Page 64 of Resisting Temptation (Men of Honor 3)
“I know things weren’t good for you or Christopher back home, but that is going to change here. It will be better. I’m not saying I won’t make mistakes, I probably will because this is new for me too, but we will find our way together. I promise that both of you will never go without again and I also promise that no one will ever hurt you or your brother again.”
Ruth Jean’s eyes narrow. “Betause if dey do, Tade will tick deir asses, wight?” Christopher rolls his eyes and I bite my lip trying to hold in my laugh. The swearing is something I am going to have to address soon.
“You know it, kid.” I look back at Cade and quirk a brow, surprised that he replied. He shrugs.
With a smile, I shake my head and look back to the kids. “So it’s settled. Starting today, the three of us are going to rebuild our lives together and for the better.”
“De fwor of us you mean.”
My heart stutters to a stop and I feel Cade tense behind me. I clear my throat uncomfortably. “Well, no. The three of us. Cade doesn’t live here.”
Her eyes widen in surprise. “Why not?”
“Because we are just friends. He only slept here last night because we all had a hard night, and he wanted to be here for when Cooper comes this morning.” He means so much more to me than a friend, but I knew when I decided to take the kids in there was a good chance that is all we would ever be.
Ruth Jean watches us suspiciously and I don’t look back at Cade, scared for what I will see in his expression. “But I saw you guys tissing dis mowning, and fwiends don’t tiss.”
Well crap! I shift uncomfortably, and before I can explain Christopher breaks in. “That isn’t our business, Ruth Jean.”
“Sowwy,” she apologizes quietly again.
“Don’t be sorry. You have the right to ask me anything.”
“So does dat mean we won’t see you no mowe?” she asks, looking at Cade with a sad expression that pinches my heart.
“You’ll see me, kid. I just don’t sleep here but I’ll be around.”
Again, I look back at him in surprise. His expression gives nothing away so I have no idea just what that means. I’m hoping it means there may be something for us yet, but if not, and it still means getting to have him in our lives, then I’ll take it. I’ll take him any way I can get him.
CHAPTER 18
Faith
A week later I’m at the church, sorting through my ideas and plans for the music school while Christopher finishes up his last day of community service. I look around at the almost finished church, feeling the most tired I ever have, but also at the most peace. The past week has been a whirlwind with the three of us trying to get settled in and find a routine that works for us all.
Things went much better with the social worker than I had expected. After Christopher and Ruth Jean were honest, and told her everything about what their home life had been like with their father, getting them removed from his custody was not hard. Especially after the amount of drugs that were found in his house.
For me to get temporary guardianship was a little more of a process. It was obvious the lady had reservations about the children staying with me at first. She worried I was too young to take on the responsibility, she didn’t like I was single and that I did not have a job. So I went through and reassured her of her every concern. I told her about the music school I would open this summer, and the preschool program I would be running for the next school year. In the meantime, for income, I indicated with my bank statement that I would have no trouble providing for the kids thanks to my papa. Cooper also stepped in and vouched for me, and both the children were very vocal about staying with me. I also told her my family would be a very big support system for us. And I was right, they have been.
To say my family was shocked when I told them I was taking in Ruth Jean and Christopher is a major understatement. They were also concerned. But once I had explained to them everything that had happened to the children, and how much they meant to me, they stepped right up and are helping me with anything I need. And my support has not stopped at them. The love that has been pouring in, from not only Katelyn but also my new friends is astounding.
Grace, Julia and Kayla have all called or come by to meet the kids, and told me if I needed anything they were here for me. Ruth Jean has even spent some time with Grace at her bakery, learning how to bake pies, which she was over the moon about. She even created her very own and called it ‘New Family Pie’. “In cewebwation of awe new famiwy,” she had said. Which had completely warmed my heart.
Then there’s Cade. And well… he’s been amazing too, but also a little distant. He hasn’t kissed me or touched me affectionately since the day he said goodbye to me on my porch, after Cooper and the social worker left.
I’m trying not to let that bother me though, because I knew when making this decision, that the chance of us having anything more than friendship was probably not going to happen. And he has still been amazing, he’s texted me and checked in almost every day. He also came and helped when we bought bedroom furniture for the kids by hauling it home in his truck then helping set it up.
I knew my father and papa would have done this too, but honestly they aren’t the handiest guys and they fight a lot, so I was glad when Cade offered. Plus I had wanted to see him again. The problem is, I always want to see him and be with him but I know I have to get control of my emotions. I need to focus on what’s most important right now and that is the kids.
