Page 8 (1/2)
Another round of congratulations went up and lanced at Donovan, unease present in her eyes He knew exactly what she was thinking That she shouldn’t say anything to ruin the moment But he shook his head and looked pointedly at her His father needed to know His family needed to know Then they could brainstor there was to know And Donovan could make it clear where he stood That he planned to do whatever necessary to help Eve and her siblings
The Kelly fa force of nature One that Eve had no hope of resisting They’d cover her up with soand support that she’d never have to worry about going hungry again And in time, she’d knoithout a doubt that whatever it was she feared, that she didn’t have to fear it any longer The Kellys--Donovan--would protect her No matter what
"This is better than Christrin "Don’t think I’ve seen the faether and this happy since the first Christmas Rachel was back home with us"
There were h happy, was momentarily shadowed by the re-ained Just a brief shadow, one that had been finally erased with tie that Rachel was back and that he wouldn’t lose her again
"This faravely "But we’re Kellys, and above all Kellys prevail We overco as we re, family unit"
"Hooyah," Ethan ood-natured ribbing from his non-Navy brothers
"I hate to be the daan hesitantly
The moment she spoke, every head turned her way Marlene i that they’d arrived late, together And that Donovan had told her they’d let her knoas going on later
Donovan reached over to squeeze Rusty’s hand under the table Just a reminder that he was here and that he had her back
She glanced gratefully at him but continued on She didn’t put it off on hi to say She put it out there herself Took full responsibility Donovan respected her for that He was damn proud of her
"I hired someone part time at the hardware store"
There were raised eyebrows all around, and Frank iive his brothers credit They didn’t immediately launch into a thousand questions, nor did they interrogate Rusty or ask her what the hell she’d been thinking
"When did this happen?" Frank asked in a puzzled tone
Rusty sed and glanced back at Donovan, asking for silent support He nodded and encouraged her to continue on He’d step in when the tiive the details
"He’s a kid," she said quietly "Fifteen years old He’s introuble"
When the table erupted in questions and scowls--the usual Kelly response to anyone in need--she held up her hand, and they quieted
She took a deep breath "He’s hungry I kno that feels As I told Van, he could be h I know y’all will think I’ood kid He’s quiet He’s a hard worker He has two sisters he’s trying to support and feed And ohin It makes me want to cry for them"
Marlene’s expression was immediately fierce "How old are his sisters? Where are his parents? Why didn’t you co to help them"
Rusty nodded "I do know I do It just happened yesterday He came in and asked if we needed any help And I know I shouldn’t have done it without asking, but I was afraid he’d walk out and never be back if I told him I’d have to see So I made the decision and put him to work I paid him in cash out of my own money"
Donovan’s brothers scowled Not in disapproval over Rusty They’d gotten past that stage But there orry in their eyes Not only of the kid Rusty had helped but over Rusty and the fear that she could be har up for the first ti over The entire table went quiet as they waited for Donovan to continue
"It’s why Rusty and I were late I drove by the hardware store and saw Rusty’s Jeep outside I kneas Sunday and so I went in to check and see what she was doing there The kid orking and Rusty said he was hungry and she wanted to follow him home and check out his situation See if he was in trouble at ho conditions he had"
There was an instant round of objections as his brothers voiced their disapproval over Rusty going into a blind situation One where she could easily be hurt or killed
Donovan held up his hand "I ith her We followed the kid home It’s bad," he said after a pause He knew he couldn’t keep his emotions from the others Couldn’t keep his expression blank They saw his reaction and they went silent and thoughtful, frowns creasing their brows
"He has an older sister Looks to be early to e They’re living hand to mouth in complete squalor It’s awful I couldn’t stomach it I hated to leave them there"
"Why did you?" Garrett asked curiously
The same question was in all of his brothers’ eyes They well knew his propensity for going in and doing what needed to be done His softness for women and children in need It likely did puzzle them as to why he would have walked away
"Because they’re in trouble," Donovan said quietly "The bad kind of trouble that has nothing to do with being dirt-poor and having nothing to eat They’re running fro every moment in fear of discovery"