken up to brush his teeth and be tucked in. They hadn’t even thought about a bed until they’d pulled back into the compound. Thank goodness for family. Roam had moved David’s toddler bed from Bear’s house since he’d moved into a twin bed. Besides the bed, there had been some hand-me-down clothes from David and Grant, along with some toys. Cannon had held back the tears when Hank hadn’t known what to do with the little toy cars. He'd learn soon enough. Cannon had been prepared to have him sleep with them if he was scared, but Jesse had suggested letting Hankdecide. Cannon rocked, then paused when he thought he heard something. Hank pulling a blanket behind him and holding his stuffed teddy bear paused in the doorway.

“Hey buddy, did you wake up? Do you want to cuddle?” Cannon said, then held his arm out to show Hank it was okay. Hank ran over, then crawled up Cannon’s leg until he was sitting on Cannon’s lap.

“Do you want to snuggle while I sing to you guys, or are you hungry?”

Hank leaned against his chest and whispered snuggle. At least Cannon thought that was what he said. It was hard to understand what he was saying. Cannon went back to the song he’d been singing. He figured people might make fun of what he was singing to his kids, but he sang the songs he liked. He moved the rocker to the beat of the words as he sang Elton John’sYour Song.

In the quiet of the night, holding one of his daughters and cuddling his brother, who would become his son, he sent up a prayer of thanks for the second chance he’d been given and the life he got to have. After he finished that song, he moved into one of the songs Jessie listened to all the time, Rascal FlattsI Won’t Let Go. He’d learn some kid’s songs, but for now, he was singing the ones he knew. He glanced at Ginny. Her eyes were closed, and her mouth wasn’t even sucking her paci. Hank had fallen asleep against him too. He looked up as he sang one of the verses, and Jesse was standing at the door. He finished the verse, then motioned to their daughter. Jesse lifted her out of his arms and laid her in the crib. He stood holding Hank in his arms and slipped his arm around Jesse.

“Should I put him back in his bed?” he asked.

“Let’s let him sleep with us. If he’s already woken up, I don’t want to put him back. Do we need to change his diaper?” Jessie asked.

“I will, then I’ll come to bed. I love you, honey,” he said, kissing her lips.

“Ditto,” she said heading toward their room. Sunday couldn’t come soon enough for him. He wanted her married to him before something else happened and she decided he was too much trouble.

Chapter Thirty-Five

Jesse had debated how to have the wedding. At first, they were just going to have a Justice of the Peace and a small ceremony. Beth had been the one to look at her and have her close her eyes, then picture her perfect wedding. When she’d opened her eyes, she’d known what she wanted. The perfect dress, food, her family, and her friends.

The dress had been easy. Her mom’s clothes were still in storage. Jesse had looked until she’d found one of the dresses her mom had worn to a dance. A tea length, white lacy dress that swirled when she turned. Her hair down but curled thanks to Sarah. She’d wanted Cannon in dark jeans with a white henley and his cut. The girls were in jeans, baby motorcycle boots, along with pink shirts matching the flowers she was carrying and their cuts. Hank was in jeans, motorcycle boots, and a white henley to match Cannon. His little property cut had arrived yesterday. Even though Hank hadn’t understood the concept of the property cuts, he’d understood when they all matched.She’d called Cannon’s therapist and asked if Hank would need a therapist. He said he didn’t specialize in children, but he’d have one of his colleagues who did give Jesse a call next week.

October could be snow and freezing or eighty-degree weather on a whim. Today, she’d lucked out because it was a beautiful fall day in the sixties. She’d debated where she wanted the wedding, but with the worry about the weather, she’d picked the snowplow barn. How could she choose anywhere else? Her family had moved the equipment and cleaned up enough to fit the hundred and twenty-five chairs. Plus, if they needed, she knew the men would stand along the back. She hadn’t chosen attendants because she didn’t want to wait for anyone to find matching dresses. Besides, the day was about them. She did want her daddy to walk her down the aisle.

She stood waiting with Locks at the doorway. Flick and Scoop would open the doors when the music started. Cannon had asked if he could pick the music. She’d said yes because the music seemed to mean a lot to Cannon. She loved listening to him sing to the kids. He had a wonderful voice but rarely used it around others.

Flick smiled and opened the door as the music started. Someone was singing a song she hadn’t heard. As she looked down the aisle, she realized it was Cannon. Each word he sang sank into her heart. As he sang the next verse, she recognized it asGive Me Your Worst. He’d been singing it last night after supper as they danced in the kitchen with Hank and the girls. He was going to make her cry. She walked down the aisle, seeing all her family and friends there to celebrate the day with them. Cannon finished as she and her dad reached him.