AllFreeNovel
Share Us
By most people’s standards, he died with nothing. He left behind a farm that was in deep financial trouble and a group of ragtag foster kids he’d adopted. But the entire town turned up for his funeral.
For the next two months, I couldn’t go anywhere in Courage without someone stopping me to share something kind he’d done for them or their family. He loved this town and the people in it. He loved them with his whole heart.
Headlights sweep across the porch as my brother’s truck pulls into the driveway. A sense of contentment washes over me knowing that the boys are home. I already know that I’m going to spend the next decade up late every time they’re away. I’ll wait for them to come home right here on this front porch.
“Parker, look at you!” Evie exclaims when he runs up the porch covered in mud. It’s all over his clothes and shoes. It’s even in his hair, but he looks happy. Both of the boys look happier and happier every time I see them. That’s a good thing in my book. Just like it’s my job to keep their sister happy, I plan to make sure they’re happy too.
“There are mud puddles in your yard,” he says to me with excitement that can only come from a boy his age. Chase doesn’t have any mud on him except for a slight bit on his shoes, but he looks just as happy as Parker does.
Evie makes a tsking sound under her breath. “You have got to get in the bath.”
“Are we staying here tonight?” Chase asks with a hint of anticipation in his tone. Earlier today, I may have added a big TV and a gaming system in the guest bedroom where the boys sleep. Evie doesn’t know that one yet, but the kids do.
“Yeah, Greer said we could, but only if you both take a bath. And Parker is going first.” She grabs for him, not even flinching at the mud he gets on her. I’ve never seen her once flinch with the boys. I can’t help but wonder how her life would have turned out if her mother hadn’t abandoned the boys. Would she have gone to college and gotten a degree? Would she have a high-paying job and only see her brothers every now and then? Would she have moved to Courage County? The last thought makes my chest feel tight.
“Thank you, Noah, for watching over them,” she calls over her shoulder as she marches Parker into the house.
Noah chuckles and looks at me. “Y’all good here?”
I nod and wish him good night. As soon as he’s pulling his truck out of the driveway, I turn my focus to Chase. I pat the porch swing. “Talk with me a minute.”
He looks longingly at the house.
“I’ll make sure you get gaming time,” I promise, barely able to keep the chuckle out of my voice. Evie is probably going to fuss at me about spoiling the boys later.
He joins me on the swing. He doesn’t sit close, but he doesn’t leave as much distance between us as he could. I take it as a small win. “You have fun tonight?”
“It didn’t suck,” he answers casually.
“Level with me. When your sister wasn’t around, did Spencer ever hurt you or Parker? You can tell me. I’m not going to tell Evie anything you say to me.”
He’s quiet for a long moment, debating whether he can trust me. I start to think he’s not going to answer, and then he says, “He didn’t hit me, but he punched Evie. The night we left.” His shoulders slump. “I didn’t stop him.”
My heart twists for him. The poor kid saw his sister beaten and feels responsible. He would have been no match for a grown man, but I can’t make him see that. “Where was Parker?”
He stares down at his shoes. “Behind the couch with me.”
“Sounds to me like you were protecting Parker. Even superheroes can’t be in two places at once,” I remind him. It’s what Dad said to me when I was struggling with the aftermath of not protecting my brothers.
His voice is quiet. “Do you get mad?”
“Sometimes.”
His gaze flicks up to mine. He’s finally looking at me, searching my face.
“But no matter what happens, I will never put my hands on your sister in anger. I’ll never punch her or hit her. She’s safe with me. Just like you are. And if you’re ever in a situation where you’re scared or hurt, you can always call me. I’ll come to protect you.”
“And Parker?”
“And Parker,” I promise. The two of them have a defender now, someone who will always be watching their backs. Childhood shouldn’t be a desperate fight for survival and with me around, I’ll make sure it never is for them.
Chase glances back at the house. “Can I play now?”
“Yeah, you can go play.” I chuckle.
He pushes off the swing and starts toward the house. He pauses. “Do you want to play too? I’ll let you be the green monster. He’s the coolest one.”
“That sounds fun,” I tell him as I follow him into the house. We still have a long road ahead of us, but I think he might be starting to trust me.
