Page 18 of Burning Embers

Hale wants to talk to me…alone?

An icy chill, like the breath of winter itself, skates down my spine.

Jake and Lissa don’t seem surprised by Hale’s declaration as they jump out of the car, pushing and shoving each other as they race to carry the most bags inside. Jake, of course, wins, but Lissa definitely gives him a run for his money.

Once the two of them disappear inside of the house, Hale releases a heavy breath. Then, without a word, he exits the car and moves to lean against it. I take my own cue and clamor out of the back seat, making sure to leave ample distance between the two of us.

A part of me wants to trust him—especially since he’s been nothing but kind since I arrived—but years of ingrained fear activate my fight-or-flight response. I’m just not sure which one will win this time around.

Hale folds his arms over his chest and keeps his gaze on the horizon, where the setting sun is dipping low behind his house, painting the world in shades of palest pink and red.

“I wanted to check in and see how you’re doing,” Hale begins, not pulling his attention off the horizon.

I appreciate that immensely. I’m not sure how comfortable I’d be if he were looking directly at me.

“I’m doing great,” I say quickly.

One of Hale’s brows quirks. “Be honest with me now.”

A chuckle escapes me. “Am I being that obvious?”

“You’re not the first foster kid to pass through these doors, and I guarantee you won’t be the last. Talk to me, kid.”

I debate what to say, nibbling on my lower lip as words evade me, before I settle on, “It’s a lot to take in, if I’m being completely honest.”

“It doesn’t bother you, does it? The fact that I’m married to a man?—”

“No,” I rush to reassure him. “It’s not that at all. It’s just…” I once again struggle to find the right wording to articulate the thoughts percolating in my head. “I don’t have the best track record with foster homes. I’m not saying they were all horrible or I was abused in all of them or anything like that, but?—”

“You don’t need to explain yourself to me if you don’t want to.” Hale finally turns to face me, his eyes earnest, his features grave. “I just want you to be comfortable here.” He chuckles and brushes a hand through his dark hair, streaked liberally with gray. “Jake was a lot like you when he first arrived. He refused to accept anything we purchased for him. He was definitely a grumpy little shit.”

“Really?” That surprises me. From what little I know of the football player, he seems jovial and down-to-earth.

And he definitely worships the ground Hale walks on.

“This world is a fucked-up place, kid, and my only goal is to make it a little less fucked up for the few kids I’m fortunate enough to take in.”

I swallow around the lump in my throat. “That’s…noble of you.”

“I’m not sure that’s the right word.” Hale once again turns to stare off into the distance, squinting against the sun, which is still bright enough to be blinding. “A lot of us here have shitty pasts. I think that’s how we became a family in the first place. We understand each other in a way no one else does.”

Once again, Hale seems to be considering his words, his expression contemplative as he tilts his head to the side. “I just want you to feel comfortable, kid. If that means you want to pay me back for everything we purchased today, then do it. I don’t expect you to, but I know what it’s like to feel as if you owe someone something.

“I want to be someone you can look up to, a father figure, so to speak, but if you just want a friend, I can be that too. You don’t have to decide anything right now, but I just want you to know I have your back. Jake, Lissa, and my husband do too. We’re a family, and we would love for you to join it, if you want to.”

I don’t know what to say to that. It’s as if a bomb went off in my head, and shrapnel is flowing everywhere, cutting me up and making me bleed.

For years, all I wanted was for someone to say exactly that—to refer to me as a member of their family. When I realized that would never happen, or that there would be conditions involved that I couldn’t achieve, I created a new goal.

Survive.

All I wanted to do was survive.

Now, if Hale’s being sincere, he’s offering me more than just the chance to survive. He’s suggesting I may be able toliveas well.

“I…um… Thank you, Hale.” That’s all I can think of to say. The anvil in my chest is making it hard to breathe.

Hale offers me a small smile, one that reaches his eyes and emphasizes the crinkles surrounding each of them.

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