She wrapped her arms around his neck and raised on tip-toe, pressing her lips more firmly against his.
Encircling her in his embrace, he deepened the kiss. It was so easy to get lost in the passion with her, especially after the things they’d shared with each other tonight. For the first time, he felt like maybe they could find a way to overcome their differences.
“Dad!” Dallas yelled. “The movie’s over, and Savvy wants you to come say goodbye to Caleb.”
He pulled away from Debbie and swore under his breath.
“My sentiments exactly,” she said with a chuckle.
“Every. Single. Time.” He spat the words out.
Debbie laughed and pulled away. “I think that’s my cue to leave.”
He caught her hand in his. “I’ll walk you to your car, but apparently, I need to see Caleb off first.”
CHAPTER26
Austin’s heart leaped in his chest when Debbie walked into church the next morning wearing an emerald green dress that hugged her figure in all the right places. He wasn’t planning on making a public statement concerning their relationship, but he couldn’t stop himself from waving her over to sit with him and the kids.
Sitting there in God’s house with her on one side, her hand in his, and his kids on the other side felt perfect.
His enthusiasm dimmed when the minister announced two tragedies that had occurred last night and invited the congregation to pray for those affected; The Crawfords, whose house burned down—thankfully, no one was injured—and the Duncan children, Lucia and Mia, whose parents Nick and Adriana, were killed in a car accident late last night.
A collective gasp rippled across the congregation. This was news to most of them. Horrible news.
Debbie pulled her hand from his to press to her lips. Of course she knew the deceased couple. Communities like this were close-knit, and everyone knew everyone else.
Wait. Nick and Adriana Duncan?
Those were the parents of the twins that Debbie helped pay the medical bills for. She’d done her best to make sure the girls had a good start in life, and now they’d lost their parents.
He tightened his hold around Debbie’s shoulders as she continued to softly weep.
When the sermon ended, she sprang to her feet. “I’ll be right back.”
She made her way to the front where she waited along with the rancher from the Double Diamond and his wife to speak to the minister.
The Crawford family was about to get more help than they knew what to do with. But what could any of these wealthy people do to help the poor orphaned girls?
When Debbie returned, she still had tears in her eyes.
He took her hand. “Would you like to come over for lunch? We’re having leftover chili.”
“That’s sweet of you, but I don’t feel like eating right now.”
“I understand.” He pulled her into his arms and gave her a tight hug. “Let me know if you need anything.”
She nodded then pulled away. He followed her outside and watched her climb into her SUV and drive away.
Four hours later, as he dozed on the couch his phone dinged. He tapped his screen to find a text from Debbie.
Guess what? Gina just dropped off the Duncan girls for me to foster.
Austin smiled. Although their parents’ death was a horrible tragedy, hearing that Debbie was being allowed to foster the little girls that she already loved so much created all kinds of emotions in him.
I feel so bad for those little girls. I’m glad you get to be there for them. How long do you think you’ll get to keep them?
He remembered how broken up Debbie was when Gina took Noah home.
