Total pages in book: 140
Estimated words: 134045 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 670(@200wpm)___ 536(@250wpm)___ 447(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 134045 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 670(@200wpm)___ 536(@250wpm)___ 447(@300wpm)
“Why didn’t you call us?” Esther demanded, her voice sharper than before but eyes still glassy.
“I...” I trailed off, looking for a reason why I didn’t ask for help from any of the numerous people that hadn’t hesitated to give it to me over the years. I tried to think of why I went to strangers before my new family. “I don’t know,” I whispered.
Even though I did know. I was ashamed. Of what my choices had done to my son. “I think I was scared of showing you what I’d gone through for so long, how weak I’d been. How stupid. How stupid I was to not do something sooner, and put Nathan in danger. And then, after the police did nothing, I kind of blacked out.”
Logan’s jaw hardened. “I’m gonna be having a stiff word with Martin about this,” he hissed.
Martin was the chief of police, and Logan was good friends with him, he came in for breakfast a handful of times a week. I thought he was nice enough, a decent tipper, didn’t stare at my ass or try to ask me out like the rest of the single—and married—male regulars. I was a single mom, young at that, working at a diner and I had a decent face and a round ass, it was hard to get through a meal rush without being hit on.
“He wasn’t even there,” I said, trying to sift through the memories of rushing into the police station. “I didn’t recognize the officer who took my statement.”
“Doesn’t matter if he was there or not,” Logan said. “This is his team, and if he’s got people on his force who don’t help mothers find their children, he needs to know about it, then do something about it. Otherwise he can eat his pancakes somewhere else.”
“Or I’ll put something special in them,” Bobby muttered. His fists were clenched on top of the table.
“No, I don’t need any of that,” I pleaded. “I know how it works with the cops. Robert’s one of them. His father is a big deal. And I’m... no one.”
“You shut that mouth right now if that nonsense is gonna keep leaking out of it,” Esther snapped, her tone more familiar and sharp. But she was still holding my hand. “You are a lot of things, all of them good, even without knowing your past. A single mom whose little boy has better manners than most fully grown men I know. A kid that is always happy, never throws a tantrum and adores his mother. You’re a hard worker, you always smile at customers, you never turn up late, always happy to work more than you should. You’re kind to everyone you come across, even that little witch Kaitlyn.” Esther scowled at the mention of her name. “You never complain about how hard you’ve got it, and sweetie, I know it’s tough. You brought light into Logan’s and my life with you and your boy. You’re our family. You’re a fighter. You are not no one. He is no one. He doesn’t deserve a name or a set of balls.”
“I’ll happily relieve him of those,” Bobby bit out.
“I don’t want to give him the satisfaction of any kind of attention,” I said. “I just want him out of our life. I want to know he can’t get to us.”
“He’s not getting to you, I’ll make sure of that,” Bobby declared, the soft, kind cook no longer on the surface. No, this was definitely the Bobby of the past. “I’ll stay at your house every night if you need, I’ve got friends who don’t mind burying a cop.”
“Bobby!” I snapped. “You can’t go talking about killing someone in front of our bosses.” I paused. “Wait, you can’t go talking about it, full stop.”
Scarily, Esther and Logan didn’t seem ready to back me up.
“I promise, this security company is really legit. Like fancy.” I bit my lip, thinking about the fancy meaning money.
“I’ll need to meet them,” Logan said, in a tone that was what I imagined a worried father would have. Not that I really knew what that sounded like.
Bobby nodded.
“And you need to tell me if you need any help with anything,” Esther demanded. “Paid leave, somewhere to stay, you need help with what I know is a hefty bill, we won’t hesitate.”
“I’m not asking you to do that,” I said, jutting my chin up slightly and clenching my hands on my pants so I wouldn’t cry.
“I know, I’m offering,” Esther said, eyes narrowed. “You’re not alone in this. We all love you and that kid to death. And you’ve got some fancy security team, that’s all well and good, but you’ve also got us. Don’t forget that.”
I nodded, because I couldn’t speak.
“Now get back to work,” Esther commanded, voice hard but eyes soft.