Page 61 of Night Moves
“Breaks my heart to see kids suffering because of screwed-up adults. And these kids have some seriously screwed-up adults in their lives.”
“They do.”
“But you see stuff like this all the time.”
“Yeah,” Natalie said and resisted sighing. “I mean not serial killers, but unfit parents. I also see parents who would be good role models if they only got some help. I can do the most good with those parents, but I have to give the others more of my time because the children are at greater risk.”
He didn’t speak for the longest time. “I’m amazed at how strong you are. You help these families and haven’t become jaded. And you’re doing such a good job of coping with this situation.”
“It’s really all thanks to you and your family. You’re giving me the strength.”
“You’d do fine on your own. You need us to provide protection, but caring for the kids in a tough situation? You don’t need us for that.”
Natalie wasn’t quite as confident. Sure, her determination didn’t allow her to fail often, but caring for three children was a huge responsibility that she wasn’t sure she was cut out to handle for much longer. She never thought she’d have children at all, but in the rare times when she did think about it, she always imagined having a baby and learning the parenting ropes along the way. She might hold a Ph.D. that included child development, but it was one thing to know how a child grew and developed and give advice to other parents. It was another thing altogether to put it into practice for three young children who were thrust into her care when emotions were running high.
“I’m ready,” Willow called from the landing.
Natalie spun. She’d forgotten that Willow could hear their conversation. Natalie had to be more careful.
She stepped back to let Drake take the lead, but she would join him in saying good-night as rules prohibited leaving a man alone with these children. Even a fine responsible man like Drake. It was great that he was bonding with Willow, but he wouldn’t be around after Kirk was found and jailed. So Natalie needed to keep a close relationship with Willow. No matter how much Willow had come to like Drake, Natalie would be the one to break the hard news of her father’s extracurricular activities.
In the loft that was toasty warm, Logan was tucked in and Willow was snuggled in bed, covers up to her neck.
Drake sat on the edge of the bed. “Can I tell you something?”
“Sure.”
“I’ve never tucked a kid in, so I don’t know what to do.”
“Really?” She blinked up at him, her feathery lashes a pale red. “Someone as old as you?”
“Yeah, I’m, like, ancient.” He grinned, and the cute dimple showed up again.
Willow gave Drake an odd look. “How come you’re not married?”
He didn’t even bat an eyelash at the question. “I’ve never found someone I want to marry.”
Willow’s expression turned very serious. “Natalie’s kind of nice. And she’s old too. I didn’t want her to before, but maybe she should get married.”
Natalie’s mouth dropped open, but she quickly snapped it shut.
“She is pretty nice, isn’t she?” Drake grinned back at her. “And you’re right, sheisold. She should be married too.”
Willow nodded. “If you married her, then you could get some kids too.”
“We could,” Drake agreed.
“I think you’d be a good dad.”
“Thanks, Willow.”
She turned onto her side and hugged George close. “’Night, Drake.”
“Good night, kiddo.” Drake tucked the covers close then got up and stepped back.
Willow gave Natalie a longing look, and Natalie wanted to hug the child and kiss her good-night, but physical connection of any kind was discouraged on the job, and she’d already crossed that line once.
Natalie’s job wasn’t to make these children dependent on her. It was to be kind and caring but keep a wall up so that, when they moved on to their foster families, they didn’t want to cling to her.
