by Dorie Graham
“Sure.” He saluted her with one of the coffees. “I’m going to have my coffee while I wait, though.”
“I’ll be right back.” Her cheeks warmed as she hurried to her room. What had Ramsey thought about bringing them breakfast?
On her way through the living room, she turned on the television and stereo. Sure, they were only going to be here a few minutes, but she wanted to erase the unease of the earlier quiet. She found her purse on her nightstand, where Lucas had told her he’d left it.
She read his note with a smile, and then dug inside, until she found her phone. The missed call display indicated her sister’s home number. Surely it had been Grey. She dialed the number.
“Hello?” Becca answered after a couple of rings.
“Hi, it’s me. How’s my little man?”
“Hey, Claire, he’s doing fine. He and Amanda are helping Kyle in the garden. He’s got them pulling weeds. Grey is trying to cram in as many chores as he can. He’s being sweet to put up with Amanda helping. He’s good with her, most of the time.”
“That’s great. I had a missed call from your number. I assume it was him. Did he want me to come get him?” Claire asked.
“I don’t think so. He said he wanted to stay and do more chores. He asked me to make him a list. Honestly, I can use him if you let him stay. He’s cheap labor. And then I thought I might take them to a movie as a thank-you treat. You know, he seems to like it here and we love having him.”
Disappointment filtered through Claire. Of course Grey liked it there. Becca’s house was normal. She herself would like to take Grey to a movie. They could do more of that, if that was what he wanted.
“Of course he can stay,” she said. “Can I talk to him? I just want to make sure he doesn’t need anything.”
“Sure. Hold on a sec and I’ll get him.”
Claire moved to her dresser and pulled out clothes to wear to the park. She dressed quickly while she waited. A glance in the mirror had her frowning. A ponytail was going to have to do this morning.
“I can’t get him out of the garden,” Becca said when she came back on. “He says he’ll call you later. You should enjoy your day, Claire. Take some time for yourself. Unwind a little. No offense, but you’re looking kind of ragged these days. We’ve got Grey. If you want a longer break, he can stay again tonight.”
Claire frowned. “Thanks, Becca, but I wouldn’t want to impose and it’s a school night. Besides, I miss him. I’ll check in this afternoon.”
She hung up, finished getting dressed and cleaned up, then made her way to the kitchen. “He still hates me,” she said to Lucas. “He wouldn’t even come to the phone.”
“Sweetheart, I promise he doesn’t hate you. He’s just busy, like kids get. Playing with his cousin or something.”
“He’s doing chores.”
“There you go, even better.” He moved closer to her. “And it gives us more time to spend together.”
“Okay, but no more quiet if you’re going to be...hanging out here. I didn’t like that.” She bit her lip.
Why would Lucas even want to hang out here? Her own son couldn’t wait to get away and didn’t seem interested in returning anytime soon.
He nuzzled her neck. “No more quiet. I promise.”
“Thank you, Lucas.”
He straightened to meet her gaze. “For what?”
“For understanding how abnormal I am, and for accepting me anyway. I know I’m no picnic. Evidently, I send most people running in the opposite direction.”
I get it, Mom. You can’t have relationships.
“I’m not running anywhere.” He shrugged. “We all have our baggage, me included.”
“Yes, well, I think mine’s more along the lines of a steamer trunk.” She slid her hand over his. “And you should have tons of issues with all you’ve been through, but you seem to have it all perfectly together.”
“I’m not so sure about that, but thanks.”
She nodded and picked up her coffee. “Are you ready for the park?”
“Breakfast to go, yes, ma’am. Let’s do it.”
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
“I THINK THIS is the last of it, right?” Grey’s question the following weekend drew Lucas’s attention from the towel bar that he was installing in Claire’s bathroom.
Lucas shifted his gaze from the boy to the rolled bills in his hand. The uneasy feeling he’d had when they’d struck the secret espresso-machine deal hit him. He set down his hammer, but made no move to take the money.
“Are you sure you want to do this, Grey? It’s not too late to get her something else.”
Grey’s eyes widened. “Why would I want to get her something else?”
“I don’t know. Your mom seems a little touchy about changes in routine and an espresso machine is definitely a change.”
“But that’s the point. This will be a good change.”
“Yes, but you should try to understand this won’t be easy for her. Don’t get me wrong. I get what you’re trying to do....”
“So, it’ll be fine.”
“She couldn’t work at home. How will this be any different?”
Grey crunched the bills in his fist. “It’ll be different. We had dinner at the table with you. That was a change. We used to have more dinners like that before...before she got so...against that kind of thing.”
“But how many have we had since then?”
“We’ll have more and then we’ll start having breakfasts at home again, too,” Grey said. “You’ll see. We used to eat at home all the time. She’ll get used to it again.”
“I hope you’re right, Grey,” Lucas said, laying his hand on the boy’s shoulder. “Just be prepared, in case she needs to warm to the idea.”
“She’s going to like it,” Grey said and shoved the money toward him. “Please take it. We had a deal.”
“Yes, we did.” Lucas held out his hand and Grey deposited the cash in his palm.
Lucas’s stomach tightened as he shoved the roll in his pocket. How would Claire react to Grey’s gift? How would she feel when she realized Lucas had helped Grey with his plan?
“What are you two up to?” Claire appeared in the bathroom door frame. She had that wide-eyed look he’d learned meant she was getting antsy. “Who’s up for a walk in the park? We’ve got a little time before we have to pick up Amanda and Becca for rock climbing.”
“Give me five minutes to finish this and I’m in,” Lucas said.
Grey sighed. “I’ll get my jacket.”
* * *
CLAIRE PULLED HER coat close around her as they headed into the park fifteen minutes later. She’d awoken in a sweat, the smothering nightmare fresh, her heart pounding. She hadn’t been able to shake it and the sense of unease she normally felt at home had followed her into the overcast day.
“It’s chillier out here than I realized,” she said.
“Here, I think I have a hat with me somewhere.” Lucas felt around in his jacket pockets. He withdrew a beanie from one. “Do you want to put this on?”
“I’m okay,” Claire said, shivering. “I’ll warm up as we keep moving.”
“Are you sure?” Lucas asked. “I have gloves, too. Would you rather wear those?”
“I appreciate the offer, really, but I’m fine.” Her head pounded. Why did he feel the need to take care of her when she was perfectly capable of taking care of herself? “Thanks, though.”
Chastising herself, she forced a smile. She shouldn’t be so defensive. Lucas meant well. “You’ve got some big pockets.”
He patted his jacket. “A guy likes to be prepared.”
A gust of wind blew by them and Claire glanced at Grey, who’d run ahead along the trail bordering the Chattahoochee River. “Grey, honey, are you warm enough?”
He gave her a backward wave. “I’m fine, Mom.” He stopped and pointed to a spot along the river where a number of people clustered around a small dock, fishing poles in hand.
“Look, Mom, Ma
rty’s here. Can I go say hi?”
“Sure, just be careful and don’t get too close to the edge of the dock.”
He took off at a full run and Claire exhaled. “He looks like a happy kid. So maybe he has small periods of time when he’s actually not miserable.”
“We all get frustrated now and then,” Lucas said. “But he seems okay overall to me. He’s a smart and complicated kid. You’re going to have to expect things to not always run smoothly. I think he looks happy most of the time.”
“You don’t see him all of the time,” she said. “It’s not easy. I try to do the right thing. I’m not always successful.” She was silent a moment, the old frustration building. “I haven’t made any more progress in getting him his Big.”
“Why don’t we schedule his interview this week? I’ll go with you. I think that it will do wonders for him.”
Her cheeks warmed. “I’m sure it would. I just...I hate that I have to get you to go with us. I hate that I can’t get through a meeting on my own without feeling the need to flee.” She shrugged. “Seems simple enough. Get through Grey’s interview, meet with the enrollment team, approve a match.”
He took her hand. “I can be with you through all of it. If it would help, I’m more than happy to do that.”
Her aggravation only increased at his offer. “You’re missing the point. I don’t want to have to count on you. This is important for my son and I can’t manage it on my own. It seems so...overwhelming. I panic just thinking about it. I know I should do it, but I let the days slip by and here we are.”
Thankfully, Grey’s questions about his father had stopped since meeting Lucas, but that only increased her concern about Grey getting too attached. “I just want what’s right for Grey. It isn’t his fault his father couldn’t cut it.”
“Does his father truly not have any contact with him?” Lucas asked.
Claire shook her head. “Not for years and before that it was sporadic at best. I don’t even know how to reach him anymore.”
“If the guy was stupid enough to walk from the boy’s life, that’s proof enough he didn’t deserve him.”
She said, “I’ll call BBBS in the morning and set up an appointment.”
Lucas nodded. “Let me know if you want me to come. No pressure either way.” He paused. “If it’s any consolation I love spending time with him.”
Her heart warmed, despite her frustration. “He loves spending time with you. He talks about you nonstop when you’re not around. It’s just...you know, hard not to worry about him getting attached.”
“I know. I worry about that, too.” He tugged her a little closer. “I guess that’s more motivation for us to really give this relationship a shot.”
Her stomach tightened. She was thrilled to be with Lucas. He was so caring and considerate, and she did feel safe with him. At least, most of the time.
“Mom.” Grey ran back to them, his cheeks flushed. “There’s a dog—it’s hurt. Come on. I’ll show you.” Grey grabbed her hand and pulled her toward a thicket of trees off to one side of the dock.
Claire felt Lucas follow as her son led them to where a small group of people had gathered. She stopped and pulled Grey close to her when they got there. A dog lay on its side in a nest of leaves. Blood splattered its coat, open wounds appeared across its flank and shoulder and its ribs showed through matted hair.
“Stay back.” Claire held on to Grey as Lucas knelt beside the animal. Her stomach tightened. “Poor beast.”
“Was he in a fight?” Grey asked. “Is he going to be okay?”
“He’s a she,” Lucas said. He ran his hands over the animal, checking the extent of its injuries. “And I don’t think it was a fight. These are cuts, maybe from a whip.”
He ran his hand along her neck, pulling back the matted hair to reveal scarring where a too-tight collar had cut into her. He turned to Claire. Anger creased his brow and glittered in his eyes. “This is abuse.”
Claire stared at the man who’d held her hand and offered her support only moments ago. That man was hardly recognizable in the deadly countenance before her. Though his anger was clearly directed toward whomever had abused the animal, she shivered in fear and stepped back.
Grey’s friend Marty and his mother walked over beside them. The towheaded boy peered at the dog, eyes wide. “Is it going to be okay?”
Lucas exhaled. “I don’t know.” He glanced around the group of people gathered. “Does anyone know this dog?”
Heads shook and murmured conversations broke out. One man said, “We could call someone, maybe the SPCA, or the animal shelter.”
“She needs a lot of attention,” Lucas said. “Even if she receives the appropriate medical care and heals physically, she’s going to need a ton of TLC.”
He bowed his head for a moment, the anger visibly draining from him, until he was the old Lucas again. Claire exhaled. He was such a caring man. What was wrong with her that she’d ever be afraid around him?
She knelt beside him and gently laid her hand on the dog. It looked to be possibly a German shepherd mix. What kind of person could do this?
Was the owner looking for the dog?
“I’m going to take her,” Lucas said. He met Claire’s gaze. “I can treat her superficial wounds, but she’ll need a vet to check for internal damage. The vet will report this to the proper authorities, as well. Can you stay with her while I get my car?”
Claire’s pulse quickened and her fingers tingled. What if the owner showed up while Lucas was gone? She closed her eyes as Lucas waited for a response. Why was this so difficult for her? She’d worked hard to be able to defend herself. She shouldn’t be such a coward.
Finally, she managed to nod, acutely aware of the attention from the other people around her. She swallowed, unable to look at Grey. Did he see the shaking of her hands?
Lucas left and Claire focused on drawing deep breaths. She could do this. Now was not the time to lose control. Even if the dog’s owner showed up, she wasn’t alone. A number of the group drifted back to the dock, but Marty and his mother remained near Grey, chatting quietly.
“Mom, are you okay?” Grey placed his hand on her shoulder.
She flinched, startled by his touch.
“What’s wrong?” he asked. “Lucas will be back and he’ll take care of her.”
She had to get a grip. She couldn’t break down in front of Grey and his friend. She nodded and tried to paste on a smile, though her gaze remained on the dog.
“I know, honey. He’s a good man.”
Ten endless minutes later, Lucas returned with a big towel that he wrapped around the poor dog. Claire and Grey followed him as he carried her to his car. Once Lucas had the animal safely loaded in the backseat, he turned to Grey.
“Hey,” he said, stooping to Grey’s height. “I’m going to take her to a friend of mine who’s a vet.” He smiled. “He’s a veteran, as well as a veterinarian and a great guy. We’re going to do everything we can to help her, okay?”
“Okay,” Grey said. “Will you call my mom and let her know how she is later?”
“You bet I will.” Lucas then turned to Claire, rubbing her arms as he spoke. “I’m sorry to run off like this.”
“It’s fine, Lucas. Please go do what you have to do.” She put her arm around Grey. “We’ve got a full afternoon. We’ll see you later.”
“Thanks for understanding, sweetheart,” Lucas said.
He glanced at Grey, who had his nose pressed to the window as he waved at the dog. Lucas gave Claire a quick kiss while her son wasn’t looking. The tenderness in that sweet contact made Claire wish she could wrap herself in his arms and feel safe again.
“Have fun rock climbing, Grey,” he said to the boy.
Grey frowned. “Okay, but what are you going to call her? She needs a name.”
Lucas’s gaze met Claire’s briefly. The concern filling his eyes told her he wasn’t sure the dog was going to make it. “Why don’t you think of some names and I
’ll think of some, too, and we’ll talk later and maybe pick one for her then.”
“Sure.” Grey nodded, his expression grim. “I can do that.”
“That would be great, buddy,” Lucas said. “I’ll talk to you later, then. Okay?”
“Okay,” Grey said. “Bye, Lucas. Bye, dog.”
Claire turned to Grey as Lucas’s car pulled out of the parking lot. “Come on, honey, let’s head back and get ready for rock climbing.”
He fell into step beside her. “Don’t worry, Mom. Lucas will fix the dog. She’ll be okay.”
“Grey, don’t get your hopes up. He’s going to do his best, but that poor animal has been badly hurt. You know there’s a chance she won’t make it.”
“But Lucas fixes everything,” he said.
“Nobody can fix everything.”
“I don’t know. Lucas is pretty good at it. He fixed the tub, the gate, my bookshelf, Ramsey.”
“Ramsey?” she asked.
“Yes, the guy at The Coffee Stop, the one with the tattoo on his arm.”
“I know who he is. What do you mean Lucas fixed him?”
Grey shrugged. “He used to be in some kind of trouble. Maybe a gang or something, but now he works for Lucas and he isn’t doing stupid stuff anymore. I’d say that’s fixed.”
“Why do you think he was in a gang?” Claire asked.
“I just wondered and he didn’t deny it when I asked him. He said you don’t talk about those things. That’s the same as admitting it.”
If Grey was right, that explained the feeling she got around the teen. She held Grey back from the street until it was clear, then hurried across with him. “Even if Lucas helped Ramsey, that doesn’t mean he can fix this dog. I want you to be prepared for that, all right?”
Grey pressed his lips together. “Fine, but I say he fixes her. You’ll see.”
Claire shook her head as the cold breeze wrapped around them. Was that why Lucas was with her? Because she needed fixing just as badly as everything else? If so, what would happen when he decided she was unfixable?