Judy Christenberry - Inherited - Instant Family

As soon as she entered the room, she turned to Mike. “Did they arrest him?”

Mike sighed. “Yeah, but you were right. Ashton told them he didn’t know who killed his wife. He said he was knocked out and couldn’t help his beloved wife.”

“I told you he lied.”

“And he wants to know what happened to his children.”

Sarah’s hand flew to her chest. “No! I told you. They can’t go back to him.”

Mike tried to calm her down. “I just told you what he said. However, the police did a thorough job. They’re holding him in jail until he can make bail for $250,000. They’re hoping he won’t.”

“Good.”

“They also want to interview you.”

“No!” She felt as if she were on a seesaw, up one minute, down the next with the type of news Mike delivered.

“Sarah, you remember what I said? I talked to the police about you being appointed guardian of Anna and Davy. They agreed to pursue that for you, if you’ll come talk to them.”

She blinked her eyes, staring at her hands, clenched tightly in front of her. “I—I can’t!”

“I think Brad would go with you. I’m going to talk to him in a few minutes.”

“Why would he do that?”

“Because you need someone with you, Sarah. It won’t be an easy thing.”

“I know—and what about the kids?”

“Well, I thought they might like to go to school while they’re here. I’ll set it up. It will be hardest on Anna. Davy will have Robbie to go to school with.”

“But I can’t leave them! It would be too hard for them.”

“It will be even harder if you don’t get custody.”

Abby took her hand. “We’ll take care of them, Sarah.”

“But you’re supposed to rest,” Sarah protested.

“If they’re at school all day, I can rest.”

The sheriff looked at Sarah. “You have to answer this question. Is it worth going to testify against Ellis Ashton? You’ll get custody of the kids and keep them safe.”

When he put it that way, Sarah knew there was really no choice. She drew in a deep breath and said, “I’ll go. But I don’t need to bother Brad. I can manage on my own.”

The sheriff shook his head. “He’s going with you, Sarah. It’s part of the deal. Nick and Abby will take care of the kids and Brad will take care of you.”

“I don’t want him to take care of me! I can manage on my own.”

“Why don’t you want him to go?”

“The only man in my family killed my mother. Why would I want anything to do with any man?”

Mike drew a deep breath. “He’s just escorting you, keeping you safe. So you can come back to your siblings.”

“I—I don’t know what—”

“I’m thinking you should leave Monday morning after the kids go to school.”

“Their first day? No, that’s impossible! Anna can’t— She’s very shy!”

“It’s all right,” Kate said. “I’ll take her to school that morning and make sure she’s happy. Abby will be here to help.”

Sarah looked around the room at all the encouraging faces. “All right. I can tell her you’ll go with her?”

“Of course.”

Mike stood and kissed Kate goodbye and thanked Sarah for her cooperation. Then he left.

“Can you tell us what the children wear to school? Is there somewhere we can buy something for her to wear?”

“Yes. I can take you and Anna, and Davy, too, this afternoon, if you want.”

“Thank you, Kate. I think it will help Anna feel good about herself.” She just wished she knew how to pay for the clothes.

Nick and Brad came into the house for lunch a little later, only to find it empty.

“Where’s Abby?” Nick mused out loud.

“I don’t know. I guess we’re on our own today.”

“If she’s gotten involved with those people you drug in, I’ll—”

“Hi, boys,” Mike called as he stepped into the kitchen. “Are the ladies out?”

“Yeah,” Nick said in angry tones.

“Do you know where they are?”

“No. They didn’t even leave a note.” Nick couldn’t believe his wife would disappear without leaving word of her plans. Not in her condition!

“Hey, here’s a casserole I can warm up. I think there’s enough for all three of us,” Brad said.

“Ah, that’s one of the casseroles Kate made,” Mike said. “I’ll set the table.”

“How did you know about the casserole?” Nick asked.

“I had a quick lunch earlier with the ladies. But I didn’t get enough to eat,” Mike assured Nick and Brad.

Nick shrugged his shoulders. “Okay, I’ll make us something to drink. Is coffee okay with both of you? I think the wind got colder today.”

It wasn’t until they were finished eating that Brad realized it was unusual for Mike to be out there during the day. He asked his reasons.

“I came to talk to Sarah,” he explained.

“Why? Is something wrong?”

“No, not really, but I need some help.”

Nick spoke up. “To do what?”

“To escort Sarah to Denver.”

Neither man seemed upset.

“Who you gonna get?” Brad asked.

Mike just looked at him.

“Oh, no! Not me. Don’t you have any deputies to handle the job?”

“You know I don’t have as many deputies as I need to take care of the county. I can’t send one of them away.”

“But I think she’ll feel better with a deputy.”

“That’s why I’m going to deputize you before you go,” Mike assured him with a grin.

Sarah was sitting at the kitchen table that afternoon, trying to make sense of her life the past few days. Not that she was complaining. She seemed to have fallen into a good situation. Abby had offered her the job of housekeeper for at least three months at a generous rate plus room and board for all three of them.

Kate had taken them all shopping, even Abby, and she’d charged all the clothing for Anna and Davy, promising to take it out of Sarah’s salary after she’d insisted. Sarah had bought more than she should, because the two kids had so little, but she didn’t regret it. It was little compared to what they deserved.

All their lives Anna and Davy had suffered from their father’s behavior. Even with Sarah living there and providing food, it wasn’t enough. Children shouldn’t have to live the way her siblings had.

The kitchen door opened and Brad walked in.

She jumped to her feet. “Do you need anything?”

Brad looked at her in surprise. “No, I was just going to get some water. The wind is cold at night, but the temperature is warm this afternoon. I was going to get a couple of bottles of cold water.”

“I’ll get them for you,” Sarah said.

He stood there while she got the water.

“Uh, where did you go today? We didn’t see anyone when we came in for a late lunch.”

“But you found the leftover casserole, didn’t you?”

“Yeah, Mike said Mom made it.”

“Yes, she brought lunch for all of us. Did Mike eat lunch with you, too?”

“Yeah, you’d think he couldn’t handle two lunches. I keep thinking it will catch up with him, but it never seems to.”

After a second, Sarah got up enough courage to ask if Mike had talked to him about going to Denver.

“Yeah, he mentioned it.”

“Did you say yes?”

He looked at her then and she noticed the dark eyes with gold flecks that matched his dark brown hair, the lines at the corners of his eyes, no doubt from working outside on the ranch. He was a handsome man. A man’s man.

A man she could fall for.

But she couldn’t. Not now.

Before he could answer, she blurted, “I don’t need you to go. I can manage on my own.”

“You need an escort.”

“It’s ridiculous for you to leave your job to go with me. I’ll be fine.” She turned away from him and pretended to wipe the cabinet.