by Jaci Burton
She stood up when he walked in and wrapped him in a hug. That hug alone already helped to relieve some of his stress.
“Hey, baby. What brings you here today?”
“Just thought I’d stop by. How’s work going?”
“Pretty good today, actually. I’ve got a couple of kids placed with amazing foster parents that are looking to make that placement permanent.”
He knew kids getting adopted permanently was one of the happiest parts of his mother’s job. She’d been instrumental in adopting him, Jackson and Rafe and making them all a family. He didn’t know what would have happened to the three of them without having her and his dad come into their lives. “That’s great news.”
“Yes, it is. Both for the kids and for the parents. Let’s go get some coffee. I’ve been working nonstop since seven. I could use a break and a chat.”
And by chat, she meant she’d listen and he’d talk. His mom had always had good insight about her sons, always knew whenever they were happy or sad or upset about something. It’s why he loved the only woman he’d ever considered a mother. Not only was she an amazing woman and a fantastic social worker who cared about all the children she worked with, she was also an incredible mom.
Kal had always felt closest to his mother. He’d felt an instant connection to her from the moment she’d come into his life. He’d never felt close to his birth mom, hadn’t felt a connection to her because she’d never been affectionate with him, but he never knew why. Her distance hurt him as a child, especially when she hadn’t stood up for him when his stepdad had started beating on him.
He’d talked a lot to Laurel about it after they’d all been adopted, had always wondered why his birth mother hadn’t loved him enough to protect him. Laurel had told him she didn’t have an answer for that, that only his birth mother knew why, but Laurel suggested she’d probably been abused long before Kal showed up, and she’d moved from one abusive man to another. Mom explained that his birth mother had likely been suffering from PTSD and was so afraid for herself that she couldn’t show love for him. And that fear for her own safety kept her from intervening when Kal’s stepdad had beat him.
Kal could still remember the nights he’d lain huddled in his bed under the covers, trying to muffle the sounds of his mother’s screaming while she endured the beatings. It had taken him a long time and a lot of conversations to come to grips with the fact that he’d been relieved that it was her this time and not him. He carried a lot of guilt over that, and that guilt warred with his anger at his mother for not protecting him—for not doing something to protect both of them.
It hadn’t been his fault that his stepfather was an abusive monster. None of his circumstances had been his fault. He’d been too young to take care of himself, too young to defend his mother. When he realized she was never going to step up and get them out of the situation, he’d run out of a sense of self-preservation. He’d never been happier than to find Jackson and Rafe on the streets. For the first time in his life, he’d had a family. And then he’d been rescued by Laurel and Josh, and Laurel had been the one to put in the work, to take the time to help him heal.
She had talked to him about his past, had helped him open up about the abuses he’d endured. She’d given him an understanding that he hadn’t had as a child, and maybe a little bit of forgiveness for his birth mother. It had allowed him to leave that part of his life in the past and move forward with the adoptive parents he had grown to love so much.
He had never known what it had taken for Laurel and Josh to gain custody of him. Had Laurel tracked down his mother, and had his mother just signed over her rights? Had she died? He’d never asked, hadn’t wanted to know.
Some questions were best left unanswered. And the past belonged in the past.
His mom brewed two coffees, and they sat at the kitchen table, evoking memories of so many times they’d sat together and talked things out.
“Did your shift go okay?” she asked.
Kal shrugged. “We had a close-quarters rescue. I was on rope duty.”
She waited a beat before asking. “And?”
“My mind drifted, and one of my team members called me on it.”
“Okay. So what’s on your mind that you couldn’t concentrate on your job?”
Kal took a sip of coffee. “Hannah.”
She nodded and leaned back in the chair. “I see. Good or bad?”
“I don’t know. I mean, I think about her all the time. Normally, when I’m on shift, the only thing I’m thinking about is the job. But lately, thoughts about her are creeping in.”
“What kinds of thoughts?” She lifted her lips in a half smile. “Or are those off-limits?”
“No, nothing off-limits. I’ve been thinking about the future.”
“A future with Hannah in it, you mean.”
“Yeah.”
She took a swallow of coffee, then tapped her fingers on the table while she thought. “So things are serious between the two of you, then?”
“Well, that’s the thing. It’s not like we’ve talked about it. It’s just in my head right now.”
“Maybe you should talk to her about it so it’s not in your head.”
That seemed easy enough, theoretically. But actually having that conversation with Hannah? Not so easy. “Yeah, maybe I should.”
“I sense a ‘but’ in there.”
“She’s wary. Just coming off a divorce. She wants to be independent, do things on her timeline. I don’t blame her for that.”
“And you think what’s in your head, what you want to talk to her about, might be rushing her.”
“Yeah, maybe. I don’t know.” He ran his hand over the top of his head. “I didn’t expect to run into her again, to start things up with her again after all these years. To feel what I feel for her. And for Oliver.”
His mother nodded and continued to sip her coffee without saying anything, which meant she was mulling things over. And probably expecting him to do the same. He knew his mom, knew she wasn’t going to solve this problem for him, that she’d expect him to deal with it on his own. She’d always been there for him as a sounding board, but the solution was going to have to come from him.
“I should give her space,” he said. “And let things between us play out like they’re supposed to.”
She gave him a probing look. “Are you in some kind of hurry?”
“I guess not.”
“Is she dating some other guy?”
“No.”
She laid her hand on top of his. “Then take things slow with her, baby. Do exactly as you said. Give the girl some space and let her breathe. Allow the two of you to come together naturally, like you’re supposed to. Love isn’t some kind of race that you have to win, Kal. It’s a slow, beautiful journey. Take your time getting there. And enjoy it.”
He took a deep breath and let it out. “You’re right. Thanks, Mom.”
She smiled. “Anytime. And just from my personal observations, I think she feels the same way.”
His pulse rate spiked at her words. “You do? How?”
“The way her face lights up when you walk into a room. You can read a lot on a woman’s face when she looks at a man. The things she does for you that means she cares for you, that she wants what’s best for you.”
“Like planning the birthday party.”
“Yes. And how she trusts you with Oliver—and believe me, that’s not easy, especially for a single mother.”
“I really like that kid.”
“I think you more than like him. Kind of like how you feel about his mother.”
“Yeah. Which is why I’ve been so much in my head.” He blew out a breath. “Too much thinking.”
She squeezed his hand. “Stop thinking so much and be in the moment more. Things will happen like they’re supposed to.”
; He had to believe that. He had to stop trying to control every situation, to make things happen as he planned.
“Thanks. I needed this conversation to get my head on straight.”
“I’m always here for you. And pay attention at work. You know how your dad feels about that.”
His lips curved. “Yes, ma’am.”
Now he felt better. More focused. His mom was right. He had to get out of his own way and just enjoy what was happening between Hannah and him. Their relationship was going great, and things would happen as they were meant to happen. He didn’t need to push it to move along any faster than it was already going.
Knowing that Hannah might be feeling the same way he did helped.
Now he could relax. As much as he was gonna relax about the Hannah situation anyway.
CHAPTER 26
Oliver’s excitement over Halloween was infectious. He’d been practically pacing nonstop since he woke up this morning, waiting for dark. He was driving Hannah crazy.
Fortunately, Kal had the day off, and he’d come over midday, which had been super helpful in distracting Oliver so Hannah could get a few things accomplished. She’d managed to pay a few bills and do two loads of laundry, as well as get dinner put together while Oliver and Kal had kicked the ball around outside, then come in to play some games on the TV. Kal was very adept at keeping a seven-year-old boy occupied. The amazing thing about that was Kal never lost interest or told Oliver he was done playing with him. It was like he could do it all day long. And he seemed genuine in his desire to hang out with Oliver.
A kid always knew when an adult didn’t like them. Oliver adored Kal, so she knew Kal’s feelings for Oliver were the real deal.
He never failed to surprise her.
She’d made pulled pork sandwiches, along with coleslaw and sliced fruit. At least Oliver could get some food in his stomach before he bombarded it with candy. They sat and ate, though Oliver was squirming in his chair as the sun began to sink below the trees.
“Momma. Kids will be out trick-or-treating soon. Can we go now?”
“Not until dark. Eat your dinner.”
“This sandwich is great, Hannah,” Kal said as he finished a bite. “I could eat three of them.”
Oliver looked over at Kal. “You’re not gonna stay and eat three, are ya?”
“I might. You’d wait for me, wouldn’t you, buddy?”
Oliver laid his head against his hand. “I guess so.”
Hannah resisted the urge to smile.
In the end, Kal only ate one sandwich. They cleaned up the table, and Oliver dashed into his bedroom to change. He’d decided to switch costumes from superhero to firefighter, and fortunately, Hannah had found one in his size. When he came out wearing it, Kal’s eyes widened.
“Dude. You’re the perfect firefighter.”
“I look just like you, don’t I, Kal?”
“Just like me.” Kal looked over his head at Hannah, who grinned.
Hannah’s mom was going to stay behind to hand out candy to the kids who came to the door, so Hannah and Kal headed out with Oliver.
They met up with Becca and Tony, who were taking Jeff trick-or-treating, so Oliver walked along with Jeff, and Hannah and Kal got a chance to talk with Becca and Tony.
Tony was a police officer, so he and Kal bonded immediately and stayed in step with the boys as they went house to house, leaving Hannah and Becca to chat.
“How are you feeling?” Hannah asked Becca.
“Much better now that I’m past the first trimester. Nausea is gone and I have a lot more energy.” She rubbed her stomach. “Baby isn’t crowding me too much yet, so I’m enjoying these next couple of months before I have to pee every five minutes.”
Hannah laughed. “I remember those days.”
They walked along, enjoying the boys’ glee as they went house to house. They lived in a fantastic neighborhood where almost all the houses participated in Halloween. There were a lot of kids on their block, and Hannah knew almost all her neighbors. She hoped someday she’d find a house nearby since she’d grown up here.
As Kal and Tony walked up to a house with the boys, Becca turned to her. “So . . . Kal seems nice. And incredibly hot and good-looking.”
Hannah smiled. “Yes. We went to high school together and reconnected at our ten-year reunion.”
“No kidding. That’s sweet. How does he get along with Oliver?”
“Pretty great. They have a mutual admiration thing going on.”
“That’s good, right?”
Hannah waited to answer, since all the boys—both adult and child—met up with them again as they left the house.
“They gave us three candies each!” Oliver said.
“Wow, how awesome is that?”
Tony held up a candy bar. “They gave Kal and me one, too. We may circle around back to this house.”
Becca rolled her eyes. “I’m so happy for you. Next time grab one for me.”
“Oh, like you aren’t going to rifle through Jeff’s bag when we get home anyway.”
Becca lifted her chin. “For his safety and health.”
“And to snatch all the Snickers for yourself.”
Hannah and Kal looked at each other and laughed.
“Do you do that?” Kal asked her.
“I plead the Fifth.”
“We all do,” Becca said as they walked along. “It’s a fringe benefit of parenthood.”
“I need to borrow a kid every year to go trick-or-treating with,” Kal said.
“You can come take Oliver anytime,” Hannah said. “I’ll stay home and read a book.”
“Done deal,” Kal said. “As long as I get a percentage of the candy loot.”
“You’ll have to negotiate that one with Oliver.”
The boys headed toward the next porch. Hannah watched as Kal made sure to stay close to Oliver, to keep an eagle eye on what was being put in his bag.
He was acting like a parent, as if the duty came naturally to him. Someday he was going to be an amazing father.
He’s already an amazing father, you idiot. He loves your kid; can’t you see that?
She pushed aside those unwanted internal thoughts. She had her own life and her own plans for the future. And she still wasn’t certain that those plans included Kal.
It was too soon, and all of this was happening too fast. She wasn’t ready yet.
Would she ever be?
CHAPTER 27
Since Kal had Saturday off, he wanted to take Hannah out. They’d done a lot of family things lately, and he’d enjoyed those, because he sure had fun hanging out with Oliver.
But they both desperately needed some alone time.
Fortunately, she’d said she had an easy day and finished her last appointment at two. Oliver was spending the night at Jeff’s house, so Hannah was meeting Kal at his house. He told her to plan for fun afternoon activities and then dinner tonight. She showed up around three, giving them plenty of time to head out to their first stop.
Luckily, she had dressed appropriately in workout leggings, tennis shoes and a T-shirt. The weather was perfect today for their first outing. It was a cool day, the sun was out and there was a breeze.
Hannah got out of the truck and stretched, staring out at the Everglades that lay just beyond the parking lot.
“Wow. This is amazing.”
“I thought you might like to take a walk.”
“I’d love to.”
She put on her baseball cap and so did he. They slipped on their sunglasses, applied sunscreen and started walking.
The trail was amazing, with a path adjacent to the glades.
“Think we’ll see alligators?” she asked.
“We might.”
She took his hand and he smiled.
“Don’t worry. I�
��ll let him eat me so you have time to run.”
She laughed. “That’s noble of you. How about we both run instead so we both survive?”
“I like your plan better.”
They stopped at one point to watch a medium-sized turtle crossing from one side of the road to the other.
“I think we’ll name him Alphonso.”
Kal cocked his head to the side. “Why?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know. It fits him, don’t you think?”
“Sure. Why not.”
She leaned against him, and he tipped her chin up with his finger and brushed his lips across hers. “But if we ever have kids together, Hannah, I get to name them.”
She paused and gave him a look for a few seconds, and he was dying to know what she’d been thinking. Did he go too far? Then she smiled. “Hey. I did okay naming Oliver, didn’t I?”
“You sure did.”
She gave him a warm smile, and they continued down the path. But that look when he’d mentioned them having kids together. He’d said it just as a random comment in passing. She’d had a scared look on her face though, as if he’d just proposed or something. He wanted to dwell on it, but he reminded himself of his conversation with his mom, about letting things play out like they were supposed to. He needed to let this one go. He was probably overthinking it anyway. It was just a look.
“The colors out here are amazing,” she said as they walked along. “So much greenery, but a mixture of grays and blues and oranges, too. It’s like an artist’s canvas.”
“I thought about taking you to a museum today.”
She shook her head. “This is a museum. With fresh air and birds and turtles and, oh, God, there’s a snake.”
They stopped as the snake slithered along the road. “That’s a rat snake. It’s not venomous.”
“Sure is pretty, now that I see it more closely.”
She was right about that. The snake’s coral skin was a blast of bright color in the sunlight.
She inched closer, taking her time so as not to spook the snake, then crouched down and took some pictures with her phone. The snake seemed unbothered by her, probably because she didn’t make sudden moves. After she got a few shots, she slowly backed away and the snake went about its business, sinking into the marsh.