Chapter 7
Lola bent over the motor of a small truck that had been brought in with some timing issues. He had never been so happy to have a motor confuse him. After being responsible for babies, he would take a day under the hood any day. And if the situation arose when Mia wasn’t around, he had no doubt he’d fail that task.
“I see you clock out at three today,” King announced as he strolled into the garage.
Lola turned the wrench again on something under the hood of an old Toyota pick-up and glanced up. “Yeah. That’s right.”
“That works perfect,” King said. “How’s things going?”
“They’re going fine.” Lola tightened the last bolt and stood, turning to face King. “What’s perfect?” he asked, jerking a stained utility cloth from the truck grill.
“Leave here and go to my place. Talk to Avery. She has some things lined up for you.”
“Alright,” Lola agreed and slammed the hood closed.
“Talk to me,” King demanded, folding his arms over his chest. “How’s your head?”
“All in,” Lola told him, and King gave a satisfied nod. “My head is clear. My time is yours. No hesitations. No regrets.”
“Well said, Prospect,” King complimented. “Still satisfied with Angel Haven?”
“Yes, sir.”
“You now have a room at the clubhouse if you change your mind,” King reminded him.
It was the single freedom he had been given since prospecting. “Thank you, sir. I’ll keep that in mind.”
King gave a nod. “Don’t be late.” And without another word, he disappeared just as abruptly as he had appeared.
And as promised, Lola clocked out at three on the dot, driving straight to King and Avery’s home.
“Come in,” Avery greeted Lola. “I have everything written down for you.”
He followed her into the dining room, where lists were laid out on the table and two bags were packed and sitting next to the lists. Pointing them out, she explained the likes and dislikes of each of their children along with their routines, as any mother would do for children going to an overnight stay for the first time.
Overnight? Seriously? This explained the impromptu questioning from King. He was checking Lola’s stability before trusting him with his kids. He prayed the information seeped in without him listening. Because he was sure his brain had lapsed for a moment. Did she really expect him to take the six- and ten-year-old with him for the next three days? Three days! Not just overnight. But three days. Sweat began creeping up his back. Apparently, Cowboy’s test was not the one designed to break him.
Trusting him? Lola’s ears perked up to Avery’s words. King trusted him with his children, he could do this. He had to do this.
A little more than an hour later, Lola had Kingsley and Zane at Angel Haven. With their bags in a room, and clothes changed for swimming, they headed toward the backyard.
The fear of more than one child at a time let alone for a length of days had faded by the time the first night ended. The kids were no strangers to Angel Haven. Zane thought it was cool to hang out with his new uncle, he said. And Kingsley was excited to stay overnight in the fairytale castle. Not to mention Mia and Amber catered to the little girl just as if she were a real princess.
***
Lola quickly learned to never think things couldn”t get worse. The moment Lola had been summoned to Brick’s home, his gut told him he was in for another evening with kids. And Brick had four of them. He now stood in the living room of the large log house forcing his heart rate to remain even. Tonight, he would be on his own. No Mia and no Amber to bail him out of a bind. He was here alone.
“Here’s a list of things you may find helpful,” Nealy told Lola, holding a sheet of paper.
“No list,” Brick barked.
Nealy shot Brick a look that Lola hoped would save him. “The baby—”
“Is fine,” Brick cut her off. “Mercy!” He called his daughter and watched her jump from the couch and run toward him. “In charge.”
“Woo hoo,” the seven-year-old sang and danced. “I’m in charge.”
When Brick”s eyes narrowed on the child, she immediately came to a halt, lifting her sweet eyes toward him. “Yes, Daddy. I’ll make sure he doesn’t mess up.” Then, in a quieter voice, she told him, “I’ll let you know if he’s bad so you can kick his ass.”
“Mercy!” Nealy shouted.
Mercy’s head snapped toward her mother. “Sorry, Momma.”
Brick snickered and ruffled the child’s hair as he passed. Picking up a bag, he turned back toward Lola with a knowing smirk, then headed toward the garage door.
Nealy held up the list again only for Brick to yell, “No.” Darting her tongue out, she crumbled the list, dropping it into a nearby trash can. Lola watched the vital list falling into the small basket, but not before he caught the mischievous smile on Nealy’s face glancing back at him.
The door leading to the garage closed, leaving Lola frozen in the center of the living room with four children. Four children, ranging from one month to seven years, that he was responsible for, for the next twenty-four hours. Slowly, the shock drained away, and with the help of Mercy, he changed diapers and played on the floor with the three little ones. Luckily, he discovered younger children went to bed earlier, cutting the day short. Then after a tea party with the seven-year-old, she climbed into bed with no fuss and fell directly to sleep.
As promised, Brick and Nealy returned the next day to a surprisingly peaceful and somewhat clean house. Lola sat on the floor with his back against the couch, the baby on his lap. Mercy lay sprawled on the couch with her head near Lola, narrating a movie she had seen many times. Across the room, the two boys played among a pile of toys they had scattered around them.
***
By the end of the month, Lola now had experience with most ages from infant to teens. He had learned kids give a whole new outlook on life and can be exhausting. He also noticed how the little things in life were molding and shaping these kids to be strong adults for the future of the club.