Donahue: Foster’s Pride – Lion Shapeshifter Romance (Foster's Pride Book 2)

by Kathi S. Barton

  They all nodded, but it wasn’t until they took Robby to the hospital to make sure it wasn’t anything more than overheating that they began to believe he wasn’t going to punish them for anything. And it was after Robby was taken away that things with his assistants got better.

  Roger Mason came to stand by him when Robby was gone. He didn’t say anything at first, but once he began speaking, it was as if he’d been bottling up his piece for some time. Don, it just so happened, learned a great deal from the man.

  “Billy Wagner, your predecessor, was a bastard. Not only did he make the kids keep pushing themselves beyond what they should have been doing, but he would make fun of them when they did. We lost more players last year because they couldn’t handle the hard road he was making them travel than we did to seniors going on to college over a four year period.” Don asked him what he would have done to Robby. “Called his dad here, cussed out the kid in front of his father, then made him do several hundred jumping jacks until he ‘learned his lesson.’ The only lesson any of them learned was that football wasn’t any fun, and they didn’t want to be beaten to death for it.”

  “If we don’t get a few more players, there won’t be a team this year. Did you know that coming here today?” Roger said he was hoping once word got out he was coaching, more would show up. “I hope so. And I want them to have fun at this. They’ve not won a championship in nearly fifteen years. I had a little idea as to why, but now that you’ve confirmed it, I guess we’ll have to work harder at giving them support rather than a hard time.”

  “I’m all for that. I was only here today to see what you’re like. I know you as a teacher. You taught my daughters math and science. Made it seem like an essential part of growing up. Carol is going to college to become a scientist, and Rae is studying to be a teacher like you. You’re a good man, Don. I appreciate what you’ve done today. I know the rest of them do too.” Don had never felt so proud of his mom as he did at that moment. “I’m going to see what I can do about getting some players tonight. Yes, sir. I’m betting we make it all the way to the playoffs this year.”

  When he walked away, Don remembered the conversation he’d had with his mom when he’d come home from school complaining about the math he knew he wasn’t going to ever use again. Mom had sat down beside him and given him two bowls. She’d been making jelly all morning.

  “All right. I have the instructions here on how to make jam. We’re going to do something that has to do with the math you think you’ll never use.” He said it was dumb. “Perhaps, but you’re going to take the ingredients and double them. That’s what I need for me to be able to make the last of the blackberries into jam.”

  Don had the things he needed, but nothing to tell him the amounts. He figured since he liked it sweet, it should have a lot of sugar. And of course the berries. Mom asked him to add them last just in case he’d put too much into the bowl for them. Mom was doing the same thing he was, but she had the recipe to follow.

  In the end, he’d failed. Not only had he failed, but in it, he’d ruined five pounds of sugar, the amount he’d guessed to go into the jam. Also, if he’d added the berries to his mess, he would have ruined two pints of his favorite kind of fruit. Mom’s jam, of course, was perfect.

  “Did you learn anything from this?” He told her he’d never be a jam maker. “You could, Don. You can do anything you set your mind to. However, today, for the rest of the day, I want you to think about every time you use math. You might have to concentrate on it, but by the end of the day, if you’ve not used math for something at least five times, you can get a tutor to help you out. If, and I’m thinking you’ll see this, you do find five things, you’ll work harder on what you don’t perceive as something you’ll use again.”

  He didn’t even try all that hard to find things. When he’d been asked by one of his brothers to make some of the lemonade Mom always made for them in the summer, he’d used math to double it. Within the first hour after heading out the door to play with his brothers, Don had used math more times than he’d expected. It was something he used without even thinking about it. Calculating different ideas to make sure he had enough bricks to build something. To see if he had enough money to buy himself a slice of pizza at the party house.

  Don told her he’d work harder. His mom never once told him she’d told him so. She never asked him what he’d figured out. But every night after that, she’d been there to help him if he had a question as to what he was doing in all subjects. Don, to this day, thought his mom was the smartest person he’d ever known.

  At the end of practice, he gathered all the kids up. He told them about Robby and that he was home resting until Friday—two days on the couch with plenty to drink and eat. Don asked them if they’d go by and see him to make sure he was doing as he was told.

  “Also, I want to tell you about the team. We, as I think you’ve noticed, do not have enough players to make a team. If you know anyone that wants to play this year, tell them to give me a call. As you know, there are rules in place that they must adhere to. No failing classes. No trouble with any of the teachers, as well as no medical conditions that will keep them from being able to play every game.” One of the kids, he thought his name was Arnold, asked if everyone was going to play. “That’s a good question. And I can tell you honestly, I have no idea. I want to have everyone out on the field for some of each game. However, that’s not always possible. That is something we’re going to have to deal with as we get going.”

  As he answered questions, paperwork was handed out to each player. He didn’t mention anything that was there except to tell them they couldn’t play without enough players. Don wanted to make sure that was something they knew right away.

  After the players left, he picked up things off the field that had been scattered. Water bottles that had been left behind were put in the locker room to be claimed tomorrow. Also, he made sure there were enough drinks in the cooler to give the kids if they didn’t have enough for their practice. Don was just turning to leave the big room when he noticed he wasn’t alone anymore.

  “May I help you?” The man nodded, but still didn’t say anything. Getting a little nervous, he asked the man again if he needed anything. “I’m just heading out now. If you need something, let me know.”

  “I wanna help you.” Nodding, he reached out to the man and realized he was handicapped. “I can’t play no more, but I wanna help play. Momma said I could ask you if you were here by yourself. The other kids, they might fun at me.”

  “I won’t allow that. What’s your name?” He told him his name was Benson. “All right, Benson, let me get you some paperwork, and you’ll have your momma fill it out for you. You’ll also have to have a doctor check you over to make sure you’re not going to be in any pain while we’re playing.”

  “I got all that right here. Mr. Duncan, he’s my helper, he gave it to me yesterday.” Nodding, he took the paperwork from the man. “I’m not right in the head. I’m not supposed to call me retarded, but the kids do it all the time.”

  “I won’t allow anyone to make fun of you, Benson. If they do, they won’t play either.” Benson grinned at him. “Okay, I’ll need to talk to your momma too. Is she here?”

  “Yes. Mr. Mason, he’s my neighbor, he telled my momma that you were a good man and that you might need me to help out.” Don told him he could always use help. “I won’t hurt nobody, Mr. Don. I’m addled, but I’m not mean. I promise you with all my body that I’d never hurt nobody.”

  “I believe you.” He looked over the paperwork, then found the note attached to the back of his medical record. He read it and felt his heart tighten up when he realized this man was going to need this team more than he did anything in his life. “All right, Benson. You go on out and bring your momma here, and I’ll give her the practice schedule. Also, I’ll get you a shirt to wear that says you’re a coach. All right?”

  It to
ok Don an hour to get things squared away with Rhonda Giles. She thanked him so many times he wanted to just tell her to stop. It wasn’t anything for him to hire her son to help them.

  “As I said in the letter, he doesn’t have a great deal of companionship with anyone but me. He’s been my protector since he was born. I never tried to overprotect him when he was growing up, so he isn’t very tender about people making fun of him. I don’t have long to live, Don. I want him to be able to function at things like helping someone, so he’s not completely dependent on people to care for him.” Don asked her what had happened. “To me or my son? Benson was born with the cord around his neck. The doctors didn’t want to save him, but I made them. He’d been strangled for too long, they told me. I didn’t care. He’s the best part of me. I have cancer that wasn’t caught early enough for me to survive it. “

  “I’m sorry.” She shrugged as she turned from him. Don could see she was really fighting with her grief. “I can go by your home and pick Benson up in the morning if you’d like. It’s not far from where I live. That way, I can make sure he’s got everything he needs.”

  “I have the list. Roger handed it off to me when he left here today. I know I should have waited until tomorrow, but once Benson found out there was a new coach here, he was too excited to wait. The other coach, he made fun of him for wanting to help out with the team. I think Benson would just be happy to fill up water bottles for the kids.” Don told her he had a few jobs he thought Benson could help him out with. “Whatever you want him to do. The only thing I ask is that you don’t hurt him. Physically or mentally. Please? As I said, he’s all I have right now.”

  “I’d never hurt him. I’d rather cut off my right arm than harm him or anyone else. I promise you, if the kids so much as tease him, I’ll cut them from the team.” She told him that would make Benson a target. “Yes, I suppose you’d know. But he won’t be hurt here. I want you to know that from the start. If it becomes a problem, which I don’t foresee it happening, then I’ll talk to you about it.”

  Don finished up what he’d been doing when Benson and his mom left. There were a few things he thought Benson could do for him and the team. He decided right then and there that he was going to make sure not only that Benson had a good experience working with him, he would also be a part of the team when it came to being out front when pictures were taken, as well as when they were listed in the team books.

  I was just wondering something. He smiled when Parker spoke to him. This is really something I’ve only just started thinking about. But how would you feel if I suggested that the two of us meet at the hospital nursery? Your grandma has set this thing up for us. Or I’m not sure, but she could be setting us up. I wasn’t sure what her deal was until I got a call from the hospital nursery, telling me that my appointment was confirmed to come and see the baby.

  Did you ask her after you got the call if she was setting us up? Parker told him she’d gone out of town for the day, and she wasn’t going to be able to be reached. She doesn’t want us to yell at her, I’m thinking. Not that I would, but this is sounding a great deal like we’re being told to have a baby soon. Perhaps sooner.

  I got more details than she gave me. It’s a baby boy. He’s not human, but the two women working today couldn’t find in the notes what he was. I told her I’d be able to tell. Okay, so, his mother gave him up. She wants nothing to do with the child and was only there to deliver him then leave. She asked him if he could do something like that. Before he could answer, she continued. He’s physically fine. Mentally, of course, they can’t tell right now. But he’s a bruiser. Weighed in at nearly ten pounds at birth.

  That is a big fella. I’m headed there now. She said she was in the lobby waiting for him. What would you have done if I said no?

  Seen him anyway, then beat the ever loving shit out of you when I got home. By the way, I’ve not told anyone else about this. Grandma said she’d not either. Also, my grandda is with me. He needed to pick up a couple of things in town. Tomorrow he’s headed back to his house. I guess he’s decided to sell it and move closer to us. Don asked her if he was going to come back to live with them. He said he is but wants to square away the house first.

  Don pulled up in front of the hospital just as Parker was coming out with her grandda. They were both laughing, and he wondered what was going on. Not that it mattered. He loved the elderly man very much. He’d become the father he’d never had, it seemed like.

  ~~~

  Peter tried very hard not to see any of the babies in the nursery. He’d been sitting out in the waiting room for over ten minutes now, and he just couldn’t stand it any longer. There was a baby in there that might need him.

  Going to stand outside the nursery windows, he saw the baby boy right away. Good heavens, he looked like he was six months old. He had fat cheeks, and so much hair on his head Peter was jealous. When he yawned, crunching up his little face, Peter wanted to grab him up and take him home with him. He turned, tearing his eyes away from the kid when Parker called to him.

  “You have to come in here. They’re going to bring him to us to hold, and you have the most experience of any of us.” He said he’d only held Peter when he was a baby, and that had been a long time ago. “Well, that’s more than Don or I either one have held, dolls or kids. Get in here with us or so help me, I’m going to make you walk home.”

  She wouldn’t, and they both knew it. But Peter did go into the little room and wash up as he’d been told. As soon as they brought the little boy into the room, he nearly knocked Don down to be the first one to touch him. Christ almighty, he thought, this could be my very first grandson.

  He was as heavy as he looked. When he opened his little eyes, Peter had to hold back on the tears. Peter wasn’t aware you could fall in love with someone at first sight, but he had. The little man had not only captured his heart, but he was pretty sure he’d do just about anything for him. Now or in the future.

  “Are you going to show us what to do?” He looked at Parker and pretended to hide the baby away. “I’m terrified.”

  “Good heavens, girl, there is nothing to be afraid of. Come on, sit here, and I’ll show you what you have to do.” It was hard for him to hand him over, but he was glad he was able to pass him on to Parker. “Make sure you keep his neck held so that his head doesn’t flop around. Also, be careful of his head. He has some kind of soft spot up there, I guess.”

  “You guess?” He laughed with Don. “He might be a big kid to most, but to me, he’s a tiny little thing. I mean, he fits in my hand.”

  “Yes, well, no one is going to be toting him around with just one hand on him, or I’ll step in.” Peter felt a little ashamed of himself for saying that. But both of his grandkids—he’d already adopted Don as his own—told him it was fine. “You’re not going to leave him here, are you? I mean, if they’d let me, I’d take him home with me. But I’m sure they have rules about sixty-something-year-old men adopting children.”

  But that was just what he wanted. He was having a good time getting to know all the other people in the family, taking their time with all the things going on. He loved everything about them. However, he was sure if he tried to run out of here with an infant in his hands, they’d tell him to hit the road. As he watched Parker and Don with the child, he thought this was the best thing for not just the child, but him as well. They would be the perfect parents for any child, he thought.

  It took them an hour to get things squared away with Peter Donahue Foster. He not only loved the name but was proud of the fact that he’d been named for him. Also, Peter was very glad to find out that the child wasn’t human but was a lion cub. Parker said it would make things easier for him to be with people the same as he was. Peter believed her, knowing the things that would have befallen him if he’d been adopted to a human family. It would have been difficult for the child.

  They were given a car seat for the baby to co
me home in, along with formula and diapers. That was an area none of them were knowledgeable on. The kind nurses made sure they knew what sort of things they’d need when they got home. Most of the things on the market, she’d told him, were just put out for the furniture companies. Peter had no trouble believing that.

  Surprised to be having dinner with the three of them, he thought he should have given them this time alone. But Parker wouldn’t hear of it, and Don was happy to have him along. People from all over the restaurant came to look at little Pete. Calling him Pete seemed to be the consensus.

  The baby slept through it all, and Peter was excited to get him back to the house so he could hold him again. It was the hardest thing he’d ever done to wait on someone to give him permission to hold his very first great-grandchild again. He looked at Don when he started to laugh.

  “You do know that as his grandparent, especially his great grandda, you can pretty much get away with all kinds of things. If you want to hold him, Peter, just pick him up. I don’t think it will hurt him or you at all if he got some extra loving today. He’s been abandoned and adopted in just the first couple of days of his life.” Reaching in the car seat for Pete, he was happy when he looked at him. “In a few days, less I’m betting, you won’t have a chance to hold him anytime you want. Remember, he has a grandma and great-grandma that will want to take him from you too.”

  “We’ll just have to see about that, won’t we, little man?” Holding him was like having sunshine in his arms. All the warmth of happiness that he could want. Mostly, he loved holding him because he was his. His great-grandson. His little man. Peter was going to teach him everything he knew. “I’m going to tell you all about your grandda—my little boy. You and I will have such adventures together, I’m thinking. We’ll be like two peas in a pod.”