Page 54 of Night Moves
She suddenly looked up. “Is a bad man going to come here?”
“Why do you think that?”
“You and your brothers have guns.”
They’d tried to hide them under their shirts, but they were often revealed when they moved around. “We always carry guns.”
“Always?”
He nodded.
“Does it make you feel safe?”
“Safer, yes.”
“I wish I could have a gun.” Her words came with such emphasis that it tore at Drake’s heart.
“Are you afraid of something?” he asked, trying to keep those emotions out of his voice.
She nibbled on her lip. “Dad once said he thought a bad man took Mom. Now he says she went away on her own. But I think he was lying so I wouldn’t be afraid. But I am. I’m afraid the bad man is going to come back to get us.”
“No man is going to come get you here,” Drake said with vehemence. “I’ll make sure of that.”
“But sometimes you’re gone.”
“Then my brothers or father and mother and Natalie will make sure you’re safe.”
“I like Nana and Papa.” She glanced at his parents. “They said we should call them that because they love being grandparents, and they already consider us their grandchildren.”
He knew his mom meant well, but this child didn’t need to have hopes for grandparents when those hopes would never be fulfilled by his parents.
“But when Dad comes back, they can’t be our grandparents.” Willow’s mouth turned down.
“No, they can’t,” Drake said.
She curled her arms around her body and looked down. Drake had never known such insecurity in his childhood. If only he could give Willow the same security.
What could he do to make her feel safe all the time? Like when she was lying in bed at night, hugging George tight and worrying that the boogeyman was going to climb through her window.
A thought sparked.
“Hold on, kiddo.” He jumped to his feet. “I’ve got an idea. Be right back.”
14
Natalie watched Drake bolt out the door. She was about to follow when she glanced at the time. She had to go get Sadie and Logan up from their naps. She’d been talking with his parents about her family, giving them the barest of information, but mostly she tried to listen to Drake’s conversation with Willow. He did great. He handled Willow’s questions and concerns beautifully. He didn’t lie to her, and yet he managed not to tell her the truth about her father. Okay, supposed truth. They had no proof that Kirk was The Clipper, but Natalie hoped they soon would.
Peggy said Drake hadn’t had any interaction with children before now, but he appeared to be a natural at it, at least with kids Willow’s age. But Sadie? He’d struggled with her at lunch but had managed. Natalie hadn’t yet seen how he would do with Logan. Maybe she would find out now.
She changed into the clothes Russ had bought, glad to see that they did indeed fit, even though the jeans were men’s and hung low on her hips. The relaxed clothing was far more comfortable than the suit and heels.
After she put on the basic white sneakers, she woke the children and took them to the bathroom before heading downstairs. Sadie toddled over to the stack of books and grabbed a Dr. Suess book. Willow watched it all from the table filled with Legos.
“Story,” Sadie demanded.
“Sure.” Natalie sat on the stone hearth in front of a crackling fire chasing away the chilly May weather. “You want to listen too, Logan?”
“Uh-huh.” He charged past the blocks he’d been building with earlier to sit beside her.
