14 #4
A slow grin snuck up on Kam. “No kidding? How’d that come about?”
“I needed someone, and he needs the help—not just financial, but someone who’s involved.”
No one better than Tanner. “You need help with the tree farm? Why didn’t you say something?”
“You’ve got your hands full with your own job and helping Glory. Besides, I like the idea of spending more time with Kirby.
Kid is super skittish and I get why. His mother’s boyfriend has no business being around kids.”
Familiar dread settled in Kam’s stomach. “How bad is he?”
“Mostly verbal abuse with the girl, but he’s laid hands on Kirby a few times. We both know how that goes.”
Yeah, unfortunately, he did. “It accelerates, starts happening more often, and each time gets worse.”
Lower, Tanner growled, “I’d love to teach that man a valuable lesson.”
“Me first.” Why the hell did some adults have to be such fucking assholes? It wasn’t hard to be good to a kid. In fact, for
most, it was a natural instinct.
But there were still too many cruel people in the world, those who preyed on anyone smaller or weaker because it made them
feel superior—or just because they enjoyed it.
Tanner blew out a breath. “The only upside is that he has a stepdad who’s been trying to help out. Kirby loved the stepdad.
He’d been around a long time, until the mom found a new boyfriend, then the stepdad was booted out.”
“Divorced?”
“Would you stay in that situation?”
“No.” Trust was a valuable commodity, ranking high on his list. “You think the stepdad might be the answer?”
“I spoke with him last night. He loves both kids. Never had any of his own and said he considers them his.”
Awesome. Finally some good news.
“From what Kirby told me, he was a great dad for a decade. I spoke with our contacts, and they’re going to see what they can
do. Kirby’s old enough to make up his own mind. He could move in with his stepdad tonight.”
“But he won’t leave his sister.” Kam understood that.
By way of explanation, Tanner said, “She’s only twelve, petite, and she’s scared of the bastard. She loves the stepdad, though.
He’s the only father she’d known for a decade.”
With PB leading the way, Kam wandered the yard. “Until that all gets worked out?”
“The boyfriend is out of town for a few days, so we have some wiggle room.” Tanner hesitated, then said, “I told Kirby he
could bring his sis along if he wanted. Callie said she’d show her around, introduce her to the chickens and goats, then later,
we’d all check on the horses. But now, with the storm, not sure how that’ll work.”
“Where’s their mom?”
“Sleeping. She works late at a bar and then sleeps away the weekend.”
Rough—not that Kam would excuse her. Parents should protect their kids, period. “Let me know if you need anything.”
“I need you to enjoy your Sunday. They’ll all be over to visit today, but Addie said they’d keep it brief. Says you’re due
an actual day off, and I agree. Callie just wants to check on Glory, then she’ll head back here.”
Keeping news of the baby to himself wasn’t easy. Despite the seriousness of Kirby’s situation, imagining how Tanner would react put a huge grin on Kam’s face. Addie would go bonkers, for sure. No telling how Liz would react.
Glory hadn’t shared with Callie, so he’d hold it together, too. “Hard to relax with Mike still out there.”
“The bastard will trip up soon. The cops are looking for him, and now both Kirby and Shara are on to him.”
That part bothered Kam a lot. “I don’t like it. It’s too damned dangerous for them.”
“Kirby has our numbers and knows to call if he sees anything fishy,” Tanner reminded him, then added, “Seemed to me that Shara
was spooked enough to lay low for a while.”
“Guaranteed.” Shara was terrified, as much by what people would think as the threats Mike had made against her. “I wish she’d
go to the police.”
“I’m not sure what good it would do. The cops are already doing all they can.”
PB finished investigating the yard, did her business, kicked some grass on it, and was ready to head in.
The idea of scooping dog doo-doo had him grinning again. Seemed Glory had him on a roller-coaster ride of feelings. “I’m new
to this.”
“This?” Tanner asked.
“Caring so much about a woman.” With only PB looking at him, he still shrugged. “Worrying about some things, anticipating
others. Enjoying most.”
With an amused grunt, Tanner said, “You’re handling it better than I did.”
It . . . being love.
“If it helps, it gets easier.”
“It’ll be easier when Mike is out of the picture.” Allowing PB to lead him in, Kam mused on love. Love for Glory—and love for the baby they’d have. “If you hear anything, let me know. Otherwise, I’m heading inside to start my coffee.”
“We’ll touch base every few hours. Try to relax and enjoy a day off for a change.”
As if Tanner ever took a full day off. Shaking his head, Kam disconnected, looked up, and spotted Glory standing just inside
the door. Her hair was sleep-rumpled, her eyes still drowsy, but she smiled at him.
He hoped to see that particular look from her every day for the rest of his life.