Beckett (Robinson Destruction #4) - Kathi S. Barton Page 0,69

They were forever trying to get something to eat. He’s been hanging out with Bobby too. Helping him get around and such. Thomas too. The three of them have had a harder life than most people I know.”

“Yes, I agree with you there. That Hailey is so quiet and scares me at times. Not that I think she’ll harm me, but she seems to look right into your heart when she’s watching you. The other day I made the mistake of handing her a glass of water. She didn’t say anything but dumped it into the sink. I wonder if she’ll ever trust anyone again.” Beck asked her if she wanted to know the story behind her mistrust. “I believe it has something to do with her mother trying to kill her off. I don’t know why that thought is circling around my head.”

“Not her mom, but her father. He tried to give her something that would knock her out. She was keeping the baby safe, and when he knocked her out the one time, Sarah had been beaten up. Apparently, she was crying from teething and wouldn’t quiet down when her father wanted to take a snooze. Jonas told me.” Mom asked him if he thought Jonas would adopt them. “I do. He’s been looking into it since he’s been keeping them safe. I want him to do it too. I think they trust him more than anyone else they are around. Including any of us.”

“He’s going to have his hands full, but I think if anyone can do it, it would be him. He’s not afraid to say he needs help. Jonas has always been like that.” Beck knew that about his little brother. “Anyway, I was thinking about the holidays yesterday. I’ve decided I need to give away some of my Christmas decorations. I have so many now that I can’t put even a quarter of it out. But when I find it at an auction, I just can’t turn it down for a few dollars.”

“Yes, you can, Mom. In fact, I think it’s easier to just walk away from it.” She smacked him on the hand. After they ordered, he told her what he thought she should do with it all. “Just take it to one of the empty buildings we own and let us go over it to see if we want any. Then, if you don’t care if you make anything from it, give it to anyone that wants it. Let them decorate their yard for a change.”

“I’ve donated so much to the Salvation Army. Did you know that they just give things away that are donated? I like that very much. Last year I was able to get them twenty trees that they used to give to people that just don’t have the money to get one.” He told her he’d always known his mom was special. “Thank you, son. I love you very much, as well.”

As they were walking around their little town, he and his mom were stopped no less than a dozen times. Mr. Chablis asked if the two of them had a few minutes. He wanted to ask them something.

“Usually, I just toss this stuff on the fire and say I got suckered. But I thought of you when I realized what I have here.” As they were headed to the backroom, Beck asked him what he’d done. “I buy up bulk items. Sometimes there isn’t all that much I can use. Other times I find things that go with pieces I already have. It’s fun for me. Your mom can usually find someone to take the toys off my hands when I get them up and running. But this box has something I didn’t expect. Wrapping paper.”

It wasn’t just a box of wrapping paper that one might pick up at a store, but a pallet loaded up with hundreds of brand new boxes of it. All Christmas, from what he could see, as well as a variety of scenes that he thought were very festive. He asked Mr. Chablis what he wanted to do with them.

“I was thinking of donating it to your mom so she can make sure it gets into the right hands.” Beck told him what he and his mom had discussed. “I like that idea. That’s brilliant. I have some Christmas items back in the storage barn too. This might well be a good way for me to clear out some room. I’ve been meaning to get it out anyway.”

“I can help you with taking it over to the building. All of us will.” Mr. Chablis was ready to start moving it right now; he was so excited. “I’ll get with my brothers, and we’ll get back to you. This will be so helpful to the town, I think. Mom, you’re the best.”

After leaving the secondhand shop, he and Mom talked about what they were going to do when they got things organized. He was excited too. Giving back was something that he enjoyed more than anything, especially at Christmas time.

Beck was just getting himself some dinner when he heard from Allie. He’d not bothered her much today, knowing that she was figuring something out. But she sounded so distressed that he put his sandwich on hold and paid attention to what she was telling him.

We’ve found the room where they’re making the headcheese, Beck. It’s terrible. I thought for sure that your dad was going to kill the men working there. He asked her if she was all right. No. Not at all. It’s a lot worse than we thought. I’m not going into details because my mind is still wrapping around what we found. But could you come out here? I need you in the worst sort of way.

I’m going to leave right now. He went up to his room to pack and decided that he could purchase what he would need. I’m going to be there in a few hours, honey. Then we’ll just sit around and talk about anything but what you found.

He was nearly to the airport when he realized he wanted to bring the kids. Going back home, he called the packhouse and asked to speak to Conor and Holly. Both wanted to go with him, and Conor said he’d get his physical when they got back. That Mom—he called them Mom and Dad now—needed them more than he needed football.

He was glad that he’d thought about them the moment they were in the car with him. These kids were theirs, and perhaps while they were out there, he’d show them a good time. Yes, Beck thought, kids were the greatest.

Before You Go…

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Kathi Barton, a winner of the Pinnacle Book Achievement award as well as a best-selling author on Amazon and All Romance books, lives in Nashport, Ohio, with her husband, Paul. When not creating new worlds and romance, Kathi and her husband enjoy camping and going to auctions. She can also be seen at county fairs with her husband, who is an artist and potter.

Her muse, a cross between Jimmy Stewart and Hugh Jackman, brings her stories to life for her readers in a way that has them coming back time and again for more. Her favorite genre is paranormal romance, with a great deal of spice. You can visit Kathi online and drop her an email if you’d like. She loves hearing from her fans. [email protected].

Follow Kathi on her blog: http://kathisbartonauthor.blogspot.com/

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11