“She would never have let us be taken away.” His last few words were wailed in a voice filled with heartache.
“That’s true. She wouldn’t.” Oh, God. What can I say? How to explain so as not to frighten him more? “But that’s because she had the law on her side. As your mother, she had the legal right to take care of you.”
“Now we’re alone. They called us orphans.” His wobbly voice continued to rip her heart into tiny pieces, leaving her fighting for control. He glanced up, and she saw his tired, sad eyes drenched in his own misery. “It’s s-scary.” His tears were slowing but panic still echoed in his tone.
Jaq hugged him tighter, rocking them both gently. “I know it’s hard for you to understand, Charlie. And I’m really sorry it scares you. But Colin promised your mom he’d look after you both if the government lets him. That’s why we have a lawyer to fight for us in court. But for now, Colin and I will do everything we can to keep you with us until he gets guardianship.”
“What if he doesn’t get it?”
“He’ll fight until he does.”
“How long will that take?” He brushed at his face and stopped when Jaq helped, her hands gentle.
“See that’s the problem, Charlie. We don’t know. But I promise, we’ll keep you in the loop of what’s happening.”
“Good or bad?”
“Yes. Of course.”
“Promise?”
“Yes.”
“Cause my Maman broke her word, and she loved us a lot.”
Jaq brought him around to face her, making him look into her eyes. “You’re right. Your mom loved you a lot, but being ill, she wasn’t thinking clearly. All she did was try to protect you.”
“She lied. And she left us.” His small voice hardened.
“I know you’re angry with her, and that’s okay. But one day I hope you’ll understand how sick she really was. And living in that fog of pain day after day affected her decisions. I truly believe she refused to let you feel her fear to shield you. A mom who loves her kids will do that, Charlie. Us women can’t help ourselves.”
He stiffened, his voice muffled. “Do you love us?”
She didn’t hesitate. “More than I thought possible.”
“Remember, you promised.”
“Yes, honey. I remember.”
Sliding in closer, he laid his head on her chest and within minutes was sound asleep. Knowing she couldn’t leave him, Jaq settled down herself and let her mind revisit the one important detail that couldn’t be ignored… Colin Jones. Reviewing their night before and how she’d snuggled into him when the cold seeped into the room had to be revisited.
Remembering the warmth of his gaze and the tenderness of his arms, a tingle traveled her whole body. That man had begun to live in her thoughts a lot more than any other, and if truth were told, he’d begun to seep into her heart as well. The promise she’d just made Charlie meant she must include Colin in her future. That thought made her smile.
***
About an hour later, waking up with the kids, Jaq made an announcement. She’d heard the children stirring after their nap and knew they were too excited to settle again. Instead, shedecided to keep them busy. “Let’s surprise Colin when he gets home. Okay?”
Maisie, refreshed from her nap, jumped up. “Yay. What should we do?”
“Let’s bake Christmas cookies.”
“Yesss!” The little girl’s excitement was contagious, and soon Charlie pitched in too. In no time, Jaq had all the ingredients for shortbread lined up and the recipe she’d had Google find her ready on her iPad.
She let Maisie help in filling the measuring cup with flour while Charlie took the other measuring cup to get the icing sugar. In no time, they took turns stirring the mixture before they all rolled the dough into balls and then into the sugar crystals. Both kids had fun using a spoon to push the cookie dough down in the center before adding pieces of glazed cherries. According to Charlie, his Maman made them this way and so Jaq happily followed the recipe.
By the time they had the cookies out of the oven, Jaq realized the rest of the house had become dark other then the kitchen where they’d spent the better part of an hour. Before she could rectify that, a worried voice shouted for them. “Jaq, kids, where are you?”
Chapter Nineteen
