Page 28 of Galen's Redemption
Robert sighed. “I’m behind on dinner. Brady is in the kitchen getting things started, but I had to clear out the storage area so you’d have a place to put the new shelves.”
“No problem. I’ll go give him a hand.”
Noel started for the kitchen, but Robert reached out and caught his wrist. “I need a favor.I know I don’t have any right to ask, especially after you took care of dinner last week and you gave us all this stuff.”
“Yeah, you can shut up now. What do you need?”
“My folks invited me to dinner on Sunday the twenty-seventh. I’d like to go, but I would need to ask if you could come in, direct the volunteers, and help out.”
“Sure, I can do that.”
“It won’t be a problem for you? I knowyou need time with Lincoln too.”
“If I tell him you need a break, he’ll insist I help out. Trust me. I know my guy.”
Robert blew out a breath. “Thank you.” He grinned. “I seem to be saying that to you a lot lately.”
“It’s a pleasure, honestly. Now, let me go work on dinner.”
“Do you want me to come with you, or should I stay here and help Lincoln?”
“I think if you show him where you needthe shelves, he’ll be okay. They’re like the ones at the diner, so he knows how to set them up.”
“Okay. I’ll be in as soon as I can.”
Noel trotted off to the kitchen, while Robert went to help Lincoln. When he got back to the storage area, Lincoln was already unpacking the boxes.
“Can I give you a hand?”
“Nah, I got it. I’ll have them set up in about an hour or so.”
“Okay. Thank you so much.”
Lincoln stopped what he was doing, turned, and stood. “You never have to thank me. You had something that you kept safe for me, and nothing I can do will ever repay you for that. Noel is…. God, he’s everything to me.”
“I can see when he looks at you that he feels the same way.” Robert swallowed. “Did he tell you what I said when he first started working at the diner?”
“No, what?”
“I told himhe needed to be careful. When he said he worked off the clock that day, and that you gave him money, I was afraid….”
“You were afraid I was going to take advantage of him. You know what? I’m not mad at all. You didn’t know me, and you were right. Noel needed to question my intentions, which he did. I realize I pushed all this stuff at him fast, what with the asking him to move in and all. So,yeah, you were right.”
“No, Noel’s an adult, and I needed to trust his judgment. I didn’t. And I have to admit, I was a little hurt that he was moving on. After he went to bed that night, I questioned my own motives and figured out that I wanted him to stay here because he was like my own kid.”
Lincoln chuckled. “I can see that. Noel’s got all our regular customers in love with him. He bringslight to any room he walks into.”
“So you’re not angry with me?” It was important to Robert that he and Lincoln not be at odds. For Noel’s sake, if nothing else.
“Not in the least.” Lincoln held out a hand. “I’d like to consider us family. Your kid and me.” He winked. “It’s like fate, you know.”
Robert looked at the hand, then did something out of the ordinary for him. He threw himself intoLincoln’s arms and hugged him tight. When he realized what he was doing, he tried to pull away, but Lincoln wrapped those big arms around him and squeezed.
“We all need a hug now and again.”
This man—no, thisamazingman—would take care of Noel, Robert was certain. And that filled him with peace.
GALEN BLEWout a heavy breath. He and Andy had hauled more than a few boxes today, and itwas tiring. “Where can I put this stuff?”
