Carter Read Online Free

I’ve offered her money, but it’s not enough. I just don’t have it either. There is no room in the shelters for her and the girls, and she won’t leave them there without her. She’s…I love her, but she’s not going to make it without a great deal of help, not just with a couple of dolls.”
    “I understand.” His mind was working hard. “I have an apartment they can use. And while it’s not furnished, I can get them whatever they need in minutes.” She started to shake her head at him. “Don’t do this to me. I have…I need to do this. If not for the mom, then the little girls. I really do need this. I’ve been going through some rough times myself. Not with money, but…it’s the holidays and no one, especially those little girls, should be without Christmas.”
    While she went to talk to her sister, he contacted his family . I need you guys. All of you. I have a family of three that is homeless and without shit to make it with. I’m going to set them up in the apartment complex that I have, and I was wondering if you guys have any extra furniture that you can spare. At least until we can figure something else out. There is nothing in the place, not even a crumb for a mouse.
    His mom said she had blankets and three dressers. Misha said that he had some beds in storage that he could give them. The others, Andrew and Thomas, said they had things as well and if they didn’t, they’d go and get them. Carter felt his heart lighten at the help, and he told them the address. Mom said she’d come to meet him at the store and they’d get them whatever they needed.
    Lana came to him alone. He was waiting for her to tell him she wasn’t going to take his charity, but she only sobbed and stood there in front of him. He wanted to hug her to him, pull her body to his and hold her, but he knew better. It wasn’t until she reached for him that he did it. Carter held her, wiping at his own tears. He was crying, not for the loss of the child, but for the ones he could help.
    “We don’t know…I don’t know how I’ll pay you back, but I will.” He told her it wasn’t necessary. “But it is. I have to pay you back or…I just have to.”
    “My family is coming to the apartment to help you out. They’re a bit overwhelming, so be prepared.” She laughed, and he let her go. “I’m really sorry that you’re going through this, but you have no idea how much you’re helping me. I’ve been…things have been…I just needed this, and I can’t thank you enough for your help.”
    As it turned out, the girls had not eaten since that morning. At school. They’d had a half day, so he took them out to dinner while his family showed up one at a time. His mom came and sat beside him just as the family was digging into the burgers and fries.
    “You did good, son.” He nodded, and she laid her head on his shoulder. “I’m going to take them with me, the little girls. They’ll need something warmer to wear. Hannah is taking Lana grocery shopping, and Linyah is…being Linyah. Her idea is to put a protection around them so that they’ll be safe. She said they’re being hurt by their father even now.”
    “I’ve been in a funk.” Mom nodded. “I think that I needed this more than they did. I mean…I really did need this more than them.”
    He and his brothers went to the apartment. It was one of the larger ones he owned, and he was just coming down for another load of stuff as Phillip was coming into the parking garage with a full truck. His wink told him that he was having fun too.
    “I’ve been to the mall. Did you know that you can buy bunk beds and all the crap that goes with it for nearly nothing? Who knew?” He pulled the first mattress off the truck. “And there was this amazing saleswoman…wow. Anyway, she’s going to help me out later too.”
    Carter laughed, and so did his brother.
    “And her help, will it involve you waking up in the morning with a naked sales woman beside you?” Phillip