Keeping Hope (Broken Girl Series) (29 page)

“Fuck it.” He pinches his finger over the lid of his eyes. “I have no idea where the hell I’m gonna put all of this shit.”

A shake my head to myself. “Well you did buy enough food to feed an army,” I chortle.

“We need all this food.” he pouts. “We just have nowhere to put it all.” He kicks out in anger, knocking over a bottle of something I can’t see behind the counter. “By the way,” he continues, “did Pete seem a little weird today? I just felt like he was really off.”

“No, uh, not that I noticed,” I lie.

Shit. This is the last thing I wanted to happen, for this whole shitty thing between me and Pete to affect his relationship with Cole. I feel real shitty about myself without adding this into the mix. I swallow down hard, tearing my focus away from Cole, resting my head against the chair. Closing my eyes tightly, I block out the bright afternoon sunlight.

Cole

I walk over to where Kennedy is sitting, mouth wide open, catching flies as she snoozes soundly. I feel fucking shitty about waking her, but I’d arranged to take her to visit Hope and I’m all too aware that it’s getting late and Hope’s foster parents are routine freaks. They want us to visit before Hope needs to get ready for bedtime. I extend my arm, touching her softly on the hand. She jumps out of her skin, despite my gentle attempts at waking her as to not scare her. I look at her face; her eyes are bloodshot and her hand presses against her chest. She frantically searches the room, as if to figure out where she is.

I kneel down in front of her. “It’s just me, baby,” I soothe. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare the shit out of you, it’s just we’ve somewhere we need to be.” I catch as her eyes adjust and her body language softens.

“I’m just so tired,” she croaks. “I feel like that’s the first time I’ve had any real sleep in such a long time.”

“Baby, I’m sorry.” I lean in, kissing her gently on the forehead. Shit, I feel bad, but I know she wouldn’t want to miss out on seeing Hope.

“Honestly, if it wasn’t something so important, I never would have woken you.”

“Something important?” she quizzes.

“Well someone,” I correct her.

I see her shift quickly in the seat, her eyes widening with anticipation. “Well, who then?” she asks excitedly.

“That would be telling.” I tap the side of my nose. She puts her hands on the arms of the chair, pushing herself up like an old lady before teetering off toward the stairs. She looks back at me, her eyes narrowed, and her lips together, pouting ever so slightly. She points at me before disappearing up the staircase. I move over to the breakfast bar that separates the kitchen from the living area, hopping onto one of the barstools, patiently waiting for her.

Fifteen goddamn minutes I wait, and when she finally reappears she doesn’t look any different. Her hair is the same and I’m pretty sure she has the same clothes on. I shake my head, confused at what she’s been doing up there.

We finally make our way out of the apartment and jump into the truck. Hope’s foster home is around a thirty-minute drive from our new apartment. I catch Kennedy searching out the window, trying to figure out where I’m taking her.

Eventually, she looks directly at me, the most beautiful smile adorning her face. I know she has worked it out. She turns a little in her seat, her body facing me. “We are going to see Hope,” she sings.

I shoot her a sideways smile, letting her know she’s right. I look at her and it’s like someone has ignited a fire in her. She’s totally buzzing about seeing little Hope. I can’t even begin to understand what it must be like to have that kind of bond; especially after the fucked up shit they both went through, but I’m glad something positive came out of what can only be described as the most jacked up thing I’ve ever known.

The rest of the trip there Kennedy chatters about all things Hope. Wondering whether she has settled and started school. I know that arranging this trip was the best thing possible for Kennedy. Becca and Simon, Hope’s foster parents, were so thrilled when I called to arrange our visit. I know from what mom said that she really is in safe hands.

I turn into the street where Hope is staying, leaning over the steering wheel, searching for the correct house number. I slow down the truck as I notice the house just on my left. I pull into the driveway of the small, but homely looking house.

“Oh yeah, this is the house.” Kennedy points as I park the car.

“Better late than never, yeah?” I chuckle as I hop out of the truck, racing around to help Kennedy get out. I open the door, offering my hand to her.

She looks down at me, the sweetest smile lighting her eyes as she takes my hand. “Why thank you, sir,” she sweetly chuckles.

Once down, she releases the hold on my hand, rushing to the front door. She knocks light, holding her hands behind her back, as she rocks back and forth, anxiously waiting for someone to answer the door. We hear the clicking of the bolt unlocking and the door slowly opens. Hope stands there with Becca behind her.

A loud squeal of excitement echoes through the street as Hope runs out toward Kennedy. Kennedy drops to one knee, taking Hope in a huge embrace. The sound of excitement from both of them is heartwarming and somewhat exhilarating. I look up to Becca who stands there watching and admiring the embrace between the two of them. I shuffle forward a little, extending out my arm, offering my hand to her.

“So nice to finally meet you, Cole. Come in.” Becca gestures with her hands, waving for us to enter.

I look back at the two girls. They’re chatting quietly between themselves. I try to catch Kennedy’s attention, but she’s too engrossed in her conversation with Hope. I walk over, casually placing my hand on her shoulder. She looks up to me, her face filled with happiness and adoration.

“Let’s go inside,” I offer. She smiles, as she gets back on her feet and guides Hope inside. The two of them lock hands as they bounce back into the house. I shut the door behind us, following them through the small hall and into the bright family room. Hope turns to me, stops, and studies my face for a moment.

“Hey, Cole,” she speaks loudly, holding out her hand, rolled into a fist.

“Hey, yourself,” I reply, bumping fists with her. She exaggerates the contact by making a firework sound and action with her hand. She winks at me, giggling as she turns her attention back to Kennedy.

“I have something to show you,” she says proudly, pulling Kennedy over to the small coffee table situated between the two large sofas.

“She’s so proud of herself,” Becca whispers into my ear, her hand resting on my shoulder. I smile back her, walking closer to the table to inspect Hope’s handy work. I see Kennedy’s eyes fill with impending tears as she picks up the brightly decorated cake from the table.

“Wow, Hope, this is stunning.” Kennedy holds up her hand, high fiving Hope. “This is super awesome. You really have a talent.”

“She did it all herself,” chimes Becca. “I was there to help with the washing up.” She laughs.

“Seriously, Hope, you have some talent with this baking,” Kennedy professes.

“Just wait until you taste it!” she says, rushing out of the room, before coming back with plates in her hand. Simon comes in behind with napkins, forks, and a knife.

Simon and Becca both look to be in their mid-thirties and by the expressions on their faces, they absolutely adore Hope. He smiles, raising his eyebrows. “Hey, nice to meet you.” He cocks his head to the side. “Cole, right?”

“That’s me. Nice to meet you too. Lovely home you have here.”

He purses his lips, shrugging a little. “It’s a good neighborhood, but we are going to look for something a little larger now that we have an addition to our family. Please come take a seat,” he encourages, guiding me over to the couch. I sit beside Becca. She turns and smiles at me wholeheartedly.

Hope slices the cake, with supervision from Kennedy, before handing me a plate with the sponge cake on. I try a little, and damn, it really is good. I hum in appreciation. A few mouthfuls later and I’ve managed to demolish the whole slice.

Hope looks over at me, her eyes narrowed and her lips drawn together. “You should really slow down when you’re eating,” she scolds. “You will get digestion,” she jumbles out.

The entire room fills with laughter, not only at Hope’s mistake with her words, but at her body language as she scolds me for wolfing down the cake.

“What?” she asks.

“It’s indigestion, sweetie,” Kennedy explains. “But mostly you’re just the funniest little thing we’ve ever seen.”

“Oh,” she ponders, pausing for a moment with her finger on her lip. We all watch, waiting for her to say something. “I’d love to show you my bedroom. Becca, can I please show Kennedy my room? Please,” she pleads. “She didn’t see it the last time she came.”

“Of course.” Becca nods. “Why don’t you also show Kennedy those lovely new clothes we bought you just the other day?”

“Oh yeah,” she gasps excitedly. “Come on, quickly.” Hope takes Kennedy’s hand, dragging her out of the room and upstairs.

“It was so nice of you to bring Kennedy today,” exclaims Becca. “I know her and Hope have this undeniable connection, you know, because of what they have been through.”

I nod.

“How has Kennedy been?” she asks, in a hushed voice.

“Ups and downs,” I answer honestly. “But we’re getting settled in our new apartment. I know Kennedy would love for Hope to come and stay with us for a night, if that’s something you’d consider?” I watch her reaction. Her face is screwed up somewhat. It is obvious she isn’t overly happy about my request.

“I’m not sure that’s such a good idea,” interjects Simon.

I look between them, their faces both drawn and serious. I shake my head in frustration. “Is there something going on that I don’t know about?” I look between them, anxious to know what the problem was. Was it me? Do they not trust us with Hope?

“We just need to be careful, Cole…” Becca trails off, her voice becoming so quiet. Her discomfort is obvious.

“Of what?” I ask, a little more assertive than I’d intended. I look down to my lap. Becca’s hand rests on the tip of my knee.

“Please don’t be annoyed with us, Cole. We have Hope’s best interests at heart. She has been through so much, you know?”

I smile at her sympathetically, be it a little fucking frustrated.

“Maybe we should just tell him,” chimes Simon. He looks over to the doorway, obviously checking to see if the girls have made a reappearance. He walks over, slowly and quietly closing the door. “The thing is, Cole,” I watch him intently, “we found out a little more about Hope’s family and background. It turns out she’s related to someone we believe you know.”

Chuck.

He was right all along.

“You mean Chuck? The biker guy who helped me find Kennedy?”

They both look at each other before turning back to me and nodding slowly.

“We are aware he’s a bit of an unsavory character. We are worried about Hope’s safety.”

“He would never hurt her,” I blurt out in Chuck’s defensive.

“I’m not sure we know enough about him to guarantee he’s no danger to Hope’s safety,” Simon says.

“But he’s her grandfather. Surely he’s legally allowed contact with her?”

Becca shakes her head. “Not at this stage. The authorities are going to make contact with him, notifying him of their findings.”

“You mean he doesn’t know?”

“Not yet; and we need your word that you absolutely will not leak this information to him!” Simon demands.

I smile sadly, feeling like I’m in a pretty fucking impossible position here. I know how much this will mean to him. After how long he searched for his daughter, finally finding a piece of her, his own granddaughter. It will mean the fucking world to him.

“We are serious, Cole!” Becca’s face is hard and I can see the fear in her eyes. “We could get into so much trouble for telling you this.”

I sigh heavily. “I won’t say anything. You have my word,” I say reluctantly. “But someone needs to tell him sooner rather than later. It’s only fair. He’s her biological grandparent.”

They both nod in agreement.

“Any news on Sara?” They stare at me blankly with a look of confusion. “Hope’s biological Mom,” I clarify.

“Oh,” Becca croaks. “No,” she says, shaking her head. “There’s no news there I’m afraid, but I know the investigation is ongoing.”

“My mom said the same.”

“How is Kennedy feeling about the police interviews? I can’t imagine it’s an easy thing to go through.” Becca asks, softening back up.

I shrug. “She doesn’t say much about it. I can only imagine how difficult it is for her.”

I sit for the next thirty minutes talking to Becca and Simon about all the things Ken had wondered aloud about in the car. Seems as though Hope has settled into the local school and, as expected, is super popular. Dammit, that kid really is a bright star and a real character.

It’s getting late and Simon goes and breaks the news to Kennedy and Hope. The pair make their appearance back in the room, still babbling away to each other, the laughter never fading.

“Well, thank you for making this the best birthday weekend ever,” Kennedy gushes, hugging Hope so tightly I swear she’s going to snap her in two.