Hometown Hero's Redemption. Jill Kemerer
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Название: Hometown Hero's Redemption
Автор: Jill Kemerer
Издательство: HarperCollins
Жанр: Короткие любовные романы
Серия: Mills & Boon Love Inspired
isbn: 9781474067904
isbn:
“Forget it.”
“Why don’t you tell me?”
“People said things.”
“People say a lot of things.”
Wyatt’s sad eyes met his. “They said she was on drugs and owed that Len guy money, and that’s why he killed her.”
Drew reeled in the rest of his line as he tried to figure out the best way to respond. Missy and Chase had never married. They were together for only a few years before Missy left and got mixed up with drugs. “You and I both know she went to rehab last year and was trying hard to live a healthy lifestyle.”
“Yeah. I was glad when she moved by us. We’d play games with Dad and go to movies.”
“Your dad cared about her. They were even talking about getting back together.”
Wyatt nodded, the corners of his mouth drooping. “Do you think she was in a lot of pain before she died?”
While he was glad Wyatt was finally talking, it hurt to think he had to have his conversation. No kid should have to deal with this. A murdered mom? A dad in jail? Wyatt deserved an intact family—didn’t every kid?
“No. The police said she died quickly.”
“Do you think she’s in heaven?”
He squirmed. This was another one of those tricky areas. Drew had no idea what Missy had believed. “The Bible says as long as you trust in Jesus as your savior, you go to heaven.”
“But what if she didn’t?”
“I wish I could tell you your mom is in heaven. I hope she is, but I don’t really know. What do you think?”
“I want her to be.”
“Me, too.”
Wyatt grabbed his fishing rod and stood at the end of the dock. “How do I do this again?”
Drew showed him the steps. Wyatt’s first attempts didn’t get the line far, but after a few more tries, he cast it out several feet. Drew gave him a high five.
“Hey, Wyatt, we’re going to be all right.” He put his arm around him. “I hope you know that.”
“Do you think Lauren would stay with me while you’re at work?”
Drew’s chest expanded. The kid liked her. Wyatt had already opened up more in the last ten minutes than he had since Chase went to jail three months ago. But Lauren didn’t work with troubled kids anymore. She’d made that clear. What had happened in Chicago to make her quit?
“I don’t know.” This conversation alone hammered it home—Wyatt was dealing with much more than the average kid. He didn’t need a college student around to watch TV and heat up chicken nuggets. He needed to make sense of his shattered family. He needed Lauren. She might not believe she could help him, but Drew knew she could.
And maybe in the process, he could help her, too. Her sunny smile had grown cloudy since he’d last seen her, and he wanted to bring her joy back.
He’d just have to figure out how to get her to say yes.
“I’ve been talking to Stan, and we think you should offer a class.”
Lauren looked up from her computer screen at the reception desk of LE Fitness the following afternoon. Megan Fellows, one of the Zumba instructors, stood in front of her. Since moving back in January, Lauren had reconnected with Megan, two years her junior, and they’d become good friends, partly because Megan was so upbeat and made it her mission to not let Lauren dissolve into a puddle of depression. What would she think of Drew’s offer?
It didn’t matter. Lauren had made her decision. She needed to stay strong and say no when Drew called. If he called...
He would call. His take-charge personality assured her he would not let this matter fade away.
“What kind of class?” Lauren typed in a new client’s information.
“A tumbling class for cheerleaders.”
A tumbling class? The idea didn’t horrify her. “I don’t know.”
“You keep saying you’re figuring things out, but you don’t have a plan.” Megan’s brown ponytail bounced as she drummed her fingernails on the counter. “And Laney will be back on Monday. What are you going to do?”
The million-dollar question. She had no idea. Megan was right about her not having a plan—every time she tried to figure out her next step, she froze. It was difficult letting go of the dream she’d had for most of her life. She couldn’t handle the heartbreak of social work, but she still liked kids. Tumbling classes might be something to consider.
“I don’t want you to go all hermit-like in your apartment again.” Megan rested her elbows on the counter. Her face had the concerned look that poked at Lauren’s conscience.
“Well, I have been offered a babysitting job.”
“Babysitting?” Megan grimaced. “What ages are we talking? Three? Five?”
“Ten. Do you remember Drew Gannon?”
“Do I remember Drew Gannon?” Megan rounded the counter in a flash and took a seat next to Lauren. “Tall, built and studly? Oh, I remember.”
“That’s him.” Lauren had probably been the only girl in school who hadn’t drooled all over Drew.
“I’ve had a crush on him since I was in second grade. I know he’s a little older than me, but how could a girl not like him?”
“Every girl in this town liked him at one point or another.” Lauren straightened the papers on the desk. “He’s back. Hired in at the fire station. He’s taking care of his best friend’s son.”
“Why?” Megan’s screwed-up face almost made Lauren laugh.
“I’m not getting into all the gory details, but Wyatt will be living with him for several years.”
“A single dad. Maybe he needs some help...from yours truly.”
Lauren swatted at her arm and laughed. “I’m sure once word gets out he’s back in town, there will be plenty of willing female bodies at his door.”
“He’s single, then?”
“Seems to be.”
“So how do you fit into all this?”
“His schedule,” Lauren said. “Twenty-four hours on. Forty-eight off. He needs someone to stay with Wyatt while he’s at work.”
Megan СКАЧАТЬ