Lucky's Choice(44)

“Yes, and Lucky wants to help.” Willa studied the girl seriously. “Leanne, if you want to stay with the girls and Charlie, we have to show that I can care for you and your cousins. Can you please help me with that?”

Leanne lowered her head, unable to meet her gaze. “I’m really sorry, Willa. I didn’t think they would take us away. I shouldn’t have let Sissy talk me into not telling you she was sneaking out.”

“She could have really gotten into a bad situation and been hurt.”

“I realize that. I was stupid.”

“Not stupid, you were just trying to make your big sister happy.” Willa handed her the hairbrush after she brushed out the two little girls’ hair.

“Ready?” Willa asked the apprehensive girl when she was done with the brush.

Without her sister, a different girl was emerging, although she didn’t like to think unkindly that Sissy wasn’t a good influence on Leanne.

Downstairs, Lucky was waiting with Charlie, who couldn’t hide his excitement about going out with the large man standing patiently by the doorway.

Willa grabbed her purse, holding the girls each by their hands. Lucky reached down, taking Chrissy’s.

“Leanne, take Caroline.” Leanne took Caroline’s hand as she went through the door.

“I had her,” Willa protested.

“Leanne is able to place her in the car.” Lucky closed the door behind them.

Willa was walking toward her car when Lucky stopped her.

“We’ll take my car.”

Willa stopped in her tracks, used to him on a motorcycle. She looked at the curb, seeing a large, black Yukon sitting there.

“Caroline and Sissy need car seats.”

“Knox put them in the back seat,” Lucky stated, opening the back door.

Willa stood aside, watching him first buckle Chrissy then Caroline into their seats. Leanne climbed in then Charlie.

“Wow, we each have our own seat.”
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“You had your own seat in my van, too,” Willa reminded them as she got into the SUV after Lucky opened the side door for her. They had been cramped, but they had fit.

Charlie remained silent, fidgeting in his seat.

“Where would you like to eat?” Lucky asked, getting in behind the wheel.

“Anywhere is fine.”

“The diner,” both Leanne and Charlie spoke from the backseats.

Lucky raised his brow at her, waiting for her response.

“The diner is fine.” Willa smiled, wanting to make the children happy and get the night before them over with.

It wasn’t far to the diner. When they parked, Willa was the last to exit the car. Lucky opened her door, holding Chrissy comfortably in his arms.

“You coming?” His questioning gaze didn’t ease her nervousness.

“Do I have to?”

Lucky gave her a devastating smile. “I think that’s the first time you ever said a joke in front of me.”

Willa slid out of the SUV, closing the door. “I wasn’t joking,” she mumbled.

“Did you say something?”

“I said, they’re busy tonight.”

“They usually are on a Saturday night.”

They stopped inside the door, searching for a free table, but it took a few minutes for one to become free. Willa felt the curious gazes directed toward them as they waited, so she was relieved when the waitress escorted them to a large table at the back.

The younger girls were settled at the table before Willa took a seat. Lucky sat down next to her with Leanne and Charlie sitting across from them. She tried to relax as if it was a normal thing to sit at the table with Lucky.

“Do you know what you want, or do you need me to come back?” The waitress paused.

“We can order and save you a trip.”

Willa caught the grateful smile from Ginny. She was unaware the former foster child of the Wests had begun working here.

Willa ordered meals for Chrissy and Caroline and let Charlie and Leanne order for themselves. Lucky ordered a steak and fries.

“How about you, Willa?” Ginny gazed at her expectantly.

“I’ll just take a coffee.”

“Bring her the same as I’m having.” Lucky closed the menu, handing them to Ginny who took off in a rush before Willa could change the order.

“I’m not hungry. I had a big lunch,” Willa snapped.

“This is dinner. If you can’t eat it all, I can finish it. I’m starved. It’s been a long day.”

Willa felt terrible. If not for his help, she would have been sitting home alone tonight, crying her eyes out over the children who were sitting happily at the table next to her. Not to mention, he did look exhausted.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to sound like a witch.”