Anything for Her(98)

“Do you promise?”

“Yeah. Sure.” Seeing the look in Nolan’s eyes, he added hastily, “I promise.”

Nolan relaxed slightly. “Here it is, then.” He talked, laying out the whole story. Mouth agape, Sean listened.

“Wow,” he said finally, “you really stepped in it, didn’t you?”

“No shit.” Nolan grimaced at the bad pun. “Yeah. Having her investigated was the absolute worst thing I could have done.”

“She’s really just going to leave so she can stay with her mom? Is it because she’s so mad at you?”

Nolan hesitated. “I think it’s complicated. She’s mad, she’s hurt, sure. But also...her mother is the only continuity she’s ever had in her life.” He told Sean what he’d figured out, about how everyone Allie had ever loved expecting her to make any sacrifices that had to be made.

“I kind of get that,” Sean said unexpectedly. “Grandma loved me, but even with her I could tell having me around wasn’t really what she wanted. You know? I had to try to fit in depending on who I lived with.” His shrug was awkward. “Until you, no one ever really put themselves out for me.”

Choked up, Nolan had to clear his throat before he could speak. “You deserved better all along the way.”

Sean shrugged, as if that was beside the point. “You’re thinking you’ll go with her, aren’t you?”

Surprised at his perception, Nolan raised his eyebrows. “I guess I am,” he said after a minute. “That’s why I had to talk to you before I talk to Allie.”

Sean ducked his head. “So I know.”

“Because this affects you as much as it does me,” Nolan said slowly. “I’d be asking you to start all over, too. Seems like school is going really well for you. You’re making friends. Given that we’re midseason, you might not be able to play basketball until next fall at a new school.”

“You don’t think they could find me a foster home in West Fork.”

Nolan stared at him. “I mean wherever we go. It could be damn near anywhere. It doesn’t sound like we’d have any say in that.”

Looking stunned, the boy raised his head. “You mean...” His voice cracked. “You’d take me with you?”

“Oh, hell.” Nolan rose to his feet and circled the table. “Of course I’d take you with me. I told you. You’re my son now.”

A single harsh sob broke from Sean’s throat. His chair scraped back. His arms came hard around Nolan, as Nolan’s did around him.

“You’re my son,” Nolan repeated.

It was a long time until Sean drew back, his face wet. Averting his face, he grabbed a handful of napkins and swiped at tears before blowing his nose.

Nolan discovered his cheeks were also wet, and he reached for a napkin, too. At last he went back to his seat. “Eat,” he said, nodding at the pizza.

“Yeah.” Sean scooted his chair forward again and reached for a slice. “So that’s the deal? If Allie wants us, we go with her?”

“That’s the deal.”

“Would my caseworker let me go? Especially if we’re leaving the state.”

“I’m thinking the U.S. Marshals can make that happen if they want. You don’t have family in the area. There’s nothing holding you here.” He studied Sean. “You’re okay with this?”

“Me? Sure.” The pizza hadn’t made it to his mouth yet. “Moving to a new school sort of sucks, but I can do it again. Allie needs to know we’re willing.”

“We might even get new names,” Nolan warned. “I’m not sure about that.”

A gleam showed in Sean’s eyes. “Can we pick them?”

“I don’t think so.”

“What if they call me something stupid?”

“It’s more likely to be something boring. A name that won’t stand out.”

He mulled that over. “I guess I can pick a cool nickname if I don’t like whatever they call me.”

“Yeah.” Nolan had never known pride could fill a man until his chest hurt. “You can do that.”





CHAPTER SEVENTEEN



ALTHOUGH EXHAUSTED, Allie’s body refused to succumb to sleep. She squeezed her eyes shut and tried every technique she knew for falling asleep.