“She trusts you,” I point out. Ellie is very picky with who she allows to watch Hope, and so far, that list only consists of me, my mom, and my dad. Even Ashlyn had to pass inspection before Ellie allowed her to take Hope with her to her house.
“I think a lot of people have taken advantage of her,” she says softly, grabbing my hands from across the counter. “I don’t know why she trusts me, but I love her like a daughter. I would jump in front of a bullet for her or Hope, the same way I would do for you or Ashlyn. I want to be someone she trusts, someone she can depend on. I don’t want her to feel like she’s alone, and that girl I met at the hospital was alone,” she confides, crying again, which causes my chest to hurt.
I know a lot of this sadness stems from her and my father’s past. She had my sister on her own for years, thinking my dad had abandoned her to be with my biological mother. She had no idea my dad was suffering just as badly as she was.
“I’m falling in love with her…her and Hope,” I admit, watching her eyes close.
“Then be there for her, and when she tells you her story, understand she’s believing that she’s safe with you, that her heart is safe with you.”
“Thanks, Mom. For everything, not just this.”
“I will always be here anytime you need me, honey.”
Nodding, I let her hand go and lean back. “Do you have time to make me breakfast?” I ask, watching her face go soft.
“Of course.” She straightens her spine, wiping the tears off her cheeks, giving me a smile before moving to the fridge.
Breathing a little easier, I sit back on the stool and watch her move around the kitchen as she makes me breakfast.
“Do you want me to keep Hope for you and Ellie one night?” she asks. Caught off guard by the question, my fork is in the air with a piece of fluffy pancake hanging off the end, syrup still dripping onto the plate below it. “Honey, I’m not dumb, and I remember what it was like when me and your dad got back together and had both you kids at home.”
“Mom,” I groan, and she laughs.
“What? Your dad is a very attractive man.”
“You can stop.” I shake my head, setting my fork down, my appetite suddenly gone.
“Well, just remember that I offered.” She smiles, and I throw my hands up in the air, giving up on finishing my pancakes.
“Thanks for ruining my breakfast,” I tell her, watching her laugh.
“You have to leave anyways. Ellie’s bringing Hope here in,” she looks at the clock over my shoulder, “fifteen minutes.”
“Are you kicking me out?” I ask with amusement.
“Yes, Hope likes you more than me, so when you’re not here, I get her to myself.” She smiles.
“She does like me more then you, doesn’t she?” I ask smugly.
“Don’t rub it in,” she says, kissing my cheek. “Now go, and you know I’m always here if you need anything.”
“Thanks, Mom,” I mumble, slipping my hat back on my head then pulling my keys out of my pocket. “I’ll be here to pick up Hope before dinner, so don’t let her trick you into giving her ice cream.”
“Honey.” She rolls her eyes, putting her hands on my arm, giving me a gentle shove toward the door.
“Love you, Mom.” I smile, kissing her cheek before walking out to my truck, feeling the weight’s gone from my chest.
*
“Thanks for picking up Hope from your mom’s,” Ellie says quietly as she takes a seat next to me on the couch, tucking her legs underneath her.
She came home an hour ago, but as soon as she walked in the door, Hope was on her, so all I got was a quiet greeting before she disappeared with Hope upstairs to put her in the bath then into bed.
“You can thank me with your mouth,” I tell her, wrapping a long piece of her hair around my finger then watching as her cheeks turn a dark shade of pink.
“Jax,” she murmurs, ducking her head, which causes her thick dark hair to fall in front of her face.
“C’mere,” I say, pulling her hand until she’s pressed up against me, with her hands against my chest and her big eyes looking up at me. “You okay?” I ask, running my thumb over her bottom lip.