Page 37 of Fierce Hope (Hope Landing: New Recruits #3)

The next two days dragged for Jade. She told herself she must be exhausted, both physically and emotionally, but she knew the real reason for her gray mood.

The absence of one Deke Williams.

But today, she and DJ had their normal afterschool session. And now, she waited for a glimpse of his father’s truck pulling into the church lot.

She stood at the edge of the multipurpose room, a damp rag in one hand, a half-filled spray bottle in the other.

The place smelled of tempera paint, crayons, and leftover apple juice from the little kids’ afterschool program.

Across the room, Sarah stood at the large sink, rinsing paint cups while a couple of volunteers stacked chairs against the wall.

Outside, she spotted DJ pacing beneath the overcast sky, a restless figure in his oversized ski jacket.

Even zipped only halfway, it seemed enough for him; the snow-dusted courtyard and flurries didn’t faze him.

She sighed, thinking that under normal circumstances, he’d be home by now—or at least somewhere warmer.

Where was Deke?

She tossed the rag into a bin of dirty linens, then turned to Sarah. “I’m going to see if DJ wants to come inside while I call his dad. It’s too cold out there.”

Sarah nodded, offering Jade a small, grateful smile. “Thanks for helping out. The kids were extra wild today, but at least they had fun.”

“Glitter plus six-year-olds equals permanent chaos,” Jade joked, forcing a half-smile. Though her heart felt heavier than usual—Deke’s last-minute departure clashed painfully with everything they’d sorted out. Or failed to sort out.

Sarah let out a laugh. “Exactly right—permanent chaos.”

Jade headed for the glass doors, phone in hand.

DJ kicked at a slushy pile of snow, shoulders hunched.

She couldn’t blame him for looking restless, given the circumstances.

She tapped her phone, intending to dial Deke’s number, but it lit up with his name before she could. Her breath snagged in her throat.

She answered immediately. “Deke?”

His tone was tense. “Hey, sorry I’m late. Emergency job. We’re wheels up in under an hour. Listen, can you drop DJ at Izzy’s? He can bunk with Mrs. Reyes until I’m back. I texted him, but I’m not sure if he’s seen it.”

Jade looked out at DJ again. He’d just glanced her way, his expression guarded but hopeful.

She felt that familiar protective tug in her chest—something she’d noticed more intensely since she’d confessed her old life to Deke days ago.

Despite everything, he still trusted her enough to protect DJ.

That thought warmed and unsettled her in equal measure.

Deke added, “We might be gone a week, maybe more. I’m sorry to drop this on you last minute.”

“It’s no trouble,” Jade said automatically. She was about to hang up when the heavy door swung open. A swirl of frigid air followed DJ inside, snow clinging to his hair. He caught sight of her on the phone, and his eyes flicked between her and the device.

“Can I stay with you?” he asked suddenly, voice earnest but carrying a hint of teenage bravado. “For the week or ... however long, I guess.”

Jade’s brows lifted. She knew he’d been to her condo only briefly, sleeping on the couch once or twice when Deke worked late. He must remember how tiny the space was. “DJ,” she said, muffling the phone’s mic. “Are you sure? I’ve only got one bedroom. You’d be on the couch.”

He shrugged, looking simultaneously shy and resolute. “That’s fine. Better than Izzy’s. Mrs. Reyes is awesome, and I love Chantal, but she’s?—”

“Six,” Jade finished, letting herself laugh softly. “She’d rope you into playing mermaid dress-up or something.”

He managed a wry grin. “Exactly. I’d go crazy in two days.”

The phone crackled, reminding Jade that Deke was on the line. She lifted it again. “He’s asking to stay with me. Says he’d rather not deal with Chantal’s endless energy.” A fond smile tugged at her lips. “I’m fine with it if you are.”

A pause, then Deke’s sigh came through clearly. “I’m not sure. You work full-time—you have your own schedule.”

Jade’s voice firmed up, surprising even her.

“He’s fifteen, Deke. He can walk to my condo after school.

We’ll coordinate groceries, chores, whatever.

You know I’ll keep an eye on him.” She tried not to dwell on how complicated it felt, given the new knowledge Deke had of her criminal upbringing. Still, he’d trusted her enough so far.

“Dad,” DJ called, stepping closer so Deke could hear him. “I’ll be okay. Promise.”

Another pause. Jade imagined Deke at the hangar, wearing that protective frown. Eventually, he relented. “Alright, if you’re sure. And if you need anything—rides, help from Kelli or Mrs. Reyes—don’t hesitate to call them. Or me.”

Jade’s heart fluttered with relief. Despite everything, he wasn’t rescinding her caretaker role. “Got it. We’ll manage just fine. Good luck with your assignment, Deke.”

“Thanks,” he muttered. Then more softly, “I owe you. Big time.”

She let out a small chuckle, though her chest tightened at the reminder of all they still hadn’t resolved. “Consider it a tiny downpayment for all the Knight Tactical heroics. Pretty sure the ledger’s still in your favor.”

They disconnected. For a moment, Jade held the phone in her hand, emotions swirling.

She cast a glance at DJ, who stood there waiting, eyes bright with a quiet hope.

A flicker of gratitude rose in her that Deke’s acceptance of her past extended to letting DJ stay under her roof.

If Deke had truly doubted her, he wouldn’t have agreed so easily.

The thought made her chest ache in a conflicted way.

“So,” DJ ventured, “it’s cool?”

Jade slid the phone into her coat pocket. “Looks like we’re roommates for a bit. Couch is all yours.”

He gave a half-smile. “Great.”

She nodded. “Grab your backpack. I just need five minutes to finish up here.”

He followed her to the main area, relief evident in the way his shoulders relaxed. Jade turned to find Sarah collecting her own belongings.

“Everything okay?” Sarah asked, noticing the exchange.

“We’re good,” Jade answered, managing a brighter tone. “Deke’s headed out of town, so DJ’s crashing at my place.” Then she lowered her voice with concern. “How about you? Holding up okay?”

Sarah’s eyes flicked downward. “I’m not … great. Everything with the Wycoffs and Chad …” She shook her head. “It’s dredging up memories I’d rather keep buried. But I’ll manage.” She forced a small smile. “Thanks for asking.”

They parted ways. Jade gathered the last few paintbrushes and tidied stray construction paper.

A few minutes later, she and DJ stepped outside into the crisp evening.

The parking lot was nearly empty except for her sedan and one other car.

Church security lights cast long, flickering shadows over the snow.

She unlocked her car, and DJ slid into the passenger seat, tossing his backpack onto the back seat. The heater sputtered to life as she started the engine. “Might take a minute to warm up,” she said apologetically, turning on the wipers to brush away the dusting of snow.

“Better than waiting in the cold,” DJ said, pulling his jacket tighter around him.

Jade eased the car onto the street, the tires crunching through slush. “I can drop you at school on my way to the office each morning,” she explained. “You’ll probably finish earlier than me, so you’ll head back to my place on your own. I’ll give you a spare key.”

He nodded. “That’s cool.” His gaze drifted out the window. Then he cleared his throat. “I hope I’m not, like, inconveniencing you. I know your place isn’t big.”

She stifled a smile. “It’s small, sure. But it’s fine. You’ll have some quiet—no six-year-olds with mermaid obsessions.”

That earned another snort of laughter from him. “Exactly.” He paused, a note of earnestness creeping in. “You’re … chill, Jade. Thanks for letting me crash.”

Warmth bloomed in her chest at his words—though a pang followed as she thought of Deke.

She had no idea how he truly felt about her caring for DJ now that he knew about her past. But at least he’d trusted her enough for this.

“I’m glad you think I’m chill. That’s not always how I feel on the inside,” she admitted softly.

He didn’t comment further, and she let the matter drop. They arrived at her condo complex soon after. It was a modest place, lights glowing behind drawn curtains. She parked in her usual spot, noticing how the fresh snow made everything eerily silent.

They hurried inside, the condo’s warmth enveloping them. Jade flicked on a lamp, revealing the cozy but undeniably cramped living space—a couch, a small TV, and a kitchen tucked in one corner. She caught DJ giving it a once-over, but his expression remained relaxed.

After some pizza and root beer they’d picked up on the way, DJ settled onto the couch.

Rummaging for a blanket from the closet, Jade watched him out of the corner of her eye, relieved he seemed at ease.

Still, her mind drifted to Deke’s departure.

She tried to banish the uneasy swirl that came from mixing her newly admitted criminal background with DJ’s presence.

Would Deke change his mind about all this if he thought too long about my old life?

By the time she finally crawled into bed, Jade felt physically exhausted but mentally buzzing.

She slipped under the covers, the faint glow from a streetlamp seeping through her curtains.

DJ’s occasional movements on the couch in the next room reminded her she wasn’t alone.

She welcomed that small comfort—the knowledge that at least someone was near.

But it didn’t stop her from thinking about Deke.

He knew her darkest secret, yet entrusted his son to her.

She prayed it was a sign he believed in her redemption, not just a snap decision he might regret.

Rolling onto her back, she stared at the ceiling and breathed a silent prayer: for Deke’s safety on the emergency job, for DJ’s sense of belonging, and for her own fragile hope that she could be more than her past mistakes.

Tomorrow, she told herself. Tomorrow she’d figure out how to navigate each new challenge—DJ’s routine, the ongoing church investigation, and her still-lingering questions about where she stood with Deke.

For now, she had to trust that she hadn’t broken everything beyond repair when she’d finally revealed her past. And if she had …

well, at least she could keep caring for DJ, doing her best to prove she deserved the faith Deke had placed in her.

With that resolve, Jade closed her eyes.

The condo was quiet, save for the soft hum of the heater and DJ’s muffled movements.

Outside, the wind kicked up a few more flurries.

She lay in the dim glow, heart full of conflicted gratitude and an ache she couldn’t name.

Please, God, let me do right by this kid, she thought.

And please, don’t let Deke’s trust vanish just because I told him the truth.