Page 28 of Noble Neighbor
Christie being older, and a widow, had not discouraged him at all.
It had taken a lot of persuasion for her to overlook the ten-year age gap, but sixteen months after theirmeeting, he’d finally convinced Christie they were viableas a couple. They’d gotten married two months later.
Eighteen months in total it had taken him.
Whoa, Oliver. You thinkingpermanence… likeforeverpermanence?
Sunny had talked about her and her girls’ forever place, and a yearning to be part of their forever filled him.
You know nothing about the woman, Oliver.She could be on the run from a violent ex. Or in witness protection. The latter had been his first thought when Beau had dropped his bombshell of non-evidence.
Oliver realized he may never know about Sunny’s past, not because she didn’t want to confide, but because she couldn’t.
Was a woman with so many complications worth his time? No.
WasSunny Jonesworth eighteen months of his life? Yes.
A resounding yes.
It was going to be hard, but he would try his best to give her what she needed. Give Sunny time to settle. Give her girls time to settle.
And then he’d go in for the kill.
“Good decision, son.”
Oliver shot his father a confused look. “How do you know what I decided?”
His dad grinned and slapped him on the shoulder. “You’re smart, Oliver. You even climbed a roof for her. There was only one choice for you to make.”
9
Honorary Brother
“Clement,” Mom said, “you need to help me, honey. While I show the house, you must stay in the kitchen. Promise me?”
“I promise, Mom.” He liked to help Mom. It made him feel special.
But he was desperate to pee. Surely, she wouldn’t mind if he quickly went to the bathroom. It was close by. He wouldn’t goupthe stairs—
He cocked his head, thinking. It had beenforeversince the man arrived. Mom wanted to show him the living room first, but then the man asked to see the second level and “work my way down” he’d said, laughing.
“But of course,” Mom had agreed in her posh voice. At least, that’s what Dad called it. Clement thought it was a rather nice voice.
Clement shifted, uncomfortable, and crossed his legs. He really had to pee.
Like now.
On tiptoes, he walked across the kitchen and peeped out into the hallway. It was empty. And the door for the half-bath was justthere. He scurried across the floor, into the small room, and carefully closed the door with relief.
Nobody had seen him.
Standing over the toilet, he looked around. “Why’s it called a half-bath?” he muttered. It was a stupid name, really, as there wasn’t a bath, half or whole, in it. Just a toilet and sink.
Finally finished — he’d been holding it for alongtime — he zipped his pants and reached to flush, but stopped. Mom would hear. And he’d better not wash his hands, either, thinking of the rattling pipes in Grandma Vera’s house.
Clement carefully opened the door and peered out. All clear.
Halfway across the hall, he heard funny noises. A bed creaking. Then a groan. Then laughter. The man was laughing, but instead of making Clement feel happy — like when a bed creaked and Mom groaned andDadlaughed — the laugh scared him. It sounded mean and gave him goosebumps.
