Page 16 of Elsie's Strong Shelter

Jenna blinked, clearly surprised by Elsie’s brisk words. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know there was bad blood there. I just know that no matter how old Oliver is, I’d want to know if he was in trouble.”

“You’d also never kick Oliver out of the house because you didn’t agree with his choices,” Elsie said.

“Is that what happened to Mila?” Jenna asked, eyes wide.

“Yep.” Elsie hated discussing Mila’s business, but the need to confide in her friend—to explain why she hadn’t contacted Mila’s family—spurred her on. “Her parents were mad as hell when she got pregnant. She was only seventeen and the guy she’d been dating skipped town as soon as he found out. Her mom insisted she terminate the pregnancy, and when she refused, they told her to leave.”

“How awful,” Jenna said. “There’s nothing Oliver could ever do for me to stop supporting him. Especially at such a young age. When life is full of tough choices.”

“That’s because you’re a good mom.” Elsie bumped Jenna’s shoulder with her own. “And so is my mom. My parents took Mila in and helped her care for Jimmy when he came along. Mila isn’t just my best friend, she’s my sister.”

Emotion stormed back and chocked her. She wiped tears from her eyes. As much as she wanted to let the tears fall, she needed to hold herself together. At least for a little while longer. The last thing Jimmy needed was to come home and see her a hot mess.

Jenna hooked an arm around her and pulled her close. “We’ll find her. I know we will.”

The door squeaked open, and Dean stepped outside just as a big, yellow bus turned onto the road.

A different kind of fear swirled in the pit of her stomach, and she fought against the sudden nausea. “I don’t know if I can do this.”

“You can,” Dean said. “And we’ll be with you the entire time, if that’s what you want.”

She stared up at him and gave a tiny nod, preparing herself to break the heart of the little boy she loved more than life itself.

The school buslumbered toward the house, heightening Dean’s anxiety with each stop. By the time the giant kid-mover reached the house, he was about to jump out of his own damn skin.

When the bus stopped and the door swung open, Jimmy leapt down the stairs and ran up the drive. He waved his arm wildly in the air.

Elsie met him at the sidewalk.

Jimmy launched himself into her open arms. His mouth moved a mile a minute, but Dean couldn’t hear him over the gust of the wind swirling the colorful leaves that clung to their branches. “Do all kids talk as much as he does?” he asked Jenna.

Jenna chuckled. “From my experience, absolutely. And the more they talk to you, the more they like you. So take it as a compliment.”

“Dean! Jenna!” Jimmy wrestled out of Elsie’s hold and ran to the porch. He fell to the ground and hugged Boo tight. “Is Oliver here?”

“No, I stopped by after work, so I didn’t have him with me. He’s home with his dad. How was school?”

Jimmy grinned and jumped up and down on the wide porch. “Good. I had a hot dog for lunch and played tag at recess. I’m super fast so no one could catch me. And I got a smiley face on my math test.”

Dean laughed. He didn’t know which was harder, keeping up with the boy’s never-ending stream of chatter or following his constant motion as he spoke. “Dude, do you ever stop moving?”

Grinning, Jimmy shrugged. “Are we still getting ice cream? You said I could get three scoops.” He finally stopped and held up three fingers to emphasize his point.

Not wanting to overstep, Dean glanced at Elsie who gave a little nod. “Are you sure you want ice cream on a gloomy day? I thought ice cream was only for sunny days.”

Jimmy rolled his eyes. “No way. Ice cream is good no matter what. Right, Elsie?”

“Right, buddy.” Elsie climbed the steps and leaned on the railing. She opened her mouth to say more, but Jimmy continued.

“Jenna, you should come. And bring Oliver.” Jimmy dropped his backpack and tossed it toward the closed front door then hopped from one end of the porch to the other on one foot. “But first we have to go to the shelter. Elsie and I have lots of work to do. I always help on Tuesdays after school. Mama’s already at work on Tuesdays. But Mama can get some ice cream later. Can we go now?”

“That sounds like fun, but Oliver’s waiting for me at home. You three should enjoy your time together.” Jenna met his eye, then Elsie’s, before smiling at Jimmy.

Dean snagged Jimmy’s shoulder and pulled him close, facing the boy toward Elsie. “Let’s say bye to Jenna then head to theshelter. Once our work is done, then it’s time for play, okay? You can have your three scoops, if you save a little room for dinner.”

He studied Elsie’s delicate features. The tight set of her mouth relaxed a fraction, soundlessly telling him she approved of his plan. Chances were high that bad news would still be there tonight. No need to stomp out Jimmy’s excitement for a fun evening.

“Okay,” Jimmy said. “Bye, Jenna! I gotta go inside for a second. Don’t leave without me.” In a flash of movement Jimmy dashed in the house, Boo hot on his heels.

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