Page 14 of Love Takes Home

“But how? How was she able to get approved?”

“The system is overrun, and they need people who are willing to take in older kids for long-term placements. You’re only cute for so long, and then it’s short-term placements while parents get their shit together or group homes. The ones who only wantthe teens? I don’t trust many of them. They want servants—maids and babysitters, or a check. Some want worse. I wasn’t old enough for that yet. And Annie wanted to help all the kids who needed the most care, love, and attention. She had an abundance of it all to give.”

“Were you her only kid?”

“Oh, no. Over the years, she had quite a few come through. All of us older. She said she drew the line at diapers unless it was a medical issue. She was an RN and would take in the special needs kids when she could. But almost all of them came and went. Found relatives they could be shipped off to or were even reunited with their parents. I still talk to a few. I was the only one who stayed until I was eighteen, and for my birthday, I asked if I could have her last name. Made it happen as soon as we could after that.”

“Do you know anything about your parents?”

“I know they weren’t worth knowing. They couldn’t take care of me and didn’t want me. Their families didn’t want me, so I didn’t want them. Annie gave me a great life. She encouraged me to get good grades and play sports. She worked hard to make sure I never lacked for anything, and the minute I could, I started repaying the favor.”

“What did you do?”

“I might have gone behind her back and paid off her mortgage.”

“That’s sweet, Joker.”

“She might have had a car show up in her name.”

“You know, under that tough-guy exterior with the terrifying face you make at me sometimes, you just might be a big ol’ softy.”

“I terrify you?” He looks at me with an emotion I can’t name in his eyes, like maybe the thought of me being terrified of him upsets him.

“Joker. That ‘you’re going to listen to what I say because I’m saying it and there isn’t another option’ look you have? Yeah, it’s pretty terrifying. I think you might have even made Lottie pee her pants a little when you gave it to her. This can’t be news to you.”

My response seems to make him relax a little and the smallest of smirks escapes, his eyes crinkling at the memory.

“Okay, yeah. Maybe. Back to you. Did they catch who hurt you?”

I nod, the ball of emotion in my throat reminding me I might never completely get over what happened. “There were cameras, and they got the two men involved with them. I spent a lot of time in the hospital and as soon as I was stable, Dad swooped in and brought me home. Had a therapist on call twenty-four-seven for me. I hardly remember any of it. Like I’ve repressed it or something.”

“That can happen. I’ve done the same a couple of times.” Knowing some of what he did while he was in the army, I would imagine he has.

I smile at him, the moment heavy in our own memories.

He returns my smile and stands, grabbing our empty cups. “Top off.” He goes inside and I’m left to marvel at this man who keeps himself hidden from others so much of the time.

He’s fiercely loyal, quietly working behind the scenes to make sure the people he loves are safe and protected. How did someone who grew up like he did turn out to be such a good man? He keeps it hidden under a layer of grumpy asshole, but he has a huge heart. I think I’d like to meet his mom, Annie, and thank her for making sure he turned out to be my Joker.Our Joker. Not mine. Never mine.

“I’d love to meet Annie one day,” I tell him when he returns with fresh coffee for the both of us.

“Maybe. She doesn’t live too far away.”

“Really? Where?”

“She’s down in Rock Hill. The guys I’m working with keep an eye on her for me.”

“If she’s so close, how did you end up here when you got out of the army?”

“I, uh, didn’t think I could go home. I wasn’t in a good place. I couldn’t control my life and I didn’t want her to see me like that.”

“I’m sorry. I also understand that.”

He gives me a small smile and a nod of acknowledgement. “I knew Sarge was here and I would be close enough.”

“You found someone else—”

“That likes to take in strays?” We laugh. “Something like that. Sarge did for all of us what Annie did for me, and now that the grown men are mostly right in the head, him and Rosie are really stepping up for the kids who need some extra love and attention here.”

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