Page 23 of Refuge for Cherilyn

“Her name is Maisey. She’s the social worker I was telling you about who’s married to the deputy who helped me find you guys.”

It hit her in that moment. “Is she the one who left the basket in the bathroom?”

Shaw nodded and smiled. “Yeah, and there are about eight huge bags of stuff in the laundry room. Clothes, shoes, socks, underwear, bras, pajamas, slippers, robes, all kinds of stuff. I think there are some lightweight jackets in there, and some hair ties, and dozens of other things. She really went all out.”

Cherilyn was confused. “Why?”

Shaw leveled his gaze at her and some kind of fluttering started in her chest. “We all want to help you. You’ve had a hard time of it. It’s time you got the kind of help you need, and it’s going to happen, Cherilyn. Don’t doubt it.”

“I really do appreciate it. I don’t understand why anyone would want to help trash like us. We’re just?”

Shaw caught her off guard when he yelled. “No! Don’t say that! Don’teversay that about yourself! You have so much more to offer the world than that, Cherilyn. Whoever fed you that shit, you need to tell them to fuck off.”

“FUCK!” Lara screamed.

Shaw’s face turned bright red and Cherilyn fought laughter. “Oops. Sorry. Not used to having kids around, obviously,” he mumbled as an apology.

“Lara, no. We don’t say that. You say it again and I’ll wash your mouth out with soap.” She wondered what Shaw would think about that, but regardless, it had the desired effect. Lara calmed down immediately.

Then she heard him chuckle. “My mom did that to me?once. Never had to do it again. I got the message loud and clear.”

“Yeah, I bet. Mine did it to me a couple of times, and that was plenty. I’ve never had to do it to Maya. Did it to Lara once and anytime I say that now, she shuts up.”

“Well, thank god for small favors, right?” He grinned as he picked up another piece of pizza. “I’ve got movies. Who wants to watch a movie?”

Maya brightened. “I do!”

“MUHMAID!” Lara barked.

“I don’t have that one, but I’m sure I can find something in there. I’ve got all kinds of movies from when Candace was little. Eat up and we’ll watch.”

An hour later, as they sat in the living room, both girls glued to the TV, Cherilyn sneaked glances at Shaw. God, he was good looking, rugged but refined. She was five feet and seven inches, and he was tall, maybe six two or something. That was perfect.Perfect for what?she asked herself.No guy this nice and classy is ever going to give somebody like me the time of day.It was true. If he did want her, it would be for a couple of fucks and then she’d be cast off to the side. Nobody wanted her. She’d been married to FrankieTravis. Women didn’t get much more desperate than that.

And as she watched him, in one instant, his eyes cut sideways to her and locked with her gaze. She could feel a flush spreading out over her skin, and she was sure the surprise in her eyes gave her away. It was awkward as hell until it happened.

He smiled. It wasn’t a smartass smile, one of those I-know-I’m-so-hot-that-all-the-women-want-me smile. It was gentle and pure, and for a brief moment, she allowed herself to fantasize that he might actually be interested in her. Could he ever? A split second later, he got up from his chair and took off to the kitchen.Well, I blew that, she chided herself.

Suddenly, there was warmth by her right ear and she heard a voice whisper, “Here.” An arm extended over her shoulder, and in the hand was a can of soda. “Thought you might enjoy this.”

She turned her head to say, “Thanks,” and there he was, his lips less than two inches from hers. “Uh, that’s nice of you.”

“You’re welcome.” Then he stood, stepped away, and claimed his seat again, and the magical, mystical moment was over, the moment in which Cherilyn imagined herself being with someone like Shaw.If only it could be real, she told herself as they finished watching the movie.

“Time for bed,” she said as soon as the credits started rolling. “Go on. Both of you. Brush your teeth and hair and get into your pajamas. We’ve got a lot of work to do tomorrow washing and putting away all of the nice things Maisey bought for us. And we need to write a nice thank-you to her.”

Maya lifted her hand as though she were asking a question in class. “Can I do it, Mom? I want to.”

“Sure. But for now, go. Get some sleep. I’ll be in there in just a minute.” She watched them go, then turned to look at Shaw. “Thanks again.”

“You’re welcome. So once they’re in bed, join me out on the back porch? It’s really nice out tonight, and I like to sit out there and just look at the moon.”

“Oh, I don’t want to intrude on your quiet time. You’ve probably had enough of me to last?”

“I wouldn’t ask you to come out there unless I wanted you to. Go put them to bed. I’ll be out there waiting. And grab another couple of drinks if you want.”

“O-o-o-okay.” What was happening? She wasn’t sure. It took her about ten minutes to get them tucked in and close the bedroom door behind her. She grabbed two sodas from the refrigerator and padded out barefoot to the back porch.

It really was lovely out there. Rather than a porch, it was more like a simple deck, only about a foot off the ground and without a rail. There were two chairs and one two-seater glider, and Shaw sat on the glider to one end, so Cherilyn chose the chair closest to him and handed him the drink. “Thanks.”

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