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ZACH
Iwave as Zander’s car leaves the street. Zane decided to join him and stay in Cherrywood for this week.
That fucker told me he has some of his things in Zander’s place. As if I don’t know about the property he’s eyeing not far from Zander’s house.
I know he loves Cherrywood. That town is all Zane. With the woods, the wildlife you can spot so easily, it’s a dream place for him.
And a total contrast to my liking.
My brothers are slowly finding their heart’s desire but what isthatthing which gives me peace.
Before I can repeat the embarrassingly clear response in my head, the porch light on Ray’s home turns on and Hope rushes toward her beat-up van.
I cringe at the sight of the rusty vehicle. It should come with a hazard warning, but maybe it comes in handy when she’s transferring deliveries to the bakery.
After a few seconds, she steps out of the van and then bends down and gets up again, scanning the vehicle. I guess it isn’t starting.
I rub my jaw in confusion.
“Where the hell is she going so late?” I mutter into the void as my grip over the steering wheel tightens.
Hope looks up to the sky and mumbles something before she starts to march toward her destination.
When she passes by my parked car, I call after her, “Hope!”
She jumps and then rapidly blinks before looking inside, as if searching for something. “What are you doing here? I thought you guys left.” Her eyes are wide as she gapes at me.
“My brothers left just now, and I was about to leave when I saw your van didn’t start,” I reply, tilting my head toward her broken vehicle. “Where are you off to?”
“To the grocery store.” She straightens and is ready to start her journey when I step out of the car.
“Now?”
Her steps halt and I can guess from her pursed lips that she isn’t enjoying this conversation. She simply nods in reply to my question.
I look down at my watch. It’s almost nine. Hope is already a few steps away but my feet are stuck in place. I look between her and my car.
Why the hell do I care abouthernight?
Because she’s Ray’s mom. A kid who looks like me and feels like I did, before my innocence was robbed by the poor decisions of my mother. I don’t want Hope to do the same and Ray to end up like me.
Jumping back in the car, I follow Hope and stop near her.
“Get inside. I’ll take you to the store.”
“You don’t have to do that,” she says in a breathy voice but her steps falter. I can see the indecision in her eyes and quickly open the passenger door.
“You can trust me. I just want to help my friend’s mother.” I give her a genuine smile, but her creased forehead doesn’t relax. “I can give you my license. Take a picture of it and send it to a friend.” I’m about to take out my wallet out when she gets inside.
Hope slides in the passenger seat. The instant her head hits the headrest, a deep sigh leaves her lips. Her labored breathing is exhausted. Watching her, some tension escapes from my body. She isn’t looking for a shortcut or an easier way to raise Ray.
I grab a water bottle from the back of my car and pass it to her. “Here.”
“Thanks.” Her eyebrows rise as if she didn’t expect such an act from me.
Hmm. What is it that people see on my face that makes them believe I’m not a gentleman?
She chugs the water as I start the ignition. “Tell me where to go.”
