Meaning if he planned to kick ass, Tanner wanted in on it? Grinning, Kam said, “Not the kind of day I have planned, but I appreciate the offer.”
He got to work shortly after that and finished up without a hitch. The customer was happy and wanted to chat, so that took up a little more of his time. He’d been checking his phone every twenty minutes and, so far, hadn’t heard from Glory. He didn’t want to pester her, not when he sensed she was waffling between wanting him around and wanting to live on her own. If he tipped the scales, it’d be in his favor, not the other way around. She wanted some time alone, so he was determined to give it to her.
Next was Putt-Putt with the kids, and he had to admit, he had a blast. The ages ranged from eleven to seventeen, with seven kids in all, not counting Liam and Nell who helped to organize by pairing up with the older kids.
One of those kids, he couldn’t help but notice, looked miserable. Repeatedly, the boy cast his gaze at Kam. Each time, Kam smiled back but it didn’t seem to help.
Shoulders slumped, clothes unkempt, and expression guarded, the boy looked as if he had more than he could handle. Several times Kam saw him in whispered conversation with Liam. Hopefully, he could find out more about the situation soon. If he could help in some way, he would.
Just then, a twelve-year-old girl swung at the ball and missed, and when some kids laughed at her, she looked ready to throw the putter. Kam jumped in, soothing tempers and redirecting anger using the methods he’d learned while helping out with Tanner. His own angry youth often gave him a good perspective to go by, but then, he hadn’t experienced it as a girl and had no idea if her reactions would be the same. Hostile, yes. Petulant, most definitely. Yet, she also seemed keen to take part.
If Glory were here, she’d probably have some good insight, and if not—because he couldn’t quite imagine Glory ever hissing at anyone—then she’d likely be good at understanding.
Rather than single out the girl, Kam addressed all of them with his instructions. “Understand, I’m a lousy Putt-Putt golfer, so I’m sharing what I’ve been told. There are plenty of times when I hit the ball too hard, not hard enough, bounced it in the wrong direction, or missed it entirely.”
To his surprise, the girl rolled her eyes and then cracked a smile—with no hissing. He’d call that great progress.
The rest of the golf game went well. Even better when he took the kids to Ed and Ted’s for burgers and fries, the brothers declared it was on the house, and even threw in scoops of ice cream all around.
While the kids all stuffed their faces, Ted called Kam over.
“This is above and beyond, Ted. I’m happy to pay if you—”
“Looks who’s talking about above and beyond.” He waved away the offer of payment. “I like what you’re doing, and I like that your girlfriend suggested we take on some of the kids to mentor.”
Girlfriend.That seemed like such a bland, tame word for all the things he felt for Glory, but he couldn’t expect Ted to say “the love of your life” or “the one who’s changed everything,” so he let it go. Leaning on the counter so he could keep an eye on the kids, who now took up five booths on the far wall, Kam asked, “So that’s working out?”
“We have a gal helping Ed cook. She’s as cantankerous as him, so they keep each other entertained. Also have a boy waiting tables after school, and another who helps clean up at night. Can’t get a lot of kids to work so hard these days, but I swear, the ones recommended to us are great. For the most part, they show up on time. Got their first paychecks and acted like it was Christmas. Made Ed and me want to domore.” He lowered his voice. “The one who cleans up had a black eye a few nights ago. Worried me sick, but he wouldn’t tell me anything about it. Told me to mind my own business.”
Damn. That happened a lot, too often really. “Jot down the name for me and I’ll see how I can help.”
Having already written it out, Ted handed him the slip of paper and then clapped him on the shoulder. “Thanks. You’re a good man, Kam. One of the best.”
Even after Ted walked away, Kam stood there, left blank by the casual praise. He thought of Tanner as a good man. But himself?
Did others, besides Addie and Tanner, really see him that way? He thought of Tony, the customer from earlier, who’d wanted to stand around and chat. He’d offered a lot of compliments on Kam’s welding skills, especially with metal fabrication. He could do things others couldn’t, basically build a part needed for an engine, as he’d done for Tony’s antique tractor.
That didn’t make him a good man, though. It just made him good with his hands. Of course, thinking of his hands had him thinking of Glory... and a text came in.
He glanced at the screen, saw it was her, and swiped to open the phone.
FYI, doing great. PB is awesome. Callie visiting. All is well. Have fun & don’t rush.
Feeling absurdly happy, he sent her a kissing emoji.
She sent back three.
Grinning, he sent one more reply.
Wrapping up soon. Home in an hour.
Before he could send it, he rethought his wording and changedhometoback. He wouldn’t claim her house as his. It was an accomplishment for her, and she was due all the credit.
Glory didn’t have the same qualms.
Get home safely.
When he heard a hiss, he glanced up and saw that the same girl from earlier was now ready to throw hands with the two boys sitting across from her, so he hurried in her direction. On his way, he noticed that Liam and the downtrodden boy had moved to a booth by themselves, and they seemed to be engaged in a serious discussion.
