Free Losing to Win (Clearwater) by Marissa Dobson Page A

JC had his hand on Lee’s shoulder.
“Did I hear you right?” JC approached his mother.
    “It’s not up to me. The kids
have to have a say in this, especially the older ones.”
    “JC!” Kelly ran to him and
wrapped her arms around his neck, crawling onto his lap. “I’ve missed you.”
    “Are you really certain you
want to move?” Lee questioned his mother.
    “Everyone sit. I’ll gather the
kids for a family meeting.” Jackie rose from the chair and walked down the
hall.
    “What did you say to her?” JC
sat next to Rebecca, Kelly still clinging to his side. He wrapped his other arm
around Rebecca’s shoulders.
    “Nothing,” She whispered and
leaned against him. “She sees what being back here is doing to you.” She
tickled Kelly’s stomach. The little girl giggled. Rebecca was happy that JC
would have everything he wanted, which she hoped included her.

 
    Chapter Ten
     
    With a positive consensus
reached, JC’s family would move to Clearwater on the condition he found them a
rental home before the school year started. It meant his family would have to
move twice, but at least they would all be together.
    Instead of going out for
lunch, they ordered pizza and spent time together as a family. JC and Rebecca
cuddled on the sofa, Kelly dozing in his arms, while his mother sat across from
them.
    “Why don’t you ship what you
don’t need over the next few weeks to the new house? We can buy new furniture
in Clearwater and you won’t need a moving truck?” JC made a mental list of
everything to be done.
    “What about the cars? Lee’s
got your old one, and there’s mine. I’m not sure they’ll make it, but we can’t
be without a vehicle.”
    “Clearwater is a small town.
The house will only be a few blocks from the high school so Lee doesn’t need a
car right away. I can get you one before you arrive.” JC smiled. “I don’t want
you and the kids doing that long drive, especially in two separate cars. Flying
would be easier.”
    “Flying is expensive.” Jackie
didn’t seem convinced.
    “Driving is too. Hotel rooms,
food, and gas, it all adds up.”
    “Okay. I’m still worried about
a job.”
    “Don’t be,” Rebecca replied.
“A friend of mine is a secretary for Dr. Bowmen, an OBGYN in Clearwater. She’s
retiring and needs someone to replace her. JC said you do that type of work. I
scheduled a phone interview for Monday, if you are interested in applying. The
only catch is, Dr. Bowmen needs someone to start in three weeks.”
    “Wow, you’re amazing.” JC
leaned toward her, careful not to disturb Kelly, and kissed Rebecca. “That’s
tight, but we’ll make it work. Once we get back to Clearwater tomorrow, Rebecca
and I will start searching for a rental.”
    Kelly’s eyes shot open.
“You’re leaving? You can’t! Please don’t leave me!” Tears fell down her little
cheeks, breaking JC’s heart.
    “Oh, Kelly, we’re going to be
together soon. All of us. We’ll just be apart for a short while.” He picked her
up, cuddling her against him, and rubbing small circles on her back.
    His mother rose, arms
stretched to take Kelly. “I think she needs a nap. She didn’t sleep well last
night.”
    “It’s okay, I’ll put her
down.” JC stood, contentment filling his heart.
    * * *
    Rebecca leaned in the doorway of
Kelly’s bedroom, watching JC interact with his sister. She was more of a
daughter than a sister to him. Maybe it was because Kelly was the youngest at
only four, with nearly a five year age gap to the next sibling.
    “Did Mom scare you off?”
    “No. I just wanted to talk to
you alone.” She entered the room and shut the door behind her.
    “Did Mom say something that
upset you?” He frowned.
    “No. I was thinking about
Kelly. She’s really attached to you.” She moved closer to him.
    “I know. Leaving tomorrow is
going to be hard on her.”
    “And hard on Laya and Lee for
the next while until Kelly sees you again.” Rebecca glanced down at