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the implication was clear-legal, while preferred, was only one way to do things- "there are
guardianship requirements?"
"The Wards made those very clear," Lindsay told him, her mind already spinning scenarios
in which she could help Ginny financially.Unfortunately, they all included her having a dime
to spare. Which she didn't.
Ginny swallowed hard.She wasn't very far from her eighteenth birthday so the age
requirement, at least in her mind, was a non-issue.Besides, her parents were dead, she'd
been born at home and never had a birth certificate. And she'd changed schools so
frequently, sometimes attending one for only a few weeks before moving, that she
doubted any records were kept on her at all. Money, however, was going to be a
problem."I understand I'll need to meet an age and financial requirement."
"Yes. I'm glad you understand.And of course, you'll have to be deemed morally fit,"
Christian said absently. "But of course that won't be an issue. It's mainly to ensure the
children don't end up with criminals, those who fail to understand the importance of
Christian teachings, and perverts."
Lindsay looked at Ginny and the redhead glanced back, biting her lower lip. Then,
unaccountably, they both blushed beet red.
Christian blinked."IsÉ well, is there something I should know in order to help you?" He
looked back and forth between Ginny and Lindsay and, impossibly, their blushes
deepened.
"No," both young women mumbled guiltily, not meeting Christian's gaze
"Are you sure?I could-"
Out of the blue, Lindsay exploded."Assholes have children every single day!In fact, some
folks do nothing but breed more assholes.The world is full of assholes.They can treat their
kids like shit, beat 'em, or stay dead drunk for a solid month, and the State of New York,
which can, might I add, kiss my ass to begin with, won't do a God damn thing.These
children are Ginny's family. She's not some stranger who wants to take them.I don't see
how this is anybody's business but hers!"Lindsay was on a roll. "And as for all these
requirements-"
"Lindsay?" Ginny said softly, chewing the inside of her cheek to keep from laughing at her
friend's colorful tirade.
Christian looked as though he'd swallowed his tongue.
"What?"Lindsay glanced at Ginny, annoyed at being interrupted.
Ginny smiled affectionately, taking the sting from her words."We get the idea."
"Oh." Lindsay cleared her throat a little sheepishly."I meanÉ errÉ" She focused on a red-
faced Christian."You know everything you need to know, but we appreciate the
information."A gentle squeeze of her hand from Ginny was her reward.
Christian coughed a couple of times.Then he leaned a little closer to Lindsay and
whispered so that Ginny couldn't hear his shocking admission."This isn't the first time that
these walls have heard someone curse the State of New York."
Lindsay fought not to smirk or roll her eyes.She examined Christian with a curious eye,
finding his statement hard to believe.He was, she suspected, exactly the wholesome do-
gooder type he appeared to be, genuine and kind, the go-to-church-three-times-a-week-
and-take-a-bath-just-as-often sort.But it wasn't as if she was going to argue the point, so
she just shrugged and amiably said, "If you say so."She felt her heart pick up a little in
anticipation of what she had to do next.
Lindsay didn't dare look at Ginny as she continued to address the blond man. "I have to
take care of some business this afternoon."Now for the hard part. "Maybe Ginny could
stay here and talk with Megan again? Or those two boys from her building? She was so
good with them before."
Ginny's eyebrows crawled up her forehead."What?"
"UmmmÉ" For a second, Lindsay's mind went blank.
Ginny's voice was incredulous."You're dumping me for the afternoon?" She never said she
had someplace to be today. Never once.
Lindsay sighed.Ginny was nothing if not direct. "Awww, Ginny, I wouldn't put it that
way.Exactly."
"You never mentioned this before.Why not?" Red brows knitted."Where are you going?"
Bewildered, a feeling of general unease began gnawing at her guts.
An annoyed look flitted across Lindsay's face.She didn't want to lie but Ginny was making
it so damn hard. "Look," she finally risked a glance at Ginny's face, "I just have something
to take care of, that's all. Some old friends I was thinking of meeting up with."She forced
herself to stop fidgeting."C'mon, Ginny, it's not like we're joined at the hip or anything.I
still have a life."The words were barely out of her mouth when she realized her error."I
won't be long," she added in a rush, her eyes pleading with Ginny to understand that she
hadn't meant that the way it sounded.The surprised, hurt look on Ginny's face nearly
made her give up the entire idea.But Lindsay held firm.
"I see," Ginny said slowly. Though she clearly didn't.
"I'm glad that you do," Lindsay answered, but didn't move to leave. Instead, she just
stood there awkwardly, not wanting to go with Ginny angry, but at the same time unwilling
to explain herself.
Ginny remained silent as well.She had, she knew, no claim on Lindsay's time. Still, she
didn't appreciate being passed to Christian like a troublesome puppy who needed to be
watched while Lindsay was out of the room.Her eyes took on an inner fire that screamed,
ÔI'm a grown woman who can take care of herself, Lindsay!Deal with it.'
Lindsay looked away.
The tension between the young women grew until Christian couldn't take it anymore. He
gallantly jumped to the rescue. "I'd be most honored if Ginny would stay for the afternoon
and join me for lunch.She can meet with the children afterwards, and I would be most
pleased to fill her in on how the adoption process on these orphan trains works. If that's
acceptable, that is." He looked questioningly at Lindsay, not because he sought her
approval over Ginny's, but because she was closer.A split second later, when his gaze
swung to Ginny, he realized his grave error. Ginny's eyes shot him so full of daggers the
man was honestly surprised he wasn't bleeding.
Lindsay smiled gratefully at Christian."I'll be back before dark."She slipped her arms into
her coat, pretending to be too occupied in her task to notice the angry flush of Ginny's [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]