Free Undeniably Yours by Becky Wade Page A

returned to the grass and appeared to be attempting toddler yoga—his head plunked down and one leg pointing high in the air.
    â€œStephen is such a jerk.” Amber shook her head, scowling. “Such a jerk.”
    â€œYes.” Wild understatement.
    â€œBut unlike you, I do want to find him. Badly.”
    â€œBecause you need help with Jayden.”
    â€œYes. Also, I just . . . well, I’d like to find him for my sake, too. I want to look him in the face and tell him off. I’m mad . You know?”
    â€œYeah.”
    â€œI’m not sure where to look for him next. Can you think of anyone who might know where he is?”
    â€œNo, I never met his family. He told me he’d grown up in foster care.”
    â€œHe told me his family lived overseas.”
    â€œThat figures.” Stephen’s lies had turned out to be the onlyconsistent thing about him. Meg could almost taste her resentment toward him, rising and filling her mouth with a bitter, metallic tang. “He’s smart, moves around a lot, and always covers his tracks. I’m afraid that it’s going to be hard for anyone to find him if he doesn’t want to be found.”
    â€œI have to find him. I don’t have a choice.”
    Jayden zipped across the patio and pulled himself onto a lounge chair. He tried to stand up on it, his arms outstretched as if riding a surfboard.
    Amber raced over, scooped him up, and placed him back on the grass before returning to her chair.
    â€œDo you have any family?” Meg asked carefully. “Could you turn to them for help?”
    Amber’s lips tightened. “Not an option. My parents and I don’t speak anymore. We had a big fight after I graduated from high school, and I haven’t seen them since.”
    â€œI’m sorry.” Meg tried to imagine what it would have been like to strike out into the world alone at eighteen without money or education.
    God? Internally, she asked Him several questions at once, seeking confirmation even though she sensed that she already knew what He wanted.
    Yes , a voice within her seemed to answer.
    A feeling of rightness expanded through Meg. “I’d like to help you.”
    â€œYou already have.”
    â€œI’d like to do more.”
    Meg’s words caught Amber’s full attention.
    â€œI’d like for you and Jayden to stay here until you get back on your feet. I’d like to help you find a job and child care.”
    Amber gaped at her, face blank, dark eyeliner framing wide eyes.
    â€œDo you have any college credits?” Meg asked.
    â€œLike, um . . . fifteen hours. From before Jayden was born.”
    â€œAre you interested in getting a college degree?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œWhat kind?”
    â€œI’d like to be a nurse one day. I’ve always wanted to be a nurse.” Jayden ran up, and Amber swept him into her lap. He deposited a handful of pebbles, two twigs, and a leaf onto the top of the table, then went to work examining his treasures.
    â€œThen you should be a nurse,” Meg said. “I’ll look into the possibility of getting you enrolled for the summer session at Collin County Community College.”
    Amber bit her lip, released it. “I want to take classes, but I don’t have time. I work, and when I’m done working, I take care of Jayden.”
    â€œThen you’ll work part time and go to school part time and take care of Jayden the rest of the time.”
    â€œI can’t afford to pay for day care and college on a part-time salary.”
    â€œBut I can.” For the first time since hearing the news of her father’s death, a ray of warm bright joy burst open within Meg. Her lips bowed, and she could feel her dimples digging into her cheeks. She’d done the right thing just now. She hardly knew Amber, and yet inviting her to stay at Whispering Creek felt more right to Meg than anything had in