Page 49 of Searching for Love

She moved slowly, but they made their way toward the elevators, stopping by the vending machines to get her a soda, a chocolate muffin, and a candy bar.

When the three of them stepped into his mother’s room, Graig stood next to his mother, looking sick and scared. He held her hand.

His grandfather rushed over to hug Sophia, holding her as his sister cried all over again in her grandfather’s arms.

His grandfather repeated that he was sorry as he cried into Sophia’s hair.

“Mom.” Lucas moved over to his mother’s bedside and nodded at Graig.

“I’m going to go check on getting you something to drink,” Graig said and then leaned in and brushed his lips gently over his mother’s forehead. “I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you.”

His mother smiled weakly at the man. “I’m sorry I pushed you away.”

Graig smiled. “I’ll be back to check on you soon.”

His mother nodded. When Graig stepped by, he held out his hand for him and Lucas easily shook it.

“Thanks,” Graig said seriously. “For being there. I plan on being around for a while, even if your mother doesn’t want me to. Even if it’s just to make sure she heals quickly and stays safe.”

Lucas nodded. “Thanks.”

After the man left, he moved over to his mother’s bedside.

“Thank you,” his mother whispered. She looked pale, tired, weak, and afraid.

“He’s locked up,” he said to the room.

His grandfather turned to him. “For how long this time?”

“This time?” Sophia asked.

Lucas closed his eyes. “I put him away last time. I damn well can do it again.”

“Lucas?” Sophia moved over to his side.

“He was…” It broke him. Again, he was forced to deal with that evil night he’d walked down the hallway to use the bathroom and caught his father doing things to his daughter that no father should. His eyes searched Sophia as he shook his head. “He should have never been allowed near you again.”

“You were so young,” his mother broke in softly. “We were so thankful you didn’t remember. For years you went to counseling. Not once did you mention it. Not once did the counselor worry that you remembered the horrible ordeal. You’d heal, physically, and mentally. You’d never know.”

“Until now,” Lucas broke in.

“Until now.” Sophia cried and rushed to hug him. “Mom.” She reached out with her right hand. “The two of you protected me.”

“Always,” his mother said.

“Always,” he agreed.

“Always,” his grandfather added.

“What now?” Sophia asked.

“Now,” his grandfather said, “the two of you come and live with me or take Graig up on his offer to stay with him.”

“No,” his mother said firmly. “Luc, we’ve been over this so many times.” His mother had always called his father’s father Luc, since they were both Lucas. The fact was the man was more of a father to his mother than to his dad. His mother’s father had passed away when she’d been ten. The moment his mother met Diego, Lucas Marcus Rodriguez had become his mother’s only father figure. His mother reached over and took Sophia’s hand in hers. “We’re strong. We won’t let him take away our home, and Graig and I… I’m not sure of anything at this point. I need to know I can do this on my own. He’s a good man but…” His mother’s eyes watered and she took a breath, wincing slightly.

“Mom,” Sophia said with a sigh. “I don’t know if I can go back there right now.”

“Tonight, Sophia is going to stay with me,” Lucas broke in.