Read Online Heart of the Family by Margaret Daley - Free Book Online Page B

anything to me. When?” She shouldn’t be surprised Susie knew before her. The young girl was a mother hen to the kids in the cottage.
    Susie shrugged. “He probably forgot. It isn’t until Thursday after school.
    Nancy tugged on Hannah’s hand. “I’m gonna be a cheerleader. Susie taught me some cheers.”
    Hannah scanned the children assembled. “Where’s Andy? I thought he would be out here in the thick of things, even if he can’t play.”
    “He’s cleaning his room—again.” Susie clapped as the two teams lined up, with Nancy mimicking the older girl’s action.
    “I’ll go check on him and get him to come out here.” Hannah hurried toward the house. She didn’t want to miss the game—in case there was a problem. Yeah, sure. You’re fooling yourself again. Jacob Hartman is the reason you’re out here and not inside reading that report you need to go through.
    In the cottage she discovered Andy folding his clothes in his drawer and having a hard time with only one hand. “Hey, there’s a big game being played outside. Dr. Jacob is here and in the middle of it.”
    “I know. But my room isn’t clean enough.” Andy attempted to refold the T-shirt.
    Hannah surveyed the spotless area. She walked to Andy and took the piece of clothing. “You want to talk?”
    “Nope. I’ve got to get this done.” He averted his gaze.
    “This looks great.”
    “It isn’t good enough yet.”
    She thought about leaving him alone, but the quaver in his voice demanded her full attention. She drew him around to face her. “Andy, I won’t lie to you. You can’t do anything else to this room to make it better. I wish all the children’s bedrooms were this clean.”
    “But—but it’s got to be perfect for Mom.”
    “Why, hon?”
    “Mom needs to know I can keep our place clean.”
    Hannah tugged Andy to the bed and sat with him next to her. “Then she will know. Why do you feel that way?”
    “’Cause—” he sniffled “—’cause her boyfriend got mad at me for leaving the cereal out. He started to hit me when she came in between us. He hurt her instead.”
    She settled her arm along his shoulders. “He moved out so you won’t have to worry about him.”
    Sniffing, Andy wiped his sleeve across his face. “But he could come back. He’s left before and come back.”
    Hannah hugged the boy to her. “Let’s not worry about that right now. I want you to have a good time showing your mother around and introducing her to your friends.” She stood. “C’mon, let’s see what everyone else is doing.”
    Andy remained seated. “Can I tell ya a secret?”
    “Sure.”
    “He gave Mom money to live on. She’s tried some jobs, but they never last long. Do you think if I get a job it’ll help? ’Course, I can’t quit school. Mom didn’t finish, and she told me how important it is I do.”
    Staring down at Andy, Hannah felt she was talking to a little adult. Her heart broke at the worry and seriousness she saw in the boy’s eyes. “Tell you what. If you promise me you won’t worry about finding a job, I’ll help your mother find one after she gets out of drug rehab. Okay?”
    “You will?” Joy flooded his face as he leaped to his feet. “That would be so good!”
    She held out her hand. “Let’s go see what’s going on outside.”
    As they strolled toward the yard between the cottages, Hannah mulled over what Andy had told her. She knew Lisa wasn’t well educated from the way she talked. Getting her help with her drug problem was only the beginning of what Lisa and Andy would need if reuniting the family were going to work. She hadn’t really thought beyond getting Lisa through a drug-rehab program. Maybe she was naive. Jacob certainly thought so.
    I’m just going to have to prove him wrong.
    Outside Hannah positioned herself on the sidelines of the makeshift football field with Andy on one side and Nancy on the other. Watching Jacob playing with the children, Hannah decided he was a big kid