Page 25 of Binding Ties


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He sighed. “I’m sad, but Rex also said if they died, they’d be surrounded by angels. So he’s in good hands, right, Mama?”

She cupped his cheek. “You’re absolutely right.”

Benjamin’s eyes met mine. “What will you do without your dad? I know how hard it is since I haven’t had mine for five years.” My stomach plummeted, and I felt sick. There was no sugarcoating with this kid.

I rested my hand on his shoulder. “He’s in a better place, bud. Besides, I’ve got you to take care of now, right?”

“Yep,” he said, popping the “p.”

Anna snagged Ben’s attention again. “So, sweetheart, how would you feel about getting to know your dad? He wants to get to know you better. What do you think?”

His look was pensive. “I don’t know. What will happen with Hutch? He takes us everywhere, like the Astronomy Museum in Tungs… Tungs… I can’t remember the name of it.” He looked down like he was ashamed.

Instead of letting him feel bad for not knowing, I jumped in to help. “You mean Tungston Bay?”

A tiny fist pumped into the air, and I had to laugh. “Yeah! That’s it.”

“Well, what would you say if I told you that I could take you? Or how would you feel going to see cars race in real life?”

He sucked in a sharp inhale. “Really??”

“Yeah, little man. What do you think about that?” My heart was pounding against its cage as I waited for his response. I never knew how much one tiny answer from a five-year-old would play into my life.

“Can we go somewhere else, too?” Brows furrowed in the middle.

“Sure, bud.”

“There’s this place in Orlando, FL; Hot Wheels Race to win. You can join the team, and it's for kids and families. Now that we’re a family, can we go?”

Anna’s eyebrows scrunched. “Ben, why haven’t you said anything about this before?”

“You’re always working, Mama, and I know it probably costs a lot of money. Julian drives race cars, so he makes money, right?”

He swiveled his shoulders to face me. “That’s right, Ben. We could definitely go, but only if it’s okay with your mom. I’ll need to do some research first, too. How does that sound?”

He put his little hands together in a praying sign. His little lip stuck out begging. “Please, Mama, can we do it?”

Good Lord, how did she tell this kid no with that face? “Your dad and I will discuss it, okay, Ben?”

He looked over at me, hesitantly. “Can I call you dad now?”

ChapterTwelve

My. Heart. Melted. I’d only know him for a short time, but I loved this dude so much. “I would be honored if you called me dad, bud.”

“Yay!” Throwing his fist into the air again, he cheered with all the glee and over excitement of a five-year-old. “Can I tell Rex that you race cars and that you’re my dad now?”

“Ben, you can tell Rex, but for now it’s bedtime.” Anna answered for me, and, for that, I was thankful.

Little eyes looked over at me in wonder. “You gonna have breakfast with us in the morning, Dad?”

“No, Julian has to go…”

I managed to cut her off before she continued. “Absolutely. How do pancakes sound? I must say, I make some mean breakfast.”

Cocking his head at me; a smile crossed his face. Anna stood up to try and head in the way I assumed was the bathroom, but before she got too far away, she turned back, ready to say something.

I just grinned at her. “I’ll be here when you get back, and then we can talk.” She nodded once, and then turned to keep Ben going.

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