Into Magnolia (Sandy Cove Series Book 3) Read online

“Thanks,” Michelle replied, heading out the door. Before returning to her classroom, she pulled Amber’s file and scribbled Cecilia Harte’s phone number on a piece of scratch paper. She’d talk to Steve and see what he thought, and then try to reach Cecilia that night.

  “I don’t think this is a good idea, honey,” Steve said. He thought of all the legal implications of what Michelle was suggesting. Just having that girl in their car was a liability. And the church thing – that was a potential lawsuit waiting to happen.

  “I know you care about her,” he added as Michelle studied his face. “But you can’t solve the world’s problems. You’ve already got enough on your plate.”

  “What’s the use of teaching, then? If I can’t impact my students’ lives, why am I there?”

  Steve could sense the tension rising along with her voice. They’d just gotten Maddie to bed, and he didn’t want her overhearing an argument. He reached over and put his hand on her shoulder. “I think it’s wonderful that you want to help Amber. I’m just not sure this is the way to do it. We have to consider Maddie, too. Do you really want her around kids like Amber?”

  Michelle looked away, shaking her head in frustration. “I hear you, Steve. I’m just trying to figure out how to connect with this girl. She’s so needy, and the people who she should be able to rely on have let her down. I want her to see what a healthy family looks like, and to have a chance to connect with the kids at church.”

  “Maybe you could persuade her to come to the Christian club,” he suggested.

  “Right, Steve. Like she’s going to be interested in that.”

  “Okay, well how about if you try having lunch with her at school. Are you allowed to do that?”

  “Yeah, I’m sure that would be fine. If I can get her to show up.”

  “Try it. See what she says. And I’ll talk to Ben. Maybe he can think of another way to reach out to her.”

  Michelle nodded in agreement, but he could tell she was disappointed. She began twisting a strand of hair at the nape of her neck as she gazed off into space. Steve reached over and gently guided her hand away from the frayed clump of hair, then caressed her long, dark tresses. “I love you, babe,” he said tenderly.

  She looked into his eyes. Leaning forward, she kissed him, and he pulled her into his arms. Desire drew them out of the kitchen and up the stairs to their bedroom, leaving the scrap paper with Cecilia’s Harte’s number sitting on the table.

  CHAPTER SIX

  Amber called Adam around 8:30. His brother agreed to take them down to the beach for a while, promising to pick them up before midnight. Amber had figured out a routine of sneaking out during the kids’ bath time and then returning after Cecilia was asleep. Good thing she at least respects my privacy at night, Amber thought, as she once again left the radio playing and the “Do Not Disturb” sign on her doorknob.

  This time Adam brought a blanket and a joint with him. They smoked the joint together, and then stretched out on the blanket.

  Amber rolled over on her side and propped herself up on her elbow. “Adam?”

  “Yeah?”

  “Do you ever think about getting out of here?” she asked.

  Now he rolled over and faced her. “What do you mean?”

  “I mean leaving. Getting out of Sandy Cove.”

  Adam scooted closer and rested his other hand on her stomach. “Not really. Why?”

  “I don’t know. Just wondering. Don’t you get sick of listening to your dad yelling at you and your brother?”

  He looked away for a moment then shrugged. “Sometimes. But that’s life. Besides, where would we go?”

  Amber stared up into the sky. “Anywhere but here. I just want to get Jack and get out of here.”

  “You’re crazy, Amber,” he said, bending over and kissing her.

  Soon their bodies were pressed together, and she could feel him unhook her bra and unbutton her jeans. Before she realized what was happening, she’d crossed a line she could never regain. So this is love. It hurt some, but now she and Adam were definitely together. He told her not to worry about getting pregnant. He said it couldn’t happen the first time. Next time he’d bring protection.

  As Amber lay in bed hours later, she realized how attached she was getting to Adam. Although part of her felt a little sick that they’d actually done it, another part felt not so alone anymore.

  Amber’s social worker called the following day. It was Saturday, and she wanted to get Amber and Jack together at a neutral location in order to discuss the visitation with their mother.

  “I’ve arranged for Mrs. Harte to drop you off at the park by the lighthouse,” Bonnie Blackwell told Amber. “I’ll pick up Jack and meet you there.”

  “Okay,” Amber agreed. This would work out well, especially since she’d been promising to come see Jack but had ended up spending most of her free time with Adam.

  “See you there around eleven,” the social worker added before hanging up.

  Amber got up and stretched. She really wanted a cigarette, but it was too risky during the day, with the kids running around the house, and Cecilia expecting her to come downstairs for breakfast. Pulling on an old sweatshirt and the jeans that were on the floor beside the bed, she ran a brush through her hair. Then she reached into her pocket and found the extra joint Adam had given her the night before. Better hide this somewhere, she thought.

  Opening the closet, she spotted a cosmetic bag that she kept her extra makeup in. She unzipped it, pulled out a small box that held some toe rings and put the joint under the cotton square at the bottom. Then she closed the box and dug down into the makeup to bury it beneath a myriad of eyeliners, blushes, and applicators. There. That oughta do it. She smiled as she zipped the bag and returned it to the corner of the closet.

  She managed to make it through breakfast and the annoying cartoons blaring from the living room, and then asked if she could take a walk ‘to get some fresh air’ before Cecilia drove her to the park.

  “I guess that would be okay,” she heard her foster mom say as Amber headed out the door. A few houses away, she pulled a cigarette and matches and lit up, careful to watch for any neighbors who might spot her and report back to Cecilia. Taking deep drags, she felt herself beginning to relax and her hands to stop shaking. She flipped open her cell phone and called Adam.

  No answer.

  Probably sleeping in, she thought to herself with a smile as she replayed their passionate encounter from the night before. If only there were some way she and Adam could just get away from Sandy Cove and move in together. She knew she was pretty young to be thinking of stuff like that, but there was no way she wanted to wait until she was 18 to get a place of her own. Plus, she could just imagine being able to be with Adam whenever she wanted. No school, no foster parent breathing down her neck, no social worker trying to get her to live by someone else’s rules.

  She allowed herself to fantasize about having a cute apartment where she and Adam could live. Maybe Jack could live with them, too. She and Adam could drop out of school and get jobs to pay for the place. Adam would be able to get his driver’s license in a month, so he’d be able to drive them wherever they needed to go. He could even take Jack to school and sports or whatever. She’d show her mom she didn’t need her or anyone else. Adam was the only one she needed. He understood her and knew how to make her forget all her problems.

  Just as she was beginning to decorate their imaginary apartment in her mind, the buzzing of a vibrating cell phone in her pocket broke her train of thought.

  Jack.

  Even though he couldn’t see her, she immediately dropped the cigarette on the ground and smashed it with her shoe.

  “What’s up, little brother?”

  “I just wanted to make sure you’re still coming to the park to meet us,” he said.

  “Yup. I’ll be there.”

  “Okay, good. I think Ms. Blackwell has some news about Mom.”

  Amber shook her head and rolled her eyes. Poo
r Jack. He still believed that their mom would get better, and they could all live as a family again.

  “Amber? Did you hear me?” he pressed.

  “I heard you, Jack. Just don’t get your hopes up. You know how Mom is. She starts to get better and then does something stupid again that lands her back in the looney bin or in rehab.”

  There was silence on the other end, and Amber felt bad for bursting Jack’s bubble. But someone had to help him see the reality of the situation. Unless she and Adam could figure some way to get out of Sandy Cove and get a place of their own, both of them would probably be in foster care for a long time.

  She heard him sigh into the phone. “See you at the park,” was all he said before hanging up.

  As Amber slipped into the house a few minutes later, she avoided Cecilia and the kids and quickly bolted up the stairs to change clothes and spray some cologne on her hair. She didn’t want to deal with any accusations about smoking today.

  It was a beautiful day to go to the park, and Michelle was looking forward to her time alone with Maddie. The first week of school had sapped her of the energy she was used to giving their daughter.

  But after a good night’s sleep, she was thrilled to see the sun streaming through the window. Although she’d long ago reconciled herself to the cloudy, drippy weather that blanketed Sandy Cove much of the year, her southern California roots still craved the warmth of the sun and rejoiced when the weather cleared.

  Steve had left early that morning for a jog and a breakfast meeting with their pastor and friend, Ben. They were planning a men’s Bible study that they hoped to start two Saturday mornings a month at the local Coffee Stop.

  Since Maddie was still sleeping, Michelle helped herself to a cup of coffee and went out into the backyard with her Bible. The bright blue sky and the golden warmth of the sun awakened her senses.

  She listened to the birds chirping and soaked in the solitude she rarely experienced these days. Setting her Bible down beside her, she sipped her coffee and reflected on her new life as a middle school teacher and mom.

  Michelle had such high hopes for the kids in her classes, and her mind was preoccupied with them even when she was at home or church. Their high energy kept her on her toes, and she knew she’d have a busy year just trying to keep them focused and learning.

  Maddie seemed to be adjusting well to her school routine, in spite of the little ups and downs with some of her peers. Her teacher was a perfect fit for their daughter, and Maddie loved learning new things. It was quite a contrast to the eighth graders in Michelle’s classes, whose primary focus was impressing their peers.

  Still, Michelle loved the age group. It wasn’t hard for her to remember her own teen years and how much energy she’d poured into her friendships. Always battling her shy nature, she had to make even more of an effort to connect. Thankfully she’d always had Kristin, her best friend, to share her life issues, hopes, and dreams.

  I should call her, she thought. Maybe this afternoon after the park.

  But there were lots of papers to score, lesson plans to complete for the following week, and of course the usual weekend routine of laundry and cleaning. Opening her Bible, she flipped to the book of James. Ben had begun a series of sermons in this book, and she tried to read through each chapter in advance. Skimming over the first chapter, she paused at verse seventeen.

  Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

  She let the truth of that passage soak into her heart and mind. So many good and perfect gifts – Steve, Maddie, their little home in Sandy Cove, and now an opportunity to fulfill her dream to teach. God had truly blessed her. Tears of joy mingled with the wordless praises that overflowed from within. For several peaceful minutes, she allowed herself to bask in His love.

  Then a sound interrupted her reverie.

  “Mommy?”

  Michelle turned to see her little girl standing at the door in her princess nightgown, her teddy bear hugged to her chest.

  “Good morning, sweetheart. Mommy’s just enjoying the sunshine out here.” She held open her arms, and Maddie shuffled her slippered feet over and climbed into her lap, leaning her head against her heart.

  “Are we still going to the park?”

  Michelle smiled as she caressed her daughter’s curls. “You bet! Mommy will fix breakfast, then we’ll get you dressed and ready to go.” She paused and added, “How about pancakes today?”

  “Yipee!” Maddie exclaimed as she turned and hugged her mom. “I love you, Mommy!”

  “Love you, too, sweetie.”

  It doesn’t get any better than this, Michelle thought as she snuggled her daughter close.

  Amber spotted the social worker and her brother sitting at a picnic table up on the grassy hillside of the park. Pushing the car door open and grabbing her backpack from the floorboard, she threw a “See ya,” over her shoulder to Cecilia as she climbed out of the old Ford and headed their way.

  Jack was straddling one of the benches and tossing a football up in the air while Bonnie looked through some paperwork on the table.

  “Hey!” Amber called as she crossed the grass, her backpack slung over one shoulder.

  “Amber!” Jack exclaimed, grabbing his football and heading her way. He nearly collided with her in his enthusiasm.

  “Whoa! Slow down!” Amber grabbed him into a rough hug then pulled the football out of his arm. “Fall back for the pass.”

  Jack ran backwards, his hands outstretched for the ball. Amber lobbed it his way, and he easily caught it. Letting her backpack fall to the ground, she ran after him, chasing him around a few trees before tackling him to the ground. They both sat up and laughed.

  “Wanna go on the monster slide?” Jack asked.

  “Maybe later,” she replied, retrieving her backpack and walking toward the picnic tables.

  “Hi, Amber,” Bonnie Blackwell said with a smile. “You two look like you were having a lot of fun out there.”

  “Yeah,” Jack replied with a grin. Amber just nodded her head in acknowledgment.

  “Are you ready to talk?”

  “Sure,” Amber said, plunking down on the bench.

  “I’ve just been going over some visitation paperwork,” Ms. Blackwell began. “Your mother will be staying at Glen Haven, which is a supervised half-way house, for the next month. She can have visitors anytime in the evening until nine thirty, but she’ll be in group and individual therapy during the day.”

  Amber nodded and Jack sat silently running his fingers over the stitching on the football, studying it as if seeing it for the first time.

  “I’d like to set up some mid-week visits for you guys starting next Wednesday.” She looked over at Jack. “I can pick you up at six thirty, then we can go over to get Amber. How does that sound?”

  Jack looked at Amber, and they both nodded.

  “We’ll just stay an hour or so the first time and see how it goes. Your mom is eager to see you guys, but she’s really tired after all her therapy sessions.”

  Poor Mom. Right. “Whatever,” Amber replied.

  “It’s just the first step, Amber. Let’s hope she is able to return home soon with the two of you.”

  “That’ll be the day,” Amber replied, feeling a little guilty when she saw Jack’s hurt expression. “I just don’t want you to get your hopes up, kid,” she told him.

  “Let’s all try to think positively about this. Your mom needs to know that you two believe in her and want to be back with her again. Okay?”

  “Sure,” Amber said, softening her tone for Jack’s sake.

  “Then it’s settled. I’ll let your foster parents know about our plans. Just be sure you are home when I get there.”

  Amber draped her arm around Jack’s shoulder. “No problem.”

  “Well if you two want to visit for a while, I can check my phone messages and do a little paperwork here,” Bonnie offered.
/>   “Yeah,” Jack replied. “Let’s go over to the equipment.”

  “You’re on!” Amber stood and grabbed her backpack from the table.

  “You can leave that here, if you want,” Bonnie suggested, gesturing to the pack.

  Amber’s thoughts immediately went to the joint in the zippered pocket inside. “No, that’s okay.”

  She and Jack walked across the park toward the equipment, Jack tossing his football in the air as they did. There were two areas of swings, slides, and various climbing apparatus on the far side of the park. One was designed for toddlers and younger kids, the other for older elementary ages like Jack.

  As they approached Jack’s monster slide, Amber thought she heard a familiar voice from the other playground. Looking around the pirate’s tower, she saw her English teacher, Ms. Baron, with a little girl who looked to be five or six years old. They were on the swings, laughing and talking as they pumped together higher and higher.

  “Look at me, Mommy!” the little girl said excitedly.

  “I see you! You are almost flying!”

  So that was her daughter.

  Amber couldn’t help but stare. Ms. Baron and her daughter looked so happy just swinging on the swings together. Wow. Amber never thought of her teachers as having kids. Ms. Baron was a pretty strict teacher, but she looked like a fun mom.

  “Come on, Amber,” Jack whined. “Let’s go on the monster slide.”

  “Okay, okay. I’m coming,” she replied, forcing herself to refocus on Jack. Some people have all the luck, she thought to herself as she compared her relationship with her mother to the one she’d just observed on the other playground.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  After dinner that night, Michelle helped Madison with her bath. Then they set out her clothes to wear to church the next day. Maddie liked to try to get ready all by herself in the morning, so it helped if they chose her outfit the night before.

  Tucking her daughter into bed, she sat down and rested against the headboard to read her a story. Twenty minutes and three books later, she told Maddie it was time for lights out.