A Heart's Blessing - Linda Ford Page 0,60
times that she’d need to learn he wasn’t like Alonzo, or what was his name? The beau that had been part of Alonzo’s vile schemes. Robert. It was a name he used to like. Now he didn’t.
He fried eggs and ate them with slices of bread from next door. Thanks to Hilda for sending it over. He let Tiger lick his plate clean then picked the kitten up and held it on his lap. A few minutes later, he heard a sound outside.
The children had come back to visit. He went out to see them. Though perhaps they’d only come to see the cat.
But after a bit, Kent left Tiger with Sally and sat beside Ryder.
“Aunt Delcie says my uncle won’t be able to hurt us anymore.”
“That’s right.”
“My papa was a good man.”
Ryder waited, wondering what the boy meant.
“He’d never hurt anyone or do anything bad.”
“He wasn’t like your uncle even though they were brothers.”
“Will I be like my pa?” Kent’s gaze bore into Ryder, anxious, fearful…hopeful.
Ryder spoke slowly, not wanting to make a mistake in what he told the boy. “Kent, our behavior is our choice. We don’t have to be like anyone else unless we want to. You make good choices, and your pa would be very proud of you.”
Kent grinned. “I will.”
Ryder patted the boy’s back. “You already are.”
A shadow crossed the outer doorway and he looked up to see Delcie silhouetted against the evening light.
“I came to get the children.”
“Come and join the cat-admiring gathering.” He patted the step beside him.
She hesitated then came inside. “I don’t want them to be a nuisance.”
He understood she referred to the children. “They aren’t.” He lowered his voice. “They would never be a nuisance to me.”
She nodded. But her gaze darted away.
He longed to hold her as he had when they got free of those ropes, but circumstances had been different then. Unusual. Frightening. And now they were back to normal. Only he didn’t want to go back to the way things had been before.
He patted the step again. “Sit down and relax.”
She sat, but he could feel the tension vibrating off her. He hoped it was only the result of the events of the past two days.
Her hands lay in her lap and he covered them with his and when she jolted—whether in alarm or simply nerves—he decided to ignore it. He squeezed her hands. “It’s been a rough couple of days. How are you doing?”
“I’m fine. Relieved. But not quite believing it’s over.”
“It is. You’re done with him. Now you can plan for the future. A future for you and the children. One you want.”
She kept her head down.
“Delcie, what do you want for yourself and the children?”
Her head jerked up and she looked at him, her eyes wide.
Hope flared in his heart.
Just as quickly, she looked away and just as quickly his heart sank.
It would take time to win her affections, but he was prepared to take as long as it required.
“I need to take these two home to bed.” She slipped away to the door. “Sally, Kent, say good night to Mr. Remington and thank him for letting you play with the kitten.”
Kent held out his hand. “Thank you, and good night.”
Ryder’s throat tightened at the grown-up gesture. “You are most welcome. Come anytime your aunt gives you permission.”
Sally waited for her brother to step back then held out her arms.
Ryder lifted her, and when she wrapped her arms around his neck, he knew he would never forget this moment. She kissed him on the cheek.
“T’ank you, Mr. Rem’ton.”
“Any time, little darlin’.” With a pang, he remembered he had often called Myra his little darlin’. It felt right to say it to Sally too. Somehow, he knew Myra would approve.
The children ran across the yard to their back door and Delcie followed more sedately.
Ryder watched. Just before she stepped inside, Delcie turned. Seeing he watched her, she waved. And he knew he wasn’t mistaken in thinking she smiled.
He stayed where he was after the door closed behind her. Might have stayed longer except Tiger meowed at his feet.
“You’re going to be lonesome, aren’t you? Well, maybe just for tonight, you can sleep in my bedroom.” He grinned as he carried the kitten indoors and settled him on a blanket by the bed. He was still grinning widely as he locked up and made sure everything was put away neatly.
His pleasure had very little to do with the kitten. And a whole lot to do with