Read A Forever Kind of Guy: The Braddock Brotherhood, Book 2 for Free Online Page B

be.”

Chapter Four
    Hayley decided she’d be better off if she didn’t finish her wine, and she noticed Ray drank only about half of his second beer. They both switched to iced tea. Molly was a charming child, full of questions and observations, most of them directed at Ray, but she caught Hayley off-guard when she asked about Fletcher’s mother.
    Hayley darted a glance at Ray and couldn’t help notice Fletcher stiffen.
    “She, uh, well, honey, Fletcher’s mommy died.”
    Molly’s expression clouded. She fixed her gaze on Fletcher. “I’m sorry your mommy died. She’s probably in heaven by now.” She sent Ray a look. “That’s where Aunt Caroline is too, right?” Without waiting for a reply, she reached over and patted Fletcher’s hand. “Don’t worry, though. You can get a new mommy.”
    “Molly,” Ray cautioned.
    She turned her gaze on him. “He can. I got a new mommy and Fletcher can too.” She returned her attention to Fletcher. “You have to pray is all. I prayed for a mommy who lived with me, and I got Kaylee. She’s my mommy that lives with me and Daddy now. My other mommy lives in ’Lanta with Jim.”
    Ray looked Hayley’s way and rolled his eyes in a “Can you believe this kid?” kind of way.
    “God listens to kids’ prayers.” She directed this statement to the table at large. She shot another look at Ray. “If you prayed for a new wife, I bet God would get you one.”
    Ray took her comment in stride. “I don’t know, Molly. I’m not a kid anymore. Maybe God won’t listen to me.” He winked at Hayley.
    “I think he would. It just might take him longer because you’re old.” She took a bite of hot dog, chewed and swallowed. “Do you go to Sunday school?” she demanded of Fletcher.
    Fletcher looked at Hayley. “Uh, no, honey, he doesn’t. I think he’s a little young for Sunday school.”
    “He can come with me if he wants. Miss Cathy won’t care. As long as he bees quiet.”
    This brought a chuckle from Ray, and even Hayley had to smile.
    Molly helped clear the table before she invited Fletcher to watch the movie Ray had rented. Fletcher seemed happy to follow Molly’s lead. Ray set out a plate of Oreos and poured milk. They each had a small bowl of Gummi Bears as well. Molly retrieved pillows and a blanket and created a nest for the two of them on the sofa.
    “Want to go outside?” he asked after the kids were settled. “You can sneak a cigarette.”
    “Sure.”
    Ray had two cushioned chairs on either side of a small table on his front porch. It was almost dark when they took their seats. The air was warm and humid. A couple of squirrels chattered at each other from neighboring pine trees. Down the street, two boys shot hoops and traded friendly taunts. Hardly any cars went by.
    “I’ll stand guard if you want to light up,” Ray told her.
    Hayley shook her head. “I’m not addicted. Not yet, anyway. I’m a strict one-cigarette-a-night kind of girl. It’s a stupid habit. I don’t know why I do it. One glass of wine. One cigarette. After Fletcher goes to bed. Makes me feel like I’m getting away with something, I guess.”
    “Ah. Must be the rebel in you.”
    “I think it’s more like a treat. Something I deserve.”
    “You probably deserve a lot more than a cigarette and a glass of wine.”
    “Yeah, well, there’s nobody else around who thinks so.” Hayley immediately regretted the bitterness that crept into her voice, the way her comments bordered on sarcasm. “Sorry.” She softened her tone. “I didn’t used to be such a downer.”
    Ray shrugged but didn’t say anything. Hayley found she liked that about him. He didn’t feel compelled to correct her negative comments or make her feel better about herself. He let her own her outbursts. He didn’t pry into her secrets. “About Fletcher…”
    He glanced at her.
    “I’ll tell you about him. If you want to know.”
    “Sure.”
    “Fletcher is my stepsister’s son. She died a few months ago