The Family Gathering (Sullivan's Crossing #3)(31)

“Well, we do,” Lisa said. “But kids don’t get into foster care because they’re looking for a vacation. They’re in need of affection and stability. Sometimes they’re in need of boundaries, a little discipline. Love and patience and direction. There have been a couple we kept track of for a while. They weren’t with us long enough to miss us too badly but I felt pretty sure we gave them love and security while they were here.”

“She doesn’t like to admit it but she cries when they leave us,” Rafe said.

“Well, if you’re invested enough to help them, then you’re invested enough to hurt a little when it’s time to give them up, but I always felt they were going to a good place, a safe and loving home,” Lisa said.

“Doesn’t it get a little crowded?” Sierra asked. Their house was very comfortable, but small. They both laughed.

“Oh, yes,” Lisa said. Then she sat down on the sofa beside Sierra and they visited for a while. Even though Rafe was Connie’s closest friend and they’d socialized as couples, Sierra was learning things about Lisa for the first time. They’d married young and had their first child right away but the second pregnancy was very slow to come, no logical reason why. Then two in a row—bam! It was between the first and second that Lisa and Rafe got interested in foster care. Once in the program, they just couldn’t say no to a child in need of a home.

Lisa was a nurse who went to a part-time schedule when their family grew. She worked in a doctor’s office, which really came in handy with three kids and the occasional extra. With Rafe’s schedule and time off, she was able to work about twenty hours a week. Their dream was a large plot of land, something like what Connie had built his house on. “The kids need a dog and maybe a couple of horses, and I need a vegetable garden.”

“Have you ever seen Sully’s garden?” Sierra asked. “It’s like a small farm and he’s passionate about it. Lately he’s needed a little help, but he resists. If you ever want to see it, just let me know.”

“I’d love to,” she said.

“Babe, I’m going to start dinner,” Rafe said from the kitchen.

“Oh my God, is it dinnertime? I have to get groceries and get home!” Sierra said.

“Don’t panic,” Lisa said with a laugh. “Our dinners get earlier and earlier. Pretty soon they’ll be late lunches. But with three kids to get ready for bed—oops, make that four—we’re so anxious for bedtime to finally come it’s just ridiculous. Plus Sarah, our eight-year-old, has homework every night, if you can believe it.” Lisa put out her hands. “You’re going to have to give him up if you plan to go shopping.”

“He feels like an appendage,” she said. “He’s sound asleep. Should I put him down?”

“Nah, he could do with extra holding. He might not realize it, but he’s been through a lot.”

Sierra left the Vadas home feeling refreshed. New. She loved their life in their too-small house with too many kids. Of course, Sierra wasn’t completely convinced—she didn’t think she’d have a brood. A couple might be nice. A garden—she’d have started one if it wasn’t for Sully’s. She liked seeing the elk in the yard some mornings or blocking the road.

It was such a nice day, no rain for a change, that she bought hamburger and buns. Too early for corn, she got some zucchini, an onion, mushrooms and new potatoes to put on the grill. And when she walked in, she found Connie with his cell phone in his hand, watching the door. The house was tidy, there were vacuum cleaner tracks on the carpet and the kitchen was spotless.

“I was just going to text you,” he said.

She put her grocery sacks on the counter and then put her arms around Connie. “We’ve been lazy,” she said. “We have to decide on details about a wedding and get married. This is silly. We want to and our families are getting edgy. Do you think they’re afraid we’re going to split if we’re not official?”

His big hands circled her waist. “It’s already official for me, but I’m off tomorrow if you feel like getting a license.” He gave her a look. “What happened to get you in a hurry?”

“I’m ready,” she said. “I want us to be a family. I’m not sure what kind of family—I’ll look into that foster care program, but I’m not sure that’s where we’re going. Let’s start with me and you. I’m very sure of that.”





   I have learned that to be with those I like is enough.

   —WALT WHITMAN





7

SID HAD A real soft spot for rich chocolate cake and vanilla ice cream. And maybe a little extra whipped cream. And it appeared she was growing a soft spot for Dakota. He’d logged on four weeks at the soup kitchen, including one Saturday night that Sid didn’t go. That meant three Saturday nights of cake, ice cream and conversation with Sid. On her Saturday night off she had taken the boys to a concert, some band they were into, but she had to stay away from them and their friends so it didn’t really appear they were chaperoned.

“But was it fun?” he asked.

“Sorry, what?” She put her hand behind her ear as if she were deaf.

“Never mind.” He laughed. “Listen, Sid, I’ve invested four Saturday nights, many huge slices of chocolate cake, a dozen beers and burgers, and that’s just in the last month. And you haven’t given me any indication I’m making progress.”