Page 24 of Steel

It was the first time in so long that he wanted to be my little hero, which was something I’d missed. “Come here, you.”

The kid was the most dubious of any child I’d ever met, but he came closer, enough so I could grab him, pulling him all the way into my arms. “No one hurt me. But thank you for the offer. However, you can’t go around beating up anyone who causes me pain. Okay?”

The hurt had faded long before, which was another reason I had no intention of ever talking to Kenny again.

“Why not?” His body was stiff during the hug, but he wasn’t squirming like usual. Another win. See? I could do this. I was racking up one win after another.

“Because it’s not nice. Just promise me you won’t go beating anyone up.”

“But why are you crying?”

“From happiness. I’m happy to be here. With you.” I kept my hands gripping his arms even as I pushed him away so he could breathe.

At least he wasn’t upset. He rolled his eyes again, his usual response. Everything was normal in our little world. Just the twoof us as it had always been. “You need a boyfriend, Mom. Maybe we’ll find you one.”

Coughing, I fought to keep from laughing, but he’d broken the ice and pulled me out of the dangerously depressing moment. How could I tell him that after his father, I’d sworn off men and had very good reasons why. “Stuff from the SUV, kiddo. Mama has some work to do. After that we’ll go into town.”

“So,” he started, pouting his lips as he spoke. I knew he wanted something. “Do you think I could go exploring?” When his eyes lit up, which they hadn’t in a very long time, I was thrilled to death, even capable of doing a little dance. Although not in front of anyone.

“Yes, but only after you bring in your bags and you promise you’ll stay close to the house.”

He nodded big and proud and I had a feeling everything was going to be just fine.

I had to give my kid credit. He was stronger than he looked, dragging bag after bag into the house. I’d brought more than I’d thought, my nervous packing something I was known for.

I couldn’t take a weekend trip without three suitcases.

Given the condition of the house, I was glad I had.

At least the bedrooms weren’t bad, the one Damon had selected painted blue. I even had an ensuite bathroom, which was more than I had at the cheesy apartment. By the time I put a few pictures out and my favorite tablecloth on the kitchen table, this would feel like home.

“Can I go outside now? Pretty please?”

My son never used the words pretty please. “What are you up to?”

“You suggested I build a fort.”

I laughed. If there was one thing I had to remember about my son, it was that he could remember everything. He also had a photographic memory, which didn’t bode well when trying to keep secrets from him.

“Okay. Go ahead. But stay close. Promise.”

“Promise.”

He raced out the back door and I stood in the kitchen, watching him, uncertain how to act. We didn’t have any land near the apartment, the park near us not one I felt safe taking him to. At least here there was blue sky and a river located somewhere through the trees.

When he seemed happy in his little world, I retreated to the bathroom to grab my tweezers. The splinter was killing me.

After that, it was all about creating a working spot for me. Thankfully, there were three bedrooms, one already having been used as an office complete with a desk. See? This was going to work out just fine.

Perhaps I was warming up to the place. I certainly had a lot more room to work and with no traffic whatsoever, I wouldn’t be interrupted by honking horns and…

Gunshots.

No gunshots. Another plus.

I moved my computer and the printer into the room, finding a perfect spot for everything including my camera and tripod. Ihad two lights if I did any shots indoors, but I wanted everything outside in this beautiful city. Why not take advantage of it?

I’d even conned our usual makeup artist into putting together a bag of makeup Carrie used for the photoshoots. Just a little touch up here and there.