Page 13 of Hope Found

ISLA

After finalizing everything and handing over a no-longer-blank check, we swing back by the shop to get Maw-Maw’s Toyota and switch the car seats over to my new car. Silas offered to follow me back in the Chevy, since I couldn’t very well drive both vehicles, and oddly enough I accepted. It scared me shitless for him to meet the kids, but he knows my grandmother and she trusts him enough for me to be alone with him…so that’s enough for me.

We pull up back at the house, and he parks behind me so the new car will be a surprise. While it's still crazy to think of this place as my home, it’s just so beautiful that I can’t help but remind myself every time I see it. Before I can even turn the car off, Silas is opening my door and offering me his hand, so I kill the engine and step out, right as the front door flies open and my three tiny humans come flying at me.

“MOMMY, YOU WERE GONE ALL DAY!” Lochlan screeches as he launches his full 40 pounds at me, knocking me into Silas.

“I know, baby, I’m sorry. Mommy was buying us a new car! Do you wanna look at it?” I ask, bending down to kiss his nose.

“YES! It’s so much bigger than our old car!!” He runs over, followed closely by Vivi on her little legs. I trail behind them to open the doors so they can get in and explore.

Noticing Arden didn’t follow his siblings, I look back to see him still near the front steps near Maw-Maw, glaring at Silas with his arms crossed defensively over his chest. Oh boy. He’s been super protective of me and his sister ever since his dad died, and he doesn’t like a lot of men because of the ‘role models’ he had growing up.

“Arden baby, would you like me to introduce you to my friend Silas? He was trying to fix our old car, but since he couldn’t, he helped me find this one.’’ I extend my hand for him to grab, waiting patiently like you would for a skittish animal. He stares at me for a minute, making sure I’m really okay, then takes my hand. As I walk him over to where Silas has gotten down to eye level to meet my prickly little protector, Maw-Maw and I hold our breath. Maybe I should have warned Silas there is a 15 percent chance he might get kicked? Oh well, too late now.

“Hey little man, I’m Silas. What’s your name?” he holds his hand out for Arden to shake. For a good minute or two Arden just stares at him, like he’s trying to decide if he wants to be nice or not, then he finally takes the offered hand.

“I’m Arden.” Pointing to where his siblings are squealing over the new car, he says, “That’s my brother Lochlan, and my baby sister Vivian. I’m not going to let anyone hurt my family anymore. So if you're going to be mean like my daddy was, you can leave.” I’m absolutely stunned speechless for several reasons; first, my five year old actually just talked to an adult that way, secondly, the venom he said it with, and third, the big ass smile on Silas’s face.

“Can I tell you something, Arden? My daddy was a really mean man too, and I would NEVER hurt or be mean to your mom, you, or your siblings. Okay? Want to know something else? I have four brothers. Even though we don’t actually have the same parents, we all had similar childhoods, except my brother Callum. None of us would ever do anything to hurt anyone, because of how we were raised, okay?”

“Okay,” he replies skeptically, slowly nodding as if to prove his acceptance of the large man. Suddenly, his tone becomes curious. “Do you or any of your brothers like fishing? Our daddy didn’t like being outside, and bubba wants to fish. I wanna teach him, but I don’t know how. ”

Silas seems shocked by Arden’s sudden attitude change. “You know buddy, we do like to fish, and I happen to know there is a really nice, fully stocked bass pond, right here at the back of your Maw-Maw’s property. I think if you ask her nicely she might let us go fishing, and if I ask my brothers nicely, they will come too.”

Arden looks at us pleadingly. “Can they please come fish? Please? Me and Loch have always wanted to fish!” I look at my grandmother for help. I don’t know how I feel about having strange men around my kids, but she knows them so I’m trusting her.

She smiles down at Arden. “That’s perfectly fine sweetheart. I know all of Silas’s brothers and they are super nice. And guess what? Callum and Orin are fire fighters, Odin is a police officer, and Bodie is the best cook ever!”

“REALLY?!” Lochlan screeches from behind me. “Can we see a real fire truck?’’ he asks Silas with wide eyes.

“Of course buddy,” he replies, ruffling Lachlan’s hair. “I’m sure they would love to show you sometime. How about we plan to go fishing tomorrow? Most of the others are off tomorrow, and since it’s Friday, me and Bodie can leave early. How does that sound?’’

He looks between me and the kids, so I glance at my grandmother and she nods. “That’s fine, I guess.” My voice sounds a lot more scared then I meant it to.

He grabs my chin and lifts my eyes to his. “If you’re not comfortable with all of us here around them, I understand. Just me and Odin can come. It’ll just be easier to teach them with at least one other person.”

I give him a small smile. “No, that’s alright. I can’t wait to meet the last of your brothers, honestly. I’m curious. Trust just doesn’t always come easily.”

Vivian runs up at that moment, raising her arms up to him. “Hold me?”

I guess by the look on mine and the boys’ faces, even he can tell what a big deal this is. “Sure beautiful girl!” he replies, leaning down to lift her up. “What’s your name?”

Giving him a small smile, she answers, “I’m Vivi.”

“Wow, that’s such a pretty name! I’m Silas, but you can call me Si,” he tells her, grinning.

She puts one hand on his cheek, her face as serious as it can be for a two year old. “Si? Are you my new daddy? My old daddy didn’t like me.” The look of awe, terror, and anger coming from this guy is shocking, and I’m sure my face is pale.

“Well sweetie,” he says nervously. “I’m so sorry he was mean to you, that’s not okay. As much as I would love to be your daddy, me and your mommy are just friends right now. So how about we just say I’m your friend too?”

Dropping her hand from his face, she sighs. “Okay, I guess. Go play?” she asks, turning to look at me.

“Yes baby, you can go play.” I take her from Silas and give her a kiss, letting her run back in the house as fast as her little legs can carry her. I’m sure she’s going to the play room, so I’m not worried about her being left on her own. Plus, she has a better sense of direction than I do.

Maw-Maw chimes in then. “Well, how did car shopping go? Did you get the one you actually wanted?”

Silas chuckles. “About that…”

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