Page 36 of Finding Hope

With her huge burger in her hands, she turned to Jonathon. “How was your day?”

“It was good, but kind of slow. I took Tessa lunch and fed Henry his bottle. I love that he’s starting to smile more and I love that when I got there, he started kicking his legs and smiling even bigger.” He couldn’t wait to see what kind of personality he’d have.

“He was really happy this morning when he woke up.” Their little man was extremely happy most mornings. He was even beginning to sleep through the night, which was good for everyone. He had a set of lungs that could wake the entire house if he wanted to. “This morning while I was making Josie’s lunch, I could hear her reading to him. It was so cute, and when I peeked around the corner, Henry was watching her raptly.” Shannon grabbed his hand. “She’s a really good girl, you know that, right? I can also tell her therapy sessions are going well. She seems more relaxed and not overly eager to make everyone happy.”

He was glad the therapy seemed to be working. The therapist had already told him Josie was making great progress, and like Shannon had said, she seemed relaxed. She’d even started keeping a journal. Shannon and Tessa had taken her out to lunch and helped her pick out her journal. They came back with two and several pens. Every night before bed, she wrote. They never looked at her entries and never asked her what it said because those were her private thoughts and feelings.

“Thanks. She is a good kid. I’m lucky.” He popped a fry in his mouth. “I shudder to think what it’s going to be like once she hits her teens. What were you like as a teenager?”

Her cheeks turned an adorable shade of pink. “I was quiet and always had my nose buried in books. Kasey and Mary were both much more exciting than me, and Michael, well…Michael was a whore.” She laughed.

“I can see you as the quiet type.”

“Tell me what you were like as a teenager.” With a hand on his thigh, Shannon leaned toward him.

“I was a good kid, but it was mostly because I was afraid of what my dad would do. I had to protect my sister, and it was when I met Alex that I slacked on my protector duties. I was ruled by my hormones.” He realized it was probably not smart to talk about that stuff with Shannon.

She grabbed his hand. “I’m sorry it wasn’t easy growing up for you guys. Did Alex have a good childhood?”

“Hers was better than ours, but not much better. They were just indifferent to her. They were self-centered and cared more about themselves than her. Josie barely remembers them and they don’t even try to see her. It’s sad. She’s part of their daughter and they don’t care. She’s better off not knowing them. I hate that we have such a small family, but thankful for the family we do have. Cash’s family welcomed me and Josie into their fold, no questions asked. His sister Journey’s family has been welcoming as well.”

She smiled at him. “Don’t forget you’ve got my family now too.”

Jonathon leaned forward, brushing his lips against hers.

In companionable silence, they finished their burgers and then said goodbye to her dad and Kasey. He followed her to their house to drop off her car and then went with him to Tessa and Cash’s place to get the kids. When they got there, they found Josie and Cash, who was holding Henry and sitting on the sofa. It looked like he was helping Josie with her homework.

“Hey, guys,” Jonathon said as he slapped Cash on the back before taking his son from his future brother-in-law. Josie hugged Shannon before going to her dad. “Hey, kiddo. Working on your homework?”

“Yeah, I’m almost done.”

Shannon disappeared into the kitchen and he could her laughter carry into the living room along with his sister. He was so glad they were close, and that they enjoyed spending time together. Henry started whimpering, so Jonathon put him on his shoulder and started lightly bouncing. His little man quieted immediately. Jonathon and Cash talked until Tessa and Shannon came walking into the living room.

“I was just telling Shannon that we’re doing Thanksgiving here this year and you have to come,” Tessa said as she sat down next to Cash.

“Well, I’m working that afternoon so I won’t be there. But Shannon and the kids will be here.” He glanced at Shannon. “Your parents’ dinner is that night, right?”

“Yeah, we’ll go over there at six. Tessa, do you want me to bring anything?”

They made arrangements and his sister promised to have a plate of leftovers for him. Sometimes he missed holiday functions because he had to work. Police officers were always needed, no matter what day it was. The women at his precinct always made lunches that he and the other officers would give to the homeless.

After plans were made, they loaded the kids into the car and headed back home. They were almost home when Josie said, “Dad, can I ask you something?”

“Sure, honey. You can ask me anything.”

“Are you going to marry Shannon?”

Shannon froze next to him and then coughed into her hand. They hadn’t really discussed their future yet. Hell, he didn’t know what he wanted. Yes, he loved her, but he didn’t know if he wanted to get married again.

He looked at his daughter in the rearview mirror. “I don’t know, baby. We haven’t really talked about it. When we know, we’ll let you know.”

That seemed to appease his daughter. Pulling in the driveway, he shut the car off. “I’ll get Henry,” Shannon said as she climbed out. He watched her carry the carrier into the house, followed closely by Josie.

He pulled his phone out of his pocket and sent his best friend, Hunter, a quick text.

Jonathon: Hey, man, can we meet for a beer tomorrow?

A minute later his phone beeped at him.

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