Page 21 of Gideon’s Gratitude (Love in Mission City #5)

“I wish I could, Melodie, I really wish I could.” He swallowed. “Is Trevor there?”

“Trev, Daddy’s here.” A long pause. “He’s busy playing with his trucks.”

“That’s okay.” Clearly it wasn’t.

I wanted to reach across the line and grab Leo. The man should help with this, not leave it up to the six-year-old.

“He’s here.”

Gideon’s face lit. “Hey, little man, how are you?”

“Bored. Gonna go play.”

“Can you stay just a minute? What are you playing with these days?”

The desperation pulled at me. Staying out of view, I leaned over and hit a few keystrokes.

Laughter erupted from the kids.

“Daddy, so funny.” Melodie’s voice rang clear.

“Daddy, funny bunny ears,” Trevor chimed in.

“Make silly faces.” I whispered the words.

Gideon did as instructed.

Every fifteen seconds, I changed the graphics.

“Papa, come see. Daddy’s a potato head.” More squeals.

Gideon stiffened.

I strained as best I could, ensuring I didn’t go within camera range .

The man whose face I glimpsed was good looking. As good as myself. The man’s eyes were green. And dead looking.

“Hello, Leo.” Barely a whisper.

“You look ridiculous.”

I switched off the graphics.

“I was just trying to make it fun for the kids.”

“Well, the kids are about to have their after-school snacks.”

“But Papa, I want to see more of Daddy.”

Gideon was absolutely rigid.

“A few minutes. Then you get carrots and milk.”

“And a cookie.” A younger, more demanding voice.

A pause. “Sure, a cookie.”

Gideon relaxed a fraction.

Do I bring the graphics back? What would make this situation better?

After a long awkward silence, Gideon spoke. “You be good to Papa and Trevor, okay? I love you so much, sweetheart. I would do anything to be there, if I could.”

“Gideon.” The warning tone was clear.

“Just a minute. Just one more…”

“Say goodbye, Mel. I’ll get you a cookie.”

“Bye, Daddy. I love you.”

“Bye, Mel. Bye, Trevor.”

The words hung, but nothing more came. The camera turned off and Gideon was left looking at his own image. He slammed the netbook closed.

I didn’t give a shit. I pulled him into my arms. Held on for all I was worth as the slighter man sagged into my arms. Sobs wracked him, and I teared up as well. That’d been heartbreaking. Something I’d witnessed before, but today felt different. Like I was more invested.

Like you care .

I did, damn it. And I was angry at Leo for the callous way he treated Gideon, as well as the blatant manipulation of the children.

Parental alienation was the one thing I wouldn’t tolerate.

My clients knew better than to pull crap like that around me.

Did it likely happen? Possibly. But I’d never condone it, that was for sure.

“My babies.” A sobbing hiccup. “He didn’t even want to see me. He’s going to forget me. It’s like I’ll have never been there.”

What could I say? If Leo didn’t keep his spirit alive with the children, then yes, they’d likely forget over time. Maybe not Melodie, but Trevor was young. So heartbreakingly young.

Gideon pulled out of the embrace.

I ruthlessly pushed down the discomfort at the loss of contact.

“You see why I don’t want to keep doing this?”

No shit. “But you will keep doing this. You have to. Those kids mean everything to you, and you can’t stop fighting.”

“I have nothing left to fight with.” Whispered words.

“Well, let’s start with the counselor. Perhaps if you spend time with her, you might figure some things out.”

God, I sounded like an idiot. I didn’t know if going for counseling was going to help.

Would the courts look on it favorably? If done in an earnest attempt to get help, then yes, they likely would.

But Gideon needed to go for another reason.

I recognized despair when I saw it. Could see a man teetering.

I wasn’t qualified to help talk him down off the proverbial ledge.

And maybe this hadn’t gone as far as that, but even I could see the pain.

The anguish. The loss of the will to fight.

“I’m going to have a shower.”

A good sign. “Great. I have a few things to wrap up, and then we can head out.” I gazed out the window. “The rain is coming down pretty hard. How far is this place?”

“About fifteen minutes. ”

“Then we’ve plenty of time.”

He met my gaze for the first time. His nose was red and his eyes puffy. “The counselor said I could bring Lucky. I’m thinking maybe you could drive my car…?”

What?

Oh.

“I’m not concerned about a wet dog in my vehicle, if that’s your worry. Lucky’s welcome.”

And forty-eight hours ago, I’d never have said those words.

Gideon didn’t appear convinced.

“Of course, I’m happy to drive your vehicle.”

Please not a little hatchback.

Certain cars were not favorable to my height and frame.

He sized me up, as if fitting me to the car. “Yours would be great. I have a blanket we can use.”

“Splendid.” I reached out to press a hand to his cheek.

His eyes widened.

“Know you’re not alone. I’m here to stand by you. Whatever happens.”

His distress radiated through to me as he pressed his hand to mine. “Thank you.”

“My pleasure.”

He moved away and I let go. With a quick nod, he was gone.

Something shifted in me as I watched his retreating figure. Attraction? Longing? More than just the urge to comfort. I would’ve kissed him, given half a chance.

Where did that leave me?

Leave us?

Time would tell

God, I hated clichés. But sometimes they fit.