Page 24 of Katherine's Last Hope
“I don’t know,” Mike said. “I’d feel better with you and Ollie under my roof.”
“And I’d feel better knowing you’re out there with Owen and Tommy helping to make this nightmare stop. This feels right. Trust me,” Katherine said.
“It’s not you I’m worried about.” Mike kept his focus directly fixed on Cody.
He stood his ground. This was Katherine’s call. He’d support whatever she decided.
Katherine huffed out an irritated breath. “Enough bullshit, Dad. I know you mean well, but Cody has been by my side from the moment this started. I don’t just trust him with my life, but with Ollie’s.”
Her words tightened his chest and caused his eyes to burn. Dammit, he needed to get a grip before he made an ass of himself and cried.
But even if tears slid from his eyes, he didn’t give a shit. All that mattered was the trust Katherine placed in him, and nothing short of a bullet in his chest would stop him from keeping her and her son alive.
9
Twisting the fidget spinner between her fingers, Katherine searched for Ollie at the shelter. Cody agreed to wait on the porch. Not only did she want an opportunity to discuss the situation with her son before she introduced him to Cody, but she also didn’t want his presence to alarm Beth or any other woman who could show up in distress.
The sound of giggling drew her into the library on the main floor. She always loved this room. The dark green walls were like a comforting hug, and the row of books lining the built-in shelves made her wish she had hours to pour over the pages. And when a fire was lit, it took all her effort not to pour herself a glass of wine and curl onto the oversized sofa.
The boys weren’t interested in the books or the fireplace. Instead, Ollie and Jimmy sat in the corner looking through trading cards from one of the cartoons they both loved.
“Hey, you two,” she said, the sing-song quality of her voice ringing false. “Sorry I took so long, but something came up. Here’s the fidget spinner you wanted to see.”
The boys jumped to their feet and ran across the room, their cards forgotten on the floor behind them.
Ollie threw his arms around her waist before grabbing the toy from her outstretched hand. “Thanks, Mom!”
“Yeah, Ms. Katherine,” Jimmy said. “You’re the best!”
She spent a minute watching the boys light up and play with the toy before interrupting their fun. “Jimmy, can you find Elsie for a second? I need to speak with Ollie.”
“You can show her my toy.” Ollie handed over the spinner.
“She’ll love it.” Jimmy took the toy and ran from the room.
“That was nice of you,” she said, pride swelling her chest at his generosity. He’d always been such a sweet kid. She was glad to see that the blows of life hadn’t changed him. “Come sit with me.” Taking his hand, she led him to the sofa.
He hopped up and settled in close to her.
She’d spoken with Cody on the way to the shelter about the best way to approach Ollie. But now that the moment was here, dread slowed her thoughts. She didn’t want to spook him but also didn’t want to lie.
“The reason it took me so long to get back with your toy is because there was an issue.”
He frowned, fear inching into his big brown eyes. “What happened?”
“Someone is mad at Mommy. Grandpa, Uncle Owen, and Uncle Tommy are looking for him so they can make sure he can’t hurt me. But until then, we can’t stay at our house.” She took a moment to gauge his reaction. When he seemed okay, she continued. “We’re going to spend a few days with a friend. Like a little vacation.”
He perked up. “With Jimmy and Elsie?”
She smiled down at him. “No, honey. A friend who works with Uncle Owen and Uncle Tommy.”
Frowning, he clutched his little hands in his lap. “Do I know him?”
“He was friends with your daddy.” Okay, so that might be a bit of an exaggeration, but her gut told her that would put Ollie a little more at ease.
“Does he have a pool?”
The seriousness of the question lifted her lips. “I don’t think so. Why do you ask?”
