Laura smiled her thanks and got behind the wheel. They said goodbye and Jack and Enid stepped back, watching as the car headed up the street.
Enid said, “Are you going to put me on a plane and send me back to Florida?”
Jack winced. He ran his hand through his hair and walked to his car.
Enid didn’t move. “Sixteen,” she said.
Jack stopped, turned.
Enid said, “I turned sixteen on February second.”
“Happy belated birthday,” Jack said.
Enid stared at him, unsure.
Jack hooked his thumb to the car. “I need to deposit the insurance check – for the house. You want to come?”
Enid remained silent, waiting for him to say that he was sending her back to Florida.
Jack said, “I’m going to rebuild. The house, I mean.”
Enid said, “The same?”
“No, something new. Better. You want to help?”
Enid looked at him in surprise.
Jack turned and walked to the car, “I hear Florida is humid this time of year.”
Enid frowned, catching up to him. “Yeah, my hair gets out of control.”
Jack said, “You could hang out in Phoenix for a while.”
Enid held her breath, too scared to speak.
Jack said, “When the summer is over, if you like it here and your mom agrees, there’s a good high school up the street from the house.”
Enid bit her lip, feeling tears burn behind her eyes.
Jack said, “If you want to.”
Enid nodded, feeling like her heart was going to burst.
“Cool. Then it’s a done deal?” Jack said. “No pressure. We still have to clear it with your mom and I can’t promise anything – ”
The next thing she knew, Enid’s was face was buried in his shirt and she was crying like she was six years old.
“I’ll be all right,” Jack said, stroking her hair. “I’m sorry. I’m going to try to be a better dad to you.”
Enid pulled back, embarrassed and red-faced but feeling as if the world was bright and shiny.
Jack said, “You gonna give me your okay, or keep me hanging?”
Enid nodded. “I’ll try too. To be better.”
“Then it’s a party,” Jack said, pointing her toward the passenger side of the car as he got behind the wheel.
Enid hopped into the car. Wiping away the last of her tears, she laughed aloud.
Gunning For Angels (Fallen Angels Book 1) Page 35