High Stakes Gamble

Chapter Forty-Six

When Lisa Jordan, Aurora’s partner, heard the news on TV that Lily had been found, she immediately plopped down on the carpet and burst into tears.

For little Noel, she’d managed to keep it together during the celebration of life she’d held for her sister.

And she’d bitten her tongue and kept a smile plastered on her face all the time she’d cleaned and sorted the precious items that had surrounded Carly while she’d been alive. Her clothes and jewelry and the stuffed teddy bears she’d been addicted to.

They’d all ripped at her emotions, clawing at her heart trying to force her to let loose but she’d maintained that blasted stiff upper lip. Sometimes she’d even copied Aurora’s attitude by being flippant so as not to show her vulnerability, and it worked. It just didn’t come naturally.

Once she knew that Lily had been abducted, it became almost impossible to keep those controls in place but still she’d managed. Frustrated beyond belief at not being able to help her best friend and partner had all but killed her.

Many times she’d wanted to scream with fury and if she could have had one minute with the sicko who’d do such a despicable thing as to take a baby from its mother, it would have been hard time keeping her gun holstered.

If it weren’t for the big brown eyes of her nephew who clung to her every waking moment, she’d have given in and gone back to Vegas immediately. But he needed her nearby, being strong and proving her love every minute so he knew how much he meant to her and that he was safe.

Somehow she sensed that if she fell apart, it would frighten him and just maybe she’d loose some of his trust. In his incredibly sharp little head, she’d been accepted as the one now in control and she couldn’t blow it with tears.

Earlier that day, before his nap, shadowing her as usual, he’d shown what his thoughts were by the questions he’d hesitantly asked. They’d been snuggled on the sofa watching his favorite cartoon when he’d pushed away so he could see her face.

Thick, curling dark brown hair surrounded chubby, little boy cheeks and his big brown eyes drilled into her with a shrewd stare for one so young. “You weally want me to live with you, Auntie Lisa? Like be your little boy? So we can be a family?”

Having troubles periodically with his r’s had always charmed her, and when Carly had been alive, they’d giggled about it and even purposely made the same mistakes as a joke.

Hearing Noel’s mispronunciation in the sentence he’d just asked made her bite down hard on her bottom lip as she fought to stay cool. Only the tears drenching his searching eyes, kept hers at bay.

She cleared her throat and took a very deep breath. “Noel, I have a story for you. When your mommy told me she was going to have a baby, I thought to myself, no big deal. Babies are okay. Just not for me.” Lisa made sure Noel saw the truth shining from her eyes. “Then you arrived all red and squawky… and cute as a button. And as soon as I held you, I fell so much in love with your funny little face that I knew I’d give anything to have a little guy just like you.”

Noel grinned happily but still needed confirmation. “We’ll live together forever?”

Insistent little man wanted more reassurance, but she understood.

“Yep! You and me, buddy. I know a nice lady who loves little boys. Like she’s crazy for ‘em.” Lisa rolled her eyes and made a funny face. “She must be goofy, right?” This time Noel let loose with a belly laugh. “So when I go to work, she’ll look after you. Her name is Mattie. I work with her husband, John. After I finish work, just like your mom did, I’ll pick you and bring you home with me so you can cook my supper and put me to bed. How does that sound?”

Giggling now, Noel answered. “You have to go to bed early and brush your teeth.”

Whether or not this reassuring discussion did the trick, Lisa wasn’t sure but Noel seemed happier for the rest of the day and went to bed with her only having to lay beside him for a short time before he fell into a restful sleep.

Now, letting the tears flow, crying for Aurora’s happiness and for her poor dead sister and their dreams of a new life in Vegas, she cleansed herself of all the fear and sorrow that had ridden her shoulders like a shroud.

From the first day Lisa had arrived and taken Noel’s chubby little three-year-old body into her arms, her decision had been solidified in the concrete called love.

A sense of anticipation erupted. She’d be his family, his protector. She’d take care of him as if he were her own beloved child. And she’d be the best damn auntie a kid could ever ask for.

Wiping her cheeks and blowing her nose, she headed to the kitchen to plug in the kettle for a last cup of hot chocolate before calling it a day.

A knock on the door stopped her and had her turning in the opposite direction. Must be their neighbour Mrs. Litel checking on Noel, she thought, as she whipped the door open.

Instead of a plump motherly soul standing there, in front of her—and holding a huge bouquet of colorful flowers—was the handsomest man she’d ever seen.