Chapter 3
3
H eath carried the dirty dishes to the sink and rinsed them before placing them in the dishwasher. “Mila outdid herself with dinner.”
“She always does. Such a lovely girl. I’ll hate to see her go. Not much longer before I won’t need an aide hovering around all day. Honestly, I don’t really need one now, but I do enjoy her company.” Sally rose to her feet, putting most of her weight on the glittery cane.
He bit back a response, anticipating an argument about her not needing help. His mom was fiercely independent. She preferred to spend her days volunteering around town and lunching with friends over being laid up at home, depending on others for the littlest things.
“I’m glad you’re feeling better. Any pain?” He closed the dishwasher then wiped down the counters. If he didn’t make sure everything was cleaned, his mom would wait until he left and attempt to do it herself.
“Nah, just a little tender. I want to relax in my chair and fall asleep watching reruns.” She shuffled toward the living room.
He fought his instinct to rush to her side and help get her settled. Hooking the dishtowel on the oven handle, he stayed a couple steps behind her. “You sure you don’t want to sleep in your bed tonight? I can put a television in there for you. Might be more comfortable.”
Shifting, she cupped his jaw with her palm. “Stop hovering, dear. I’m fine.”
He gritted his teeth when she turned away. He wasn’t hovering, he was trying to keep her safe. Keep her healthy. The same thing he’d done most of his life. After she’d left his abusive father when he’d been a young kid, he’d taken his duties of protecting his mother seriously. Helping around the house, taking on responsibilities most kids never thought of, and trying his hardest to always be someone his mom would be proud of.
Something easy when his mom was his biggest cheerleader no matter what.
But he’d made it his life’s mission to show her that he understood everything she’d given up for him—everything she’d walked away from. His mother was his hero, and even when she was being a pain in his ass, he’d do anything for her.
“Don’t mean to hover,” he said, taking a step back. “Just want to be close in case you need me.”
She settled into the recliner then extended a hand for him to take.
He grinned and slapped his palm onto hers, the same way he had when he was a kid. Hell, even as an adult his mom would always reach for him whenever she had something important to say. A lesson to impart. Some bits of wisdom that usually showed him that he was wrong.
“I love when you’re close, I hate when you hover. I’m the mom. I’m supposed to take care of you.”
Her words tightened his chest. As much as what she said was true, it also wasn’t. She was getting older and even though she’d bounce back from her mishap, each year would bring them closer to a different type of relationship.
One where he’d take on the role of caregiver more and more.
“All I’m doing is hanging out with my mom. What do you want to watch?” He snagged the remote off the coffee table and turned on the television.
“Something funny. Life’s too hard to waste time on something sad.”
He found her favorite sitcom then placed the remote on the end table at her side. “Can I get you anything else? Water? Popcorn?”
She waved a hand through the air. “I’m fine. You should head home. It’s getting late.”
Hesitation stalled him in the living room. He’d spent every night with his mom since she came home. She might get around okay, but if she woke in the middle of the night and tripped, he wanted to be around.
“I can see those wheels spinning,” she said. “You have to go home eventually. Might as well be tonight. Believe me when I tell you I’ll be okay. I have my phone on me, and this adorable necklace with this fabulous button.” She waved the Life Alert device he’d insisted she wear until she was more stable.
He opened his mouth to argue, but his phone vibrated in his pocket. “One second,” he said then dipped into the kitchen to take the call. “Deputy Sterling.”
“Hey, Heath. It’s Owen. Station received a call that there’s a woman and kids in a broken down vehicle on the side of County Road 182. I know you aren’t on call, but any chance you can check it out? We’re a little short staffed, and the on-duty deputies are dealing with a pretty bad accident. Roads have some ice on them.”
Heath ran a hand over his scratchy beard. He couldn’t say no to a woman in need of help. Hell, this could get him out of the house long enough to make his mom feel more independent. He could always pop back over if needed.
“Sure. I’m not too far from there. I’ll head out right away.”
“Thanks, man. Appreciate it.” Owen disconnected.
Returning to the living room, his mom cast him a quick glance before refocusing on the four women chatting while drinking cocktails on the tv screen. “Everything all right?”
“Nah,” he said, crossing the room to snag his coat. “Owen needs me to check on something. I have to leave, but I’ll come back when I’m done.”
He couldn’t help but laugh at her exaggerated eye roll.
“Go to work. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“I’ll call in the morning. Love you.” He shrugged into his coat then kissed her on the cheek before heading back into the cold.
He half-jogged to his car and started the engine, grateful when heat pumped through the vents. With the temperature drop, tonight was a horrible night for anyone to be stranded by the side of the road. He didn’t want to leave them stranded for any longer than necessary.
Keeping his speed just above the limit, he navigated to the road Owen had told him. He slowed, keeping his eyes out for the people in need. A few feet ahead, an old car was parked on the side of the road. He pulled in behind it and turned on his lights. Blue and red whirled through the night air, highlighting a little face pressed against the back window.
He swiped a couple of suckers from his glovebox and stepped outside. He kept a pleasant smile on his face as he approached the driver’s side window.
A familiar face with wide green eyes and a downturned mouth stared back at him. She rolled down the window.
“Evening, Clara. Are you having some car trouble?”
She flicked her gaze between him and her rearview mirror. “Yeah. I’m not sure what’s wrong.”
“I’m not much of a mechanic, but I can give you a ride home if you want.”
She glanced over her shoulder then her wide eyes met his again. “No. We can’t be there right now.”
Intuition tightened his gut. “Did something happen?”
“Mitch came to the house,” she said, her voice hushed but words full of venom. “I had to get the kids out of there for a few nights.”
“Can I take you somewhere else?” he asked, willing to drive her and her kids across the country if necessary.
She drew in a shuddering breath and nodded. “Yes. Will you drive us to Safe Haven Women’s Shelter?”
* * *
An icy blast barreled against Clara. Her body trembled, but it wasn’t only from the cold. She struggled to unbuckle Davey from his seat in the police cruiser while Heath wrangled Avery out of the car and swung her up on his hip. The way he gently tucked her pink jacket around Avery’s shoulders melted something inside of her.
Her daughter had never known a tender touch from a male figure. The bemused look on the toddler’s little face was enough to bring tears to Clara’s eyes.
Setting Davey on his feet, she placed a hand on his shoulder. “Stay right here while I get our bags, okay?”
Wide-eyed, Davey nodded.
“I’ll get that.” Heath handed over Avery and popped the trunk. He plucked their little suitcase out like it weighed nothing and carried it toward the large house off the town square in Pine Valley.
Forcing a smile for the kids’ sake, she took hold of Davey’s hand and walked toward the wraparound porch that circled the house. If it wasn’t so cold, the turmoil churning in her gut would slow her steps. But she didn’t want her children outside longer than necessary. She didn’t have the luxury of building up her courage or fighting against the shame slithering up her spine. This was a necessary step to keeping her babies safe and that’s all that mattered.
As she climbed the porch steps, the front door swung open, and Mrs. Collins appeared in the doorway. Her smile was genuine, and she spread her arms wide before crouching low. “Davey! I’m so happy to see you again. Can I have a hug?”
Davey glanced up at Clara for approval, and when she gave a subtle dip of her chin, he ran forward and jumped into the older woman’s arms.
Avery squirmed on her hip until Clara set her on her feet then raced to get a hug like her brother.
“And there’s Miss Avery,” Mrs. Collins said, widening her arms to include the little girl. “I swear you’ve grown since the last time I saw you. Come on inside. I have some snacks in the kitchen and a nice, big room all ready for you.”
The knot tying up Clara’s insides loosened. Just seeing Mrs. Collins in her worn overalls and glasses hanging around her neck erased some of the terror wrapped around her since Mitch had stepped foot in the diner. The time she’d spent at the shelter months before had been filled with so much happiness. Had helped build her confidence and shown her that she could provide a bright future for her family.
As if reading her mind, Mrs. Collins stood and reached for her hand. “And of course, anything else you need is here as well. For as long as you need it.”
Emotions simmered at the surface, ready to burst free. But she didn’t want to break down in front of the children—or Heath for that matter. “Thank you.”
“Would you like me to take your bag to your room?” Heath asked.
“No thanks, you’ve done plenty already,” she said, staring at her sneakers. She didn’t want to see the pity in his brown eyes or the hard set of his dark-stubbled jaw that broadcasted his opinion.
He stepped away from the suitcase and pressed his mouth in a firm line. “I’ll have someone take a look at your car in the morning.”
“Oh, no, you don’t have to do that.”
Mrs. Collins squeezed her hand. “Let him help.”
She swallowed her instinct to insist she was fine and could figure things out herself. Because, really, what could she do? She had little money, no knowledge of how to fix a car, and at the moment no way to even get to her vehicle.
Keeping her gaze on her worn tennis shoes, she nodded. “I appreciate it.”
He shoved his hands in his pockets. “Can I speak with you privately for a second?”
Her stomach dropped. He’d joked with the kids on the short car ride to the shelter. She’d been grateful she hadn’t needed to contribute much. Her nerves were too strained, her fear of Mitch’s eventual retaliation too strong to form coherent thoughts.
“How about I take the kids inside and read them a story by the fire?” Mrs. Collins flashed her a reassuring a smile. “Maybe make things more exciting with some hot chocolate?”
Clara’s hands trembled, and she clasped them in front of her waist to keep them still. “Sure. You two be good for Mrs. Collins.”
Mrs. Collins grabbed a hand of each child and led them inside, being careful to keep the door open.
Heath cleared his throat. “Are you okay?”
She finally met his eye, unsure of how to answer his question.
“I’m sorry,” he said. “That was unprofessional. I just meant, I know you were upset earlier and now you’re here.”
Sighing, she twisted her lips to the side. “Mitch showed up at the house. It threw me off and I needed to get out of there quickly.”
“Did he threaten you? Hurt your or the children?” His hands balled into fists at his sides.
“The threat was loud and clear,” she said, recalling his words. “I don’t feel safe there right now. This seemed like the best option.”
Heath plucked out a business card and handed it to her. The feel of his skin sent a shockwave through her system, but she ignored it as she plunged the card in her back pocket.
“If he shows up again, call me. I’ll go over the terms of his probation and see what we can put in place to protect you. I’ll do whatever I can to make sure he doesn’t hurt you.”
His kindness stung her eyes, and she was unsure how to respond to his show of protectiveness. She shouldn’t read too much into it. He was just doing his job. “You’ve already done plenty. And to help with the car, that’s going above and beyond.”
“It’s the least I can do.” He hooked a thumb behind him. “I’ll get the car seats out and place them on the porch and be in touch about your vehicle.”
With a dizzying combination of relief and worry and guilt, she hurried inside and closed the door. The sound of her children’s laughter led her to the kitchen. Mrs. Collins bustled around while singing silly songs and whipping together mugs of hot chocolate.
Davey and Avery perched on the stools in front of the island. They wore matching smiles and awe-filled eyes.
Davey turned toward her. “Can we have whipped cream, Mama?”
The simple joy on his face constricted her chest. He’d had so little in his short life to excite him. So much he hadn’t gotten to experience. She circled her arms around his neck from behind, pressing her cheek to his. “Only if I can too.”
Mrs. Collins sprayed a mound of creamy white fluff on top of the hot chocolate in a red mug and slid it her way. “Mama gets the first drink. She needs to make sure it’s not too hot.” She winked then prepared two smaller cups.
Clara took a sip. The sweet cream melted with the hot chocolate and comforted her like a warm hug.
“How is it, Mama?”
“Perfect,” she said, and tousled Davey’s mop of hair. She took another sip and savored the sweetness. Her children giggled and grabbed their cups, and she closed her eyes. Memorizing every second. This was the first moment of the rest of their lives, and she prayed it would stay just as sweet.