Margaret Daley - Second Chance Family

“No, not that I know of. The only thing she’s had problems with is arthritis in her knees.”

Shane hung back while the EMTs worked on Aunt Louise and put her on the stretcher. Before they wheeled her out the door, Shane took his aunt’s hand. “I’ll be right behind the ambulance. They’ll take good care of you.”

“I’ll be fine. I’m in the Lord’s hands.”

The second the ambulance pulled away, Shane went to get Jason. He’d rather not take him to the hospital, but he didn’t want to take the time to find a babysitter. What if his aunt had had a heart attack and had another one before he could get there? He didn’t want her to be alone. He owed her so much.

When Shane went upstairs and into his bedroom to round up Jason, it was empty. He checked the master bathroom, then went to Jason’s room across the hall. Again his son was nowhere in sight. Trying to remain calm, he hurried through the rest of the house, calling his son’s name over and over.

Fifteen minutes later, frantic, he headed out the kitchen door to see if Jason was in the backyard. The phone rang, the sound jerking Shane back around and into the house. He snatched it up while glancing out the bay window in the breakfast nook.

“Shane, this is Whitney. Jason showed up at my apartment. He was downstairs touching my car. I figured you didn’t know he came over.”

He collapsed into the chair nearby, dropping his head in relief. “No, I didn’t. I’ll be right over.”

When Whitney opened the door to reveal Shane on her stoop, her heart twisted at the sight of the man, pale, his hair tousled, his expression drawn and worn.

“I called you as soon as I saw him.” Whitney stepped to the side to allow him to enter.

“I really appreciate that. This hasn’t been a good day.” Shane’s gaze slipped from her to find his son on the couch, writing on a yellow pad while Calico pressed up against his thigh.

“He’s drawing a picture of my cat for me.” Whitney closed the door and moved toward her kitchen area, the sound of Jason’s pencil strokes and Calico purring echoing through the apartment. “I know it’s almost one, but do you want some coffee?”

“No, I can’t stay. Aunt Louise was just taken to the hospital in an ambulance.”

The love and concern for his aunt filled Shane’s eyes and tugged at her. That was what she and her brother were beginning to develop. “What happened?”

“I came home from going to the store and found her on the floor in the den, passed out. I don’t know what happened, and when she came to, she didn’t, either.” Shane stepped closer and lowered his voice. “I sent Jason into another room so he wouldn’t see the paramedics take my aunt away. He left the house instead. I didn’t even hear the front door opening. When I couldn’t find him…” What little color he had leached completely from his face.

The urge to comfort strong, Whitney placed her hand on his arm. “I’m so sorry. I can only imagine the horror of finding your child gone.” And he still had his aunt to see about. “Let me help you. I can watch Jason while you go to the hospital if you want.”

“I can’t ask you to do that. Look at all you have to do.” He gestured at the stacked boxes.

“First, you didn’t ask me. I’m volunteering, and I don’t volunteer unless I want to. Second, I have to go to Stone’s Refuge today, and I think Jason would enjoy it. I want to show him the animals in the barn.”

“You’re going to the farm when you have all this to unpack?”

“I do every Sunday afternoon, and this will be here when I get back. It isn’t going anywhere.” She grinned, remembering how neat and tidy his home was and wondering if it was Shane more than Aunt Louise.

“I can’t imagine living out of boxes for more than a day. I don’t do well with chaos.”

“And I have acquired more chaos than I thought possible this past year.” Because her brother had showered her with gifts until she’d had to cry uncle. “Chaos, that is, if I emptied every one of these,” her arm swept toward the stacks in the living area, “and didn’t put anything away. However, a little chaos is okay sometimes.”

He arched an eyebrow. “If you say so.”

“Has Jason eaten?”

“No, in fact, that’s why I made an emergency run to the store. He had gotten into the jam and bread sometime since yesterday so there wasn’t any for a sandwich for him.”

“What does Jason like to eat?”

“Two things. Peanut butter and strawberry jam or a hamburger from Lucky’s Drive Thru.”

“Oh, he has good taste. Nothing beats Lucky’s hamburger. Don’t tell Noah I said that.”

“I’m trying to expand my son’s tastes to other foods, but I’ve not had much success yet.”

“That’s all he eats?” Whitney again looked over at the boy who was still happily doodling on the yellow pad.

“For lunch. He’ll only eat certain dishes for each meal.”

“Interesting. I don’t know much about autism.”

“Routine and order is very important to him.”

And to Shane? Her life had never had much routine or order to it. Since coming to Cimarron City, however, she’d acquired some of both.

“I’d better be going. I told Aunt Louise I would be there for her.”

“Go. If I run into a problem, I’ll let you know.”

“If anything happens, I can be there in twenty minutes.”

“It shouldn’t. We’ll go to Lucky’s then Stone’s Refuge. We’ll be there most of the afternoon.” She covered the few steps to her door while Shane strode to his son and knelt in front of him.

Clasping both upper arms, Shane waited until he had Jason’s attention. “I need to leave for a while. Whitney is going to watch you. She’s taking you to Lucky’s for a hamburger then to see some animals at a farm. Okay?”

His son peered at her. “Like yellow hair.” Then he dropped his head and began drawing again.

Shane came toward her. “I think everything will be all right. Call, if it’s not. Aunt Louise will understand if I have to leave.”

“Will do.” Whitney stepped out onto the stoop with him. “Don’t worry about him. If he loves animals, he’ll enjoy the farm.”

“Thanks.” He glanced toward the entrance. “Are you sure about this?”

“My brother keeps telling me I need to learn to accept help. Guess what? You should, too.”

He chuckled. “Yeah, my aunt tells me that. I’ve had to learn with Jason.”

She turned him around and gently pushed him toward the stairs. “Go. Make sure Louise is all right.”

Down below Shane peered up at her. “What if this takes longer—”

“Dr. McCoy, goodbye. I’m going inside.” She determinedly pivoted away from him and headed back inside, but before closing the door, she glimpsed him jogging away. What happened to Shane’s wife? How had she died? There was a lot about him that was appealing and attractive. Were Jason and his problems the reason Shane hadn’t remarried? Or something else? It was clear he hadn’t moved on after five years because he still wore his wedding ring. Did he use it like a suit of armor to protect himself?

She wouldn’t ask those questions aloud. It wasn’t her business. But that didn’t stop her from wondering about them.

The second they entered the barn at Stone’s Refuge, Jason saw a large mutt near the tool room, eating his food from a metal bowl. The boy raced toward the dog before Whitney could grab him and hold him back. Plopping down on all fours by the animal, Jason stared at it. The mutt fixed his gaze on the child, only a few inches separated their noses.

Whitney started forward to get Shane’s son before the dog bit him. A hand stopped her. She glanced back at Peter Stone, the man who had founded Stone’s Refuge for children in the foster-care system. He and Noah had bonded while they lived together in a foster home as teens.