19
Aidan paced his living room in an attempt to expel his pent up frustration. He’d left school early today—in time to witness Chloe leaving the parking lot with Lindsay Brown.
His repeated warnings about the risk of getting involved with her students seemed to fall on deaf ears. What could he do to get through to her?
He snatched his phone and started to punch in a heated text message. The device rang in his hand before he could finish. “Chloe?”
“No, it’s Nick.”
“Oh, hey.” Aidan forced his mind in a different direction. “How are Lily and the baby?”
“Lily’s tired and sore but doing well. And little Davey’s perfect.”
“I’m glad. So what can I do for you?”
“I’m home to have dinner with the girls and grab a shower. But I was wondering if you could come by before I head back to the hospital. Say around seven?”
“I guess so.” Apprehension shot through Aidan at the unusual request.
“Good. See you then.”
****
Nick answered the door and ushered Aidan into the living room. The lines around Nick’s eyes told of his exhaustion.
“First of all, thank you for bringing Chloe to the hospital last night. And thanks for staying. Having you guys there made all the difference.”
“Glad I could help.”
Nick leaned against the mantel. Light from the fireplace danced across his rugged features. “I’m curious though. Why were you and Chloe together when I called?”
His casual tone didn’t fool Aidan. He’d heard it often enough. “We were looking for a missing student.”
“I see.”
Unease churned in Aidan’s stomach. “What’s this about, Nick?”
Nick took a seat across from Aidan. “We’ve been friends long enough that I hope I can be frank.”
“Of course.”
“You’ve been spending a lot of time with Chloe lately. I’ve seen the way you look at her, and I recognize that look, because I had the same one the moment I met Lily.”
“I don’t—”
Nick held up a hand. “Let me finish.”
A bead of sweat snaked down Aidan’s spine.
“Chloe’s in a vulnerable place right now,” Nick went on. “I don’t know if she’s told you about her recent breakup?”
Aidan rose and stalked across the room. “She told me yesterday that her ex was married.”
“Yeah.” Grim lines bracketed Nick’s mouth. “I may be a minister, but I’d like to get my hands around that guy’s throat for one second.”
“You and me both.” Aidan shoved his clenched fists deep into his pockets.
“My point is, I don’t think Chloe’s emotionally ready for another relationship right now. And I don’t want to see her hurt again.”
Tension like a taut wire banded across Aidan’s shoulders. “Are you asking me to stay away from her?”
Nick narrowed the gap between them. Blue intensity spilled from his eyes. “Yes. Give her some space to get over this…mess before she acts impulsively on the rebound. I’m thinking of your welfare here too.”
Aidan ran his hands over his jaw. A seesaw of emotions warred in his mind. Nick wasn’t saying anything Aidan hadn’t already told himself. “I’ll agree for now—while she’s working at the school. After that, I can’t make any promises.”
Nick’s scowl deepened. “Not good enough.”
Aidan understood Nick’s objection wasn’t personal, only a misguided attempt at protection. “Did you listen when people warned you to stay away from Lily?”
Nick jerked visibly, a nerve ticking in his jaw. “No.”
“Then have a little faith. The last thing I would do is hurt Chloe.”
Nick finally nodded, looking far from satisfied.
Aidan smiled. “Hey, you’re the minister. Why not trust God to handle this for you?”
Nick gave a weary smile, lightening the tension between them. “Guess prayer is my only option for now. Short of locking Chloe in my attic for the next year.”
“Good luck with that, my friend. Not even an attic would stop Hurricane Chloe.”
****
Chloe handed the newly-purchased pregnancy test to Lindsay in the teen’s messy bedroom. “Here you go. I’ll be in the kitchen if you need me.”
Chloe headed back through the living room. She surveyed the cluttered area and itched to scrub the place down. In the kitchen, she found a garbage bag, and began to clear away empty pizza boxes and soda cans, trying not to cringe at the evidence of mice droppings. She stacked dirty dishes on the counter and washed the small table. Anything to keep her hands busy so she didn’t chew her nails.
Five minutes turned to ten.
Unable to contain her impatience, Chloe knocked on the bathroom door. “Lindsay? You OK?”
No response.
“Do you need more time?”
Inside the toilet flushed.
Chloe’s dormant headache throbbed to life again.
The door clicked open. Lindsay stepped outside, tears streaming down her cheeks. She passed the stick to Chloe. A bright blue plus sign blinked at her.
Chloe’s stomach fell like an elevator on freefall. “Oh, no.” She took one look at Lindsay’s face and pulled her into a tight hug.
The girl’s slim shoulders shook. “What am I going to do?”
“I don’t know. But I’m here to help you through this. You’re not alone. Come and sit down.” She led the girl to the couch. “You’ll have to tell your mom so she can take you to the doctor.”
Lindsay twisted a tissue until it shredded.
A sick feeling of dread flowed through Chloe’s stomach. “Lindsay, look at me and tell me the truth. Where is your mother?”
Lindsay bit her bottom lip. “She—she’s in Kingsville for a while.”
Chloe’s stomach dropped again. “Working? Or living there?”
Lindsay’s brown hair shielded her face. “Both.”
“How long has she been gone?”
Lindsay hiccupped through her tears. “I don’t know. She got a second job at a night club. At first, she’d just stay overnight with a friend. But then I found out she has a boyfriend.”
“Does she come home at all?”
“She comes back every few weeks, but mostly she’s gone.”
“And you’ve been trying to keep everything going here by yourself?”
She nodded again.
Chloe’s heart ached. No wonder Matt was so angry all the time. And no wonder Lindsay was always skittish and sad, keeping such an enormous secret while trying to look after herself and her brother. She’d been easy prey for any boy who would pay attention and pretend to care.
And now she was expecting a baby.
An uncommon anger burned through Chloe’s system. These kids needed her help. She would not let Lindsay face this crisis alone.
Lindsay clutched Chloe’s arm. “You can’t tell anyone about my mom. They’ll put Matt in foster care or a group home. He’d never survive that.”
Aidan’s words rang in Chloe’s ears. “I’d have to call County Social Services.”
What were her obligations? Could she keep a secret this huge from Aidan? Especially after he’d repeatedly warned her about getting too involved with the kids?
“Please, Miss Martin.” Huge tears hovered on Lindsay’s lower lashes.
Yet how could Chloe knowingly force Matt into foster care, almost guaranteeing that he would end up in a gang? “I’ll keep quiet—for now. But I’ll have to contact your mother.”
Lindsay gulped. “OK.”
“We’ll get you through this. I promise.” Chloe held the girl’s shaking frame. Somehow she’d have to find a way to keep that promise.