Page 31 of Galen's Redemption
Chapter Nine
EVEN WITHLincoln and Noel helping, the day had totally sucked. Brady had done his best to get the food done, but he’d come to Robert, practically in tears, telling him he was so far behind and people were already starting to line up. Lincoln stepped up and took charge, told Brady what he needed to be doing, and pitched in to help him. Meanwhile, Noel had gotten the storeroomin working order, with a promise to find someone to patch the hole in the ceiling. Robert watched as his grip on the shelter got more and more tenuous.
He stood there, looking at Noel’s handiwork. He had always been organized, and the place looked great. Unfortunately, as he continued to look, the enormity of what had happened started to sink in.
“No matter what I do, it’s all falling apart.”
“Why would you think that?”
He spun and found Noel standing behind him. “I thought you’d left.”
“Lincoln and I washed the dishes. Now answer the question.”
Robert took a deep breath. “There’s not enough money for everything. We have more and more people coming in every month. With the economy the way it is, too many are losing what little they have. Most nights we’re over capacity, and whenI call the other places, they all tell me they’re full. The other night I gave up my room so someone else would have a place to sleep.” He shuddered. “I know you’re going to say I should have kept the check, right?”
“No.” Noel stepped over and wrapped his arms around Robert’s waist. “I told Lincoln what you said, and he agreed. In fact, he said pretty much the same thing. I thought I was helping,and I’m very sorry.”
“Your heart was in the right place.” God, Robert wished he could have kept that money. True, it was a drop in the bucket compared to all the expenses, but it would have gone a long way to solving the immediate crisis. “Anyway, let me walk you out.”
“Why don’t I stay tonight?”
“That’s sweet, really, but—”
“Hey, Lincoln?”
Lincoln popped around the corner. “Yeah, pup?”
“You okay with me staying for a while? I think Robert needs to go out and clear his head.”
“Sure. You do what you need to. In fact, if you want to take off tomorrow, I can talk to Katy and see if—”
“Hell, no!”
They both looked at Robert. “What’s wrong?”
Robert pointed at Lincoln. “You have a business to run. And Noel, you have a job you need to do. I appreciate the thought, but one night isn’tgoing to change anything.”
Lincoln stepped into the room, crossed his arms over his broad chest, and glared at Robert. “One day, while working that job you mentioned, a hazel-eyed man stepped into my diner and asked me if I had any work he could do. I said yes. That one day changed my life. Don’t say taking one night isn’t going to change anything for you.”
“But—”
Lincoln held up a big hand.“No. Noel says he’s got it handled, and you need to trust him. Go out. Take a long walk. Clear your head and see if things don’t look better when you’re done. After you get back, Noel can call me and I’ll come pick him up.”
Noel turned his attention to Lincoln. “Oh, I can take a cab. You need to get some sleep.”
Lincoln didn’t say anything, but he pinned Noel with that steely gray gaze, andNoel started squirming under it.
“Yes, sir, I’ll call.”
“I’ll wait up for you.” Lincoln kissed Noel’s head. “Love you, pup.”
Noel’s cheeks pinked. “Love you, too, Lincoln.”
One more kiss and Lincoln left. Robert wanted to refuse Noel’s generosity, but….
“Are you sure about this?”
Noel narrowed his gaze. “You take too much on yourself. Lincoln burns the candle at both ends. You’ve obliteratedthe candle and are working on letting the flames consume you. Why is it so hard for you to let people help?”
