Page 11 of The Fear
“Go wake your brother and give him his food. Find him some clothes to wear.” Brenton told his daughter. “You kids are coming home with me tonight. So your mother canrest.Since she has such aheadache,and everything.”
He had clean clothes and everything his kids needed at his house.
He shot a look at Jessica, just daring her to argue. She looked at his uniform and paused. She just huffed and stormed toward the bathroom. She always had been a bit more subdued whenever he wore the uniform.
Brenton pulled his phone. Took photos of the damned mess his kids were expected to live in now. Especially the mold on the sink. Shit, that was disgusting.
Brenton looked around the apartment, taking in the empty bottles on the counter and the takeout containers scattered around. She had plenty of money for Knob Creek and Jack Daniels, though. Proof was right there. He snapped a quick photo.
Jessica came back. Brenton slipped his phone in his pocket before she could ask what he was doing. “Her teacher’s been paying for Wynnie’s lunch. What’s up with that?”
“Money’s been tight lately.”
“Has it?” He held up an empty whiskey bottle. “Somehow, I doubt it. This would pay Wynnie’s lunch tab for a damned month, and we both know it. Luis Sandoval said she’s not had money on her account in three weeks. I don’t have a clue how much we owe her teacher.”
Hell, the new teacher had only been there around three weeks, as it was. Was it a daily thing for her to feedhiskid?
“So? Not like Miss Perfect Hala Hanan can’t afford it. That brother of hers is loaded. Hot, too. Much hotter than you. Love to strip him naked. That suit just does it for me. Bet he has more money than you.”
“Our kids don’t need to be charity cases. Why was there no money on her account? For real? Let me guess,you forgot.” Couldn’t be bothered was more like it. "Is there anything else you've been forgetting? Doctor's appointments? School events?"
"I haven't forgotten anything really important. School makes sure she’s fed, so what’s the big deal?"
"No? Our daughter isn’t important? She was left there, Jessica. Left there. You weren’t sick or having a migraine or just forgot. You are hungover and just didn’t give a damn.”
"Get out."
"Gladly. I’m taking the kids tonight. You’ll get them back next week.” Maybe.
He was going to see what he could do now.
He was calling his attorney tonight. Sending him the photos. And putting Walters in touch with the school. There might be things going on Brenton wasn’t aware of. This…had gone on long enough. What would she do next—just leave BJ in a cage full ofwild dogs while she went out and got high with some guy from the bar?
He wouldn’t put anything past her now.
All Brenton wanted was to get his children away from their mother.
Before it was too late.
7
Grady had had a reallycrappy week. No denying that. He'd been up since five that morning, and it was now close to nine. He'd missed dinner and was starving. And hell—he thought it had been his turn to cook dinner tonight, too. He owed whoever had covered for him, big time.
All he wanted was some food and to be alone. To think and process what to do next.Then,he’d talk to Gene and they’d come up with a plan. He and Gene handled most of the day-to-day of the ranch, with help from Gunn. George and Guthrie and the girls would pitch in when needed, too.
But that wasn't going to happen. He stopped, the instant he walked into his own living room. Grady pulled in a deep breath and just…looked.
Shewas back again.
Hala sat curled up in the corner of his living room sectional, her legs tucked under her, a folder of papers open in her lap, and a bright purple pen in her girly little hand. She wore a simple sundress, white with big yellow flowers, and her dark curls were pulled back in a messy ponytail. She looked sweet, beautiful, and innocent. He just stopped walking and stared.
"Oh. Grady. We were wondering when you'd show up. Greer and Gia saved you some leftovers. It's in the fridge."
"Hallelujah. I am beyond starving." He just wanted to stand there and stare at her. She looked beautiful. Like…sunshine. Hope, happiness. That kind of thing.
"Did you get the orphaned calves taken care of? Gunn said something when he came back in for a few minutes."
His twin had had to leave, to help with a congregationer for a short time. But Gene and Grady had handled it, with help from the ranch foreman. Everything was at least done for the day.
