I hope he did. He hasn’t been eating.
He nods, and Violet answers, “He ate a burger and a milkshake.”
I force a smile to my face, trying to appear carefree and not worried. “Yum, that sounds good.”
I notice Eli looking between Miller and me. Miller holds his hand out, and Eli doesn’t hesitate in putting his little hand in Miller’s much bigger one. Miller wraps his hand around Eli’s andholds it tightly. “Hey, little man. What do you think of you and your Aunt Lindsey coming to stay with me?”
I gasp, but before I can say anything, Eli nods his head. “Yes.” He looks at me. “Aunt Lindsey, Grandmother and Grandfather won’t come looking for me at Miller’s. Can we stay there? Please?”
Shocked, I look at the little boy with so much hope on his face. I had no idea that he was also worried about his grandparents taking him. I’ve tried to shield him from everything, but obviously I haven’t. I reach for Eli’s other hand. “Eli, we can’t. I’m going to protect you. I promised you that you would stay with me and?—”
I don’t finish because he looks at Miller almost pleadingly. “They’ll take me. I know they will. They were mad about me playing baseball instead of tennis. Like, really mad and they said that my mom is unfit to raise me, and now that she’s gone they’re going to hurt Lindsey too. Please, Miller, please.”
He starts to cry, and Miller looks at me before lifting Eli into his lap. He rubs his hand on the little boy’s back, and when Eli stops crying, he soothes him. “Eli, nothing is going to happen to your aunt. I promise. You both are going to come live with me.”
How do I even argue with that? Eli obviously is scared and throw in the fact that he hasn’t been sleeping either besides the short nap a little while ago, and well, what choice do I have? I let out a breath. “Miller, are you sure you have the room? It will just be for a few days until I get things figured out and?—”
He’s gruff and sounds almost angry. “I’ve got room.”
Violet has been standing by listening the whole time. She leans down and hugs me, whispering, “He’s a good man, Lindsey. Let him help you.”
I thank her for everything, and she refuses when I try to pay for the tea, hamburger, and shake. Miller never puts Eli down. He’s seven years old, but right now, he’s being carried like a baby. Maybe he needs Miller’s protectiveness and warmth as much as I do. I dunno, but if going with Miller to his house is going to help Eli sleep, then I’m not going to argue. Heck, we’ll both fare better after some sleep.
CHAPTER 10
MILLER
I look over at Lindsey, who is looking out the window as we drive through town. Eli is in the backseat, doing the same, quiet and watching the scenery pass by. These two are just a shell of the people I first met. They have been through it. They both need sleep, but more than that, they need security. I can give that to them.
I don’t know who the Davenports are, but I do know that they will no longer be scaring Lindsey and Eli with their threats.
“Are you sure you have room for us? We can stay at my apartment. I’m paid up through the end of the month, and I’ll be able to figure out something?—”
“You’re staying with me.”
She continues looking out the window. When we pull up to my house, I stop at the end of the driveway and put the code in to open the gates. Lindsey looks in front of us and instantly turns to me. “This is your house?”
I nod and pull through the gates and hit the opener on the garage door. As I pull into the garage, both my passengers are quiet.
I go around and open Lindsey’s door and then help Eli out of the car. He grabs my hand, and I hold it as I open the door that leads into the kitchen. “I’ll show you around the house.”
I lead them room to room, showing them the kitchen, the living room, and the dining room. My office is on the first floor, and I point it out. “If you’re looking for me, I’m in here a lot.” I go past the office and stop at my bedroom. “This is my bedroom.”
I swear Lindsey’s cheeks turn pink. I gesture to the staircase. “Let’s go upstairs. I’ll show you your rooms.”
I go up slowly, holding Eli’s hand with Lindsey trailing after us. When I get to the top, I show them the two bathrooms, another office,and three bedrooms. “These are all empty, so you can pick whichever you want.”
Lindsey’s voice is void of any emotion. “I wasn’t thinking. I need my car. I need to go to my apartment and get our things. I need?—”
I put my arm around her. “You need to sleep. You both do. Rest and then we’ll worry about all the stuff later. What about your sister’s apartment?”
Her eyes are lifeless as she stares back at me. “I moved all Eli’s stuff to my apartment, but I haven’t gone through all her things yet. I know I need to but—well, I was worried about finding the will, and I figured the rest can wait.”
I nod. “It can.”
She looks longingly at the bed. “I could use some sleep.”
I look down at Eli. “What about you, little man? You tired?”
