Like a Love Song

by Camille Eide

  She watched him, unable to deny the sincerity in his face. But appearances could be deceiving, a lesson she’d vowed never to forget.

  Leia’s statements in court could have been convincing enough to have Joe removed. And it was possible that, as a child, Joe felt so guilty about hitting Fiona that he had confessed to things he didn’t understand. Knowing Joe, it made sense. It also wasn’t hard to believe that woman capable of lying—her character hadn’t escaped Sue’s notice.

  But it was also possible that Sue wasn’t the best judge of character. And because of that, she needed to remember her duty to protect her kids.

  She pressed a palm to her churning stomach. “I need to think about all this.”

  “Okay.” Joe nodded slowly, watching her. “Ben and I are going to take John and Fiona home. If you want, I can call you when I’m on the road, answer any more questions you have.”

  Rubbing her temples, she shook her head. “It’s getting late. We can talk about this tomorrow.” She swallowed hard. “But it would be best if you stayed in your room tonight instead of the boys’ dorm.”

  Joe stuffed hands in his pockets. “But that means you’d be the only one on duty.” He spoke quietly. “You can’t do bed watch for twelve kids by yourself.”

  Sue shivered. “I’ll manage.”

  * * *

  Early Thursday morning, Sue headed up the stairs for one last check on the sleeping girls. Since today was Christmas Day, she’d promised to let the kids sleep in, especially the boys who had camped out in the den since she was the only one on duty and needed to keep an eye on both groups. When she returned downstairs, she crept into the kitchen, peeked out the back window at the silent staff quarters, then started a pot of coffee.

  Though she was exhausted, staying awake for bed watch hadn’t been hard. Her heart and mind had wrestled all night over everything that had happened.

  She took her coffee into the den, stepping around the sleeping boys and over discarded gift wrappings. She sank onto a couch and sipped the steaming black brew.

  Joe’s explanation made sense, but it was still unsettling. Trust was too fragile a thing to give without solid proof.

  She needed to know more. She knew how the system worked.

  Though the events were long past, she wouldn’t rest easy until she had a better understanding of who Joe really was and whether or not the courts had truly found just cause to remove him from his adoptive family. If only she could know for sure that he was telling the truth.

  She rose and quietly scooped up piles of paper and cellophane, wadding them into balls.

  One cluster of wrappings felt heavy. Within the discarded paper was a present. Unopened.

  To Brandi, from Santa.

  Sue frowned.

  Brandi hadn’t opened her gift from Joe. Why?

  Package in hand, she climbed the stairs and tapped on Cori and Brandi’s door.

  No answer.

  Sue slipped inside and went to Brandi’s bed.

  Clothes spilled from the closet and more covered the floor beside the bed. Room-cleaning and bed checks had fallen sadly behind.

  All the more reason you should be trying to get these kids placed in new homes now instead of keeping them here where you can barely hold it together.

  “What do you want?” A groan emerged from the dark hair covering Brandi’s face. “You said we could sleep in.”

  Sue sat at the foot of the bed. “I’m just wondering how you’re doing.”

  Brandi buried her face in the pillow. “Doing great—soon as I can go back to sleep.”

  Sue nodded. “Okay, I won’t bug you. I was just curious about this is all.” Sue turned the package over, revealing the tag. “Didn’t you get this last night?”

  The girl angled her head to see, then mumbled, “Yep,” and closed her eyes.

  “It hasn’t been opened.”

  Brandi rubbed her face. “Right. Is there going to be a test on this later?”

  “I wondered if it had been missed somehow. But if you got it, then …?”

  “Then I just didn’t feel like opening it. Or is that breaking another one of your rules?”

  Sue glanced at Cori’s sleeping frame in the other bed. “Right. Maybe it’s none of my business.” Or was it? Should she be concerned?

  Brandi snorted and muttered.

  “Is something bothering you?”

  “Yeah. We’re talking when I could be sleeping.”

  Sue stood. “Okay, I’ll let you sleep.”

  The covers flew over the girl’s head, obscuring her from view.

  After breakfast and cleanup, Sue gathered the girls for games in the den and then headed out back to check on the guys. Joe and Ben were with the boys in the backyard at the burn barrel, burning wrappings and extra holiday trash. Ben would leave early Friday to catch his flight back home, but until then, Sue had invited him to stay at the ranch with Joe.

  Joe helped Donovan lob cardboard into the fire.

  Sue shivered and pulled her jacket tighter. “Joe, when you get a chance, can we talk?”

  He rubbed his hands near the fire. “Sure, after we get this put out.”

  Sue returned to the house and headed for the den, but Brandi sprang from the foot of the stairs and stopped her.

  “Miss Susan? Can I talk to you?”

  “Sure.” Sue peeked in on the girls and then motioned Brandi into the office.

  Brandi set the unopened Christmas present on Sue’s desk. “Yesterday was my birthday.”

  Guilt sank in her belly like a hot brick. “Oh, Brandi. We forgot. I’m so sorry!”

  The girl shrugged. “Happens a lot. Everywhere I’ve ever lived, it’s like, ‘Here’s a present, take your pick—Christmas or birthday.’ Gets old after a while.” She crossed her arms.

  “I really am sorry,” Sue said. “I’ve had a lot on my mind lately, but that’s no excuse.”

  Brandi lifted her shoulders in another shrug. “It’s not like I want to make a big deal out of it. I’m seventeen now, not a little kid. I’m the oldest one here. Sometimes I just wish I could—you know, get a break from this place. Hang out with someone my age.”

  It had been quite a while since Brandi had been with kids her age. Due in large part to her being grounded from extracurricular activities, but still …

  “My friend Megan lives in Juniper Valley. Her parents are nice. They go to church and stuff. They came to all our soccer games and said I could come over anytime.”

  Of course they come to games and invite kids over. Because that’s what good parents do.

  “So I was wondering if I could go to Megan’s for a little while. I know I’m grounded from sports and everything, but maybe just this once, for my birthday.”

  Wasn’t it the least she could do? Sue nodded. “I’m not sure they would want visitors on Christmas. But if it’s okay with her parents, and I can talk to Megan’s mom, I don’t see why not.”

  Brandi brightened. “Really? I’ll call her right now. Thanks, Miss Susan.”

  It turned out that Megan’s parents were more than happy to have Brandi over and even offered to pick her up.

  Throughout the day, Sue tried to find a good time to talk to Joe, but he and his brother were still catching up, and she couldn’t bring herself to interrupt that. Besides, Ben would be gone in the morning. She and Joe could talk then.

  Turkey leftovers were a big hit. In the middle of dinner, Sue got a call from Brandi. She took the phone into the den, away from the noise in the dining hall.

  “Miss Susan?” Brandi sounded breathless. “Thanks for letting me come, it’s so much fun here. They had pizza and ice cream for my birthday. Megan invited me to spend the night. Do you think I could? Please say yes.”

  At least someone had celebrated the girl’s birthday.

  Before Sue could answer, Megan’s mom got on the phone and offered to drive Brandi back to the ranch Friday after breakfast.

  “It’s very nice of you to do that, thank you.�
� Sue gave it some quick thought. Being with people that Brandi didn’t live with and hanging out with a nice, normal family might be just what the girl needed to lift her out of the funk she’d been in.

  Brandi got back on the phone. “So?”

  “Okay, you have my permission. Please come back right after breakfast, and don’t be late.” Squealing from the other end pierced her eardrum.

  Brandi thanked her repeatedly and hung up.

  Sue pocketed her phone and sighed. Why did the choice to trust someone always cause such a sick feeling in her gut? Would it always be that way?

  But then, as far as anyone at Juniper Ranch was concerned, did it matter? Soon, she wouldn’t have to worry about any of the people here.

  The relief that should have given her felt more like a gaping hole.

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Joe couldn’t have planned the weather better. Friday turned out cold but clear and windless, perfect for launching Chaz’s new remote control plane, as soon as Joe and the guys could get it assembled.

  After breakfast, Ben said his good-byes and promised to get together soon, then Joe and the boys set up tables in the den to work. With Sue at the title company in La Pine signing off on the property, Bertie, who had returned late Christmas night, was in charge of everyone and gave the girls a choice of a group activity or free time. The vote for free time had been unanimous.

  “Oh man,” Chaz moaned. “The slot for mounting the landing gear is messed up.”

  Joe looked up from the wheel assembly.

  Chaz frowned at the plane’s undercarriage.

  Joe took a closer look. “Hand me the tape measure, will ya?” He measured the space and found a misaligned slat. With a straight-edged blade, he whittled the rib to deepen the notch where the slat rested. Then he checked the clock. Again.

  The stack of documents Sue had to sign would be a thick one, and she had a long drive home. But that didn’t keep him from checking the time and listening for her car. He had no idea what kind of mood she would be in after signing away her property. She had been quiet when she left for town. Selling the place had to be hard, even with the extra time she believed it gave her.

  Whatever her frame of mind, he needed to be ready to step in and keep everyone on task to avoid any added strain.

  But Sue wasn’t the only one affected by the recent turn of events. Joe was still reeling from seeing Ben and getting used to the idea of having his brother back. And then there was Leia.

  He’d known he still carried bitterness toward her, but where had that sudden rage come from? Hadn’t he given it over to God years ago? Obviously not, if five minutes with her had sent him right back to feeling like a terrified, betrayed kid all over again.

  A ripple of anger coursed through him. Leia showing up here was bad enough, but to spew more of her filthy lies? She hadn’t changed a bit.

  As rough as John and Fiona had it, they were far better off without Leia in their lives.

  Joe replaced the slat, measured the new space for consistency, and slid the main body back to Chaz.

  The kid tested the space again with his piece of landing gear. “Fits!” He grinned at Joe. “Manufacturer must have used a faulty die cut on that rib.”

  Joe nodded. “That was a really good catch, Chaz.”

  Chaz turned his attention to his task, cheeks blotchy.

  Joe checked the time again.

  How long would it take to regain her trust? Win her over to the idea of running the home together? And most important of all, to win her heart?

  “Hey.” Vince nudged Edgar. “We need music.”

  Edgar dropped an earbud from one ear and frowned.

  Vince went on. “You could share, ya know.”

  Edgar looked around at the other guys, then back at Vince. “It’s an iPod.”

  “J-man can provide the music,” Chaz said, looking up from his task. “You should play your guitar while we work. You’ve just been slacking off, anyway.”

  Joe’s brows rose. “I’m slacking off?”

  Chaz pushed his glasses higher and snorted. “You been watching that clock the whole time. Whatcha got, a hot date or something?”

  With a laugh, he shook his head. “Nope. You guys are it.” He wiped dust from his hands and chucked the rag at Chaz’s head. “I’ll get my guitar. Be right back.”

  He’d left the guitar in the chapel, hadn’t he?

  Joe headed outside and up the trail. Hit by a sudden blast of cold, he broke into a jog. The midday sun shone high but did nothing to warm the wind cutting through his T-shirt. He opened the chapel door, but a sudden gust ripped it from his hand and slammed it against the wall.

  A crash and the sound of shattering glass arrested his hand.

  Animal? Or someone who didn’t belong here? He stepped inside, ready to confront the intruder.

  Brandi crouched in a corner as if ready to bolt, eyes wide. Between her feet lay a mess of broken brown glass and a pool of foam.

  Taking a step closer, Joe smelled beer. Oh man. Not good. At all. “What’s going on, Brandi?”

  The girl peered past him at the door and moistened her lips. “Nothing, I was just—”

  “Where’d you get the beer?”

  “I didn’t—I wasn’t—” she stammered, eyes darting around the room. “I was just keeping it for my friend. You know, to hide it from her parents.”

  Right. “How much have you had?”

  “None. I was just gonna have one, that’s all. Please don’t tell Miss Susan. She’ll send me to that freak hospital. Please?”

  Joe shook his head. “Brandi, you know you shouldn’t even have beer, and especially not here.”

  Her look brightened. “I know, you’re right. I shouldn’t have agreed to hide it. I just wanted Megan and the other girls to like me. I promise it’ll never ever happen again, okay?”

  Joe searched the girl’s pleading face. Would Sue really send the girl to an institution? Either way, he had no choice but to report the incident.

  Brandi took a step closer. “You can get rid of it, and I won’t do it again, I promise, J-man. Here—” She stooped and brought up another bottle, already open. She thrust it at him. “One for you and then we’re even. See?” She smiled. “No harm done.” Fresh blood trickled down her arm.

  With a slow shake of his head, he took the bottle away from her. “No deal, kid. Come inside the house, and we can decide what you’re going tell Miss Susan.”

  “Me?” The girl searched his face, her eyes narrowing. “You want me to tell her?”

  Joe nodded. “She’s reasonable. And she cares about you, Brandi. If you tell her the truth and take responsibility like an adult, she’ll listen.”

  She burst out with a harsh laugh. “She won’t listen. She only sees me as another nutso kid in her little spazoid collection.”

  A rush of wind sounded like a coyote howling.

  She looked into his eyes and lowered her voice. “But you know I’m an adult, right?”

  Apprehension prickled up his spine.

  “Only one more year and I’m aged out. But if I get sent to the state place now, I could be stuck there for a really long time. All because of one beer. Don’t do that to me, J-man. Please?”

  “You did it to yourself, Brandi.” He tossed his head toward the door. “Let’s go—”

  “Want to know a secret?” She took a step closer, her voice a breathless whisper. “I always thought you were so hot.”

  What?

  “You and me, we could have a party, just this once. No one has to know about any of it. Our little secret. You know?” Smiling, she stepped closer and touched his chest.

  Joe jerked away and stepped back.

  “You think I’m pretty, don’t you?”

  Joe pinned her with a steady gaze. “That’s enough.”

  She moved closer and locked eyes with his. “I can’t stand that place. I’d do anything not to go there.” She roped her arms around his neck and lifted her face to his.
>
  Joe yanked her arms free. “Stop it, Brandi—”

  “Don’t you get it, you big idiot?” she hissed, cheeks pink.

  “We’re going. Now.” He strode to the door. As he reached the doorway, a low roar behind him rose to a scream.

  “Stupid jerk! I hate you!” She hit him like a grenade blast, rocking him off balance and sending beer spraying from the bottle as it flew out of his hand.

  He spun and barely missed a blow to the jaw.

  She swung again, but he caught her wrist just before it clipped his chin.

  He grabbed the other wrist and held tight.

  Brandi landed a sharp kick to his shin, sending him back a step. Her bloody wrist slipped out of his grasp and she took another swing at his face.

  He blocked her fist, then got hold of both her biceps and held her off at arm’s length.

  She writhed and swore, jerking herself back and forth to get free.

  He grasped tighter. Think, man.

  Call Bertie.

  Joe pushed Brandi backward and sat her down on a bench, then reached for his phone. Wasn’t in his pocket. He must’ve left it inside. He’d have to go get Bertie and have her come here and deal with the girl. Maybe that would give Brandi a few minutes to cool off.

  Joe looked the girl in the eye. “You sit right there and stay put. I’m going to get Miss Roberta. And I mean don’t move an inch, you hear me?”

  Brandi scowled, face scarlet, chest heaving with ragged breaths. “I’ll run. You can’t stop me.”