Callum (The Murphy Boys Book 3)

by Holly C. Webb

  After Georgie had walked aimlessly for about forty minutes, she knew she needed to do something. She was now homeless, jobless, and Shaneless. Walking the streets wasn’t the answer.

  She pulled out her phone from her pocket, knowing there was only one choice she had. She would have to call her parents, tell them that Shane was an asshole, and ask them to help her.

  Georgie was the youngest of the three Taylor kids, her eldest brother Gavin was a rugby player who played for Leinster and the Irish international rugby team. He was their parent’s pride and joy, as far as their mother was concerned, he could do no wrong.

  Aidan, Georgie’s other brother, referred to him as Saint Gavin whenever their mother wasn’t around. Aidan, was quieter and less physically inclined than Gavin. He was more of a computer nerd, spending most of his life with his head focused on a computer screen.

  Still, he was Georgie’s favourite, and of all her family, he was probably the one she missed the most. But even Aidan wasn’t enough to make Georgie want to go home. She was the youngest of the family; that made her the baby, so her parents treated her accordingly. Nothing she did ever seemed to be right in their eyes. It was almost like they were always waiting for her to mess up.

  She stared at their number on her phone and sighed. She hated Shane for doing this to her. She hated this whole thing.

  Georgie was just about to hit the call button when she spotted Erin’s number. Erin was the one friend she had in the city from back home.

  Georgie had known Erin since she was a kid. Her brother Aidan and Erin’s brother Ross were best friends. Before Georgie left to come to San Francisco, Aidan told her to put Erin’s number on her phone, in case she ever needed a place to go. He said that Ross had spoken to her, and she was waiting to hear from her.

  When she came to San Francisco, Georgie called Erin and reconnected with her. They would meet up from time to time for a coffee. Georgie knew that if anyone would help her, it would be Erin.

  Georgie thought about Aidan and wondered what he would say when he heard about Shane. She knew he didn’t like Shane, nor did he trust him. She had always believed that he was just being overprotective, but now, in hindsight, she realised that her brother had been right all along.

  Without thinking, Georgie called Erin. She was so relieved when the girl told her to meet her in the coffee shop where she worked. She would give her the keys to her apartment, where she could stay until she found somewhere for herself.

  Ten minutes later, Georgie stepped off the bus, walking down to the end of the block, to where the coffee shop was, carrying her entire world in her two bags.

  When she reached the coffee shop, she stood there for a moment, looking through the window. It took her a moment, but she spotted Erin behind the counter. Georgie was surprised how relieved she felt when she saw her, for a moment, she didn’t feel quite as alone anymore.

  Georgie walked to the door, taking a deep breath before she pushed open the door, dragging her bags inside.

  “Georgie!” Erin said with a smile as Georgie walking towards the counter. The girl hurried around to the front, hugging Georgie tightly. “Are you okay, Sweetie?”

  “Hey, Erin,” Georgie said with a sad smiled, as she hugged her friend too. “Thanks for doing this, I promise I will be out of your hair as soon as I can.”

  “Relax,” Erin replied as she released Georgie from her embrace. “You can stay as long as you need to.”

  “Thanks,” Georgie said, giving her friend a grateful smile.

  “Does Shane know where you’re staying?” Erin asked. Georgie hated that her friend was now looking at her with pity.

  “Nope,” Georgie said, not really wanting to get into it more. “I have nothing left to say to him.”

  “Okay, Sweetie,” Erin said as she rubbed Georgie’s arm. “Why don’t you have a seat? I’ll bring you something to eat, on the house.”

  “Thanks, Erin,” Georgie replied, giving her a grateful smile before she turned, taking a seat over near the window.

  Staring out through the window, she wondered how the hell she had managed to get everything so completely wrong. She had been sure that Shane was the one, but now, knowing that he wasn’t, Georgie was surprised by the fact that she wasn’t more upset. She wasn’t really that sure what that even meant.

  Had she really loved him, or had she been more in love with the idea of him? Or maybe she had been more in love with the idea of traveling halfway across the world, getting a little freedom for herself, away from protective parents.

  “Here you go,” Erin said as she set a sandwich down on Georgie’s table, pulling her from her thoughts. “I got you a coffee too.”

  “Thanks, Erin,” Georgie said with a smile, as she looked up at her friend. “For everything.”

  “It’s cool,” Erin replied. “And don’t worry, I won’t mention it to Ross.”

  “Ross?” Georgie repeated why that even mattered.

  “Well, if I tell Ross,” Erin explained. “He might tell Aidan, and…”

  “Aidan will tell my mom,” Georgie finished where she was going. “Thanks. I mean, I know I’m going to have to tell her, but I think I need to know what I’m gonna do first before I have to have that conversation.”

  “I thought so,” Erin smiled before she turned and walked back toward the counter.

  Georgie was just about to pick up her sandwich when she felt like she was being watched. She looked up from her plate, and found a pair of crystal clear blue eyes, beneath a mop of brown, curly hair, staring directly at her.

  The moment her eyes met the little girl’s, the blue eyes disappeared behind the doll she was holding. Georgie couldn’t help but smile.

  She returned her attention back to her sandwich, taking a bite. When she put the sandwich down on the plate, she looked up, and once more the little girl was watching her.

  “Macy,” the man sitting across from the little girl said, pulling her attention from Georgie and instantly she hid behind her doll once more. “Please eat a little bit more, Sweetheart. Just a couple more bites.”

  Georgie watched as the little girl just stared at the man blankly, without saying a word. There was something so sad about this little girl, she pulled at Georgie’s heart.

  “Mace,” the man continued a few moments later. “Please, I don’t know what else to do.”

  The little girl reached up, and defiantly pushed her plate away. As she did, her doll fell from her lap, tumbling down to the floor.

  Without even thinking, Georgie got up, picking up the doll from the floor. She looked up at the little girl, giving her a smile.

  “You dropped your friend,” Georgie said as her smile widened. “I thought you might like her back.”

  “What do you say, Macy?” Her father said, but the little girl just stared at Georgie, so he pushed her again. “Macy.”

  “It’s okay,” Georgie said, giving the girl a bright smile. “She’s just a little shy, aren’t you, Cutie.”

  Georgie turned, looking up at the man, as her eyes met his, He looked almost as sad and as lost as the little girl. Georgie didn’t know why, but she knew that this man was struggling to cope with the little girl and it made her want to try to help somehow.

  “But she is a very pretty doll,” Georgie said, returning her attention to the little girl. “I bet she is your best friend in the world.”

  The little girl just stared at her without replying.

  “You know, I have a friend like that too,” Georgie continued. Instantly the little girl gave her a curious look. “Only mine is a worn out old bear, but he is still my best friend. Would you like to meet him?”

  The little girl glanced at her father, before she turned back to Georgie, giving her a tiny nod. Georgie returned to her table where she had left her bags, pulling them open, she searched them both till she found what she was looking for.

  When she pulled the bear from her bag, she turned back to the little girl and gave her a big smile.

&
nbsp; “This is Puddles,” Georgie said as she crouched down next to the little girl. “He can be a naughty bear sometimes, but he is always there whenever I’m scared, or if I’m sad.”

  The little girl smiled, as she looked at the bear.

  “Would you like to hold him?” Georgie asked, holding the bear out to the little girl.

  She nodded, reaching out, taking him from Georgie’s hand, looking down at him. Then, much to Georgie’s surprise, the little girl picked up her doll and offered it to her.

  “You want me to see your friend?” Georgie said, as she took the doll from the little girl, taking a close look at her. “She is very pretty; I would love to know what her name is.”

  “Daisy,” the little girl replied in a whisper so soft, you could barely hear it.

  “Daisy,” Georgie said, with a smile. “It’s lovely to meet you; I’m Georgie. That’s Puddles.”

  Georgie looked at the little girl smiling once more before she added.

  “And your name is?”

  “Macy,” she replied, smiling at Georgie once more.

  “Wow,” Georgie said, giving the girl a bright smile. “That is a very pretty name; it’s so nice to meet you, Macy.”

  Georgie looked up at Macy’s dad, and to her surprise, he looked almost like he wanted to cry. Something told Georgie that the fact the little girl talked to her was huge. She gave the man a warm smile before she turned back to the little girl.

  “Hey Macy,” Georgie continued. “You want to know another secret.”

  The little girl nodded.

  “Puddles loves milkshakes,” Georgie whispered. “But sometimes he’s naughty, he steals them when you’re not looking.”

  The look of surprise on the little girl's face was priceless, Georgie had to fight the urge she had to laugh.

  “Maybe you should finish your milkshake,” Georgie leaned in, whispering. “Before Puddles smells it and steals it on you.”

  Without even taking a moment, to think, Macy reached for her milkshake and began to drink it.

  Georgie stood up, setting the doll down on the table, as the little girl’s father stood up too.

  “How did you do that?” He asked, giving her a look of gratitude. “I mean, she doesn’t even know you…”

  “Kids just seem to like me,” Georgie replied, giving him a smile. “I guess I just get them.”

  “Would you like to join us?” The guy asked, giving Georgie an almost pleading look.

  “I don’t want to intrude,” Georgie replied looking down at Macy, who was now munching on a gingerbread man.

  “Please,” the guy pushed, and Georgie knew that he was desperate for her not to just walk away. She looked down at Macy once more and smiled.

  “Sure,” she replied, before walking to her table to get her coffee and sandwich, then returning to sit down with Macy and her father.

  “I’m Callum, by the way,” the guy said as he offered Georgie his hand.

  “Georgie,” she replied as she reached out, shaking his hand firmly before they sat for a moment in an uncomfortable silence. Georgie was just thinking that sitting down with this strange little duo was a mistake, when Callum cleared his throat, leaning forward in his seat.

  “So, you seem really good with kids,” Callum said, watching her closely.

  “I guess I am,” Georgie replied with a smile, as she glanced over at Macy, smiling once more before she turned back to Callum. “I think I babysat every kid on our street when I was growing up, which is probably why my mother insisted I went to college to get qualified as a nursery teacher.”

  “You’re a nursery teacher?” Callum asked, raising his eyebrow. Georgie couldn’t help but think he was looking at the collection of earrings in her ear, and the pink dye that was running through her blonde hair.

  She glanced down at the rips that were in her jeans, knowing that what might have passed as fashion in some places, clearly didn’t in others. Georgie suddenly felt self-conscious about her appearance.

  “No, no I’m not a nursery teacher,” Georgie replied without looking up at Callum.

  “Damn,” Callum said, surprising Georgie a little.

  “Excuse me,” Georgie replied as she gave Callum a questioning look.

  “Look,” Callum said, lowering his voice and leaning forward in his seat, towards Georgie. “It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see that I’m in way over my head here. I have been trying for three weeks straight to get her to say one word, but she hasn’t made a peep. You talked to her for all of two seconds, and she spoke, plus, you got her to eat. I guess I was hoping that if you worked in a nursery school…”

  “I just know how to talk to kids,” Georgie shrugged, as she glanced at Macy who was now playing happily with her doll and Puddles the bear. “As I said before, kids just seem to like me.”

  “So, if you don’t mind me asking,” Callum said giving her a curious look. “If you’re not a nursery teacher, then what is it you do?”

  “Right now!” Georgie said with a sigh. “Nothing. My entire world exists in those two bags, and I get to spend my night on my friend’s sofa.”

  “I’m sorry,” Callum said.

  “Don’t be,” Georgie replied, giving him a smile before an awkward silence fell over them again. Georgie looked over at Macy, smiling as she watched her play with Daisy and Puddles.

  “I think Puddles like you,” she said when Macy looked up, smiling at her.

  “I like him, too,” Macy replied softly, then added with a giggle. “You talk funny.”

  “I do?” Georgie replied with a laugh as she leaned over to tickle Macy, making the little girl laugh out loud.

  “You’re funny,” Macy squealed, laughing once more before she returned her focus to her milkshake.

  “She is a very sweet little girl,” Georgie said as she turned back to Callum and smiled at him.

  “She has been through a lot,” Callum said with a sad smile.

  “I’m sorry to hear that,” Georgie replied honestly.

  For a moment Callum didn’t respond. Instead, he watched Georgie for a few moments as if his mind was working overtime.

  Georgie was just about to make her excuses to leave when Callum spoke up again.

  “Georgie,” Callum said as he moved closer to her once more. “This is probably going to sound like the most insane thing you have ever heard. God knows it sounds insane in my head right now, but, how would you like a job?”

  Chapter 7

  “You hired a stranger to look after Macy!” Nell exclaimed as she came barging into Callum living room, later that evening. “What the hell were you thinking, Callum?”

  Callum knew it was only a matter of time before his mother appeared. He had been back in the apartment almost six hours and if he was honest, he was surprised it had taken her all of six hours to turn up.

  He had called Landen to draw up an employment contract for Georgie. He knew Landen would tell his mother about Georgie. He wasn’t even mad at him. Callum knew he would have to tell her eventually.

  He had spent the day with Macy and Georgie. The more Callum got to know Georgie, the more he liked her. She was sweet, funny and really great with Macy. Callum knew he had made the right choice offering her the job. He just needed to convince his mother he knew what the hell he was doing.

  “I thought that I needed help, Mom,” Callum said, looking up from the paperwork he had spread out on the coffee table, to greet his mother. “Georgie was in the right place at the right time.”

  “But you don’t even know this, Georgie,” Nell retorted, and Callum could see his mother was beyond pissed at him. “Where is she from? What qualifications does she have? What experience has she? Does she have a criminal record?”

  “Well, I assume in the…” Callum said, looking down at his watch to check the time. “Six hours and ten minutes since I hired her, and told Landen that I had; one of you ran a background check on her. I also assume as you didn’t open with a list of her crimes, you found noth
ing on her.”

  “Don’t get cute with me, Callum,” Nell snapped back. “Macy is my granddaughter…”

  “And she is my daughter,” Callum retorted impatiently, as he stood up. “For the last three weeks, I’ve had to sit by watching as her little heart broke. She won’t speak, she barely eats; every night she cries in her sleep for her mother. But today; today for some reason that I don’t know, she spoke to this girl. She smiled, and she laughed. She laughed, Mom. Maybe it is a big gamble, but it’s a gamble I’m willing to take, because I’m all out of options here.”

  “I know the last few of weeks have been hard for you, Callum,” Nell said her voice a little softer this time. “God knows that they’ve been hard on Macy, but this girl is a stranger…”

  “So am I, Mom,” Callum sighed as he gave his mother a knowing look. “We all are strangers to Macy, and she’s terrified. She misses her mother; she misses her life. But for the first time today, since all of this started, she smiled. How can anyone that can make that happen, be bad?”

  “What do you want me to say, Callum?” Nell asked, giving him a questioning look.

  “I want you to say that you trust that I know what is best for my child,” Callum sighed. He gave his mother a pleading look, knowing that though he was saying these words, a tiny part of him didn’t fully believe them himself. He was in over his head; that much he knew. He just had to believe that this was the right thing to do. “I need to know that you believe I have what it takes to be the father she deserves.”

  “Of course I believe that, Callum,” Nell replied, looking almost hurt by what he had said. “I just don’t want you rushing into anything.”

  “I gave her a job, Mom,” Callum replied with an edge of sarcasm. “I didn’t ask her to marry me.”

  “Again with the sarcasm,” Nell groaned, as she walked to the sofa and sat down.