Page 15 of Under the Mistletoe
“Sounds like a plan. And just so you know”—she laid her hand on the woman’s arm—“I’d be happy to buy you coffee sometime if you ever need a listening ear.”
Heather smiled as a weight seemed to melt off her. “I think I’d like that.”
Another reminder of why Devin’s job was important. Sometimes it was to provide a bit of respite, other times it was encouragement. Because Hannah was right.We aren’t meant to do life alone.
Jack made eye contact with each child. “I expect top behavior.”
All three didn’t move until their foster parents disappeared out the door. Tyce went back to scanning the table, and Devin took in the other two. “What do you two think? Do you want cars too?”
“This stuff is for babies.” Easton made a face.
Before Devin could respond, Logan stepped up behind her. “Babies? I’ll have you know that when I was in eighth grade, my church did this, and my car broke the record for speed. That record still stands today.”
“But isn’t the point that they’re all the same?” Easton eyed the cars in the kids’ hands. He must have realized he was looking too interested, because an unconvincing frown suddenly appeared on his face. “They all go pretty much the same speed.”
“Not even close.” Logan picked up a red car with a white racing stripe from the extras Devin had made and turned it over so Easton could see the bottom. “Wheel placement, weight distribution, and graphite all make a huge difference. My brother’s didn’t even cross the finish line.” He held out the car. “This is a good car.”
“I want that one.” Tyce snatched it up.
Easton scanned the cars on the table. “Is there another good one?” It sounded like it pained him to ask, but he still did.
Logan studied a few before handing him a black one. Easton examined the bottom, the too-cool persona vanishing. “Will you help me with the weights and stuff?”
Wait, was Easton actually asking for help? From the few conversations she’d had with the Barlows on the phone, he was reserved and not very cooperative. Devin glanced at Logan, wishing she could communicate how significant this was.
“Sure thing.” Logan motioned all three kids to follow him to his station.
Easton grabbed a pink car and handed it to Alani, then they all headed to Logan’s table, smiles on their faces.
A stone fell through her heart. Logan was leaving in three hours, so maybe all she’d done was drop another individual into their life who would disappear on them. Shoot.
Devin snapped a few photos around the room, then sent them off to MaryLynn in a text. A reply came back almost immediately.
MaryLynn
Maybe a personal visit to each family would help.
A personal visit? Her area was all rural and spread over three counties and some not-so-great roads during the winter. Not to mention she didn’t love the idea of going door-to-door in some of these remote places as a single woman.
Great.
It wasn’t like either of her roommates had time to help her, with the end of the semester approaching. Up to this point, she would have been confident that God had a hand in bringing her here to Heritage. But right now, it was all feeling like a big mistake. And if the board pulled the plug, it was a mistake that would result in hurting kids and adults who had come to depend on the program.
Her eyes landed on Easton, Alani, and Tyce, all three asking Logan about their cars at the same time. She had to figure this out. If that meant not just planning events but visiting every potential family, she’d do it.
She pulled out her phone and sent a thumbs-up to MaryLynn. She didn’t know who she’d get to go with her, but that was a problem for tomorrow.
* * *
Logan glanced at the clock on the dash—1:50. He turned down his parents’ drive faster than was wise, but his Bronco could take it. His old Toyota would’ve been fishtailing all over the road.
He shouldn’t have stayed at the community building so long, but Easton had begged him to stay and watch the race. One look at the smile on that boy’s face when he finished second in the finals, and Logan knew it’d been worth it.
It hadn’t hurt that Devin’s face had lit up as well. That he even noticed her reaction still got under his skin, though. He was a mess. It didn’t matter. He’d get this meeting over with and get on the road.
Then again, there had been something about getting those three kids to smile that had scratched an itch he hadn’t even known he had. He’d love to see them again, but he had a cabin to get to and a book to edit. Life was simpler with few attachments, and Heritage seemed to be the hotspot of attachments.
Logan got out of his Bronco and slammed the door before hurrying up to his parents’ front porch and into the house. He tossed his coat on the hook and kicked off his boots, then hurried up the steps, nearly tripping over Cal. “Whoa.”
