Bonnie Winn - Substitute Father

Realizing they needed reassurance, she smiled warmly at them. “I usually only have coffee. This will be a treat.”

Luke met her gaze briefly, then turned his attention back to the eggs, spooning the fluffy yellow mounds into a bowl. A moment later he glanced up at Brian. “That toast coming along okay?”

Brian carefully buttered one last piece. “Uh-huh.”

“Then let’s eat.”

Kealey watched their interaction closely. Even for a single night’s stay she had to be certain what type of home the children were in.

It didn’t take long for the kids to assemble at the table. They ate rapidly as though afraid that the food might disappear before they finished. With equal speed they reached for seconds, filling their plates. Knowing their mother had been dead for a while, it stood to reason that the children had gone hungry, that they were afraid of doing so again. Still, Kealey couldn’t prevent her distressed reaction.

But Luke didn’t seem perturbed by their behavior. His even, accepting manner kept the atmosphere light. She wondered if he fully appreciated the desperateness of their situation.

When the children were finally sated, Luke instructed them in clearing the table and helping with the dishes. She had to admit that he was pretty good at handling the kids.

Brian held up the freshly washed frying pan. “Where does this go?”

Luke pointed to a rack on one wall. “Anywhere you can find an empty hook.”

Kealey stacked the dried dishes in a cabinet that was too high for Hannah to reach. Somehow, Luke had managed to include all of them in the task.

He surveyed the kitchen. “Okay, great job, guys. Now, upstairs, brush your teeth.”

The children obeyed without protest.

Once they were alone in the room, Kealey focused again on her morning’s mission. “When I spoke with Rachel yesterday, she mentioned your keeping the children for a few days. However, there’s no need for you to do so. We have adequate foster homes already in the system.”

“They’re comfortable here,” Luke responded easily. “And as of last night I have beds, clothes, toothbrushes…everything they need. And it won’t be for long. You should be able to locate some relatives soon.”

But she didn’t return his nonchalance. “You don’t seem to understand that we have procedures to follow. They’re not stray puppies.”

Something in his eyes hardened. “I’m not suggesting they are. But I talked to Rachel, too. And I’ve put in an official request to keep the children until their relatives are located.”

Kealey felt some of her control evaporating. It wasn’t a feeling she welcomed. “I don’t have that request in my file.”

“I filled out the paperwork last night and Rachel took it with her. She said she’d give it to you this morning.”

“I came here before going into the office.”

He shrugged. “That explains it. I’m sure Rachel will give you the paperwork when she sees you.”

Kealey firmed her shoulders. “I hate to be obstinate, but you seem to be forgetting that I’m the caseworker and it’s up to me to decide where it’s best to place the children. And I’m not convinced that’s with you. You’re a single man. And I believe children are best served in a two-parent family.”

Luke met her eyes, his own gaze probing. “Is this because of our disastrous date?”

Nonplussed, she stared back at him. “Of—of course not!”

“I’d hate to think that you’d take out your resentment on innocent children.”

“Resentment?” Kealey sputtered. “What makes you think I gave our date a second thought?”

“Then why uproot the kids? They’ve lost their mother, been terrified they would be separated. Now they’ve finally slept safely in real beds without their stomachs growling in hunger. I may not have the perfect two-parent home, but it’s a decent one. And I think the kids will be better off with someone they’ve begun to trust. More important, I can guarantee they won’t be split up. Can you?”

Kealey wanted to insist that she could do just that. But she couldn’t. “If I let them stay, and that’s a big if, I’ll need certain assurances.” His eyes again met hers and she fought the squiggle of unease his gaze caused.

“Sounds reasonable.”

“I want to be certain they won’t be left alone while you’re at work.”

“Since my clinic’s in the house that won’t be a problem.”

Kealey frowned. “I don’t believe you can operate on animals and chase kids at the same time.”

He grinned, that appealing smile she hadn’t forgotten. “True. But they’ll be at school a good part of the day, and I have a full-time assistant. Between us, we can keep the kids in line.”

“And if you can’t?”

“If there’s a conflict, I can call in the reinforcements. You forget, I’ve got more relatives than Campbell’s has soups.”

“Still, I will be conducting frequent inspections. Despite your opinion of me, my only concern is the children’s welfare.”

His easy expression faded. “You’re so sure of my opinion?”

She faltered. But only for a moment. Then her professional expression was back in place. “I’ll get back to you after I’ve read your paperwork.”

Luke nodded.

She picked up her briefcase. Starting to turn away, Kealey was surprised when he took her arm.

“When you’re making your final decision, will you remember one thing?”

Cautiously, she nodded.

The deep blue of his eyes darkened to near black. And somewhere deep inside, she felt an irrepressible shiver take hold.

“Just remember, Kealey, that the children want to be here.”

For a moment she couldn’t reply…and she couldn’t move. Snapping herself out of her paralyzed state, Kealey clutched her purse closer. “Fine.” She started to step away, but then realized he was still holding her arm. For a moment she simply stared.

Then he dropped his hand. “Thanks, Kealey.”

Why did his voice have to sound so husky, almost intimate? Swallowing, Kealey nodded stiffly. Then she nearly sprinted to the door. She didn’t even care at that point if he knew she felt the need to escape.

“BUT WHY do we hafta go to school?” Hannah asked for the fourth time.

“Because that’s what kids do,” Luke explained, trying unsuccessfully to smooth her long blond hair into braids. Mary had washed the child’s hair the first night, carefully combing out all the tangles. Looking up, he met Hannah’s eyes in the mirror. “You’ve had a few days to get settled, but you’re not on vacation.”

“We didn’t get to start school ’cause Mama died,” Troy told him in a matter-of-fact voice.

“That’s okay. You haven’t missed too much,” Luke replied.

“Can’t we stay here with you?” Hannah pleaded.

“And give up recess?” Luke asked in a reasonably horrified tone.

Hannah and Troy both giggled.

But Brian wasn’t convinced. “I wanna stay here.”

“Away from your brother and sister?” Luke questioned mildly.

Conflicted, Brian’s brows drew together. “I guess not.”

Luke managed to fasten a rubber band around Hannah’s crooked braids. “We’d better hustle, guys, or we’ll be late.”

Luke had shifted appointments and called on an associate to handle any emergencies so that the entire morning was clear. After collecting lunches, Luke gave them each milk money and then they piled into his SUV. Glancing at their freshly scrubbed faces, he could see the apprehension that new clothes and full stomachs couldn’t abate.

And he understood how they felt. No one enjoyed being the new kid. Brian, Hannah and Troy had attended an elementary school on the other side of town when their mother had been alive. But they had been transported along with their mother to the hospital close to Luke’s home when she’d fallen ill. Which was how they’d come to be at the grocery store in his neighborhood. It was only a few blocks from the hospital they’d run away from after their mother’s death.