Her question tugs a hint of a smile from my lips. “Angry fan. There have been a lot of those lately. I’m just hoping they don’t follow me here.”

She squares her shoulders. “Don’t you worry about that. We shoot first and ask questions later. If I don’t recognize someone, they’re trespassing, and I don’t miss.”

That wave of warmth envelops me again. “Thank you. I really didn’t want to bring my mess to your doorstep, but . . .”

Jackie hugs me again before pulling back to glance between Cricket and me. “Thank you for coming back. Cricket won’t tell you, but this wedding business is running her ragged. I’m worried Mrs. Havalin is going to steamroll my girl.”

“Mom—” Cricket protests.

“It’s the truth, and you know it.” Jackie’s tone invites no argument. “You need backup because you won’t say a damn thing you think around that woman, and Whitney will help you find your backbone.”

Guilt for not coming home sooner overwhelms me. “I’m so sorry. I wish I’d known sooner. I’ll do whatever I can to help.”

Cricket glares at her mom. “I’m not a doormat. I’ll speak up when it matters. Some things are just easier if I don’t rock the boat.” She cuts her gaze to me. “Besides, Whitney was fighting her own battles.”

I can almost feel them both staring at my black eye when Jackie steps between us and squeezes both Cricket and me against her. “My sweet girls. I just want the best for both of you. That’s all I’ve ever wanted. Now we’re all here, and Gables are stronger together.”

Gables are stronger together. I’m not sure I’ve ever thought of myself as strong, but if that’s what Cricket needs me to be, I’ll do it. Which includes steering clear of Lincoln Riscoff.

Resolve fills me. I finally feel like I have a purpose that goes beyond hiding from the press and fading into obscurity, and that purpose helps me straighten my shoulders.

I give Aunt Jackie a one-armed hug and smile at Cricket. “Your mom’s right. We’ll keep Mrs. Havalin in check. I’ve dealt with plenty of divas who were a hundred times worse. She won’t even know she’s being managed.”

“That’s my girl.” Jackie presses a kiss to my forehead, and Cricket giggles. As my aunt releases us, she glances at the shed. “You taking over my she-cave?”

“I should’ve asked first,” I reply with a grimace.

“You’re home now. What’s ours is yours. Besides, you’ll probably get more sleep out here than if you were in the house. Karma’s girls are . . . wild. Not that I can say anything.” She shakes her head. “I swear, some days it’s everything I can do not to toss her out on her ass, but I’d probably never see my grandbabies again, so I don’t.”

The lines of strain that bracket Jackie’s mouth tell me that Karma has put her mom in a difficult position. It’s probably too much to think that I can help make that situation better, but I resolve to at least try to talk to my cousin about it if I get the opportunity. And hope to escape without her biting my head off.