Page 11 of You're My Person - For Always

It would be easy to call the clubhouse, talk to Razz or Snack, and find out in a matter of seconds if an abandoned horse was left at the stables. But he had a feeling nothing good would come from his phone call. He wouldn't break Kenna's heart and leave her to deal with another disappointment.

"Why do you keep coming to see me?"

He chuckled. "Everyone needs someone in their life that's always there. I'm your person."

"For how long?"

"For however long you need me."

"Are you a social worker?" She tilted her head.

"Do I look like a social worker?" He grunted in amusement when she wrinkled her nose. "Nah, just someone who will make sure you're safe and taken care of."

"Why?"

"Because you need me."

Her brows pinched, and she studied him. Kenna wasn't going to take him at face value. She was smart and had a good head on her shoulders.

Unfortunately, life was often cruel to those who could see beyond what was happening around them.

"What happens when I get moved to a different foster family?"

"I'll find you."

She shook her head and looked away from him. "No, you won't."

He'd prove to her that she could count on him. It'd take time but he wasn't going anywhere.

Being a Stafford meant you never walk away from promises. And when a favor was owed, it got paid.

"Kenna?" yelled a woman.

She flinched. "That's my foster mom."

"You better go before you get in trouble."

She hesitated. He motioned his chin, sending her on her way. Hidden out of sight, he put a cigarette in his mouth. Once it was clear, he'd leave.

A car engine purred. He glanced around the corner of the garage and caught sight of a vehicle backing out of the driveway. Stepping into the shadows, he waited until they drove away before walking into view. He'd parked his Harley at the corner next to the curb so as not to bring attention to himself.

The sunset cast a long shadow ahead of him as he walked down the concrete driveway. As he reached the road, a screen door creaked open behind him.

"Kingsley!" Kenna's voice carried across the yard, filled with urgency and a hint of desperation.

He turned to find her booking it across the grass with her slim arms swinging. In view of the neighbors, he needed to get her inside before someone questioned why he was visiting a young girl when her parents weren't home.

"Can you give this to your brother? Maybe he could give it to my sister." She held out a notebook. "Tell her...tell her I love her."

"I'll make sure she gets it." He took the book and held it to his heart. "Go inside, lock the door, and I'll see you again soon."

The tension in her slim shoulders eased. With a small wave, she turned and ran to the safety of the house. He took a deep breath and walked away.

At the corner, he stopped at his motorcycle and thumbed through the book. Even in the dim light, he could make out rather good drawings of what could only be Kenna and her sister, her horse, and depictions of their life together.

He closed the pages and slipped it inside his duffle. Those girls never asked for the life they were given.

Chapter Four

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