Page 38 of Better Together

Colt’s eyes widened. He’d warned her last night about Ben’s penchant for daredevil tricks. The kid had more medical records than Remi, despite his few years. “Nothing. That just means Remi doesn’t follow the rules of the road very well.”

“That’s not true!” How dare he accuse her of being a bad driver!

Ushering everyone toward the door, Colt sighed. “Can we please continue this conversation in the truck?”

Remi held up a scolding finger as she passed. “You’ll regret that one, Walker.”

“I have no doubt.”

When everyone was securely fastened in their respective seats, Colt headed toward town. The kids were bickering one minute and playing together like little angels the next, and Remi couldn’t hear herself think over the constant chatter.

She glanced at Colt who held the wheel a little too tightly as he stared out at the road ahead. They hadn’t gotten a chance to talk this morning, but the events of yesterday had emotionally wiped them both out. He’d seemed happier once they got back to Mark and Brittany’s house with the kids the night before, but a cloud of tension strained his shoulders now.

“Don’t be nervous,” Remi whispered.

“Sure. I’ll just stop breathing while I’m at it.”

She rested a hand on his arm and gave it a small squeeze. “You’re doing a great job. So far, so good.”

“Right. What if Janet decided overnight that she doesn’t think I’ll be a good guardian? What if the judge thinks that too?”

“Stop it. You’re spiraling,” Remi said. “They don’t have anyone else, except–”

“Don’t say it,” Colt interrupted.

They’d also had a little chat about Tasha after the kids fell asleep, and everything he’d said about the kids’ volatile aunt had kept Remi up until well after midnight. She said another prayer thanking the Lord that the kids had Colt in their lives.

The gentle tugging of her heart she’d felt toward Colt for years was now more like an intense magnetic attraction. His willingness to step up and take care of Ben and Abby was the most selfless act Remi had ever witnessed. How many people would give up their own dreams and the future they’d hoped for to take on children? It was a life-changing decision that Colt had made in an instant.

Because it was the right thing to do, and Colt was a good man.

“Uncle Colt! Ben took my fuzzy pen!”

Remi turned around and plucked the pen from Ben’s fingers and handed it back to Abby. “You each have your own pens for a reason.”

“But she–”

“Cool it, guys,” Colt demanded as he parked in front of the drab building they’d visited the evening before. “Please act like normal kids while we're here.”

Abby laughed. “Wearenormal kids!”

“I’m not so sure. Normal kids eat strawberry oatmeal.”

Remi laughed at Colt’s reference to the breakfast battle. Apparently, Ben only ate freezer waffles, and Abby only ate cereal–Lucky Charms, to be exact.

Inside the building that reminded Remi of a criminal institution, they checked in at the front desk, and the kids were escorted to a playroom. Colt and Remi took their seats in the waiting room. It wasn’t exactly a place that allowed for private conversations.

Remi leaned over and whispered, “You okay?”

Colt tapped the heel of his boot in a quick rhythm. “I think I’m gonna hurl.”

“Lean that way if you get the urge,” she said.

“I don’t know if I’m doing and saying the right things.” Colt rubbed the back of his neck and tilted his head from side to side.

What could she say that would help? She was just as nervous, and she wasn’t the one petitioning for guardianship of her niece and nephew. “You’ve got this. You’ll do fine.”

He turned to her, shaking his head. “No, I won’t. I’m terrified. I don’t know how to care for kids. What if they get hurt? What if–”

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