gaze toward Tara. “I’d love to talk to you sometime about how I can help. I’m working on a series of articles about the different faces of Hope City and hope to showcase some of the homeless.”
“Son, you’re absolutely right.” Colm wrapped his arm around his wife’s shoulder and said, “Kimberly, you’re in the presence of a lot of law enforcement. We often see the worst in people, and my Sharon tells me that I need to spend more time looking for the good. What you did today was admirable.”
“Well, I think—” Hannah began.
“We agree,” Chauncey interrupted, pulling his wife closer.
Sharon’s glare toward Sean and Carter was only matched by Hannah’s glare toward Brock and Brody.
Rory grinned his flirtatious smile and winked. “You’ll get used to us, Kimberly. If you had a quiet household growing up, I’m sure this crowd seems unruly despite Mom’s best efforts.”
“Oh, I think this is lovely. I grew up in Sacred Heart… the orphanage.”
Once more silence descended, and the only sound heard was the birds in the trees. For a few seconds, she wasn’t sure they were chirping either.
“Shit,” Kyle hissed as his arms spasmed, tightening around her.
“Oh, fuck,” Rory breathed under his breath. His gaze jumped to hers. “Kimberly, I’m so sorry—”
Waving her hand around dismissively, she shook her head. “Oh, don’t be sorry. Don’t be embarrassed. It’s what I knew. I remember my parents a little bit, but they were in an accident when I was very young. Sacred Heart was a nice place. I have very fond memories from there.” She smiled and added, “Although, at mealtimes our conversations were not as lively, but I like this so much better.”
Kyle’s arm around her shoulders tugged her closer to him, and she placed one hand on his thigh and twisted so the other was on his chest, feeling his heartbeat underneath her fingertips.
“Babe, I feel like such an ass that—”
“It’s all good, Kyle. I’m just sorry we haven’t had a chance to talk about our pasts very much.” Smiling, she added, “I love your family.”
Sharon leaned back and huffed. “Well, thank goodness you love his family because right now I’m not so sure!”
Colm’s actions were similar to Kyle’s as he pulled Sharon close to him. Kissing her cheek, he said, “It’s all good, honey.”
The conversations finally settled into easy camaraderie, and when it was time to say goodbye, she hated to leave.
Harper pulled her in for a hug and whispered, “Sean and Kyle are close, and we’d love to have you two over some time.”
Kallie grinned and added, “You ever need backup and Kyle’s not available? You call me!”
Amber offered a hug as well and said, “Brody and Kyle are best friends. You’ve got to come out with us or come over for dinner.”
Caitlyn and Bekki pulled her into a trio-embrace, both exclaiming they needed another girl’s night at the Celtic Cock.
As Carter helped Colleen get buckled into the car, Tara grabbed Kimberly’s hand. “Let’s talk soon. I’ve got lots of ideas for your stories and also ways to help at the Cottages.”
Finally, Sharon pulled her into a tight hug, and she felt emotion pouring from the older woman. Leaning back, Sharon cupped her face and said, “I’m thrilled to welcome you to our family, Kimberly. If you ever need anything, you call me.”
By the time Kyle managed to extricate her from his family’s goodbyes and get her into his SUV, she was exhausted.
“Babe, I am so fuckin’ sorry. I would’ve never taken you into that mess if I’d known—”
“You couldn’t have known, honey. We’ve never talked about it.”
A moment of silence passed as they drove out of the neighborhood full of family homes. She glanced to the side, observing Kyle opening his mouth to speak several times, then snapping it shut before uttering a word. “You can ask me anything,” she assured.
A sigh left his lips as he glanced toward her before looking back at the road. “You never mentioned… about your parents. Hell, I never asked.”
“We’re still in the getting-to-know-you phase.” She shrugged, shifting so that she could see his face. “Growing up in an orphanage is not something I’m ashamed of, but it’s hardly new relationship material. I wasn’t keeping it from you, it just never came up.”
“And your parents…”
“I was almost eight years old when my parents were killed in a car accident. My grandparents had already passed, and they had no siblings, so there were no aunts or uncles for me to go to. I was taken to