"I would really like you to stay if for no other reason than it helps even up the odds." Marlene leaned in a little closer. "I love them dearly, but it does get old being the only female in the crowd."
"I can see how you'd feel that way." Then feeling a little like she wasn't being fair to Jack and the others, she added, "I think it's sweet to see how much your boys adore you, and I'm including Ricky in that group, too."
Marlene glanced back at her sons. "I agree, although none of them would appreciate being thought of as sweet. And since Joe's death, they've helped keep me sane. Without them, I don't know how I would have gotten through it all. You would've liked Joe. Everyone did."
It had to be hard to lose the man she'd loved so much. They'd had the kind of marriage that Caitlyn had hoped to have herself before everything had gone so horribly wrong. "I'm sure I would have. I almost feel as if I knew him at least a little, because I'm sure there's a lot of him in both Jack and Tino."
Marlene's smile was a little sad. "You'll like Mikhail, too. Each of my sons has a different temperament, but at the core they're very much like Joe. I just wish he'd lived to see them all settled and with families of their own."
The two of them lapsed into silence as the crowd congregated at the corner waiting for the police to stop traffic and let them cross. As they waited, an image of Jack roughhousing with a couple of boys with his same wicked grin and bright green eyes flashed through Caitlyn's mind. She tried to ignore the pain that came from knowing she'd never be the one to give him those children. Over the hubbub of the crowd around them, she could hear his deep voice and then Ricky's answering laughter. Jack would be such a great father. In fact, he already was. He might not see it, but he was such a positive influence on Ricky.
Maybe she shouldn't stay for dinner, not because she didn't enjoy spending time with Jack and his family, but because she enjoyed it too much. It was too soon to put a label on her feelings for him, but they were growing stronger with each minute she spent in his company. If he walked away from her right now, it would hurt. A lot, in fact. The risk to her heart would only grow stronger as time went on.
When she glanced back to see where the man in question was, Jack immediately abandoned his brother to stand beside her. After sliding his arm around her shoulders, he pulled her in closer to him. "You were looking pretty serious there for a minute. Having second thoughts about hanging out with the Lukash clan for the evening? We can always sneak back off to your place for another movie."
He winked at her. "I had a great time Friday night when the one you picked out was on."
So had she, even though the evening's real entertainment had nothing at all to do with what was on pay-per-view. "No second thoughts. I enjoy your family. Besides, I'm really looking forward to a nice rare steak. When Tino stops to buy the steaks, I'd like to pick up the ingredients for a salad."
"You don't have to do that. You're our guest."
"I know I don't have to, but I'd like to contribute something to the meal. You guys wouldn't even let me buy my own snacks today. Tino even sent money with Ricky when he and I went on our ice cream run."
He gave her a quick kiss. "Fine, you can do the salad. Tino can handle the steaks. Ricky and I will bake potatoes. Add in some cold drinks, and we've got it covered. That way Mom will have a whole day off from cooking. I know she likes to keep busy, but she shouldn't have to wait on us all the time."
There went another little bit of her heart. "Jack McShane, you're a nice man."
Which was why, even though she might regret it some day, she was going to spend every minute with him that she could.
-
"Please stop and see the receptionist on your way out to set up one more appointment. Say, in about four weeks."
Ricky watched as the doctor typed something into the computer. While he waited, he flexed his fingers and ran his hand up and down his arm. It felt strange not to have the cast on anymore. The latest X-ray showed the bones were pretty much healed up. To everyone else, that probably sounded like good news.
His own feelings on the subject were more twisted up.
The doctor finished up with whatever he was doing. "Okay, Ricky, I want you to let Mrs. Lukash or Mr. McShane know if you're having any problems with your arm. A certain amount of aching is normal, but keep an eye out for any swelling or if the pain starts getting worse. Take it easy with your arm for a while, but you can gradually go back to doing your normal activities. Any questions?"
"Can I lift weights as long as I don't try bench pressing a bazillion pounds?"
The man laughed. "Yes."
"How about working out on the heavy bag?"
Clearly the question surprised the doctor. "I'd hold off on that until I see you again."
"Okay." Not that he'd likely be around to show up for that appointment. Who knew where he'd be in a month? He'd planned all along to hang out at Jack's house until his arm healed. Now that day was here. Damn, he wished he knew what he should do.
First up, he'd try calling his mom's number again. If it was still disconnected, he'd have to go by the house to check on her. Once he knew what the deal was, he could make his plans. He hated the idea of showing up unannounced, which increased the risk of him running into Lawrence. The thought had him rubbing his arm again and remembering how their last encounter had played out-Lawrence cussing a blue streak while he kicked the shit out of Ricky.
Maybe he should ask Jack to go with him, but that would mean telling him who she was. It was unlikely Jack would stay in the truck and let Ricky go in by himself. Besides, Jack would probably have to tell the cops or something. Even if he kept Jack out of it, Mrs. Harkens and the cops were still hunting for Ricky's family. Eventually they might stumble across something that would lead them straight back to his mother and Lawrence. He could only imagine what the man would do if the authorities showed up on his doorstep.
"Ricky? Are you okay?"
The worry in Marlene's voice made it clear that it wasn't the first time she'd said his name. He hadn't even noticed the doctor leaving the exam room. God, he needed to get his head in the game.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Just disappointed I can't start punching the bag." He mustered up a small smile. "I was looking forward to that."
She patted him on the shoulder as they walked out of the doctor's office. "Well, at least the cast is off now. That will make a lot of things easier for you to do. You know, like your own laundry, washing dishes, washing cars. Should I go on?"
"No, I get the idea." He sighed, pretending to be much put upon. "But the doctor was right. It really aches. You know, like a whole lot."
But he couldn't hold back a grin, and Marlene laughed with him. "Get in the car, brat. You know you're glad to have that cast off after all this time."
"Yeah, I am."
In truth, he really didn't mind helping out around the house. And it would be nice to be able to help Jack more on the job. All he could really do was fetch and carry, but he'd already learned a lot just by watching. Both Tino and Jack had told him that's how their dad had started them off in the business. They'd also pointed out that basic carpentry, plumbing, and electrical repairs were all marketable skills.
It was a shame he wouldn't be sticking around long enough to learn them. There was no use in putting off that visit to his mother. Tomorrow he'd hike over to her house. No, not tomorrow. He'd already promised Jack that he'd help him and Tino tune up their dad's pickup truck.
Sometime in the next couple of days, though, he'd go. Before he did, he'd pack up some of his clothes and other stuff. If things turned out the way he expected them to, he'd need to hit the road and fast. His old backpack had disappeared the night he'd been admitted to the hospital. Luckily, he had enough money from his allowance to buy a new one. Maybe he'd put some of the rest of his things in a trash bag and drop it off with Shelley to share with Casey and Justin. No use in letting warm clothes go to waste.
There was always the remote chance that his mom had suddenly regretted her decision to choose Lawrence over Ricky. If so, he'd call Jack and ask him to help them both get to someplace safe. But if she hadn't, he could pretty much count on her ratting him out to Lawrence. That is, if the bastard wasn't the one who answered the door in the first place. If that happened, Ricky was dead meat. Maybe for real this time. If he did get away, he'd have to grab his stash of money and clothes and take off for good.