Holly nodded. “But in this case, the dog would drive you crazy. If you don’t mind taking them to Gretchen’s, that would be great.”
“Sure.”
The boys cheered.
“I’ll have Cody back by five.”
They left the house and continued along the footpath towards Gretchen’s place. Arthur resisted the urge to scratch his leg. The prosthesis was itching and rubbing, but there was nowhere he could sit to readjust it. He should have asked Holly if he could come in for a second, but he wasn’t quite ready for strangers to see him take off his leg.
It wasn’t far to Gretchen’s place.
The street was empty now except for the occasional school child dragging their feet on their way home.
The boys peppered Arthur with questions about what they’d be learning. “You’ll see when we get there.” After he’d figured out what he could show them. Jordan would benefit from learning how to escape holds in case his father tried anything.
They were passing the park, and Arthur scanned it for a bench where he could sit. He winced as his leg continued to rub and he slowed, trying to adjust the sleeve so it sat better. Jordan bumped him as he bent over and his weight was just off centre enough that he fell, his leg popping off, and as he windmilled to get his balance, it flew out of his hand and down the incline into the park. Arthur lost his fight against gravity and sprawled unceremoniously on the ground.
Shit.
He shifted to a seated position. Jordan stared at him with horrified wide eyes, while Cody yelled, “I’ll get it!” and ran into the park to fetch Arthur’s leg.
“I’m sorry!”
Arthur smiled, though his palms stung from hitting the pavement. “It’s fine.” Cody had reached the leg and was examining it.
Jordan’s eyes teared up. “Are you OK?”
“Yeah, it happens sometimes.”
“Jordan! Do you need a lift home?” The voice was rough, male and came from a black four-wheel drive which pulled up next to them.
Arthur couldn’t see the driver from where he sat, but Jordan’s worried expression told him all he needed to know. Fuck. “Cody! I need my leg.” Cody looked up and jogged towards them.
Hurry.
Jordan glanced at him and then back at the car. “No thanks, Dad. Arthur’s walking us home.”
“Doesn’t look like he’s getting far.” The car door slammed and footsteps sounded on the bitumen. Short, solid, and covered in tattoos, the man assessed Arthur and clenched his hands before relaxing. A fighter. And a cocky son-of-a-bitch.
Revealing himself to Arthur, trying something straight after the warning. Was Kurt assessing him, or had he already dismissed Arthur, and was sending a message to Gretchen? Either way, Arthur was vulnerable down here. Cody handed Arthur his leg, and he slipped it on, rolling up the sleeve.
“You don’t mind if I give my son a lift, do you?” Kurt asked.
Arthur smiled as he held up his hand to get Cody and Jordan to help him to his feet, as if he couldn’t do it on his own. After making sure the prosthesis was seated correctly, he replied, “Actually, I do. We’ve got plans.” He held out his hand. “I’m Arthur.”
“Kurt.” He squeezed Arthur’s hand as he shook, as if testing his strength. “I’m only in town for a short time.”
Arthur faked his surprise. “Gretchen didn’t mention it.”
“I’d like to spend time with Jordan. I miss him.”
“I can appreciate that, mate,” Arthur replied, keeping his tone jovial. “But I’ve got responsibility for Jordan at the moment, and I’m not comfortable letting a stranger take him.”
Kurt scowled. “I’m not a stranger. I’m his dad, aren’t I, Jordan?”
Arthur spoke before Jordan did. “You’re a stranger to me, but I can call Gretchen now.”
Kurt ignored the suggestion. “Jordan, you want to come with me, don’t you?”
