The Chance (Thunder Point #4)(84)

“Of course,” he said. “Sure. Yes. Take all the time you need. And I’ll be your backup, too. Mercy is as at-home at my house as yours. And Austin’s a flexible kid. He’s real portable. He’d be happy with me, with Landon, with lots of people. And Devon, you can have five paid days. After all you’ve done for me, it’s the least I can do.”

“Thanks, Doc. We’ll plan something in that case. We were going to wait till the house is finished but heck, we just don’t want to wait.”

The memory of feeling he just couldn’t wait filled him with the miserable longing that had become his constant companion. Maybe before too many more years passed he would meet someone who made him feel that way.

Again.

* * *

Al knew Justin wouldn’t be eighteen until September and there was no guarantee that would be enough to get him custody of his brothers. The case worker he’d been in touch with told him to expect to be told to wait until he was nineteen and suggested he get to work on that GED so he could improve his income, so he could promote himself in his jobs.

As if he had a spare hour for that...

Al was so proud of the kid, ached for the kid. After a brief family meeting in the car, the boys decided that it was probably best not to complain to child services, best not to rattle any cages and get split up or yanked into some even worse emergency foster care. Kevin promised to say “how high” when someone said jump—he wouldn’t take any chances. Al wasn’t crazy about that decision but he understood it. They were scared. He wondered if they’d ever stop being scared.

His greatest solace was in Ray Anne’s arms. He loved her rooftop and loved her on the rooftop. That was where they had not only the most physical pleasure, but also their deepest, most personal conversations. She revealed so much about herself, about the men she’d been so briefly married to, about hopes and dreams she’d given up years before in favor of being an independent woman who wouldn’t ever have to rely on a man. And for his part, Al told her more and more about his brief marriage, his years on the road, his annual trips back to Boone, Iowa, on the birthday of his son, who if he had lived would now be thirty-eight years old.

Instead of saying “Awww, darling,” Ray Anne smiled against his lips and said, “My age.” And they laughed and laughed.

They had that thing going for them, when they could make even the most serious subjects light and humorous.

In early June, while he held her on the rooftop, he said, “I want you to know, I haven’t really loved a woman in so long I forgot what it felt like. But I think this is how it feels. Ray, no matter what happens I want you to know you’re one fine woman and you’ve made me really happy.”

“No matter what happens?” she asked. “Are you terminal or something?”

He just laughed and pulled her closer. “God, no. I’m so healthy it’s scary. But I’ve learned over the years not to forget to say important things. I was on the road when my dad died and never got to tell him how much he meant to me. It was a lesson.”

“Well, then,” she said, “you should know, I think you’re the love of my life.”

“I can’t be. You’re too sexy, too sweet, too beautiful....”

“You are. I’ve been with plenty of men but I think it was all practice. I feel so good with you. Every part of me feels good—the body parts, the heart, the mind, the humor, the part that thrives on friendship. I think, if I had to go back through all the men I’ve known, you’d be the best.”

“I bet you’ll change your mind about that,” he said.

And she had raised over him, looked down into his eyes in the candlelight on the rooftop and said, “No, Al. I won’t.”

The next day at noon he packed up his two duffels, some tools he owned and had been using and drove his truck to Lucky’s. Of course Eric was there. All he did was work since Laine was away. Justin hadn’t come to work yet and Al was glad. He passed the key to the room at the Coastline Inn to Eric and said, “Sorry, boss, but I got a call from a friend who’s in a bad spot. He has an emergency and needs my help. I know this is no notice and real inconvenient and I’m awful sorry. The room is paid up and I’m moved out but I didn’t check out just in case you know someone you want to give it to, what with that refrigerator and toaster and all.”

Eric took the key and shook his hand. “I hope you’ll be back, Al. You’re a great asset to my business.”

“I appreciate you saying that. I know I usually give you more notice but this came up real sudden.” But of course, he didn’t say what it was, exactly.

“Those things happen. If you have the opportunity and interest, you’re always welcome here. We can always use you. Did you tell Justin you’re leaving?”

“I wasn’t able to do that.” He pulled an envelope out of his shirt pocket. “I don’t have much explanation, it’s just a friend I’ve helped out over the years and he counts on me, especially when things go crazy for him. Would you give this to the kid?”

“Sure. Of course. And you have my number, if you need me.”

“I hope I’m not gone too long. Turns out I like it here. This was a smart move for you. And I hope it all works out with Laine.”

“Things always work out,” Eric said. “If I haven’t learned anything else, I learned that. It’s just that while you’re waiting for things to work out, it gets real old. But that’s life, right?”