Substitute Father

His easy expression faded. “You’re so sure of my opinion?”

She faltered. But only for a moment. Then her professional expression was back in place. “I’ll get back to you after I’ve read your paperwork.”

Luke nodded.

She picked up her briefcase. Starting to turn away, Kealey was surprised when he took her arm.

“When you’re making your final decision, will you remember one thing?”

Cautiously, she nodded.

The deep blue of his eyes darkened to near black. And somewhere deep inside, she felt an irrepressible shiver take hold.

“Just remember, Kealey, that the children want to be here.”

For a moment she couldn’t reply…and she couldn’t move. Snapping herself out of her paralyzed state, Kealey clutched her purse closer. “Fine.” She started to step away, but then realized he was still holding her arm. For a moment she simply stared.

Then he dropped his hand. “Thanks, Kealey.”

Why did his voice have to sound so husky, almost intimate? Swallowing, Kealey nodded stiffly. Then she nearly sprinted to the door. She didn’t even care at that point if he knew she felt the need to escape.

“BUT WHY do we hafta go to school?” Hannah asked for the fourth time.

“Because that’s what kids do,” Luke explained, trying unsuccessfully to smooth her long blond hair into braids. Mary had washed the child’s hair the first night, carefully combing out all the tangles. Looking up, he met Hannah’s eyes in the mirror. “You’ve had a few days to get settled, but you’re not on vacation.”

“We didn’t get to start school ’cause Mama died,” Troy told him in a matter-of-fact voice.

“That’s okay. You haven’t missed too much,” Luke replied.

“Can’t we stay here with you?” Hannah pleaded.

“And give up recess?” Luke asked in a reasonably horrified tone.

Hannah and Troy both giggled.

But Brian wasn’t convinced. “I wanna stay here.”

“Away from your brother and sister?” Luke questioned mildly.

Conflicted, Brian’s brows drew together. “I guess not.”

Luke managed to fasten a rubber band around Hannah’s crooked braids. “We’d better hustle, guys, or we’ll be late.”

Luke had shifted appointments and called on an associate to handle any emergencies so that the entire morning was clear. After collecting lunches, Luke gave them each milk money and then they piled into his SUV. Glancing at their freshly scrubbed faces, he could see the apprehension that new clothes and full stomachs couldn’t abate.

And he understood how they felt. No one enjoyed being the new kid. Brian, Hannah and Troy had attended an elementary school on the other side of town when their mother had been alive. But they had been transported along with their mother to the hospital close to Luke’s home when she’d fallen ill. Which was how they’d come to be at the grocery store in his neighborhood. It was only a few blocks from the hospital they’d run away from after their mother’s death.

Despite their reluctance, Luke was taking the kids to the elementary school assigned in his neighborhood. Since they hadn’t yet started the new school year at least they weren’t being yanked from familiar classes.

Luke was convinced school, even a new one, would be good for them. Not only the benefits of learning, but also the interaction with other children their age, the distraction the entire experience would provide.

After registering the children in the office, Luke accompanied each of them to their classrooms. Brian, as he’d expected, stoically entered his.

Troy was a touch more timid, but he was soon drawn into the kindergarten play area. Although the next day he would begin the afternoon session, the principal had agreed it would be best to let him become accustomed to the new school on the first day his brother and sister were also attending.

Hannah, however, clung to Luke’s hand, not willing to be left alone with the other first graders. And when she looked up at him with her huge, blue eyes his heart melted. With the teacher’s consent, he took one of the short chairs to the small round table and sat next to Hannah. Aware that he looked ridiculous with his long legs jutting out and his tall body scrunched into the miniature chair, Luke winked at Hannah. A tremulous smile hovered on her lips.

The teacher began the session with practicing their printing. To Luke’s relief, Hannah soon became absorbed in the task. It was obvious this was something she truly enjoyed. And when the teacher announced reading time, Hannah’s eyes lit up. As the children broke into designated circles, Luke hung back, allowing her to blend in with the other kids.

After an hour, when Hannah hadn’t even glanced at him, Luke felt he could slip away. But he found it was difficult to leave the school…to leave the kids.

Trying to shake off the feeling, he glanced at the cheerfully decorated halls, remembered the friendliness of the teachers, and continued to worry.

He knew these kids needed a champion. And not to be shuffled into an already overcrowded foster system. But could he be that temporary champion? And if he could, would the system allow it?

Luke glanced at his watch, calculating the number of hours until he could pick up first Brian and Hannah and then Troy. Nearing the office, he considered going inside to make sure they would call him if any of the kids couldn’t cope this first day. To his surprise, Kealey Fitzpatrick was exiting as he approached.

“Kealey? What are you doing here?”

She glanced up, also surprised. “Checking on another case. How about you?”

“I wanted to make sure the kids were settled in before I left. Hannah was pretty apprehensive.”

She frowned. “Aren’t you jumping the gun by enrolling the kids in school?”

“In what way?”

“You haven’t received approval to keep the children, even on a temporary basis.”

“I thought that was pretty much a formality.”

“Based on what?”

He looked into her bluish eyes, feeling his own exasperation rising. “On our discussion. You know they’re in the best place for the time being.” Then he remembered his own resolve to be diplomatic. “And I thought you’d want them in school. It’s a way to ease them back into normality.”

Slowly she nodded. “That’s true.”

He glanced at his watch. “How about getting some coffee? I’ve cleared most of my day and other than shopping for backpacks, I’ll spend most of it waiting to pick up the kids.”

She hesitated.

“No pressure, Kealey. But if we’re going to be working together in the kids’ interest, it wouldn’t hurt to keep it friendly.”

“I do have a few open hours. Rachel felt so guilty about asking for preferential treatment on your behalf that she’s volunteered to take two of my other cases.”

“Good. If we hurry, Carmach’s might have some fresh doughnuts left.”

Unexpectedly, she smiled. “Caffeine and empty calories?”