“What do you say, Charlie? Will you come with us? Give us a chance to be your big brothers?”
“I don’t need any big brothers. I don’t need anyone. I can take care of myself,” Charlie stated belligerently, folding her arms over her flat chest. “But . . . I’ll go with you for tonight only.”
“Thank you,” Mason said and looked at Spencer, who—surprise, surprise—found himself incapable of saying anything at all. He nodded curtly and turned away. Daff gave him a brief squeeze and left his side to approach Charlie.
“I’ll help you pack. You love reading, huh? I’m sure you’ll want to pack these,” she said brightly, gesturing toward the paperbacks. “My sister Lia has quite a stash of romance novels as well. I’m sure she’ll be happy to swap with you. Or lend you some. My other sister, Daisy, has also been trying to find a home for some of her books. So if you’re interested—”
“Books are heavy. I keep my favorites, but I can’t collect more. They’re difficult to carry.”
She was very well-spoken and evidently well educated. Spencer wondered when she had dropped out of school, because clearly she was no longer going, since she was fucking squatting in a derelict building. They’d have to look into guardianship and start thinking about putting her back in school. He knew he was getting ahead of himself, but he felt . . . purposeful. Important. Needed. Even if she would never admit to needing him.
He’d come out here tonight, looking to help a stranger, and had found family. And she for damned sure was going to get his help whether she wanted it or not.
The drive back was silent as Mason drove straight to the McGregor farm, even though Spencer was having second thoughts about leaving Charlie there. What if she bolted during the night? He wanted to turn and talk to her, engage her in conversation, encourage her to speak about herself and ask questions about Mason and him, but his tongue felt thick and the words wouldn’t come. It was weird. Spencer never had problems speaking to the kids in the youth program. He’d been proud of his ability to draw them out and befriend them. Now, when it mattered most, he couldn’t find a single word to say.
Thank God for Daff, who kept up a running commentary in the back seat beside the girl. Telling tales of growing up on the farm, of her sisters, the ill, injured, or stray animals their father and Daisy had frequently adopted. More stories about her mother’s cooking, about the ridiculous fights she’d sometimes had with her sisters. Her childhood sounded idyllic. Spencer would have killed for a family life like that, and one quick check over his shoulder told him that Charlie had longed for the same.
He shifted his attention to Mason and, in the dim light, he could see the fond smile on his brother’s lips. Mason had obviously heard some of these stories before and didn’t find them as alienating as Spencer—and possibly Charlie—did. Maybe because he already felt a sense of belonging where the McGregors were concerned. It was a bizarre sensation to feel instant kinship with the girl, while at the same time feeling farther away from his brother than ever before.
The McGregor farm was fully lit when they drove up, and Dr. and Mrs. McGregor, along with Lia and Daisy—who had heard the news via a quick call from Mason—all spilled out onto the porch. They wore warm, welcoming smiles, and, as Spencer watched, his newly discovered sister was instantly engulfed in love and warmth. The girl looked tiny, lost, and overwhelmed as she stood in the center of the small cluster of people. Her thin arms clutched protectively around her ratty backpack. Mason was among the crowd, and Spencer felt a stark sense of loss and envy as both Mason and Charlie were claimed by the McGregors.
“The warm and fuzzies can get a little overwhelming, right?” Daff’s voice sounded from beside him, and, startled, his eyes dropped to hers. He hadn’t realized that she wasn’t among her family, and he instantly felt less isolated.
“Why aren’t you over there fawning?”
“The poor kid’s intimidated and overwhelmed, and my family can be a bit much sometimes. Figured it best to sit it out on the sidelines with you.”
With him.
“So . . . how much of a mind fuck is this for you?” she asked bluntly, and he shook his head.
“I can’t wrap my head around it yet. All I know is that she needs us and I’ll for damned sure make certain that we’re there for her.”
“And you’re sure she’s . . . you know? Related to you?”
“She has more than a passing resemblance to both Mason and me,” he pointed out.
“That’s true. That scowl is unmistakable. But are you going to get DNA tests or anything?”