Storm (Linear Tactical #10) - Janie Crouch Page 0,6

as she could in the hallway and still be within social norms. “They love animals and haven’t had a chance to be around them much. This is going to be the highlight of their week.”

He shrugged. “The pups are generally pretty good-natured as far as little terrors go. But you’ll probably want to check in on them and make sure they are not planning any sort of world domination.”

He was shocked to hear the words coming out of his mouth, not because he didn’t think the pups would try to rule the world if they could, but because he hadn’t said that full of a sentence to anyone not related to him in years.

She smiled. And damn if the full sentence wasn’t worth it.

“I’ll keep an eye on them.”

“You know the real problem is going to be that the kids aren’t going to want to say goodbye. You’re more than welcome to one or both of the pups if you’re in the market for them.”

“Are you selling them?”

He leaned back against the doorway. “I’m not selling them, no. But like Star with Bree, I’m happy to give one of them to a good home where I know they’ll be cared for.”

Marilyn nodded solemnly. “Well, definitely not both, but maybe one… Maybe we’re finally at a place where things are permanent enough for them to have all the stuff that’s been missing from their lives.”

And what about you, gorgeous?

He wanted to ask her but didn’t. They didn’t know each other nearly well enough. He was surprised at how much he really wanted to know the answer, though.

“You bet. Ready to go crack the whip some more, boss? It’s amazing how this place is taking shape under your leadership.”

She rubbed the side of her neck and looked down at her feet. “Oh, that’s not me. Bree and your sister Cassandra are the leadership. I’m just the manager.”

His fingers itched with the need to press under her chin to lift her face, but it was way too soon. Probably for the both of them. “Well, you’re doing a great job, manager. Now let’s get the slackers back to work.”

3

Home.

Marilyn had forgotten what having one—a safe one—felt like. For months, the three of them had only had one room—at various hotels and the old New Journeys building. They’d been safe, so it had been enough…

But it hadn’t been home.

Not like their little apartment was now. The move in was complete. Thanks to all the volunteers who had shown up, particularly all the former and current military guys who’d worked tirelessly for hours, the New Journeys facility had been up and running for a week now.

She and the kids had their own little kitchen with mismatched dishes and a table that wobbled when the cardboard came un-wedged from under one of the legs. But it was theirs.

Eva had gone with butterflies. Gone overboard with butterflies—her room looked like a butterfly habitat had exploded all over the place. And Eva loved it. Loved it. Her exact words.

Sam was still considering his options. And while it broke Marilyn’s heart a little that he seemed so nervous about making a decision, she let him be. Sam’s therapist had warned her that not every trait he had was formed by the abuse he’d witnessed. Some kids were just more cautious, and that was okay.

She could give him time. Time and stability were things she finally had to give. Jared was in jail awaiting trial, so she didn’t have to worry about him. They had a solid roof over their heads and a steady paycheck to pay for their needs. They had a home.

Of course, home was shared with other people in the rest of the building—currently two single women, and one other woman with a toddler.

Marilyn’s job was part housekeeper, part administrator, part counselor. She handled any disputes, although the only ones that had taken place so far had been between Eva and Sam. She also made sure the place was clean and well-supplied.

All the major decisions were left up to Bree and Cassandra, the founders of New Journeys. And that was just fine with Marilyn. She loved the two women, and they were good at finding funding for when it was needed and for the women and children who stayed. The two of them even taught computers and hairdressing classes—giving the women skills so they could provide for themselves once they were on their own.

So many women stayed in abusive situations because they didn’t feel like they had