Free Family Ties by Louise Behiel Page B

frightened and uncertain of what and who is coming into their midst.”
    “Did you get the permits and everything?”
    If looks could kill, Gray knew he’d be buried really deep right now.
    “I don’t need a permit. I’m a single mom with four children who has bought a family home with enough space for all of us.”
    She glared at him. “Believe me, social services has more rules about having children live with you than any parent has to put up with. In fact,” her chuckle wasn’t humorous, “if more parents had to put up with the rules I’ve got there’d be a lot fewer kids in this world.”
    “Sorry, I didn’t realize.”
    “Of course you didn’t. Why would you?”
    Deciding to get her back on safer ground, Gray asked the obvious, “So what do the neighbors think – you’re going to hurt the value of their homes somehow?”
    She pursed her lips and nodded. “That pretty well sums it up. They’re afraid the kids will run wild and cause havoc.”
    Figuring discretion was the better part of valor, Gray decided he’d better keep his mouth shut.
    Glancing up at him, Andie reached out and grabbed his hand. “Look, I know Chloe’s been a nuisance, but she isn’t bad. She won’t hurt anything. She’s a determined little girl who’s sick and tired of being shuffled between foster homes. She wants a mommy and a daddy. Her mommy preferably. Can you blame her?”
    “No, not really.” Gray shook his head. Funny how things worked out. He had a mother he was running from while Chloe was determined to be re-joined with hers.
    “I wouldn’t worry about the neighbors too much. Give them a bit of time to get used to you living here and to get acquainted with the kids and they’ll be fine.”
    “Promise?” A half grin curved her lips.
    “Probably.” He wanted to lighten the burden he saw in her eyes. “As long as you keep Chloe from going any further afield than my place.”
    Andie gazed into the night. “Any chance you’ll fill the pool?”
    He pressed his lips together. “Not likely. A pool takes constant supervision and there’s no stopping a kid who’s determined to get wet. Especially on a hot summer day with the water next door.”
    She looked over the fence into his yard. “Doubly so with a kid like Chloe.”
    “Exactly,” he nodded in agreement. “Now you know why I keep mine empty.” He emptied his glass. “If there was a simple way of getting rid of it, I would. But since it’s there and it’s in good shape, I’m going to leave it as a decision for the next owner.”
    “You say that as a certainty.”
    “It is. As soon as the pool is fenced and a bedroom in the basement is finished, I’m going to put the house on the market.”
    Her eyes got wide. “Not because of us, I hope.”
    “No.” Gray realized as he said the words they were the truth. He hadn’t been happy to see her moving in. And he’d been royally pissed when Chloe caught him almost naked. But they’d settled down over the past week and things had been relatively quiet over here. Enough so, he didn’t have anything to complain about.
    “It’s what I do. I buy houses, make some improvements and upgrades and then sell them.”
    “You must move fairly often.”
    “Yeah, once or twice a year. Mind you,” he caught her gaze, “I’ve already been here longer than usual.”
    “Do you have another house picked out?”
    When he shook his head, she asked, “Another part of the city?”
    “Nothing particular. Wherever I can find a decent priced fixer-upper.”
    “No wonder you don’t have a lot of furniture.” Andie clapped a hand over her mouth. “Sorry, that was rude.”
    He shrugged it off. “Not rude, just true. I don’t have a lot of stuff. With my lifestyle I don’t need it.” Inside the patio doors, against one wall was a ball glove and bat, a basket of laundry and a vacuum. “Makes moving fairly simple – unlike the process for some other people.”
    She grinned. “You’ve got that right. I had