From what she’d said, he could easily agree, but he added, “Not every woman is meant to be a mom, either.”
She chewed the edge of her thumbnail, caught herself and wrapped both hands around the broom handle. “The things I saw in court... It was awful. While I was waiting to see the judge, a fight broke out between a mom and stepmom. Apparently, the mom kept destroying any clothes that the father and stepmom got for the kids.”
Jesus. “Because?”
“From what I heard, she didn’t want the stepmom playing mom. She jumped that poor woman the moment she saw her. Her kids were sitting there, dressed in hand-me-downs, because she wouldn’t let the dad or stepmom dress them better.”
Hendrix realized he was grinding his teeth again. See, this was the kind of shit he wanted to forget during December. Strangling a little, he said, “Rough for the kids,” when that word didn’t even come close to how savage he felt about some things. Children should be protected, always, from anyone doing them harm. Of course, there was all kinds of harm.
And he, himself, had once failed to prevent it.
“I detested going to court,” Joey continued, “and Ryder dreaded the idea that he might have to see his dad again.”
“He told you that?”
Sadness filled her eyes and she glanced toward the cabin. “I tried to reassure him. I wanted him to know that none of it was his fault, that his dad did love him, but...” For only a moment, her lips quivered, then she lifted her shoulders on a helpless shrug. “In the end, Ted being gone seems easier than going to court again, except now I only have what I make tutoring and it’s never quite enough to cover everything.”
Especially at Christmas, when gifts were expected.
Hendrix watched her as he did some calculations. She’d paid for the summer rental in advance, but the payment didn’t include December, plus rent would be due again in January.
So...now what?
When he spotted Ryder in the doorway, watching them with worry that no seven-year-old should ever feel, he gestured for her to precede him. “Your son is waiting. Let’s go.”
She blinked in confusion. “But –”
“It’ll wait.” Glancing at her, he said, “For now.”
Joey wasn’t sure what to do. True, if she hoped to survive the holiday season, she wanted –needed– to stay at the RV park. With any luck, she’d even be able to get Ryder a few gifts.
That last look in Hendrix’s eyes though... Damn it, she wasn’t looking for him to solve her problems. She just needed a little leeway, and maybe some time to figure out a solution. She wanted to fight her own battles, to make it entirely on her own.
Why did Hendrix have to be so appealing? Not just physically, though man, could he get a woman’s heart racing. He was also controlled, the exact opposite of Ted. And proud, but not arrogant. Friendly, but never over the top.
In so many ways, he appealed to her – and he wanted her long gone.
After the holidays, when Ryder was back in school, she’d be able to get another job. With that added to her private tutoring, she should be able to make ends meet.
As long as nothing went wrong.
Stepping into the cabin ahead of Hendrix, she greeted Ryder with a smile. “Sorry we took so long, honey. We got busy chatting.”
Ryder wilted with relief. “It’s okay. I washed my hands. See.” He held them up, fingers spread, so she could do a quick inspection.
“Nice job. You even got under your nails.”
“I got the food ready, too.” He grabbed Hendrix’s hand and hauled him toward the kitchen counter. Peanut butter, jelly, and bread were set out with butter knives, plastic plates, and napkins.
There were only three pieces of bread.
And of course, Hendrix’s frowning gaze took in everything at once.
She’d noticed that about him many times, how aware he was of everything and everyone. Like a guard dog keeping watch, even when most people relaxed. Her response to that vigilance was what surprised her most. She found it comforting, as if nothing bad could ever happen around Hendrix Becker, camp owner, businessman, unofficial guard on duty.
Super-hot man.
She liked other things about him, too. How he looked at Ryder with affection, and spoke to him with the type of respect usually only afforded adults. He didn’t dismiss him as a kid, and he didn’t ignore Ryder’s presence while ogling her.
