Willa couldn’t place her finger on exactly why she didn’t like them. They were always polite and constantly volunteered at the church and school. They were just too perfect. Not to mention, there was something about the way they would look at The Last Riders’ women when they attended church that made her think of her own mother when she would lecture her on being a good Christian girl.
“Yes.” Willa didn’t stand, not wanting to wake Caroline who was asleep on her chest.
“They will be taking charge of Caroline, Chrissy, and Charlie.” Flora’s brusque voice was matter-of-fact as she ripped the children’s world apart.
“Please, can’t we wait—?”
“You are clearly unable to handle these children and keep them safe.”
Leanne, who had been sitting quietly, sprung to her feet. “I won’t go!”
Flora ignored the girl’s outburst, continuing to talk to Willa. “Don’t make this hard on the children. The Wests are able to take all the children except for Leanne. I’m still searching for a foster home for her. If I don’t find one by the end of the day, I’ll place her in one of the group homes where I have a bed available until I can find someone willing to take her.”
Leanne started crying, retaking her seat.
“You’re frightening her, Flora. Can’t she stay with me until you at least find a home for her?”
Her brusque refusal was stopped short when Viper and Shade entered the office, followed by a mutinous Sissy who was being trailed by Lucky.
Willa jumped to her feet, jostling Caroline and Chrissy awake. “Sissy! Thank God you’re all right.” Willa was so relieved she wanted to burst into tears; only the grim faces of the men prevented her.
“Where did you find her?” Flora asked before Willa could get the question past her trembling lips.
“We found her just outside of town.” Viper spoke when Sissy remained quiet. “She had managed to make it to Rosey’s.”
Willa’s horrified gasp was drowned out by the ones from the Wests and Flora.
“Mick didn’t see her. She stayed out in the parking lot, trying to catch rides,” Viper explained.
“Sissy!” Willa cried out at the danger the girl had placed herself in.
“I’m fine,” Sissy snapped. “None of the losers would give me a ride.”
“Thank God.” Willa soothed Caroline, who began crying.
“She fell asleep in the back of Mick’s car. He found her when Lucky called him and asked him to search for her.”#p#分页标题#e#
“How did you know she was there?” Willa asked the man standing silently by the door.
Lucky’s eyes flickered to Leanne. “Call it a hunch.” He shrugged.
Willa buried her face in Caroline’s hair. Understanding now why Knox had wanted Leanne to remain behind when they had gone to the diner, Willa realized she was a complete and utter failure at taking care of the children.
“I’ll call off the search,” Knox said, going to the phone behind the counter.
Flora immediately took charge of the situation. “Leanne and Sissy, you come with me. Dalton and Lisa, you take the other three. I’ll check in with you tomorrow. Willa, if you pack their things, I’ll stop by this afternoon to pick them up.”
Dalton reached for Caroline as Lisa reached for Chrissy, both girls beginning to cry.
“Please, Flora…” Willa pleaded.
“We’re not going back to Willa’s?” Sissy frowned, asking her sister who had also begun to cry.
Leanne shook her head. “They’re placing us into a group home.”
“You fat bitch….” Sissy lunged for Willa but Lucky snatched her by the waist, pulling her back.
“Don’t touch her. Ever.” Lucky’s voice froze everyone in place, and fear entered Sissy’s face.
“It has nothing to do with what Willa wants.” Knox slammed down the phone. “If you want someone to blame, look in a mirror! Why are you so mad, anyways? You didn’t want to stay with Willa, so your ass just got what it wanted.”
“Knox, it’s all right. She’s upset.” Willa reluctantly released Caroline. She didn’t want to further upset the children by struggling with the inevitable. She would end up in one of the jail cells, and the children would still be gone.
Caroline and Chrissy began screaming and fighting against the people holding them, and Charlie ran forward, grabbing Willa around the waist. “Please don’t make me leave. I’ll be good.”
Tears fell from Willa’s eyes as she lowered herself to her knees, holding Charlie in her arms.