Free Estelle In Denver (In Denver Series Book 2) by R. Colora Page A

signal for the server to bring another plate and I take three of the six pieces of stuffed French toast off my plate.
    He smiles, and I can see he is missing two of his front teeth.
    I look out the window again and see Rhydian and the women are now sitting on the bench. Her shoulders are hanging in shame. She is crying, and Rhydian is looking at the ground. He looks like he has the weight of the world on his shoulders. I want to know what the hell is going on, who is this woman and what does she have to do with Rhydian? Is this Rhydian’s son? Am I ready to be a step-mom if he is the boy’s father?
    “Is that your mom? She is very beautiful.” I look towards the women and Rhydian again suspiciously.
    The little boy looks at me, but still says nothing.
    “I like your wolf necklace.” I point the wolf pendant around his neck.
    He smiles.
    “Thank you. It's my spirit animal. Grandfather says all Ute warriors have a Spirit animal.”
    “You have beautiful eyes.” I study his face trying to figure out exactly what I’m seeing.
    He frowns "I hate them, I wish I had brown eyes. The kids on the RES make fun of me because I have a white father. They call me the half breed, they say my father didn't want me or my mother.”
    “I don't think that’s true at all, wolf.”
    He giggles, “My name isn’t Wolf, it’s Michael.”
    The fork that has been aiming for my mouth, has now stabbed me in the nose.
    I look out the window and I lock eyes with Rhydian. I nod my head and he and Katie head towards a blue Dodge Durango. I see Katie look at her son with such love, but also such hurt in her eyes. She stops mid-stride and changes directions heading back towards the diner and her son. I hear the ding of the door, and I see her rush towards her son.
    “Mom can I finish my French toast with Ms. Estelle? “ She looks to me and I move to the other side of the booth so she can sit next to her son. We don't speak.
    In a voice almost like a whisper, she says, “I’m just not ready.”
    I want to yell, seriously bitch, the kids about eight. How much more time to you need to tell Michael he has a son, but I ask myself WWABD? Also known as What Would A Brennan Do?
    So I answer her like Kennedy or the Brennan’s would.
    “Katie, right? You’re like the ghost of his past. Everyone knows about you, but no one dares mention your name.”
    I think of my words carefully, so the little boy doesn't understand who we are talking about.
    “You don’t have to be ready, this isn't about you or him, this is about Wolf,” I see the little boy smile.
    “He needs to know,” I say, trying to sound as understandable as possible.
    Wolf puts his fork down.
    "I know Michael Kerrigan is my father, everyone knows his name on the RES. It’s not a secret and I have Google. Even I know what he looks like.”
    Well, FUCK! I’m sure Katie is thinking the same.
    “My mom is a teacher, she takes care of me. We live in a tiny house and Michael Kerrigan lives in a castle. I don't want him to be my dad. I don't want anyone to be my dad. I don’t need one. I don’t need him coming around. And Ms. Estelle, I think you're stupid and mean, and you think just because I’m a kid I didn't know what you were talking about. You tell your stupid boyfriend and his stupid brother that my mom and I don’t need either of them.”
    Wolf slides the plate off the table and it crashes to the ground. Katie gets up to clean it and Wolf runs out. I kneel down next to her.
    “Go be with Wolf. I will clean this up,” I say sadly.
    She nods and goes after her son.
    As I pick up the last of the plate, I see Rhydian on the phone sitting on the bench outside. He looks defeated, and about ten minutes later Michael come flying through the parking lot. Michael gets out of the driver's seat and does not even close his door. When he makes it into the diner, I look at him and just shake my head. He walks to the booth.
    “Is it true, Estelle?” I pull out my phone and show him the