Ready-Made Family

by Cheryl Wyatt

  “Nope. They decided all on their own.” He grinned. “They want to get to know you. They’re curious.”

  “Why?”

  “Because my team, we’re like family. They know how important you’re becoming to me.”

  “You saying I have to pass inspection?”

  “You already have. Now they’re just hanging around because they like you. And because they know I like you but can’t always be here if you need something. So they cover for me of their own volition.”

  “It’s been a long time since I’ve had something to look forward to. I’m excited about getting to know them better this weekend. And meeting the rest of your team and learning more about what you do.”

  Ben smiled. “I’m sure Celia and Amber will fill you in.”

  Amelia’s stomach was a bundle of nerves Friday. Ben would be here any minute to pick up her and Reece. She rearranged refrigerator contents for the umpteenth time. Townspeople had been coming by to drop off food, welcoming them to Refuge.

  Amelia would feel terrible if she and Reece didn’t end up getting to stay. But so far, not one of the dozens of applications she’d turned in had resulted in a job. Even Ben said it was strange. Each day that her phone—Ben’s phone, actually—didn’t ring with a job, her panic escalated. Thankfully, orders for her caricatures were keeping them afloat.

  She remembered Ben’s offer to find her a job. She hoped it didn’t come to that. In her mind, not securing a job herself meant failing Reece. People couldn’t bail her out forever.

  The doorbell chimed. Reece ran toward it then stopped. “Oops. Forgot. I’m not supposed to answer phones or doors.”

  “It’s great you remembered the rules. It’s probably Ben, but it’s always better to be safe.” Amelia eyed the wall clock on her way to the door. If it was Ben, he was early.

  Amelia peered outside. “Oh, it’s Miss Evie.” She unlocked the door and swung it wide.

  Miss Evie stepped inside, holding papers. “Hello, Amelia. I came to let you know I reviewed your application for the kitchen position. You made the final cut for interviews. I whittled my choice down to five applicants.”

  Thumping started in Amelia’s chest. “I didn’t realize you were in charge of hiring.”

  “Yes, I pretty much run everything here. But I’m getting up in years, and I look to start handing over the reins more. I can’t stay but a minute. Just wanted to know if you can come for another interview the first of next month.”

  That was four weeks. School started in five. Amelia really needed more time than a cramped week to figure out whether to sign Reece up for school here. But this was the first sign of a job. “Sure. But if you have a slot open sooner, I’ll gladly take it.”

  The woman chortled. “No, four weeks it is. Which reminds me, you didn’t list references. That’s why I stopped by.”

  Her hands wrung. “Truth is, I’ve only had one other job. An insurance office, but the owner passed away and they closed it.”

  “Don’t fret this, Amelia. But even if you have a previous teacher, or a relative who can vouch for your character, it would improve your chances for the job.”

  Maybe her mom would give a reference. But that would mean calling. And risk getting yelled at by Dad. But truth was, she missed her parents, especially her mom. This would give her an excuse to call.

  She walked Miss Evie to the door. “I’ll get names and numbers to you in the next few days.”

  “Sounds good. We’ll talk later.” Miss Evie left as Ben, decked out in a black T-shirt and green camouflage pants tucked into combat boots, jogged up the steps.

  He pulled off a maroon beret and walked into her living room like it was commonplace. “I know I’m here before we agreed to meet. But I finished drowning people early.”

  “Drowning?”

  “Yeah. Underwater training with PJ recruits. We weight them down with lead, then hold them underwater for near fatal lengths of time and inflict harassment until they pass out.”

  Her neck craned. “Underwater?”

  “Yup. We only had to haul two students out and revive ’em today, though. So it was a good day.” He grinned.

  “Are you serious?”

  “See why I keep aspects of my job from you?”

  “I’ll say. Be right back. I’m going to change.”

  “Hopefully not your mind, now that you know what I do.”

  She shot him a cheeky grin that thrilled him as much as a HALO jump. “Not on your life.”

  Reece skipped over. “You wanna play tea party with me, Ben?”

  “For a minute.” Hopefully none of his teammates strolled by. His ego would need a hoist extraction.

  Reece led him to a miniature table embellished with a girlie tea set. “Hey, you think you’d ever wanna marry my mom?”

  “Why do you ask?” He sat next to Bearby, who occupied the tiniest chair he’d ever seen.

  “Dunno. You got weird eyes. She’s got weird eyes. You could have babies with weird eyes.”

  Ben laughed and held the tiny cup she handed him.

  “And give me a hundred brothers and sisters.”

  Ben’s laughter died in his throat. “You want siblings?”

  “Lots and lots. And I want Shasta back to live with us.”

  “What would you think if I did want to marry your mom and be your stepdad?”

  “I think you’d always be nice to us and you’d never yell or leave us and I think you could give me brothers and sisters.” She poured invisible tea into his dainty cup. “Especially sisters to play tea party with me.”

  He pretended to sip. “Maybe I could start with getting Shasta back.”

  She stirred something invisible into Bearby’s cup. “I heard siblings fight over things a lot. Mom said cousin Nissa is like a sister and sometimes they argued growing up. Grandma said she told them the one who got the toy first could have it first. That was the rule.”

  “That right?”

  “Yup. So I don’t care how many brothers and sisters you bring from the baby place as long as they remember that I’m the one who found you first.” She wrapped her arms around his neck and squeezed. “I love you, Mr. Ben.”

  Overcome with fierce, protective emotion, Ben set his cup down and hugged her back. “Love you too, princess.” He pulled back with his arms still braced on hers. “So why don’t you stop calling me Mr. Ben and just say Ben?”

  “But Mommy says that’s not good manners.”

  He leaned in. “Can I tell you a secret?”

  She nodded.

  “I don’t think your mom will mind if you just call me Ben. Besides, that might help her think about marrying me so I can help her bring you all those brothers and sisters you want.”

  She covered her mouth and giggled like she held the world’s biggest secret.

  Then Ben realized this was perfect for a practice moment of truth. “You know, I’ve got a brother.”

  “You do?” She refilled Ben’s and Bearby’s teacups.

  “Yup. He has special needs so he lives with our parents. But soon, he’s coming to live with me for a year.”

  “Does he have cancer like Bradley?”

  “Nope. He was born with a birth defect called Mosaic Down Syndrome.”

  “Mosaic. Sounds like something my mom paints. Something very neat and colorful and makes ya feel good to look at.”

  “Well, that really describes my brother. Would you like to meet him next weekend?”

  “Yeah!”

  Amelia reentered the room. “Who are we meeting?”

  Here it was. The real moment of truth. Ben held Amanda’s gaze. “My special needs brother.”

  Her steps paused. She nodded slowly and resumed.

  “My mom’s bringing him next weekend. To live with me.” Rising, he moved closer, out of earshot of Reece and Bearby. “Look, I know I should have told you about him before.”

  “I’m sure you had good reasons why you didn’t.”

  “Thanks, but in fac
t I’ve been a coward about it. I don’t want you to think I didn’t tell you because I’m ashamed of him. I’m ashamed of me. I’m not the best at talking or relating to him on his level. But I’m learning.”

  “I’m sure you are. I’m also sure you are not a coward. Can I make a suggestion, Ben?”

  “I’m all ears.” And all mush, the way she stared at him with smiles beaming out her eyes like that.

  “Just be what you’re best at.”

  “What’s that?”

  “His friend, Ben. You’re a good friend to people. The best I’ve seen. If you treat your brother like you treat everyone else, things will work out.”

  Why hadn’t he thought of that before?

  “There’s no way you could know this, but that’s all Hutton—that’s his name—all he wanted growing up. For me to treat him like everyone else. Be his friend. I’m ashamed to admit I was ashamed of him then.”

  “It’s clear you care about him now. If you want to win him over, just be yourself.”

  “So, I’ve been myself around you. Did it work?”

  “What?”

  “To win you over?”

  “From the first moment I met you.”

  Chapter Nineteen

  “Dude, she’s a stunner,” teammate Brockton Drake said to Ben at Manny’s party. They’d reserved the entire Mexican restaurant.

  “Dead on.” Vince ogled Amelia as Amber whisked her away.

  Ben thumped Vince on the forehead. “Eyes off.”

  Nolan laughed.

  Vince faced Nolan. “If you weren’t still hung up on an old love, you’d be checking her out, too.”

  Nolan shrugged and sipped his soda.

  Chance Garrison leaned in. “She got a twin sister?”

  “No. Don’t be crude around her or I’ll deck all of you.”

  Vince laughed. “Like to see you try.”

  Manny jabbed Ben’s pectoral muscles. “I don’t know, Reardon. I think he could take us. He’s hitting the gym pretty hard these days.”

  Brockton massaged Ben’s shoulders. “To impress the girl.”

  Celia’s son, Javier, peeled off a straw wrapper and snickered.

  “Dude, it doesn’t bother you that she has a kid?” Javier’s friend Enrique asked Ben.

  Vince smirked. “That’s probably why he’s chasing her, because she comes equipped. Anyone who knows Ben knows how bad he wants to father a kid.”

  “Any moron with working parts can father a kid, bozo.” Javier made a weird face at Vince. He looked at Ben. “But it takes a man with working faith and guts and heart to be a dad. I’ve been fortunate enough to have had two good ones in my life, dude. For sure, that chick and that little girl would be lucky to have you around.”

  “Thanks, Javier. That means a lot.”

  Vince blew his straw wrapper at Ben and Manny. “I see how it is. You’re Daddy First Class and I’m Major Moron.”

  Javier punched Vince. “Chill, I didn’t mean it like that.”

  “Shh. Here she comes,” Ben warned.

  “Hey.” Amelia scooted into the booth next to Ben a minute later.

  Celia came over. “Well, if it isn’t Skinny Mouse.”

  Ben’s brows rose.

  “She calls me and Reece Skinny and Minnie Mouse.” Amelia laughed. “Then chases me around with large quantities of fudge.”

  Celia pushed a plate of nachos toward Amelia. “Yo, Skinny. Amber tells me you think you look plain.”

  Amelia blushed. “I—I…”

  Manny gave Celia a look then skipped his gaze to Amelia. “Don’t say ‘plain’ in her presence. She’ll have your face covered in gook before you can blink.”

  Amelia laughed. “I prefer to wear makeup, when I can afford it, actually. Um, excuse me? Why is she looking at me like a vulture circling something dead?” Amelia asked Amber, since Celia mumbled things in Spanish.

  “I’m pretty sure you’re her next victim.”

  “Of?”

  “One of her famous makeovers.”

  Amelia patted her split-ended hair and the cheeks of her pale face and laughed. “I don’t mind being a guinea pig if that means I get free makeup.”

  “That’s it.” Celia dragged her up, snagging Amber’s arm on the way to the restroom.

  “You might want to rescue her from Celia’s clutches,” Manny said.

  “She looks like she’s having a good time,” Joel said.

  “Yeah. Besides, I’d kind of like to see her all dolled up.”

  In the bathroom, Celia circled Amelia. “We’ve also got to get you some clothes that fit. You’re so skinny!”

  “Celia!” Amber jabbed Celia in the ribs.

  Celia’s arms flailed in the air. “Well! Look at the girl. She looks practically anorexic.” Celia swooped in, clutched Amelia’s shoulders in her fingernails and got nose to nose. “Are you anorexic? Come on, what gives? Why are you thin enough to give people paper cuts when you turn sideways, huh? ’Fess up.”

  “I’m not anorexic. I had the flu and I admit I hadn’t been eating right for a few months.”

  “A few months? The flu doesn’t go on for months. And just how many stripes do you have on your pajamas, huh? One?”

  Amelia laughed because Celia sounded serious. “I’ve lost weight recently but I was small to begin with. I have a high metabolism and my mother is thin also. It runs in our genes.”

  Celia’s nose squished up. “Well, I must admit I really despise you for that.”

  “She’s kidding.” Amber put a hand on Amelia’s.

  “I figured.” Amelia smiled. She loved these women and longed for their kind of friendship. That they automatically pulled her into their closely knit circle meant oodles.

  “I’m not entirely kidding. Look, Amber. Here’s the scoop. Stock up on chocolate because I can’t have two good friends looking thinner than me.”

  Two good friends? Celia already considered Amelia a friend? Tears pricked her eyes. She blinked them back.

  Amber laughed. “You’re not that big, Celia.”

  “Who says I’m big? I never said anything about being big. I’m not…big. I’m just…a mite hippy.”

  “Manny says you’re curvaceous.” Amber held Amelia’s hair back while Celia attacked her face with a mascara brush from her huge bag.

  “Don’t worry, Skinny Mouse. This makeup’s never been used. I keep samples with me. It’s yours to keep.”

  “Thank you.” Tears welled.

  “Don’t blink! Or cry!”

  Amelia laughed. “Yes, ma’am. I see how you and Manny are so right for each other. He’s so laid-back, he’s horizontal. And you’re, well, a fireball.”

  Amber handed Celia the lipstick. “Yes, but believe me, it took a miracle for Manny to convince Celia to marry him.”

  “A miracle.”

  That’s precisely what Amelia and Ben would need if things ever progressed past the realm of friendship. What was she saying? It already had. And soon as her dad got wind of it, their already strained relationship would snap.

  A big choice was swirling to shore.

  Ben blinked. Then again, nearly not believing his eyes.

  “Down, boy.” Nolan laughed.

  Ben sat, not even realizing he’d stood.

  “Celia, stop force-feeding her. That’s so rude,” Amber was saying as the women returned from whatever groups of women convening in restrooms did. Amber and Amelia ventured toward the game tables where Reece and Bradley were involved in air hockey.

  By the looks of Amelia, Celia’d unloaded her makeup bag. Wait. Celia was bugging Amelia about food. Now Ben did stand. So did Manny. They dragged Celia off.

  “Celia, don’t harass the girl,” Manny warned.

  “Oh, hush. The moment she stops being able to use a Cheerio for a hula hoop, I’ll stop bugging her about food.”

  Ben eyed Amelia as he talked with Amber. Her face looked fuller, healthier. The hollows in her cheekbones were less pronounced. And, well, she boasted a lit
tle more curve all the way around. Not that he’d noticed. Okay, maybe a little. His face heated. Ben had never been embarrassed about noticing women’s shapes before, but then again, he’d also never respected a woman as much as Amelia. “She’s gained since I met her.”

  “Yeah? Well, not enough. Here I’ll prove it.” Celia stood on a chair, waved her arms madly and yelled across the room, “Yo, North! Turn sideways and stick out your tongue.”

  Amelia must have gotten used to Celia’s strange ways because she only gave her a mildly odd look before obeying.

  Celia’s hand jabbed out. “See? The girl looks exactly like a zipper.”

  Ben laughed. “You’re something else, Celia. Just do me a favor and don’t bug her about food. It’s a sensitive subject.”

  “Ah, and the truth comes out. You do care about her, don’t you? Come on, ’fess up.”

  “No way. Anything I tell you will get back to her.”

  “You take the fun out of everything.”

  “For you. Not for me.” If Amelia was going to find out his romantic feelings, it was going to come from his mouth, and not from Celia’s. Speaking of which…“Did you attack her with lipstick?”

  “You noticed, huh?”

  He saw how much fuller her lips looked. Her eyelashes stood out and so did her eyes. He couldn’t stop looking at her.

  “Yeah. I noticed.” Ben grinned because he couldn’t stop it. Couldn’t stop the giddy way she made him feel when she aimed her eyes at him. “I never met a girl who could smile with her eyes more than she smiles with her mouth.” But Amelia did. And he’d noticed she didn’t cover her lazy eye as often. She must be feeling more comfortable and confident around him.

  Ben smiled. Amelia lifted her face as if sensing his stare across the room. She smiled back. Something fluttered inside his chest.

  He tilted his head at her, realizing what this compelling surge of emotion and longing was.

  “Whoa, amigo! You love her,” Celia whispered.

  Ben nodded, holding his girl with his gaze. “Very much.”

  Chapter Twenty

  “I like her because she got funny eyes like me,” Hutton said the following weekend at Cone Zone.