Say You Love Me (Welcome To Redemption #9) Read online

  With a silent sigh, he climbed into Chase’s squad car and headed for the convenience store on Vine. According to the call, a fight had broken out between some boys over the pinball machine. Thankfully, Marone hadn’t returned from lunch, so Mike was on his own for this one.

  When he arrived, he saw a couple of bikes outside, which meant the kids didn’t know the owner had called the police. He could hear them arguing as soon as he opened his door, so he hurried inside. The owner, who stood behind the counter, did a chin nod toward the back of the store, as if the adolescent arguing wasn’t enough of a clue.

  Mike returned the nod, then headed on back. The two kids facing him shut up immediately, the other did the same and spun around once he realized someone was standing behind him. Mike recognized Lauren’s son, Max, and his towheaded friend, who he believed to be one of the Henderson boys. The third kid, who looked to be a couple years older than the other two, was a stranger to him. Though, there was something awfully familiar about that mutinous scowl and thick, dark auburn hair.

  “Someone want to tell me what’s going on here?” When none of them spoke up, Mike relaxed his stance and eyed Caleb’s new stepson. “Max?”

  “He started it. Eddie and I were playing pinball, and he comes up and slaps a dollar on top, says he’s playing the next game. I told him he could wait ’til we’re done.”

  “They don’t own the game,” the ‘he’ in question stated. “I have just as much right to play. What if they planned to play all day? Tha—”

  “We weren’t gonna play all day, you dumbass!” Eddie interjected. All three cast Mike a quick glance.

  He had a hard time keeping a straight face.

  “We have a tournament going,” Max supplied when it became obvious his wide-eyed friend had no intention of speaking again. “We tried telling him that, but he threatened to keep tilting the game if we didn’t let him play.”

  Mike glanced around, noting four other video games, including another pinball machine. He glanced back to the new kid. “Couldn’t you play one of the other games until these two finish their tournament?”

  “Why can’t they play another game instead of hogging this one?” he countered, that defiant glower back in place.

  All three stared at him for the answer. Mike scratched his head as he tried to come up with an analogy that would make sense. “Because they were here first. It’s like, if you were out having dinner with your family, and another family came up and said, ‘Hey, we want to eat at this table, you have to move.’ Wouldn’t they have to find another table to sit at because your family was seated there first?”

  He almost patted his own back, certain the comparison would put the situation into perspective for the kid.

  Instead, golden brown eyes grew bright with unshed tears, and his mouth and jawed worked, as if doing his best not to cry.

  Mike frowned, dumbfounded.

  Before he could ask him what was wrong, the kid snatched his dollar off the pinball machine and shoved it in his front pocket. “I don’t have a family anymore, you stupid fucker.”

  Max and Eddie both let out gasps that would have been comical under normal circumstances.

  But there wasn’t anything funny about this kid.

  He propped his hands on his hips. “Look, I’m going to let that slide since I obviously struck a nerve. But you need to know I could take you in to the station and call your parents, if I need to.”

  A sad yet smug smile joined the mix of emotions on the early teenage face. “No, you can’t. My parents are dead.”

  Ah, hell. “I’m sorry to hear that. Recently?”

  A sharp nod.

  “What’s your name, son?”

  “Noah,” he reluctantly supplied.

  “And who’s your legal guardian, Noah?”

  He paused, his demeanor suddenly changing as fear chased away the scowl. That the situation had just gotten real was written all over the kid’s face. “My sister.”

  Mike nodded toward the door. “Maybe we should go talk outside.” He shot a pointed look at the other youths. “You two try to stay out of trouble, hear?”

  Max saluted, while Eddie gave a curt nod.

  After one last, meaningful glance, he gestured for Noah to precede him from the store. Once outside, he said, “Why don’t I give your sister a call, have her meet us at the station? I’ll buy you a candy bar out of the vending machine.”

  “Ooh, big spender.”

  Wise ass. “Hey, I’d lose the attitude if I was you. Or you’re going to find yourself in more trouble than you’re ready for.”

  “‘More trouble than I’m ready for?’ What does that even mean?”

  “Look,” Mike said as he grasped the kid’s arm and escorted him around to the passenger’s side of the car, “I’m sorry about your parents. I get that you’re hurting right no—”

  “You don’t get anything,” Noah countered, trying to yank his arm free. “I hate it here! I hate Wisconsin, and I especially hate Redemption. The people here are lame.”

  “You can’t just write people off because you’re pissed at the world. You have to give them a chance.” Bone-deep empathy gripped him as he opened the back door and waved the kid inside.

  Noah climbed in and crossed his arms over his chest.

  “Buckle up.” Mike slammed the door, walked around to the driver’s side, and slid in behind the wheel. He was about to ask for the number where the boy’s sister could be reached when dispatch called. Another incident, this time at Hutch’s Diner. “What the hell is going on today?” he muttered and started up the car.

  As he pulled out onto Salvation Avenue, he explained, “I have to make a stop. The good news is I can spring for something better than a candy bar, ’long as you promise to behave yourself.”

  “Sure, whatever.”

  “Are you hungry?” Mike persisted, trying to coax the kid into an actual conversation.

  A disinterested shrug was his answer.

  “Hutch makes the best cheeseburgers in Wisconsin. And the best chocolate malted you’ll ever taste.”

  “I don’t like chocolate.”

  “Vanilla, then. Or strawberry. Oh, I know what you’d like. Some 1919 root beer. Nothing beats it.”

  The kid’s face screwed up. “Are you arresting me, or taking me out on a date?”

  Mike grinned. “Just trying to lighten the mood. I’ve had a helluva morning already, and I’d really like to make it ’til five o’clock without losing my mind.” He met Noah’s gaze in the rearview mirror. “So, would you rather sit in the car and sulk, or come in and have a nice lunch?”

  “Fine. But can I get fried cheese curds, too? Love those things. And root beer.”

  “It’s good to know you don’t hate everything about Wisconsin.”

  “I just…miss my mom and dad. And my friends,” Noah admitted in a mutter.

  “I truly am sorry for your loss. I lost my dad some years back, and I still miss him like crazy. Not the same, I know. But…well, it does get a little easier with time.”

  Noah leaned his head back and closed his eyes. “Uh, huh.”

  Hutch’s parking lot was surprisingly empty for a Friday at this time of day. Mike parked right in front of the diner and quickly escorted the teen inside, his gaze immediately landing on the reason for the call.

  Holy shit!

  Hutch Hutchinson slowly rose up from behind the counter, several of his patrons comically following suit. A soft chorus of “Thank God” reached his ears as the diner’s proprietor gestured—unnecessarily—toward the black bear, a baby from the size of it, who sat on the floor devouring what was left of a chocolate cake. The normally spotless, black and white tile was covered in foods of all kinds, as if the customers had started throwing their meals at the thing in an effort to scare it away.

  “Holy shit!” Noah exclaimed, echoing Mike’s silent sentiment. “What are you gonna do?”

  Good question. “Hutch, is everyone all right?”

  “Fric
kin’ peachy.”

  He coughed to hide a laugh. “When you called the station, did they say they’d call animal control?”

  “Hell, I don’t remember,” the cantankerous old buzzard snapped. “Can’t you just shoo the damn thing out of here?”

  “So he can ransack the grocery store, or maybe get into someone’s home?” Mike gave his head a shake and pulled out his radio. “Nan, it’s Mike. Can you please call animal control? Tell them I have a black bear cub inside Hutch’s Diner, and I need assistance ASAP.” He clipped the radio back onto his belt.

  “All right, I need to evacuate the place. I want everyone to slowly head my way.”

  Mike pulled his gun and trained it on the clueless bear, while one by one, the patrons filed out of the diner. He didn’t want to shoot the poor thing, but if it got spooked while they were heading out the door, he’d have no choice.

  Hutch was last to leave, and Mike gave his head a shake as the owner grabbed his precious bag of M&M’s from beneath the counter, and the Polaroid of Rosalee—Caleb Hunter’s late mother, and Hutch’s longtime love—from the wall.

  “It’s not a goat, Hutch. I don’t think you need to worry about him eating the pictures off the wall.”

  The old guy kissed the photo then tucked it in his back pocket. “I ain’t taking no chances. That picture is irreplaceable.”

  Thinking about the slightly tattered, high school picture he kept in his wallet of a certain beautiful, amber-eyed brunette, Mike suddenly understood.

  Once certain everyone was outside, he told Noah, “You, too, please.”

  “Seriously? This is the first awesome thing that’s happened since I got here.”

  Mike cast him a sidelong glance. “Kid, can you just do as I asked?”

  “Fine,” the teen muttered as he shuffled out. “S’pose I’m not getting that burger and cheese curds now, either.”

  “If you don’t quit complaining, I’ll take you to Coffee To Chai For and make you eat a bean sprout sandwich, then wash it down with a wheatgrass shake,” he threatened as he closed the door behind them. To Hutch and the diners who stood around waiting as if they weren’t quite sure what to do, he said, “I’m sorry for the inconvenience, folks, but due to unforeseen circumstances, the diner will be closed the rest of the day.”

  A lot of grumbling followed his announcement.

  “When you all come back, your next meal will be on the house,” Hutch quickly assured them.

  The grumbling grew into happy chatter as everyone got into the last few remaining vehicles and left.

  It took animal control about a half-hour to arrive. Once they shot the bear with a tranquilizer dart, it took another ten minutes for them to collect the napping creature.

  Hutch muttered under his breath as he tacked the picture back on the wall and opened his precious bag of M&M’s. He offered him and Noah both a handful, then headed off to the backroom for, Mike assumed, cleaning supplies.

  “Hey, how would you like to earn ten bucks?” he asked the kid in a low tone.

  Noah shrugged, meeting his gaze with narrow-eyed suspicion. “Depends on what I gotta do. I ain’t cleaning up no bear shi…crap.”

  “All you have to do is help Hutch clean up this mess. Sweep up the food, carry the bags out back to the trash for him. That kind of stuff. And I’ll even make sure you get lunch out of the deal.”

  The moody teen heaved a reluctant sigh. “Fine.”

  Mike gave him a thump on the back. “Hey, Hutch. My new friend, Noah, is going to give you a hand cleaning up. All he asks for in return is lunch. One of your famous cheeseburgers, some breaded cheese curds, and a tall mug of root beer.”

  “And a strawberry sundae,” the kid chimed in.

  Hutch reappeared, pushing some sort of industrial cleaning cart that held everything you could possibly think of: mop and bucket, push broom, angled broom, dust pan, paper towels, and an array of cleaning supplies. He pulled out the push broom and held it out. “Deal.”

  Mike grinned. “Thanks, Hutch. Noah, I’d better give your sister a call. What’s her name and number?”

  The kid dropped the broom to the floor and started pushing. “She’s working, but I have a key to her house. You can just drop me off after I’m done here. No need to bother her.”

  “Nice try. Look, I think I’d like to meet this sister of yours. Make sure she exists.”

  The kid shot him a scowl. “Of course she exists. Whad’ya think, I’m some runaway?”

  “You wouldn’t be the first, son.”

  “Whatever.” He rolled his eyes. “Her name is Bernadette Mitchell.”

  Chapter 3

  Bernie was in a full-blown panic.

  She’d left work early, wanting to spend some extra time with Noah before he started school on Tuesday. She figured they could drive into Green Bay to see one of the new movies opening tonight, then head to Texas Roadhouse for supper. Maybe some ice cream afterward, if they still had room for it.

  But Noah wasn’t home.

  And since he hadn’t left a note, and his skateboard was still in the garage, Bernie had no idea where to start looking for him.

  Okay, think.

  He probably decided to take a walk through the neighborhood, look for some kids his own age to hang out with. She hadn’t thought to tell him to call before venturing out. And she hadn’t had a chance to get him a cell phone—which she would do Tuesday after work.

  Her own cell rang just as she was about to head out to look for him. She glanced at the display. Hutch’s Diner? Could Noah have walked that far? The diner was on the other side of town.

  “Hello?”

  “Bernie? It’s Mike.”

  Her heart stopped, then kicked into double time. Just when she’d finally stopped thinking about him.

  For a couple of hours, anyway.

  She pressed a hand to her chest and blew out a silent, calming breath. “Mike? H-how did you get this number?”

  “Listen, I have your brother with me. He did some work for Hutch in exchange for lunch. Would you like to pick him up, or…I can drop him off at your place. Up to you.”

  “Um, what?” She clamped onto her bottom lip. He had an entire town to explore, and ended up with the last person she wanted him to have contact with? Could her luck truly be that dismal?

  A soft chuckle preceded, “It’s a long story, which I’ll explain as soon as you get here. Or should I drop him off?”

  “I’ll be there in ten minutes.”

  Every doomsday scenario she could think of ran through her mind as she raced over to the diner. It didn’t sound as if anything serious had happened, but just the thought of Mike and Noah spending time together gave her anxiety.

  When she pulled into the lot, she was surprised to find it nearly empty. Hutch’s was usually hopping busy on a Friday.

  Mike stepped outside as she was getting out of her car, as if he’d been watching for her.

  “Hope I didn’t worry you. Noah’s fine. In fact, he and Hutch have hit it off like old buddies.”

  He smiled…that same smile that had been melting her heart since the seventh grade.

  “It’s… I’m fine. But I wanted to head into Green Bay, so if you could just tell me what happened, I’d appreciate it.” She turned and started toward the door, giving him no choice but to follow.

  He gently grasped her arm to stop her. “I’d rather talk out here, if you don’t mind.”

  She cleared her throat before turning to meet those unforgettable, hypnotic brown eyes. A forced smile was all she could muster. “Of course.”

  “You look good.”

  That sexy timbre flowed over her like a warm rain.

  “Mike…”

  “I know, I know. Sorry. I just…I’d hoped we could talk again sometime.”

  “Right now, all I have time for is my…brother. So please, tell me what happened so he and I can get on with our day.”

  Mike explained about the altercation between Noah, Max, and the other boy
, and the verbal assault he’d launched at Mike. She certainly didn’t condone Noah’s behavior, or his language, and planned to have a long talk with him on the ride into Green Bay.

  “I’m sorry,” she said once he finished. “He’s had a rough time of it lately. He literally lost his parents less than a month ago. He starts high school in a few days, in a strange town, away from all his friends. He’s…scared. But he’s a good kid, so this definitely won’t happen again.”

  “It probably will,” he gently countered. “But that’s pretty normal behavior. He’s been uprooted from the only home he’s ever known, and he isn’t exactly a fan of our ‘strange’ town.”

  He grinned, and she couldn’t help but follow suit.

  “So,” she began, hoping to sound nonchalant, “you two had a conversation?”

  His expression sobered. “I tried an analogy to get him to see the other boys’ side of things, using dinner with his parents as an example. It was clear I’d struck a nerve. He told me his parents had passed, but didn’t elaborate. Just that he missed his home and friends.” Mike reached out, as if he was going to touch her, but pulled back. “And that also means you lost a parent. I’m so sorry about your father. From what I remember, he was a pretty great guy.”

  She swallowed, fighting to keep her emotions in check. If she lost it in front of him, he’d take it as an opening to embrace her. And she still hadn’t gotten over the feel of his arms around her the night of Caleb and Lauren’s wedding. “Thanks. And yes, he was wonderful.”

  They were both silent for a moment. Finally, he said, “Sorry, come on. I’m sure Noah is anxious to get out of here. Hutch really put the kid to work, not that he complained.”

  As soon as they walked inside, Noah blanched. “Am I in trouble?”

  Bernie gave him a reassuring smile. “No. However, I think you owe Officer Donovan an apology and a thank you. Those boys as well, if you run into them again.”

  A slight frown marred his young face. “I’m not apologizing to those idiots. They were hogging the game.”