by Deb Kastner
“One of your teens got into trouble?” Will guessed.
“Devon’s in trouble, but he didn’t put himself there,” Alexis responded.
“Devon,” Samantha repeated. “He’s the young man with the shaggy black hair, the trench coat and those big military boots, am I right?”
“Spot-on,” Alexis affirmed. “I revisited his file to see what had gotten him arrested in the first place. As it turns out, he was caught trespassing onto school grounds in the middle of the night.”
“Trying to steal something?” Eli asked.
Alexis shook her head. “I don’t think so. Of course, that’s how it must have looked when the police came into the picture. He was caught red-handed in the science lab, using their equipment, and so of course everyone assumed he was trying to make something illegal or dangerous. But I’ve spoken to Devon and I don’t think that’s what really happened at all.
“Devon is a bright young man, but he hasn’t always gotten along very well with his peers. I suspect his home life has a lot to do with that… But I’m getting ahead of myself. Some of the boys in his class were bullying him, so he regularly ditched his chemistry lab class. He broke into the school to try to complete his assignments on his own.”
Eli scoffed. “And he got arrested for his efforts.”
“Exactly,” Alexis affirmed.
“Where were the police in all this? And his teachers? Didn’t they ask him for his side of the story?” Mary sounded appalled.
“They took a formal statement from him, of course, but no one really listened to what he was saying, possibly in part because of the way he dresses. To them, he’s just another punk kid getting into trouble.”
Griff’s gaze widened as an epiphany washed over him. That was where Alexis and her Redemption Ranch came in. She didn’t judge these kids. She believed in them. No wonder she was able to make such a difference in their lives.
“He probably would have landed in jail,” Alexis continued, “but because of his father’s influence, he was sent to Redemption Ranch instead. His dad, Donald Parks, is a state senator and he wanted to keep his son’s actions hush-hush with his constituency.”
“His father didn’t believe him, either?” Samantha asked. “That’s terrible.”
Fury knotted Griff’s gut and he balled his hands into fists under the table. He wanted to punch something—or more specifically, someone. Devon’s dad. But that currently wasn’t an option, and it wouldn’t help Alexis if he lost his cool.
“Devon’s father was only thinking about himself and how Devon’s actions might reflect on his own standing in society,” he growled.
“But surely his mother, at least—” Samantha started, but Alexis cut her off with a jerk of the chin.
“Devon has had a really tough go of it,” she explained, despondency lining her voice. “A couple of years ago, his mother was diagnosed with an especially aggressive form of cancer. She died only weeks afterward.”
“Oh, my,” Jo breathed. “The poor dear. I wouldn’t blame him if he was acting out. Losing a mother in that fashion would be completely devastating to any teenage boy.”
“It was,” Alexis agreed. “And it was only made worse by his dad’s reaction to his wife’s passing. In his grief, he cut Devon off from all his relatives on his mother’s side, most especially his beloved gran.”
Alexis’s friends exploded with cries of sympathy, and for a moment it was utter chaos as everyone offered their opinions one on top of the other. The poor boy, losing both his mother and grandmother. How could his father be so hard-hearted?
Griff personally thought Alexis was being way too charitable assigning the blame for Devon’s father’s actions on grief alone. Griff could understand anger being part of Donald Parks’s grief cycle, but in Griff’s opinion, it was just plain cruel to purposefully cut Devon off from contacting the one person who might have been able to give him real comfort in his time of sorrow.
“It has recently come to light that there may be even more to the story. Griff, will you share what Devon spoke to you about?”
Griff was torn. On one hand, he couldn’t sit back and do nothing about Devon’s situation. If these people were going to help, they needed to understand what was going on. On the other hand, he was knowingly breaking the boy’s confidence. Devon trusted him. Had the young man’s trust been misplaced?
Griff set his jaw. He was the adult in this relationship, and it was up to him as the mentor to recognize that the teen was in over his head and required outside aid—and even more, Griff knew he needed to do something about it. Devon had asked for his help. Pleaded, if the truth be told.
What was more, Griff truly believed all the people gathered here at this table sincerely cared about the boy’s welfare. He couldn’t fathom how it could be true, but he truly trusted every one of them.
Griff shared a condensed version of what had happened between him and Devon in the stable earlier that day, emphasizing the facts and glossing over the poignancy of the exchange. He knew the folks in the group would understand the emotional impact without him having to go into it.
“The question now,” Alexis said when Griff had concluded, “is what I should do next. What is the best course of action under these circumstances? Devon’s safety is paramount, and I definitely don’t want to expose him to increased danger. Do you think I should involve the police, Eli? Or does someone have a better suggestion?”
“What happens if we bring in the cops?” Will asked.
Eli groaned and combed his fingers through the dark curls at the nape of his neck. “Police intervention might place Devon into a better situation. Then again, it could make things worse. We would have to prove there’s some kind of verbal or emotional abuse happening within the home, and frankly, that’s not easy to do, especially against a man as powerful as Devon’s father appears to be.
“And even if we are able to make that connection, we’re setting Devon up to be placed into the broken foster care system,” Eli continued. “He may end up in a worse situation than where he started. It begs the question as to whether, at Devon’s age, going through a questionable legal battle is even worth the effort. If he can ride it out for a couple more years, he’ll be free to leave on his own, anyway.”
Griff clenched his jaw until pain radiated through his head. Two years might as well be two decades for a boy in that situation. Devon was a strong young man, but frankly, Griff wasn’t sure he’d last that long. But maybe there was another way—one that didn’t involve police intervention.
“What about the grandmother?” Griff suggested. “Devon is very fond of her. If we can somehow inform her about what the boy is up against, maybe she’ll be willing to intervene on his behalf.”
“I think that’s a good place to start,” Alexis agreed with a relieved sigh. “It certainly can’t hurt to try, although we don’t have much time. Once Mission Month is over, the situation will be out of our hands.”
Griff wondered if her thoughts were moving along a path similar to his. They had to do something, and if they weren’t going to bring in the big guns, then they had to come up with a viable plan B, and fast.
“At this point we really know very little about the grandmother, other than what Devon has told us about her,” Alexis said. “She may not know what Devon is facing at home. It’s also possible that she may not be willing to step in as a guardian, or she may be unable to offer that kind of assistance for health or economic reasons.”
“Devon said it was his father who forced the cutoff in the contact between them,” Griff added. “She may feel she doesn’t have the financial wherewithal to fight him.”
“So, best case scenario, then,” Alexis said, “is that the grandmother is willing and able to care for Devon, and she’s not afraid to step in and stand up to his father. He’s sixteen, so it wouldn’t require more t
han a couple of years’ commitment on her part before Devon will graduate from high school and be able to pursue his own ambitions.”
If it was only a money issue keeping Devon and his grandmother apart, Griff had already resolved to cover their expenses, though he’d have to put a plan in place to make it an anonymous donation. He would cross that bridge when he came to it. He wanted Devon safe and happy, no matter what the cost. He considered the wisdom of sharing his thoughts with the group, but decided to keep them to himself for the time being. He’d bring it up when and if it became necessary.
“We’ll hold off on making this a police matter for now,” said Eli. “Certainly we can consider legal action as a viable backup plan, should the thing with the grandmother not work out for him.”
“I’ll contact Devon’s grandmother immediately, then,” Alexis affirmed, “to see if I can arrange a meeting with her as soon as possible. I’ll emphasize the urgency of the matter. I believe she lives in Houston, so I can drive to see her as early as tomorrow if she’s available.”
“I’ll accompany you,” Griff offered. “We can take turns driving.”
To his surprise, she reached for his hand under the cover of the table and threaded her fingers through his. He met her gaze and smiled encouragingly.
“As to the rest of us,” Jo added, “we’ll be your prayer warriors. Covering you all with prayer is the most effective thing we can do right now.”
Griff’s gaze traveled around the table. All of Alexis’s friends were nodding in agreement and vocally affirming what Jo had suggested. He wasn’t certain just exactly how prayer was going to help their situation, but these good folks were fervent in their belief about the Almighty’s intervention, and Griff sensed his own spirit being nudged. Whether it was by God or merely the faith of those around him, he didn’t know.
But it couldn’t hurt to try.
“You think we ought to pray now?” he asked.
Jo beamed at him. “Why, son, that’s exactly what we ought to do. Would you like to lead us?”
Panic gripped him as everyone’s attention turned toward him. What had he gone and opened his big mouth for? He shook his head in fervent denial. “I’d rather not. That is… I mean…”
“I’ll do it,” Alexis said quickly, rescuing Griff from swallowing his own tongue. He squeezed her hand to express his gratitude, and she winked at him. “I’m the mouth of this operation,” she teased with a delicate laugh that caused Griff’s pulse to flare. “Griff here is the muscle.”
As Griff bowed his head, he wondered if Alexis really knew just how true that statement was. He had ulterior motives for offering to accompany her on the trip to Houston to meet with Devon’s grandmother. It wasn’t just to set Devon’s world to right, although that was certainly a large part of his motivation. But apart from that, there was Alexis. The trip was going to be hard on her. Her compassion for others laid her wide open to experiencing their pain right along with them. It was both a gift and a curse. This whole adventure would be difficult for her, and Griff wanted—needed—to be there to protect her in any way he could.
Muscle?
Yep, that was him, for as long as Alexis needed him. He refused to consider what would happen once they’d resolved the situation with Devon and he’d worked out the financing issues for Redemption Ranch.
Alexis wouldn’t need him anymore.
The problem was he wasn’t certain he wouldn’t need her.
Chapter Ten
Alexis pressed her hands together in her lap and took a deep, calming breath as Griff pulled his car in front of a quaint little powder-blue cottage. It had been a mostly silent three-hour drive as they each kept to their own thoughts. Alexis tended to babble when she was nervous, but today even she couldn’t think of anything inane to discuss and so she’d spent the time in prayer.
She was just glad Devon’s gran had been willing to see them on such quick notice. It was the Monday of the last week of Devon’s stay at the ranch and they had very little time to resolve his issues.
Rosebushes with a variety of pink and red blooms lined the walkway and the front of the house. Pretty baskets with an assortment of vivid annuals hung on either side of the doorway. The yard was green and trimmed and well-kept. The whole place looked bright and welcoming.
“This is it,” Griff confirmed, shutting off his GPS. He laid his large, warm hands over both of hers. “Take a deep breath and try to relax.”
“I’ve been taking so many deep breaths I’m feeling light-headed. You don’t happen to have a paper bag on you in case I hyperventilate, do you?”
He chuckled. “The house looks promising, don’t you think?”
Alexis laughed drily. “You mean it’s unlikely that an old hag would keep such a nice yard?”
One corner of his lips rose. “Something like that.”
Alexis hiccupped, holding in an unexpected sob. “I just feel bad that we have to spring something so dark and awful on some nice little old lady. She sounded so shocked when I called.”
“Yes, but she agreed to meet with us.”
“Oh, definitely. She was delighted that I’d phoned her. One thing I’m already completely convinced of is that she loves her grandson to pieces and misses his presence in her life.”
“Then this ought to be fairly straightforward. We inform her of the circumstances surrounding Devon and his father and find out what, if anything, she wants to do or can do for him, right?”
“Right.” She blew out a breath. “Let’s go before I lose my nerve.” Alexis steeled herself to stay calm. A boy’s happiness rode on the outcome of today’s meeting.
Griff exited the car and came around to open the door for her. He was nothing if not a gentleman. She smiled her thanks, but she didn’t anticipate him stopping her when she tried to move past him.
His hand snaked out around her waist and before she could anticipate what he was doing, he brushed a soft, sweet kiss against her cheek.
Her heart thudded rapidly as she pressed her palm over the spot his lips had touched. “What was that for?”
His gray-blue eyes twinkled. “I just wanted you to know that no matter what happens in there, you’re not alone. Okay?”
Unable to form words, she nodded. As well-meaning and innocent as he might have meant the gesture to be, his action had her pulse racing and her mind spinning—at exactly the time when she most needed to have her head on straight. Yet it felt just right, somehow, when he reached for her hand.
They were facing this trial together. She’d never been more thankful than she was at this moment that her ditzy twin sister had concocted the outrageous matchmaking scheme that had brought Griff into her life.
Her courage and her hope soared as she rang the doorbell. A moment later a tiny white-haired woman answered the door. She leaned heavily against a cane and was hunched over with age, yet her gaze was clear and intelligent. Alexis now knew where Devon got his striking brown eyes.
“You must be Alexis and Griff. Please, come in. I’ve got coffee brewing.” Devon’s gran led them through a simple, country-decorated living space and into a small kitchen, where she’d set up coffee service. A yellow Bundt cake dusted with powdered sugar graced the middle of the table. Despite the knots in her stomach, the rich smell of the baked good had Alexis’s mouth watering.
“Thank you so much for seeing us today, Mrs. Corbin,” Alexis said, allowing Griff to usher her to a seat at the table. He waited to seat himself until after he’d offered the same kindness to the old woman.
“Please, call me Hannah,” the woman replied.
“Pleased to meet you, Hannah,” Griff said as he helped her scoot her chair in to the table.
“I’m so glad you both have come. You have news about my Devon?”
“We do,” Alexis affirmed. Her heart was pounding in her e
ars. “I’m afraid it’s not all good.”
“Oh, dear.” Hannah reached for the knife to cut the cake, but Griff gently took it from her grasp. “I was afraid of that. You sounded rather serious when you called me.”
“Allow me,” Griff said, cutting neat slices of the cake for her and serving both of the ladies present.
“Thank you, dear.”
“As you may or may not know,” Alexis said, “Devon was sent to my ranch—Redemption Ranch is the name of it—to avoid community service for a crime he was accused of committing.”
“Crime, my eye,” Hannah retorted with a scoff. “I don’t know what you think he did, but I’m telling you right now that my grandson isn’t capable of committing a crime. He’s got a heart of gold, that one, and it isn’t my bias as his gran making me say it.”
“We agree with you,” Alexis assured her. “While he did admit to breaking into his school, he did so with honorable intentions, and we believe he was mistakenly convicted. However, God works in mysterious ways. I’m grateful he was sent into my care at the ranch. It has been a true joy getting to know him. He’s a very special young man. I see a lot of potential in him.”
“Alexis has really helped him come out of his shell,” Griff added. “She does an amazing job with the teenagers. She even refers to them as her kids.”
Alexis flashed Griff a grateful smile.
“While at the ranch, we’ve become aware of some information regarding Devon’s home life that we’ve found…troubling,” she continued.
Hannah had her cup of coffee nearly to her lips, but she set it back down again. “Tell me.”
Alexis was a little worried that sharing her fears about Devon would be too much for the old woman to bear, but when she met Hannah’s determined gaze, she knew the woman was much stronger than her frail body suggested.
“Devon has admitted to us that he is not comfortable going back home to live with his father,” Griff inserted. “We don’t believe the man has been physically abusive—yet. But we have reason to suspect that at the very least, Devon has been emotionally neglected. We believe it may not be in his best interests to return home.”