Free A Forever Kind of Guy: The Braddock Brotherhood, Book 2 by Barbara Meyers Page A

grill and adjusted the temperature. He turned back to find her watching him. “You want a cheeseburger for dinner? Or were you planning to burn a chicken pot pie later?”
    “No. I mean yes. Uh, I haven’t decided. I was wondering what my social worker was talking to you about.”
    “Nothing much. She asked if I knew you and I said I did. What was my impression of you, if I’d met Fletcher, stuff like that. She wasn’t there very long before you came home.”
    Hayley chewed the inside of her lip for a moment. “What’d you tell her?”
    “How about if I bring these burgers over when they’re done, and I’ll tell you all about it?”
    “O-okay. I’ve got some macaroni and cheese I could make.”
    “Sounds good.” Ray turned back to the grill, lifted the lid and flipped the sizzling meat.
    “It’s the kind from a box. It doesn’t take very long if I use the microwave.”
    He looked at her again. “I’m sure it’ll be delicious.”
    “I’ll try not to ruin it, if that’s what you mean.” She turned to go back inside, and Ray watched until the door slid closed behind her. His mouth watered. But it had nothing to do with anticipation of cheeseburgers and macaroni.
    The hamburgers were mouth-watering, if Ray did say so himself. And Hayley’s macaroni and cheese, though thick and sticky, was edible. Ray didn’t care what he was eating as long as he got to do it at the same table as Hayley. And Fletcher. Even without the gift of speech, Fletcher could communicate well. As soon as they were done, Fletcher brought out a Candyland game and offered it to Ray.
    “Ever since Molly taught him, it’s his new favorite thing to do. I bought it at a garage sale for fifty cents.”
    “Okay, buddy, let’s see what you’ve got.”
    “You two go on and play. I’ll clean up in here. And if you don’t mind, maybe I’ll shower before I give Fletcher his bath.”
    “I don’t mind.”
    Ray turned on Sports Center with the volume low and helped Fletcher set out the board, cards and game pieces.
    Fletcher chose the red piece and went first, moving the little plastic man deliberately to the green square.
    He looked up at Ray. Ray gave him a thumbs up. “Good job, buddy.”
    Fletcher ducked his head. Something flickered in his eyes and across his face, gone almost as quickly as it came.
    They’d finished the game by the time Hayley reappeared in a pair of baggy running shorts and a tank top. Ray had turned up the volume on the TV and was explaining the nuances of a baseball game to Fletcher.
    “Okay, Fletch, time for your bath.”
    Fletcher looked up at Ray, and Ray swore he knew what the kid was asking even though he never opened his mouth. “You got any boats in by the bathtub, kid?” Ray knew he did. He’d seen them the day Hayley was felled by a migraine. Fletcher slid off the couch and grabbed Ray’s hand. Ray stood, catching Hayley’s eye and mouthing, “Is it okay?”
    “Sure, go ahead. Don’t forget to wash behind his ears.”
    Hayley took Ray’s seat and mindlessly flipped channels, listening to Ray’s voice from behind the bathroom door. She couldn’t make out all the words, but she heard explosive sounds, as if he’d engaged Fletcher’s boats in sea combat.
    She leaned her head against the back of the sofa, grateful for even this small reprieve from the constant vigil of watching over Fletcher. She did her best to entertain him, read to him, play childish games with him. But it wasn’t easy being a single parent. There was no break. There was constant concern for his welfare, bills to be paid. The worry of whether she would qualify as a foster mother and whether she was doing the right thing in trying.
    Some evenings she wanted to climb the walls with boredom and loneliness before she fell into bed, exhausted by her own frustration.
    Ray was an attractive distraction, but she was afraid of relying on him too much. She hated how much she looked forward to catching a glimpse of him. Even that