Page 67 of Found By You
I hugged the kids to me. “You guys be careful and keep a lookout for anything strange. Okay?”
Jason flexed his little bicep. “We’re ready.”
Everyone laughed, and McCrae’s mom waved toward the house. “I bake when I’m nervous. So I baked up a bunch of treats that are inside, if you guys don’t mind just staying and talking for a little bit.”
McCrae looked at me, questioning.
I grinned. “That would be great.”
The house was filled with the rich aroma of fresh-baked goods. The kitchen counters were covered with plates of cookies and bread, bringing a sense of normalcy to this utterly abnormal situation.
They all began asking questions about me.
I recounted everything I’d told McCrae about my childhood, the fire, and my parents being gone. I was surprised that it was easy to talk to this family. They all moved around getting different treats; banana bread, chocolate chip cookies, and other assorted cookies that his mom had made. I found myself eating three chocolate chip cookies.
After I finished filling them in, Kayla held my hand. “So what you’re saying is that you have room for a family just like ours in your life.”
My eyes fluttered. “Don’t make me cry again. I’ve been crying all day.”
A warm smile filled her face, and she hugged me. I looked around the room, and all of them seemed to have tears in their eyes. I was touched by how wonderful they all were.
McCrae’s mom sniffed and wiped at a tear. “We’re so glad that God put you in our life. I think everything’s going to work out. I really think that. And your brother’s going to heal. If he needs a place to recover, and he’s up for it, he can come stay with us.”
I was surprised that all of them were nodding, and then Damon’s kids started asking a bunch of questions about my brother, and I explained that he was a cop and how he would really like this family.
Finally, McCrae’s dad said, “Well, it’s been a big day. Let’s all get home, get some rest. We’ll touch base in the morning.”
We all filed out of the house, giving hugs, and it was strange how comfortable I was hugging all of them. It was like the past few days and my normal life had seamlessly merged.
McCrae and I drove back to his place.
“Are you okay?” he asked as we walked inside.
I nodded. “Your family’s just amazing. I can’t say that enough.”
“Yes, they are,” he agreed.
I moved toward the bathroom. “I’m going to shower and then put on my pajamas.”
We reconvened after we’d both gotten ready for bed.
In the kitchen, I turned to him. “I made myself some lavender tea. I hope that’s okay.”
He smiled at me and then moved to my side. “You know it’s okay.”
I hesitated, staring into his eyes. “What?” I asked, feeling slightly uncomfortable.
He let out a light breath and then shrugged. “I don’t know. I mean, this whole past couple of days has just been really intense, but I just …”
Looking at him in question, I reached out and grabbed his hand.
He took a step closer to me. “I just don’t want to put pressure on you, but I can’t lie. I just feel so much for you.”
I scoffed. “Even after hearing about how I got us into this mess?”
With his other hand, he lightly moved a strand of hair out of my face. “Yeah.” He grinned. “I like your curious nature. I mean, I would prefer that no one comes after you or your brother. But I was happy today to learn that you don’t have a significant other.”
Warmth filled me, and I stared at his lips. Acting boldly, I leaned forward and gently pressed my lips to his.
