Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 82671 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 413(@200wpm)___ 331(@250wpm)___ 276(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82671 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 413(@200wpm)___ 331(@250wpm)___ 276(@300wpm)
The drive into the city was silent, both of us lost to our thoughts. We pulled up in front of the drab gray building, and I glanced at Luke. The tightness in his jaw was the only tell of his tension.
I unbuckled my seat belt and turned to him. “You okay?”
He nodded. “These kids have been through a lot.”
“I know.”
“I worry I’ll disappoint them.”
I smiled and cupped his cheek. “You could never. They need a home, love, and support. What better place to get it than with us?”
He leaned into my caress. “I thought we’d start with one, not siblings. What if…” He trailed off.
“What if it’s wonderful?” I asked. “Like us?”
He sighed, loosening the tension in his jaw. “Like us.”
“They need love. We have an abundance of it.”
“You’re right.”
“I usually am.”
He leaned over and kissed me. “Don’t push it, Lady.”
He slid from the driver’s seat and came around to open my door. My cowboy loved old-fashioned gestures, and I loved that about him.
I glanced down at the file, whispering a little prayer of hope.
One that would give us a family to love.
LUKE
Allison and Jake Martin had been left with a babysitter one evening. Nothing unusual except, this time, their parents never came home. They were killed in an auto accident. The children had no family, and they ended up in the system. Allison was six, Jake was five, and they clung to each other with a grip that made me want to drop to my knees and hold them.
They watched us with fearful eyes as we approached, Sammy’s hand tight in mine. The agent told us they had tried sending them to different homes, but it was a disaster. They had to be adopted together. When Sammy and I heard their story and saw their pictures, we knew we had to meet them.
They were introduced to us, and we smiled, crouching down. “Hello,” Sammy greeted them. “I’m Sammy Adler. This is Luke Adler, my husband. We’ve been looking so forward to meeting you.”
They remained silent, Jake pressing closer into his sister.
“I like your hair,” Sammy said to Allison. “Such pretty curls. Mine is always straight.”
Allison looked at her, touching Jake’s hair. His was a dark brown, while hers was a lighter, golden color. They shared the same eye color. Sammy nodded. “Yes, like Jake’s. Would you like to come sit with us? Both of you?”
Neither responded. I met Jake’s eyes, the dark color reminding me of Sammy’s. The fear and anguish I saw in them crushed my heart. “Hey, Jake,” I murmured. “Do I scare you, Little Partner? I don’t mean to.”
He was staring at my hat, and I took it off, extending it to him. “You like that?”
“Cowboy,” he mumbled.
“Yeah, I am.”
“You haf a horse?”
“I have lots of horses.” I looked at Allison. “You like horses, Little Lady?”
She shook her head. I smiled and lowered my voice. “I bet you like kittens, don’t you? We have some of those too.”
Her eyes widened, and she nodded.
Sammy pulled out her tablet. “Do you want to come sit with us? We can show you some pictures.”
Allison and Jake shared a look. I could almost hear their silent conversation. Feel their fear—and their longing. I wasn’t sure which one would win out. I decided to stack the deck. “Sammy made some sandwiches and cookies to share with you. And we have chocolate milk. I hear that’s your favorite.”
That made the decision.
We sat at the little table, encouraging them to eat. Jake watched me with fascination, edging closer the longer we sat there. Allison stared at Sammy, listening to her talk, asking quiet questions about the photos. I pulled some coloring books and crayons from the bag Sammy had packed and opened one, frowning as I looked at the page.
I held out the crayon to Jake. “I can never keep in the lines. Could you help me with that?”
I held my breath as he took the crayon then inched closer. Then closer. Close enough to hit my knees. “You want to come up?” I asked, patting my lap. He bit his lip, then nodded, and I lifted him, letting him settle, then picking up another crayon. “Okay, Little Partner. Pick a picture.”
He flipped the pages, settling on a basket of puppies. “I like puppies,” he mumbled.
“Me too.”
He looked up and grinned. He was missing two teeth, which made him look impish. He glanced up at my hat, and I took it off, sticking it on his head. It was way too big, falling down over his face, and I huffed out a sigh.
“Sammy, where did Jake go? He was on my lap a minute ago.”
Allison stared at me as if I was crazy. “He’s still there.”
I lifted my hands. “Where?”
Jake lifted the hat. “Right here!” he said and then laughed.
I began to laugh too, and Sammy chuckled, shaking her head. “Boys,” she murmured to Allison.