Page 53 of Refuge for Cherilyn

“Don’t worry. Candace can show you. I probably don’t even have all of the ones she likes. She’ll just have to tough it out, I guess.”

Cherilyn watched him head to the bedroom, so she took up a spot on the sofa. Then she turned sideways and put her feet up. That felt good. She’d never had a place as comfortable as his, and it was nice to be able to relax.

But she had a feeling that calmness and peacefulness wasn’t going to last long. Especially if he was right about Frymire.

* * *

As soon ashe was out of the driveway, he made the first call. Then he made the second. It was answered with a cheery, “Hey, son!”

“Hi, Mom. Whatcha doin’?”

“Thinking about dinner.”

“Would you mind fixing maybe three or four times what you usually do?”

“Uh, we havin’ a party?”

“Sorta.” He outlined to his mom what he was thinking. “I think it would make her feel safer and more settled if she knew you guys weren’t that far away and you liked her and would help out if she needed you.”

“Shaw?”

“Yeah?” Boy, did he dread the next sentence, because he already knew what it was going to be.

“You sweet on this woman?”

Yep?there it was. “Yes, actually, I am.”

“Dang it, Shaw. Birds with broken wings. Dogs with broken legs. Why do you always go for the busted-up things? You really like having to put them back together, honey?”

“No. I like knowing they healed because of me, but this is not what that’s about. She makes me feel… whole. Like there was a piece of me that was missing, and when I found her, I found it.”

“Nowthat’sthe kind of answer I wanted to hear. Makes perfect sense after everything that happened with you and Morgan.”

“Speaking of Morgan?”

“Oh, lord, what’s Candace done this time?”

He let out a sigh. “She’s here, Mom.”

“How did this happen and I didn’t know about it?” Leslie shrieked.

“Long story, but short version… She stole Austin’s credit card and bought forty K’s worth of detailing for a car she claims is hers but is really his. Which a towing company picked up. So Austin and Morgan kicked her out.” He stopped for a second. “Now that I’ve said it all out loud, it sounds horrible.”

“Itispretty horrible! What’s wrong with that girl?” Leslie growled.

“You know the answer to that one. Morgan is what’s wrong with that girl. Her mother has ruined her. She’s gotten anything and everything she’s wanted until she feels totally entitled. She was rude as hell to Maisey, Cherilyn, and the girls. I mean really, really rude. She smarted off and said she’d just go to you. I told her you wouldn’t put up with her shit either and you’d send her packing back to me.”

“Damn tootin’.”

“She’s at home with Cherilyn and the girls, and there’s no telling what kind of horror I’m going to come home to. Maybe Cherilyn gone because she just can’t take it and Candace rummaging through everything I have. Who knows?”

“If we’re going over there for dinner, I’ll sit her down and we’ll have a little chat.” Leslie snorted. “She may be your daughter, but she’s my granddaughter, and I’m not putting up with that mess for one minute.”

Shaw laughed. “I probably should’ve called you before I lit into her. I bet she would’ve hated your lecture even more than mine!”

“If she didn’t, it would mean I’d lost my touch, and honestly, I don’t think I have. I’ve still got it in me.”

“I’m pretty sure you do. So if you could go by the store, pick up that phone, and take it to Cherilyn, I’d really appreciate it. I’ve already paid for it.”

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