Page 24 of Can't Get Over You
“Sounds like you’ve got it under control. He asked for a bike, so I’ll get him one for Christmas. Is there anything else you need?”
“There is.” The old man’s eyes sharpened. “And I’ll get right to the point. There’s a risk with any surgery, but I’m eighty-six years old.”
There was a plea in his eyes that Jude found unsettling. “Okay.”
“Other than me, the boy’s got no relatives. If something happens on that operating table, I need to know someone will take care of him.”
A cold fluid shot through Jude’s veins. Where was he going with this? “Nothing’s going to happen.” Though that seemed a stupid thing to say. Any surgery had complications, but at an advanced age… Sure, he got it. “But even if it did, like you said,you’ve got a club full of people here. Some of them already have kids.”
The old man held his gaze. “Your dad got you boys out of here for a reason, yeah?”
This man was painting a picture Jude didn’t like. “Hang on. What exactly are you asking me to do?”
“I need to assign temporary guardianship, and I’m asking you to do it.”
Jude took a step back. “Me? You can’t just ask a stranger to take care of your grandson. And even if I wanted to, what judge in his right mind’s going to let a guy like me raise a kid?”
“What do you mean, ‘a guy like you?’ You come from a good family. You served this country. You don’t have a record that I could find. And you’re reliable. Responsible.”
“You don’t know anything about me.”
“You’re here, aren’t you? A kid called, asking for help, and you flew out the next day. What more do I need to know? Besides, Marco talked about you all the time. And he’s not the only one. Been living here about a year now, and I’ve heard stories about you and your family.” Carlo pointed a crooked finger at him. “Your dad’s the reason these folks have work. He gave this club a living and the members a purpose.”
“That’s got nothing to do with me taking care of achild. Trust me, I’m not parent material.”
“Why not? You’re the oldest of four kids. You’ve got the instincts. Thing is, I’ve got to have the surgery in Idaho Falls so my sister can help me rehab after. And I can’t go unless I know Cody’s in good hands.”
The energy in the room changed, lightened, and a sweet, feminine scent filled the air. He turned to see Finlay in a Metallica T-shirt and tight jeans. She brightened when she saw the old man. “Oh, hey, Mr. Rossi.” But the smile faded into concern. “Are you okay? How’re you feeling?”
“Eh, I’m all right. This guy flew all the way out here just to get Cody a bike.”
“Aw, he’ll love that.” Finlay flashed him a luminous smile that made his heart skip a few beats.
“How do you know the Rossis?” Jude asked.
“I’m a kindergarten teacher.”
Of course, she was. And he bet every kid in that class had a crush on her.
“I know most of the preschool kids,” she said, “because we have conferences to see if they’re ready to move up.”
He didn’t ask the question that came to mind. Was this kid going to make it? Because education wasn’t a priority for Marco or anyone in the club. They liked to say they graduated from the school of hard knocks. How could they “live life full throttle” if they had to “work for the man” to pay their bills? For them, that wasn’t what life was about. It was about living free.
Jude jerked a thumb over his shoulder. “I’m going to head out. Stop at my dad’s to borrow a car and then get to the bike store. Can I get you anything?”
There was no denying the panic in the man’s eyes. “No, I’m good.”
“All right. Be back in an hour or so.” With a chin nod, he ushered Finlay out of the room.
In the quiet of the hallway, she asked the obvious, “Are you taking Cody with you?”
What would he do with a kid? “No. I have a motorcycle.”
“You could come back for him. You need to know his size. Plus, it’ll be more fun for him to pick one out. It’s Christmas.”
“Can you imagine me showing up in town with a kid? Everyone will think I kidnapped him.”
“Oh, I don’t know about that.” But she didn’t push the issue. “Mr. Rossi doesn’t look so good. What’s going on?”
