“You’re early for dinner.” Hannah glanced up from reading the paperwork needed for Lisa’s rehab facility.
Jacob fit his long length into the small chair to the side of her desk. “I promised some of the kids I’d play touch football. The day has turned out to be great so here I am.” He spread his arms wide.
Indeed, he was, looking ruggedly handsome with tousled hair and warm brown eyes. “Who?”
“Some of the older boys in the other cottage, but Gabe and Terry want to play, too.”
“Is that safe?” She stacked the papers to the side to give to Lisa later.
He grinned, his two dimples appearing. “I’ll protect them. They’ve always watched before, but both boys love football so I said yes.”
“Still...aren’t they a little young to play?”
He pushed to his feet, giving her a wink. “I promise they will be fine, and you know I don’t break a promise.”
“You can’t control everything.”
The merriment in his eyes died. “I, more than most, realize that. Your life can change instantly and take you in a completely opposite direction than you ever imagined.” He headed for the door. “I’m going to have a few words with the older guys about making sure Gabe and Terry have fun but aren’t hurt.” He peered back at her. “Okay?”
“Yes,” she said as he disappeared out into the hall.
She had a report to read, but maybe she should go watch the game just in case something unforeseen happened. Yeah, right. Is that the only reason?
She had to admit to herself that since Friday night, when Jacob had told her something about his childhood, she hadn’t been able to get the man out of her mind. And only a moment before he’d referred to life changing so quickly. Perhaps he hadn’t walked away from the wreck unscathed.
She left her office and went in search of the touch-football game. She found a group of kids in the area between the two cottages and among them was Jacob giving instructions on the rules. Gabe and Terry, smaller than the other boys, flanked Jacob. How good he was with the children was reconfirmed as she watched.
“Will Terry and Gabe be all right?” Susie asked, coming to Hannah’s side with Nancy.
“Dr. Jacob told me they would be.”
“Then they will. Good. I wouldn’t want anything to happen to them. Terry wants to try out for the basketball team at school and tryouts are next week.”
“He didn’t say anything to me. When?” She shouldn’t be surprised Susie knew before her. The young girl was a mother hen to the kids in the cottage.
Susie shrugged. “He probably forgot. It isn’t until Thursday after school.
Nancy tugged on Hannah’s hand. “I’m gonna be a cheerleader. Susie taught me some cheers.”
Hannah scanned the children assembled. “Where’s Andy? I thought he would be out here in the thick of things, even if he can’t play.”
“He’s cleaning his room—again.” Susie clapped as the two teams lined up, with Nancy mimicking the older girl’s action.
“I’ll go check on him and get him to come out here.” Hannah hurried toward the house. She didn’t want to miss the game—in case there was a problem. Yeah, sure. You’re fooling yourself again. Jacob Hartman is the reason you’re out here and not inside reading that report you need to go through.
In the cottage she discovered Andy folding his clothes in his drawer and having a hard time with only one hand. “Hey, there’s a big game being played outside. Dr. Jacob is here and in the middle of it.”
“I know. But my room isn’t clean enough.” Andy attempted to refold the T-shirt.
Hannah surveyed the spotless area. She walked to Andy and took the piece of clothing. “You want to talk?”
“Nope. I’ve got to get this done.” He averted his gaze.
“This looks great.”
“It isn’t good enough yet.”
She thought about leaving him alone, but the quaver in his voice demanded her full attention. She drew him around to face her. “Andy, I won’t lie to you. You can’t do anything else to this room to make it better. I wish all the children’s bedrooms were this clean.”
“But—but it’s got to be perfect for Mom.”
“Why, hon?”
“Mom needs to know I can keep our place clean.”
Hannah tugged Andy to the bed and sat with him next to her. “Then she will know. Why do you feel that way?”
“’Cause—” he sniffled “—’cause her boyfriend got mad at me for leaving the cereal out. He started to hit me when she came in between us. He hurt her instead.”
She settled her arm along his shoulders. “He moved out so you won’t have to worry about him.”
Sniffing, Andy wiped his sleeve across his face. “But he could come back. He’s left before and come back.”
Hannah hugged the boy to her. “Let’s not worry about that right now. I want you to have a good time showing your mother around and introducing her to your friends.” She stood. “C’mon, let’s see what everyone else is doing.”
Andy remained seated. “Can I tell ya a secret?”
“Sure.”
“He gave Mom money to live on. She’s tried some jobs, but they never last long. Do you think if I get a job it’ll help? ’Course, I can’t quit school. Mom didn’t finish, and she told me how important it is I do.”
Staring down at Andy, Hannah felt she was talking to a little adult. Her heart broke at the worry and seriousness she saw in the boy’s eyes. “Tell you what. If you promise me you won’t worry about finding a job, I’ll help your mother find one after she gets out of drug rehab. Okay?”
“You will?” Joy flooded his face as he leaped to his feet. “That would be so good!”
She held out her hand. “Let’s go see what’s going on outside.”
As they strolled toward the yard between the cottages, Hannah mulled over what Andy had told her. She knew Lisa wasn’t well educated from the way she talked. Getting her help with her drug problem was only the beginning of what Lisa and Andy would need if reuniting the family were going to work. She hadn’t really thought beyond getting Lisa through a drug-rehab program. Maybe she was naive. Jacob certainly thought so.
I’m just going to have to prove him wrong.
Outside Hannah positioned herself on the sidelines of the makeshift football field with Andy on one side and Nancy on the other. Watching Jacob playing with the children, Hannah decided he was a big kid at heart. The laughter and ribbing filled the cool fall air. Before she knew it the sun began to slip down the sky toward the western horizon.
“Shouldn’t Mom be here by now?” Andy asked as the losing team shook hands with the winners.
Hannah checked her watch. “She’s only a few minutes late.” Please, Lord, let Lisa show up. If she doesn’t... Hannah didn’t have any words to express her regret if the woman didn’t come.
Jacob jogged toward her, his shirttail hanging out of his jeans, some dirt smudges on his face, his hair tousled even more than usual where some of the children tackled him to the ground at the end. Gabe and Terry had hung back until all the bigger kids were on the pile then they joined the others on top.
Jacob peered toward the road that led to the cottages and mouthed the words, “Not here?” so that Andy, who was staring at the same road, wouldn’t hear.
She shook her head. “Everyone needs to clean up. Dinner is in an hour.” She eyed Jacob and his smudges. “Including you.”
“I brought an extra shirt in case something like this happened, which it does every time.” With a wink, he loped toward his car.
“What if something happened to Mom?”
Hannah put her hands on Andy’s shoulders and pulled his attention away from the road by blocking his view. “We have an hour until we eat. Don’t you know women are notorious for being late to important events. We have to make our grand entrance.”
“Ya think that’s it?”
I hope so. “Yes,” she said, and sent up another prayer.
She and the children walked toward the cottage as Jacob joined them, carrying his clean shirt. He slipped into the house ahead of them and made his way to the bathroom off the kitchen. The kids dispersed to their bedrooms to clean up. Hannah stood in the foyer with Andy, Nancy and Susie.
The boy glanced back at the front door. “I’m gonna wait out on the porch.”
After Andy left, Hannah said to Susie, “Will you make sure everyone really cleans up? I’ll be outside with Andy.”
“Sure. I hope his mother comes. He’s been so excited.” Susie took Nancy’s hand to lead her back to the bedrooms.
Nancy stuck her thumb into her mouth and began to suck it. Hannah watched them disappear down the hall, wondering why the five-year-old was sucking her thumb. She hadn’t seen that before, and it now worried Hannah.
Out on the porch Hannah eased down next to Andy on the front steps. He cradled his chin in his palm and stared at the road. Her heart contracted at the forlorn look on the boy’s face. Maybe Jacob is right. I should have left well enough alone.
She searched her mind for something to make the situation better when she heard the door open and close. She glanced back at Jacob, who came to sit on the other side of Andy. She saw no reproach in Jacob’s expression, which surprised her. Lisa was a half an hour late, and a lot of people would now be gloating about how she had been wrong.
“You know, I want a rematch tonight. I can’t let Gabe’s win stand. Want to join us in the game, Andy?” Jacob lounged back, propping himself up with his elbows and appearing as though he had not care in the world.
Until you looked into his eyes, Hannah thought, and glimpsed the worry deep in their depths.
“Can Mom play, too?”
It took Jacob several heartbeats to answer, “Sure.” But again nothing was betrayed in his expression or tone of voice.
Andy jumped to his feet. “Look! She’s coming.” He pointed toward a woman walking down the road toward the cottage.
Before Hannah could say anything, the boy leaped off the steps and raced toward his mother. Relief trembled through Hannah at the sight of the woman. Lisa scooped up Andy into a bear hug, then looped her arm around him.
“She came,” Hannah murmured, tears smarting her eyes.
The silence from Jacob electrified the air. She resisted the urge to look at him and instead relished this step forward in Andy and his mother’s relationship. Maybe my plan will work after all. Thank You, Lord.
“I’m glad she’s here,” Jacob finally said, straightening.
When Hannah peered at him, relief replaced the worry in his gaze as he observed the pair make their way toward him. She realized in that moment that he wanted what was best for Andy, even if he was wrong. They didn’t agree what was best, but they had a common goal: Andy’s safety and happiness. There was a part of her that was unnerved that she would have another thing in common with Jacob, but she couldn’t deny it. In that moment she felt close to him, and that sensation surprised her even more than his earlier lack of reproach.
Hannah brushed her hand across her cheek and rose as mother and child approached. “It’s so good to see you, Lisa, but how did you get here?”
Lisa stopped at the bottom of the steps with Andy cradled against her side. “I walked from the bus stop.”
“That’s two miles away.” She couldn’t believe she hadn’t thought about the fact that Lisa might not have transportation out to the farm.
Andy’s mother grinned. “I need to get in shape. It took me a bit longer than I thought.” She splayed her hand across her chest. “I had to rest about halfway. But I’m here now.”
Hannah stepped to the side. “Welcome to Stone’s Refuge. The children are waiting inside to meet you.”
Andy took his mother’s hand and led her into the house. Jacob nodded his head and indicated Hannah go through the entrance before him. She did and felt his gaze burning a hole into her back. She paused in the foyer to watch the children greet Andy’s mother in the living room. The only one who didn’t was Nancy. She hung back with her thumb in her mouth and her gaze trained on the floor by her feet.
“What’s wrong with Nancy?” Jacob whispered into her ear.
Nearly jumping, Hannah gasped and spun around. She’d been so focused on Andy and his mother that Hannah hadn’t heard Jacob approach from behind her. “Give a gal some warning.”
“Sorry. I haven’t seen Nancy sucking her thumb before. When did it start?”
“I think this afternoon. At least that’s the first time I’ve seen it since I’ve been here.”
Jacob frowned and peered at the little girl, still off to the side while everyone else was crowded around Andy and Lisa, all trying to talk at the same time. A dazed look appeared in Lisa’s eyes.
Hannah moved forward. “Andy, why don’t you give your mother a tour of the house and show her your bedroom? Dinner will be in half an hour.”
En masse the group started for the back of the house. Except for Nancy. She stayed in the living room, continuing to stare at the floor. Hannah covered the distance between her and the little girl and knelt in front of Nancy.
“What’s wrong?”
With thumb still in her mouth, Nancy shook her head.
“Are you sure I can’t help you with something?”
She nodded, hugging her arms to her, her eyes still downcast.
“Well, I sure could use someone to help me set the table. Will you, Nancy?”
“Yes,” the child mumbled around her thumb.
“I’ll help, too.” Jacob came up to join them.
“Great. We’ll get it done in no time.” Hannah held out her hand for Nancy to take. She did.
Jacob flanked the little girl on the other side and extended his palm to her. She stared at it for a long second before removing her thumb from her mouth and grasping him. “Are you looking forward to going back to kindergarten tomorrow after your fall break?”
“My teacher’s so nice. I’m gonna tell her about the zoo and the pla—mingos.”
Hannah left Nancy and Jacob in the dining room while she went into the kitchen to get the place mats and dishes. Arms loaded, she backed through the swinging door and nearly collided with Jacob. Nancy giggled. He took the plates, set them on the table, then passed the mats to the girl.
“I’ll do these while you put those down.” Jacob gestured toward the mats held in Nancy’s hands.
Hannah hurried back for the rest of the dishes. In ten minutes the dining-room table was set. She stood back with Jacob on one side and Nancy on the other. “We’re a good team. Next time I need some help, I’ll have to ask you, Nancy.”
She peered up at Hannah, a question in her eyes. “How about Dr. Jacob? He helped.”
“Yeah, a team has to stick together,” Jacob said with a laugh.
“Him, too.” The heat rose in Hannah’s cheeks. The idea of them being a team wasn’t as disturbing as she would have once thought.
Hannah examined the piece of paper Nancy held up. “I like your flamingo. Are you going to share it with your class tomorrow?”
The little girl nodded. “Just in case they don’t know what one looks like.”
“Well, they will now with this picture.” Hannah tilted her head, tapping her chin with her finger. “You know, it seems I remember someone has a birthday coming up.”
“Me!” Nancy pointed to herself. “I’ll be six in four days.”
“We’ll have to think of something special to celebrate such an important birthday.”
Shouts of victory permeated the living room. Hannah glanced toward the game table by the bay window.
Andy stood by his chair, pumping his good arm into the air and dancing around in a circle. “I won finally!”
“Why don’t you take this back to your room and start getting ready for bed.” Hannah handed the paper to Nancy.
“But I’m not tired.”
“Tomorrow will be here soon enough.”
As Nancy trudged from the room, Hannah rose and walked to the table where Jacob sat with Andy, Gabe and Lisa playing a board game. Gabe began to set up the pieces again for another game.
“Sorry, guys. It’s time for bed.”
Moans greeted Hannah’s announcement.
“But Dr. Jacob hasn’t won yet,” Gabe said, continuing to put the pieces on the board.
“Too bad. He’ll have to win some other day.”
Gabe pouted. “But—”
“Gabe, Hannah is right. This just means we’ll have to play again at a later date.” Jacob picked up the game box.
Andy jumped to his feet. “Mom, can you put me to bed?”
Lisa peered at Hannah. “If it’s okay?”
“That’s great. I’ll help Jacob clean up while you two boys get into your pajamas.” Hannah surveyed the other children in the room. “That goes for everyone.” As the kids filed into the hallway, Hannah stopped Lisa. “May I have a word with you?”
“Andy, I’ll be there in a sec.” Lisa waved her son on.
“How are you getting home?” Hannah asked when the room emptied of children.
“Walking to the bus stop. The last one is at ten.”
“I’ll drive you home. I don’t want you walking at night on the highway.”
“I don’t want ya to go—”
“I’ll take you home. I have to go that way.” Jacob boxed up the last piece of the game and put it in the cabinet.
Appreciation shone in Lisa’s expression. “I won’t be long. I’ll go say good-night to Andy.”
“I’ll go with you.” Jacob started after Andy’s mother.
Hannah halted him. She waited until Lisa had disappeared from the room before asking, “Are you sure? I don’t mind taking her. Meg is still here to watch the children. I won’t be gone long.”
“No, I need to get to know her better. This will be a good opportunity to see what her intentions are toward Andy.”
“Maybe I’d better take her after all.”
He chuckled. “Afraid I’ll scare her away?”
“No.”
“Good, because if I can then she shouldn’t be involved with Andy and finding out now would be better than later.”
Hannah’s eyes widened. “You’re going to interrogate her?”
He saw the concern in her gaze that quickly evolved into a frown. “No, I’ll be on my best behavior. I offered because there really is no reason for you to drive her into town.” Shrugging, he flashed her a grin. “I’m going that way.”
“Just so you’ll know, tomorrow I’m taking her to the rehab facility to begin the program. Don’t frighten her away.”
“Who, me?” He thumped his chest. “I’m wounded. I want it to work out for Andy. I just don’t think it will.” He held up a hand to ward off her protest. “But I’m willing to go along so long as Andy isn’t hurt. The second he is—”
Hannah walked toward the entrance, cutting off his words with a wave. “I have the child’s best interest at heart, so you don’t have to threaten me.”
“Excuse me?”
She wheeled around at the door. “What are you going to do? Come riding in on your white steed and save the day?”
“Why, Ms. Smith, I do believe that’s sarcasm I hear in your voice.”
She put her hand on her waist. “I think we can agree on disagreeing about how to handle Lisa and Andy.”
“Hey, I’m willing to give it a try. I behaved at dinner.”
Her other hand went to her waist. “If you call behaving, giving the poor woman the third degree, then, yes, you behaved like a perfect gentleman.”
“Ouch! I do believe your barb found its mark.” He flattened his palm over his heart. “I wanted to know how she was going to support Andy.”
“I could have told you she doesn’t have a job. I intend to find her one.”
“You do?”
“Well, yes, when she’s completed the drug-rehab program. Do you know of anyone who might hire her?”
“Not off the top of my head. But let’s wait and see what happens in a few weeks before you go out pounding the pavement looking for a job for Andy’s mom.” He strode to her, gave her a wink and headed down the hallway. “You may not have to worry about it.”
Jacob heard Hannah’s gasp and chuckled. He enjoyed ruffling her feathers, so to speak. He expected Hannah to follow him to Andy’s room, but when he stopped at the boy’s door, she still hadn’t come down the corridor. Disappointment fluttered through him.
Cradled against his mother, Andy sat on his bed in his pajamas, listening to her read a story. When she closed the book, Andy said, “Again.”
Lisa glanced toward Jacob. “I have to go, but I’ll be back.”
“Promise.”
“If it was just me, I would, but the judge makes the decisions now. I hope so.” Emotions thickened her voice.
“I love you, Mommy.” Andy threw his arms around her.
She kissed the top of his head, then stood. “I’m gonna get help, Andy. This time it’ll work.”
This time? As Jacob had thought, Lisa had gone through rehab before and it hadn’t been successful. He backed away, not wanting Andy to see anything in his expression. But in his mind Lisa represented his mother and his concern skyrocketed.
Jacob waited in the front foyer for the woman to emerge from the back. She said goodbye to Hannah then approached him. He wrenched open the door and stepped to the side to allow Andy’s mother to go first. When he glanced toward Hannah, her look communicated a plea for understanding, as though she could read the war going on inside of him.
After asking for Lisa’s address, Jacob fell silent on the drive into town. Memories of his own mother assailed him. He’d known he would be reminded of his childhood when he chose to work with children in the foster-care system. He’d thought he was prepared and usually he was. But not this time. His grip on the steering wheel tightened.
Jacob pulled to the curb in an area of town that had seen better days. Trash littered the streets and even with the windows rolled up, a decaying smell seeped into the car. “You live around here?”
Lisa grasped the door handle. “No, but I can catch a bus on the corner.”
He scanned the area and wondered who or what lurked in the darkness between the buildings. “I said I’d drive you home, and I meant all the way.”
“But—”
His gaze fixed on a broken-out storefront window. A movement inside the abandoned building made him press his foot on the accelerator. “I can’t leave you here. It’s too dangerous. Where are you staying?”
Silence.
Jacob slid a glance toward Lisa who stared at her hands in her lap. “You were staying back there?”
She nodded.
“Where?”
“In one of the buildings.”
“You’re homeless.”
“It was my boyfriend’s place Andy and I was staying at. He came back last night and kicked me out.”
“So now you don’t have anywhere to live?”
“No.”
When Jacob turned onto a well-lit street, he sighed with relief. “How did you get to the zoo?”
“By bus.”
Jacob made another turn, heading into the heart of the city. “I’m taking you to a shelter that’s run by a couple from my church. They’re good people. You’ll be safe there.” Again he looked toward Lisa and caught the tears streaking down her cheeks. “Okay?”
“Yeah,” she mumbled, and dropped her head.
Something deep in his heart cracked open when he glimpsed Lisa’s hurt. “I’ll let Hannah know where you’re staying so she can come there to pick you up tomorrow.”
Her sobs sounded in the quiet, and another fissure opened up in his heart. Conflicting emotions concerning Lisa and her situation swirled through him.
“Why are ya being so nice? Ya don’t like me,” Lisa finally said between sniffles.
“For Andy.” Jacob pulled into a parking space at the side of the shelter in downtown Cimarron City near his church.
Lisa lifted her head. “I love my son.”
“Enough to stop taking drugs?”
She blinked, loosening several more tears. “Yeah.”
“I’ll be praying you do.” Jacob opened his door, realizing as he slid out of the car that he meant every word. He would pray for Lisa’s recovery. In the past he’d always thought of the child, never the parent in the situation. He was finding out there were two sides to a story.
Inside the shelter connected to his church, Jacob greeted Herb and Vickie Braun. “Lisa needs a place to stay for the night.”
“We’ve got a bed. I’ll show you the way.” Vickie gestured toward a hallway that led to the sleeping area.
As the two women left the large hall where the residents ate their meals, Herb slapped Jacob on the back. “I wondered when we’d see you again. We’ve missed you down here.”
“I’ve been so busy with Stone’s Refuge and my practice.”
“Eighteen children can keep you hopping. What you, Peter and Noah have done is great and definitely needed.”
“We’ve appreciated you keeping an eye out for any children in need of a safe place to stay.” Jacob walked toward the front door. “In a few months the third house will be finished.”
“We’ll take care of Lisa. She’ll have a place to stay for as long as she needs it.”
Back in his car Jacob rested his forehead on the steering wheel. He hadn’t wanted to tell Herb the reason he didn’t volunteer at the shelter, as many did from the church, was that it hit too close to home. There had been many times he had stayed in a shelter with his mother, but none were as safe and nice as this one. He’d comforted himself with financially supporting the place, but he knew now he should do something more. He needed to face his past and deal with it. He’d been running for a long time.
He started his car and drove toward his apartment near his practice. Emotionally exhausted, he plodded into the building and punched the elevator for his floor. Five minutes later, he plunked down on his bed and lay back, still fully dressed. He needed to get up and check his messages, then finish making some notes on a case, but a bone-weary tiredness held him pinned to the mattress. His eyes slid closed....
Darkness loomed before Jacob, rushing toward him.
“Let’s go faster,” Kevin said, turning the radio up louder, the music pulsating in the air.
“I can’t see well.” Jacob squinted his eyes as if that would improve his vision so he could see out the windshield better.
His friend shifted toward him until he spied the dashboard. “You’re only going forty. What’s the point taking Dad’s car if we don’t do something fun?”
“You’re the one who wanted to come out here.” Jacob’s gaze swept the road in front of him, then the sides he could barely make out. Piles of snow still lined the highway.
“Yeah, so we could put the pedal to the metal. If you don’t want to, I’ll drive again.”
To keep his friend quiet, Jacob increased the speed to forty-five but looked for a place to pull over so Kevin could drive. Suddenly he lost control of the car, the darkness spiraling around him. Screams pierced the quiet, sounds of glass breaking....
Jacob shot up in bed, sweat drenching him. His whole body shook from the nightmare that had plagued him for years—one of his punishments for surviving the wreck that killed Kevin.