Page 35 of Make Her Mine

I turned to face her. “He talked to you about helping some kids? What kids? How?”

“Yeah, there’s a couple kids over in Briarville. Their dad just got sentenced to a long prison term. He won’t be out until they’re well into adulthood. It was some pretty terrible abuse charges. Jefferson was talking to their counselor, and it just came up that maybe someone who’s been in that situation would be a good listener.”

I frown at her. “Are you sure you want to do something like that?”

She shrugs. “I’ve never really thought about it. I mean, obviously I’m not licensed for something like that professionally. It would purely be a volunteer mentor situation. But maybe just having someone they could talk to who wouldn’t be shocked by what they might say, could help.” She says it matter-of-factly, but I still feel my chest squeeze and my stomach twist.

I was only five when Mia came to live with us, and my mom and dad don’t love talking about it, of course, but I’ve pieced things together. And now with my work as a child advocate and social worker, some of the things I’ve seen and heard from other kids in the system, kids who were in similar situations, I have a pretty good idea about some of the things that Mia has been through.

I can’t think about it too hard, or I want to curl up and not leave my bed.

And that’s just knowing about it. Not experiencing it myself.

I love her so much. I feel so protective of her. The fact that she’s come out of all of that, and that she can be a happy, positive, loving person is amazing to me. Her parents hurt her. Her parents.

I don’t think she should have to relive all of that. I don’t think she should have to dredge all of that up.

“I know Jefferson can be very charming,” I say. Just because I don’t find him charming doesn’t mean I don’t know the effect he has on other people. “But you don’t have to do anything he suggests. Don’t let him talk to you into anything that you don’t want to do.”

She brushes her hair back over her shoulder. “No, I won’t. But I’m flattered that he thought about me.”

“Flattered that he might make you want to relive some of the horrible things of your past?”

She frowns. “I didn’t think about it that way. What if I could help those kids?”

I reach out and squeeze her hand. “There are lots of people who can help the kids,” I tell her. “I’ll even talk to Jefferson and make sure they get help. But you don’t have to take that on. You have a right to be happy. You don’t have to dwell in all of those old memories.”

She takes a breath and blows it out. “I know. Thank you. I’m only thinking about it.”

Just then Jefferson joins us. His shirt is back on, but even if it wasn’t, the coldness I’m suddenly feeling wouldn’t be going anywhere.

“Ladies,” he greets with a big smile. “I take it you’ve heard the news? Harlow and I are madly in love.”

I growl softly and start across the square.

I hear Margot laugh. “Yeah, good luck with that.”

CHAPTER 9

HARLOW

He catches up with me after only about three steps, of course.

“What the hell is going on?”

I whirl around and ask, “Why can’t you just leave the people in my life alone? I know you like to mess with me but it’s getting old.”

His brows rise. “What are we talking about?”

“You’re just not going to be happy until you drive away everyone I care about, right?”

His eyes go from me to Margot to Mia and back to me.

He shakes his head. “We’re not doing this here.” He grabs my hand and starts walking, tugging me along.

I dig in my heels. “You’re not just going to drag me around.”

He turns back. “Fine.” Then he bends over and sweeps me up into his arms, bridal carrying me.

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