Chapter 26
Chapter Twenty-Six
TESSA
Winter had officially hit Hope Valley, and with Halloween over, everyone was gearing up for Thanksgiving. For the first time since losing my parents, I was actually excited for what was to come.
I’d usually spent the holidays alone, going about those days like they were any other since I didn’t have anyone to celebrate with, but this year was going to be different.
Bryce’s family was coming back so they could help us celebrate with the kids at Hope House. There was going to be a massive feast, games, and after dinner, the adults were going to set up a tree in the common room for all the kids to decorate.
Everything was absolutely perfect . . . with two tiny exceptions.
First, Bryce had been called out of town on a job that had lasted five days already, and I missed him like crazy. I’d gone more than ten years without him, but now that I had him back, those few, short days were proving to be downright brutal.
To keep my mind off of missing him, I’d buried myself in all things at Hope House, going as far as staying well into the evenings to spend time with the other volunteers and kids. But that only did so much.
Second, someone had decided to mess with me.
The slashed tires the other week had only been the start. After lunch with the girls a few days ago, I discovered my car had been keyed. Then my front window had been smashed while I was in the grocery store.
I had my suspicions as to who was behind the vandalism, but without any real evidence, I knew there wasn’t much the police could do to Ava Winslow, and I didn’t want to worry Bryce while he was out of town.
“Considering the hours you’ve worked this week, I’m startin’ to think you’re tryin’ to show the rest of us up. What time did you get in this mornin’?”
Looking up from my computer, I smiled at Reggie and leaned back in my chair, stretching my muscles. “Around six thirty. And I’m not trying to show anyone up. The house is just too quiet right now.”
The big man moved into my office, taking a seat across from me. “Bryce still outta town?”
“Yeah. He should be back tomorrow, and I can’t wait. I haven’t been sleeping well.”
He chuckled and shook his head. “I don’t know which one has it worse, you or him.
You turn into a workaholic when he’s outta town, but even when you’re in the same room together, he watches you like you’re the sole reason he’s breathin’.
Not sure I’ve ever seen a man as gone for a woman as Dixon is for you. ”
“I’m not going to lie, Reg. I love hearing that.”
“As you should,” he said. “You two went through a lot to get where you are today. Not sure I’ve met a person who deserves happiness more than you, darlin’. Just glad you finally found it.”
“Careful, Reggie,” I said in a teasing tone. “You keep being sweet like this and the kids’ll likely take advantage.”
He sat back in his chair, the grin on his face showing he was already wrapped around all their fingers.
The phone on my desk rang a second later, cutting into our conversation.
“This is Tessa.”
“Tessa, it’s Miranda. I need you to get up to the high school as quickly as you can. It’s Charity.”
And just like that, the ease of only moments ago vanished.
My heart was in my throat as I raced across town. Miranda was waiting for me when I parked and shot out of the car, taking the steps to the entrance two at a time.
“What’s going on? Where’s Charity? Is she okay?”
“She’s fine,” Miranda said, laying a comforting hand on my arm. “She’s in class; the principal is pulling her out right now. I asked him to let me speak with you first so I could fill you in on what happened.”
“Okay, so what did happen?”
“Ava Winslow and her boyfriend were spotted on school property today.”
I hadn’t realized I was holding my breath until my lungs began to burn. I let out a rush of air on a sharp, “What?”
They’ve checked the cameras around the school, and it doesn’t look like either of them made an approach, but they were sitting outside in their car for about an hour before someone noticed them, just . . . watching the building.”
“Jesus,” I spit, raking a hand through my hair. “What is that woman up to?”
“I don’t know, but I’m growing concerned. I think it would be best if Charity was moved from Hope House. At least for the time being.”
“What? No!” I shouted. “That’s her home, Miranda!”
The woman held her hands up in a placating gesture. “It would just be temporary. It’s becoming clear this woman is unstable. I haven’t mentioned it to you, but I’ve been receiving threats.”
“Are you kidding?”
It wasn’t until right then that I noticed the stress lining the woman’s face. “Believe me, I wish I was. I’m worried she’ll do something that could put Charity or any of the other kids in the house in danger. If we were to relocate her without her mother knowing where she is, that might help.”
“None of this is Charity’s fault. If we pull her out of Hope House now, she’s going to think we don’t want her anymore.”
“I know this is hard. It’s the last thing I want to do. She’s been doing so well the past couple of months. This is liable to set her back, but you have to think of the other kids, Tessa. If they’re at risk . . .”
She let that sentence hang, knowing, in the back of her mind, I knew she was right. And I hated that she was.
“There is another alternative,” she said after a few seconds of brutal silence.
“Yeah? And what’s that?”
She gave me a cunning smile. “Tessa, you’re a certified foster parent.”
Holy shit. I was! “Holy shit, I am! I hadn’t even thought of that.”
“I didn’t want to suggest it right away on the chance you wouldn’t be willing—”
“I’m willing,” I spouted. “I’m totally willing. Charity can come stay with me. She’ll be completely safe there.”
Miranda looked almost as relieved as I felt, which was really saying something, because I was so damn relieved I could have kissed her.
“Should you run this by your husband first? I’d be happy to step inside if you need to make a call.”
I waved her off. “He’ll be fine with it, trust me. And even if he wasn’t, I’m all for asking forgiveness, not permission.”
“Well, then,” she said, the tension in her shoulders melting away, “it looks like the problem’s solved. What do you say we go in and tell our girl?”
Charity moved slowly, stepping through the front door and into the entry, her head tipped back, taking everything in. “Wow. You’ve got a really nice place.”
I stepped in after her, closing the door and locking it behind us. “Thanks. We like it.”
She looked back over her shoulder, fiddling nervously with the straps of her bag. “You sure Bryce doesn’t mind me being here?”
On the way back to Hope House to collect Charity’s things, I’d called Bryce to let him know what was happening.
Before I could mention I was moving the girl in with us, he’d made the suggestion himself, pointing out that our house had a state-of-the-art security system, so even though he wasn’t currently there—something he wasn’t happy about—Charity and I would still be safe until he got home.
“I’m positive, sweetheart. I’ve already talked to him, and he thinks this is the best possible arrangement. We have a guest room already made up, and you’ll have your own bathroom. You want to see it?” A look of wonder blanketed her features, and she nodded excitedly.
I showed her where she’d sleep before giving her a tour of the whole house. I ordered pizza for dinner, and the two of us spent the rest of the night vegging out in front of Bryce’s massive TV, watching a bunch of chick flicks and romantic comedies.
She’d gotten more comfortable the longer she spent with me, but I could tell something was weighing heavily on her.
When the credits began to roll on the movie we’d been watching, I turned to her and spoke. “I can’t imagine the toll all of this has taken on you, but I want you to know, if you ever feel like talking, I’m here. I’ll always be here for you, Charity. I hope you know that.”
Her head twisted toward me, her eyes full of worry as she chewed on her bottom lip. “Thanks, Ms. Tessa.”
I waited for her to say more, but when she didn’t, as hard as it was, I let it go and started another movie.
We were ten minutes in before she spoke again, and when she did, her voice was barely more than a whisper.
“Just so you know, I’m really glad you moved here.
” Her eyes returned to me. “And I’m really glad I met you. ”
“I am too, sweetheart.”
That was all that needed to be said. We resumed watching the movie and enjoyed the rest of our evening.
A short while later, the stress of the day finally won out and Charity fell asleep on the couch.
As I helped her navigate the stairs to her room, I couldn’t help but notice that like this, partially asleep with her face washed completely clean, she looked like the little girl she’d never had the chance to be.
I helped her into bed, pulling the covers over her and tucking her in tight. Unable to help myself, I leaned down and brushed a light kiss to her forehead before finally forcing myself to move toward the door.
I shot Bryce a text to let him know I was calling it a night, and with my girl tucked safe and sound in the bed down the hall, I fell asleep, eased by the knowledge that everything was going to be all right.
I wouldn’t realize until later that night, just how wrong I’d been.