Page 79 of Shattered Dreams

Pushing the ugly thoughts away, I focused on the task at hand. Jo and Lindsey walked through and went to the living room as I looked around the room I stood in.

It’s got everything I ever dreamed of having in a house for my family.

A fenced yard, two-car garage, five bedrooms, and two and a half bathrooms. It also had a finished basement with a pool table, which the boys and I eyed hard. And a mudroom which would be needed between a mechanic and five kids.

Jo had been stressed for the past month while we house shopped. John was hit or miss for his visitation and living with her dad wasn’t doing anyone any good. We needed to find a place soon.

I walked through to the living room and found her in deep thought.

“I was doing the same.”

“Mentally placing furniture?” She turned towards me.

“Yeah. I like the kitchen.” I wrapped my arms around her. “What about you?”

“I really liked the kitchen.” She leaned into me. “It’s close to your mom and my dad.”

“There’s that.” I pressed a kiss to her temple. “Room to grow.”

She barked out an unladylike laugh. “You can’t be serious.”

“Why not?” I shrugged.

The kids joined us in the living room, coming at us from all directions.

“I like this one, mama.” Tyler took her hand.

“Me too, baby.” Her voice softened.

“Mom, can Richdad be our dad?” Grady asked as he hopped up on the ledge of the bay window.

“That’s something we’d all need to discuss.” She trembled in my arms.

“Mama.” Harrison stood in the middle of the room with his hands on his hips. “I feel guilty.”

“About what?” I looked towards him, and he twisted his lips, looking down at his feet.

“Well, Richdad, I don’t miss my dad.” His little chest heaved with a sigh. “Am I bad?”

“No, baby.” Jo slipped from my arms and went to him. “You’re not.”

Their divorce was final. And the only two reasons we had to go back to court were child support, since John couldn’t be bothered to pay it. And visitation when he got a wild hair up his ass.

Jo knew I had her back, and I sat with her at every court hearing.

“I need to get back to the office. Think you can lock the door when you leave?” Lindsey came over to stand by us.

I looked over at her, smiling. “We sure can, Lindsey. We’ll be in touch.”

“It’s been great working with you guys.” She smiled and gave Jo a hug. “I’m glad you guys found your way back to each other.”

“Me too.” Jo laughed. “Thanks for being so patient with us, Linds.”

“Pfft, that’s my job.” She waved as she went out the front door, and once it was closed, Jo spun to face me.

“Well?” I spread my arms open wide.

“We like this one!” The boys yelled.

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