Suddenly a Father

Police officer Seth Montgomery knows all about order—but his world is thrown into chaos when he learns he has a five-year-old son. With little Jack suddenly in his care, Seth turns to neighbor Carrie Fletcher for help. Given her checkered past, Carrie prefers to keep to herself, but there’s no denying she cares for the boy—and her feelings for charming Seth are rapidly developing, too. When someone from Carrie’s past shows up threatening to jeopardize the life she’s worked so hard to build, Carrie will have to fight for her future with the new family she’s found...or risk losing everything.

“It’s Jack’s birth certificate. This is good news, isn’t it?”

“Look at the line for parents’ names.”

She read from the document. “Mother, Paula Ann Schulman. Father, unknown. Oh, Seth...”

The look of sympathy in her eyes wrapped around him, chasing away the sharp edges of his disappointment. When she reached out and grasped his forearm with her small hand, the warmth of her touch spread through him like a warm summer breeze.

“I’m sorry. I was hoping this would be the answer you needed.”

He took her hand in his, gently squeezing her fingers. “Me, too. Now I’ll have to wait on the DNA results.”

“When is that due?”

“Not for a few more weeks.” He looked into her sky blue eyes and realized he didn’t want to break the contact. Carrie abruptly looked away and tugged her hand from his.

He shifted his position slightly, though it did nothing to diminish his acute awareness of her softness or her beauty.

LORRAINE BEATTY was raised in Columbus, Ohio, but now calls Mississippi home. She and her husband, Joe, have two sons and five grandchildren. Lorraine started writing in junior high and is a member of RWA and ACFW, as well as a charter member and past president of Magnolia State Romance Writers. In her spare time she likes to work in her garden, travel and spend time with her family.

The Lawman’s Secret Son

Lorraine Beatty

www.millsandboon.co.uk

But you, Lord, do not be far from me.

You are my strength; come quickly to help me.

—Psalms 22:19

To my grandchildren, Drew, Anna, Addie, Casie and Chey. You are my most precious treasure.

Acknowledgments

Chaz McClain, director of children and

family ministries at Lakeside Presbyterian

EPC Church in Brandon, Mississippi, for

his help in steering me in the right direction

with my heroine’s job. Your help made

all the difference and is greatly appreciated.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text

Introduction

Dear Reader

About the Author

Title Page

Bible Verse

Dedication

Acknowledgments

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Extract

Copyright

Chapter One

Carrie Fletcher quickened her steps across the walkway from the carport to the back door of her little cottage, inserted the key and stepped into her warmly lit kitchen. She never tired of coming home to this sweet little 1920s house. The soft glow from the lights under the cabinets kept the darkness at bay and welcomed her like a warm hug, as did the click of little claws on the tile floor as her five-year-old shih tzu, Leo, scurried to greet her. “Hey, sweetie. Were you a good boy today?”

After placing her purse and a sack of groceries on the table, she flipped the switch, bathing the kitchen in full light, instantly aware of the tension falling away from her shoulders. A long and hectic day had kept her at work until dark. Her job as Special Events Coordinator at Peace Community Church was both exhilarating and challenging. Especially now, when the historic edifice was celebrating 125 years as a house of God. The yearlong celebration would culminate with a huge citywide picnic at Friendship Park. Organizing such a massive event was keeping her busy every moment.

Tomorrow was her day off and she planned on taking full advantage by sleeping late and curling up with the book she was reading. The hero and heroine had been torn apart by a terrible disaster, and she couldn’t wait to see how they got back together.

A rush of happiness buoyed her spirits as she made her way through the small dining room and living room, turning up lights as she went and sending up a grateful prayer for her new life. She had a job she loved and a home of her own. She didn’t own it, but her savings were growing and one day she hoped to purchase a house.

She flipped the dead bolt on the front door and switched on the porch light, which popped, then went out, surrounding her in darkness. Her throat tightened. Inhaling a deep breath, she scolded herself for being such a wimp. Her mailbox was right outside the door. She’d only be in the dark for a second or two. After opening the door, she stepped out onto the porch. Movement on the other side of the rocker froze her in her tracks. The shadows made it hard to identify the shape. A dog? Cat? A man?

Heart pounding, she peered closer. The creature scooted backward. She froze, blood pounding in her ears. She fought the impulse to duck back inside. What if it was an injured animal? She couldn’t ignore that. Carrie forced herself to look closer. Two wide eyes looked back at her from a little face. A child. A little boy was huddled on her front porch. Fear slid quickly into concern. What was he doing here? Her mind raced through a dozen questions. She took a step toward the child. He scooted back against the wall, clutching a plastic grocery bag in his hands.

Slowly she stooped down, putting a smile on her face and keeping her voice calm and soothing. “Hello. My name is Carrie. What’s your name?” The big eyes blinked back at her.

The boy, whom she guessed to be about five years old, didn’t respond, only clutched his bag to his chest. “Are you cold? Hungry? Would you like a cookie?” He nodded. Carrie extended her hand, but he was reluctant to take it. “It’s okay. I’ll fix you some milk, too. Or how about hot chocolate? It’s chilly tonight.” It was late March in Mississippi and while the days were warming up, the evenings could still be very cold.

Slowly the child extended his hand and together they stood. When he lowered his precious sack, she saw a large note pinned to his chest. She prayed it held some answers.

The blazing lights inside her home calmed her racing pulse, and she made a mental note to replace the porch light as soon as she could. Leo greeted them, tail wagging rapidly. The boy stopped. “This is Leo. You can pet him if you’d like. He’s a good boy.”

The child only stared at her a moment, then backed away from the animal.

Guiding the boy toward her breakfast table, she reached for his sack, but he clutched it more tightly against his chest. She noticed he held a toy in his other hand, a small yellow truck, battered and bent with much of the paint worn away and a tire missing from one of the wheels. A long-ago memory exhumed itself. A shiny blue bracelet. The only thing that had ever belonged to her. She’d lost it somewhere along the way, but she’d cherished it much the same way the little boy did his truck.

Settling him onto a chair, she briefly rested her hand on the top of his head, surprised at how cool he felt. How long had he been on her porch? The thin jacket he wore was woefully inadequate for the weather. His jeans were threadbare and his sneakers worn through at the toes. Her heart ballooned with sympathy. She wanted to wrap him in her arms and make him warm and safe, but she doubted he’d let her do that.

She heated up a cup of water in the microwave, added a packet of cocoa, took two cookies from the jar and set them in front of the boy before joining him. “I see you have a note. It must be important. May I see it?”

He thought a moment, then nodded. Carrie unpinned the stained and crumpled paper. It was folded in half with the number 533 scribbled on it. As she read the short note inside, a swell of familiar anger formed.

Seth, I’m done. He’s your son and it’s time you did your part. He’s five years old. Do the math. I’m leaving the country. His name is Jack. Tiff

Seth. That was the name of her new neighbor, the man who had so kindly changed her flat tire last week. She’d labeled him a good guy—kind, charming and nice. She’d even felt a spark of attraction to his solid strength and boy-next-door smile. Apparently there was another side to the man—deadbeat dad. She would never understand how a man could father a child, then walk away. Still, she found it hard to believe Seth was that kind of man. It was a shame. He’d been so thoughtful and seemed so trustworthy. But then she was a terrible judge of character.

Carrie scanned the note once more, making sure she hadn’t missed something. Nope. The boy was Seth’s, and for whatever reason he’d been left on her doorstep. Well, this was a situation she was not going to get involved in. She watched Jack sipping the cocoa and taking small bites of the cookies as if wanting the experience to last. Her throat constricted. She knew that feeling. Memories, hot and stinging, shot through her system. She ached to hold the child and make sure he never felt this way again. But Jack wasn’t her responsibility. He was Seth’s.

Jack downed the last of his milk, wiped his sleeve across his little mouth, then stared at her. She forced a smile. “Jack. Do you know who left you here? Your mom, grandma or a friend?”

He stared back at her with the biggest cobalt blue eyes she’d ever seen. No. She’d seen them once before. Seth’s eyes were the same color. Only his eyes had crinkles at the corners and a warm, friendly light in them that drew people in.

Focus. She fingered the note again. “Jack, I think you’ve been left here by mistake. You should be next door. That’s where your...father lives. How about we go see him?”

Jack shrugged his bony shoulders and her throat tightened. The poor little guy was lost and afraid. From deep down, old hurts and fears coalesced into a ball of fury. This was the reason she was taking online classes to become a social worker. She vowed to help kids feel safe and protected. The way she’d never been. Part of her wanted to call the authorities, but the note clearly was intended for her neighbor and that’s where she would start.

Leo put his paws on Jack’s chair and whined. Jack reached down cautiously and touched the top of the dog’s brown-and-white head. Carrie wasn’t sure but she thought she heard a small giggle. The sound shot straight to her core, wrapping around her like a fast-growing kudzu vine. She stood. Time to get a grip, before she became more attached to the little fellow.

Holding on to Jack’s small hand, she walked across the front lawn and up onto Seth’s front porch. It was dark, the only light coming from deep inside the cottage. A chill chased up her spine. You are my strength. Darkness had never been her friend. But this wasn’t about her. This was about Jack. She would explain the mix-up, hand the boy over and be on her way. This was none of her concern. She smiled down at Jack and knocked firmly on the door. Very firmly.

The door swung open, and the outline of a man backlit from inside filled the doorway. He stood braced with feet apart. She swallowed a sudden lump in her throat. She’d forgotten how tall her neighbor was and how broad his shoulders were. In the shadowed light he seemed imposing. Her heart skipped a beat. Would he scare Jack?

The porch light flipped on and Seth met her gaze with a questioning frown. “Carrie? Hey. What brings you by tonight?” He glanced down at the child, his frown sliding into a curious smile. “Who’s your little friend?”

Carrie clenched her teeth. Really? The man didn’t even know his own son? This is why she’d vowed to steer clear of any romantic entanglements. Men were all totally irresponsible and self-absorbed. No matter how nice they might seem in the beginning, they would leave you in the end.

“He’s your son. But I guess not seeing him for a long time might make him hard to recognize.” She hadn’t intended to react in anger, but his indifference had sparked a nerve.

The warm smile vanished, replaced with a look of stunned shock before the dark brows drew together and the eyes narrowed. “I don’t know what kind of joke you’re playing, Carrie, but it isn’t funny.”

“No, it’s anything but funny. It’s tragic and irresponsible and unforgivable.”

Seth placed a hand on the doorjamb, leaning toward her, his scowl slightly threatening. “I don’t have a son. I’m not even married.”

Carrie rolled her eyes and, stooping down, gently turned Jack to face her. “This is your father, Jack. He’s going to take good care of you, okay?” Unable to stop herself, she gave him a hug, then angled him to face Seth and gave the boy a nudge forward. “He’s already had hot chocolate and cookies at my house, but you might want to fix him something nourishing to eat.” She tried not to glare in disgust but failed. “Good night.” She pivoted and started down the steps.

“Carrie.”

Jack ran after her, grabbing on to her hand for dear life. She looked down into his frightened eyes and her heart broke. “Oh, Jack. It’ll be all right. I promise.” She glanced up at Seth, who had stepped to the edge of the porch. The look on his face tugged at her heart, too. It was an unusual mixture of concern, longing and fear. Maybe he was telling the truth. Maybe he didn’t know about Jack. As she considered the possibility, Seth came and stooped down with them.

“Hey, Jack. Why don’t we all go inside and get warm, huh?”

With only a hint of hesitancy, Seth gently touched the child’s head before looking at Carrie with a pleading look in his eyes. It was the last thing she wanted to do, but she couldn’t simply turn the child over to the man without making sure Jack was okay. But she shouldn’t get involved. Her emotions were too easily captured by the abandoned and abused. She would have to keep her emotional guard up. She nodded and stood, holding on to the tiny hand. It hit her that she was looking to the child for strength when it should be the other way around. At the threshold Carrie stopped, sending a quick prayer heavenward for strength, because she had a feeling stepping into Seth’s home would set her on a path she’d avoided most of her life. Jack looked up at her with soulful eyes.

She’d be strong for Jack because no one understood what he was feeling like she did. She had no choice but to step inside.

* * *

Seth stood aside as his guests entered, the knot in his chest pressing so fiercely against his ribs it ached to draw breath. His thoughts darted in a dozen directions, trying to grasp something logical about Carrie’s announcement. The boy couldn’t possibly be his. He closed the door and moved to the living room, making a quick assessment of his lovely neighbor. She’d seemed nice and sweet the day he’d found her crouched down beside her small car staring at the deflated tire. Now he took a closer look. Was she a con artist? A mental case? It was his nature to question things, especially people. She didn’t look like she had a devious bone in her body. In fact, with her slender frame, her short, blond, feathery hair style and bright blue eyes she evoked thoughts of summer and sunshine. But as a cop he knew everyone had a dark side.

He rubbed his forehead. “Have a seat.”

Reluctantly, Carrie sat on the sofa, pulling the boy down beside her. The child had released Carrie’s hand, but his hand was now firmly wrapped around a toy he’d pulled from his pocket. The old Tonka truck looked like it had been through a war. In his other hand he grasped a dirty plastic grocery sack.

Seth stood near the fireplace facing the pair, taking a position of authority. “Now, you want to explain what’s going on here? What makes you think the boy is mine?”

Carrie pulled a paper from her pocket and handed it to him. “I’m sure this will clear everything up for you. It was pinned to his chest when I found him on my porch a short while ago.”

“What?” He took the note and read through it, his mind refusing to grasp the words. This couldn’t be happening. It couldn’t be true. Not now, when he was finally making things right in his life. A lump of old shame and regret formed in his gut. He was a Montgomery. The son of a prominent and well-respected family in Dover. But he’d turned his back on his heritage and his values for a year of freedom that had quickly become a life of darkness and regret. Now that shameful time might have finally caught up with him.

He looked at Carrie, and the condemnation in her blue eyes stung. “I don’t understand any of this. And why was he left on your porch?”

She pointed to the number on the back of the paper he held, lowering her voice so Jack couldn’t hear. “Five thirty-three. That’s your house number. Mine is five thirty-five. I think whoever left him thought they were leaving him on your porch.”

That tidbit of information latched on to him like the talons of a hawk. “Tiff was dyslexic.” He muttered the words to himself, but Carrie pounced on them.

“So she thought she was leaving him on your porch. Who’s Tiff?”

The scorn in her voice shot his defenses into place. “My ex-wife. We were only married a short time.” Short was being generous. Six weeks, two days and four hours, to be exact.

“Perhaps you should call her for an explanation.” Carrie stood and started for the door.

“I haven’t seen or heard from her in years. She never told me about...” He looked at the child, who had scooted onto the floor and was playing quietly with the battered truck.

Carrie crossed her arms over her chest, her expression clearly revealing her skepticism. “So you’re saying she kept the child a secret from you? Why would she do that?”

Good question. He put his fists on his hips. “I don’t know.”

He looked at the child again, so small and frail. Could the boy be his son? Somewhere deep inside, a feeling began to form. It wouldn’t be out of character for Tiff to have kept her pregnancy a secret. She’d thought she was marrying a fun guy who could keep her in high style. But when the money had run out, so had she. But why bring the boy to him now and abandon him on the porch? That was heartless even for her.

He ran his hands down his face, staring at Jack. “This is crazy. I don’t understand any of it.” The note said the boy was five. He’d done the math. It added up. A father. He’d never considered that. At least not for a long time. His foray into the Vegas lifestyle had drawn out all of his sinful nature, and he’d spent the last years trying to overcome it. Was it true? Was Jack his?

Carrie cleared her throat softly. “Seth, do you have something good for Jack to eat?”

Seth frowned. Was she kidding? His life had been upended and she was wondering about food? One glance at the child banished his irritation. He didn’t know a lot about children, but it didn’t take much to see the boy was thin and sallow-looking, and his cobalt blue eyes were set too deeply in his face, as if he might have been hungry awhile.

His eyes. Seth’s heart skipped a beat and that feeling deep inside grew stronger. The cobalt color was a Montgomery family trait. The only one of his siblings who didn’t have them was his sister Bethany, who’d inherited their grandmother’s hazel color. He glanced at Carrie. She was looking at him with expectancy. Food. Right. “Uh, like what? Cold pizza? Lunch meat?”

“Fruit or cereal, perhaps?”

He winced at her scolding tone. “Right.” He moved into the kitchen. Good food. Nourishing food. Things he rarely purchased. All he could scrounge up was a slightly overripe banana.

“Will this work?”

Carried arched her brows as she urged Jack to his feet. “Jack, let’s get you over to your dad’s table and you can play with your truck while you eat this. We’ll be right here where you can see us, okay?”

After settling Jack at the table, Carrie approached Seth, her blue eyes wary and concerned.

“Seth, what’s going on? Is he yours or not?”

“I don’t know. Maybe. It’s possible. I have to figure out what I’m going to do with him.”

“You’re not thinking of sending him to foster care, are you? You can’t. He’ll be just a number there with no one to comfort him.”

Seth frowned. “I only meant I need to find someone to take care of Jack while I’m at work. I just finished orientation for my new job. I need to show them I’m committed and dependable. I can’t do that if I keep taking off work to watch Jack.” That wasn’t the only thing he was concerned about. Jack’s sudden appearance would stir up gossip. He didn’t want his family paying for his past mistakes.

“What about friends and family? I know you just moved here, but are they close by?”

Seth shook his head. “Moved back here. I grew up in Dover. My family has lived here for generations. Everyone knows us. But I can’t ask them for help.”

Carrie put her hand to her throat. “Wait. Montgomery. Are you one of those Montgomerys? Montgomery Real Estate, Montgomery Electrical Contractors and the woman who has the event planning business?”

“Yes. Why?”

“So why don’t you want to ask them for help?”

“I need time to sort this out and look into things and see if this child is really mine. I can’t just take the word of some faded paper. There’s no point in upsetting my family until I know more.” Embarrassing them was closer to the truth. In a town the size of Dover, an unexplained child could start tongues wagging.

“I suppose. But they’re your family. Don’t they deserve to know what’s going on?”

“My family knows nothing about that time in my life.”

“Why not?”

He took a moment to collect his thoughts. It wasn’t a topic he liked to think about, let alone discuss. “Let’s just say I was the rebel of the clan. I was never content in Dover, so I left and moved to Las Vegas. Eventually I came to my senses and the end of my finances, and I came home.”

“The prodigal son. And that’s when you got married?”

“One of my big mistakes. I’m not proud of that time in my life, and I’ve spent years trying to put it behind me.”

Carrie stiffened her neck. “And an unexpected child now would be awkward. Even scandalous.”

“Yes. It would. Especially since I’m starting a new job. But first I have to find out the truth about this boy and why he was dumped here without any word.”

“So what are you going to do?”

“Try to find his mother. She’s the only one with answers.”

“And Jack?”

He glanced at the boy before facing Carrie. “I’ll take care of him until we get to the bottom of this.” Her blue eyes lightened in relief. Had she expected him to toss the boy out again? Did she think he was the kind of man who would walk away from his child? He couldn’t blame her given the cryptic note she’d read. She’d probably pegged him as a deadbeat dad.

She stood and started toward the door. The long blue skirt she wore swished attractively below the soft white blouse, making him think of clouds in a summer sky. He shut down the thought. “Where are you going? You can’t leave yet.”

“I can and I am. This is not my problem. I brought him safely to you. Now I’m going home.”

“Carrie.”

Jack ran out of the kitchen, traces of banana on his mouth. “Don’t go.”

She stooped down and hugged him. “It’s okay, Jack. I’ll be right next door if you need me. You can see my house from that window. I’ll wave to you when I get home, okay?” She shot a warning glare in Seth’s direction.

Jack’s mouth puckered up and he nodded. “Leo?”

She led him to the window. “He’ll wave, too. Now you stand right here, and as soon as I get inside I’ll wave at you.”

The thought of being alone with the little boy suddenly filled him with terror. “Carrie, are you sure you can’t stay awhile? I could really use your help.”

“I’m positive.” She opened the door. “And, Seth, be gentle with him, okay? He needs to feel safe and loved whether he’s yours or not.”

Her warning triggered his curiosity. Why was she so protective of a child she didn’t know? She seemed very knowledgeable about how Jack felt and what he needed. He had a feeling she was coming from a place of experience. Assessing people was part of his job and one of his gifts. He wanted to know more about the intriguing Carrie Fletcher.

She stopped at the threshold and glanced over her shoulder. “Oh, and, Seth, he needs a bath before you put him to bed.”

Her stern expression reminded him of the disapproving looks he’d gotten from his teachers when he’d misbehaved. He watched her start across the lawn, then realized his major mistake. “Carrie. Thanks for taking care of Jack.” She looked over her shoulder, her blond hair catching the light from the streetlamp.

“Make sure you take care of him or I will call the cops.” If he hadn’t been so shell-shocked he would have laughed at her threat. But she had a point. He needed to get to the bottom of this and find out the truth about the little boy. A father. The possibility was both scary and intriguing.

He started formulating a plan as he went back inside. He needed the truth and he needed it fast, before everything in his life started to unravel.

* * *

Safely inside her cottage again, Carrie scooped up Leo, went to the window facing Seth’s house and raised the fabric shade. She could see Jack’s little face pressed against the glass and his hand waving frantically. Behind him a shadow moved. Seth? She waved until the boy disappeared from view, her heart pinching. Had she done the right thing in leaving him there?

Had there been another option? The rest was up to Seth to figure out. In the kitchen she put away the groceries, filled a bowl with leftover casserole and set it to heat in the microwave. Leo followed her to the bedroom, where she changed into a pair of sweatpants and a loose T-shirt. Friday night was movie night and she had every intention of keeping to her routine.

But her thoughts kept replaying the expression on Seth’s face. She’d been furious with the man, but not so upset that she hadn’t seen the color drain from his face as he read the note.

She’d expected continued denial, even anger, but he’d been more stunned and confused than anything. He’d stared at Jack as if he were an alien creature. But he’d also spoken gently to him, and she’d seen a glint of compassion in his eyes. At least he hadn’t thrown her and Jack out.

Her instincts told her Seth had been telling the truth. He hadn’t known about Jack. He’d even shared about his less-than-noble life in Vegas. Yet he was doing the right thing in keeping Jack and at the same time trying not to bring shame on his family.

She wandered to the window and peeked over at Seth’s house again. The window was dark. Had they gone to bed? Had he tucked Jack in? Given him a bath? After grabbing the cord beside the window, she lowered the shade and turned away. Out of sight, out of mind. She had to let this go. Jack was Seth’s responsibility now.

Her cell phone rang and she picked it up, surprised to see Kathy Edwards’s name on the screen. What would she be calling for? The supervisor of the church preschool was a good friend and coworker. But with two small children and a husband, they rarely spoke outside of the office.

“Sorry to disturb your evening, Carrie, but I wanted to let you know I found a volunteer to take charge of the games the day of the picnic.”

“Wonderful. Who?”

“Earl Michaels. Turns out he used to work for his uncle’s carnival growing up and he says he knows all about managing several events at once.”

Carrie chuckled at the image forming in her mind of the dapper Mr. Michaels barking for a carnival. “That leaves only two more spots to fill.”

“Yep. However, I have to tell you, I ran into Ralph as I was leaving and he forgot to take the flyer to the printers today, and now we won’t have them to hand out at church on Sunday.”

Carrie sank down onto the sofa. “Great. I really wanted those available this weekend. What happened?”

“He claims we never gave the original to him. Carrie, I know Ralph has been the go-to guy for the church forever and he prides himself on being an unofficial assistant to every church event, but he’s getting older and forgetful and he doesn’t hear as well as he should.”

Carrie knew only too well. Ralph had pledged his help for the Chili Cook-Off last month, but she’d ended up doing everything herself, taking valuable time away from other projects because Ralph either didn’t show up or confused his instructions.

“I think we need to make an announcement for a new assistant.”

“And break Ralph’s heart? Not to mention humiliating him. I can’t do that.” Ralph had a heart as big as all outdoors and he loved his Lord and his church. He would never understand being replaced.

“Carrie, you need someone to help you. You’re stretched to the max now.”

“I know. We’ll have to pray that the Lord will provide the perfect solution.”

“I wish I had your faith. All I see is a worn-out friend who’s going to crumble into dust once this picnic is over.”

“Then I’ll count on you to bring me hot soup and chocolate cake.”

They discussed a few more issues with the picnic before hanging up. Carrie was continually amazed at how the Lord had worked through her life, bestowing blessings that she never dreamed possible. He’d taken the battered, confused and hurting person she’d been, restored her and made her whole again. Her life was finally moving in the right direction. She had a decent education, a job that paid a comfortable wage and a work environment that not only made her happy but fed her spiritually, as well.

Now she was free to save up for her house and finish her degree. One by one she was conquering the shadows of her childhood and sealing them up as securely as the record of her past.

Or was that really the truth? Seth’s past had revisited him tonight. Would hers do the same? Would it rise up like a dark fist and smash her new world to pieces again? She shook her head to dislodge the negative thoughts. Her past followed her around like Marley’s chain. She’d tried to forget it, to ignore it, but she couldn’t let it go even though she knew deep down she wasn’t that person anymore. She was a child of God—loved, worthy and valued. He’d set her on a new path, and looking back wouldn’t gain her anything. She had to trust that He would sort it all out. But it wouldn’t hurt to keep her guard up and her heart protected.

Chapter Two

Seth stared at the small boy playing with the battered yellow truck. He’d reread the note a dozen times, looking for something he’d missed, and had spent the last half hour making calls that had gotten him nowhere. There was no number listed in Vegas for his former wife, and the few contacts he still had proved to be dead ends. A quick search on the internet had been fruitless, too. He couldn’t take the note at face value, but something inside him knew that the words were true. He simply wasn’t ready to accept it without investigating. He needed a birth certificate, proof of some sort that Jack was his. He needed access to the police department files, but as a newbie on the Dover force he didn’t have many favors to call in. He’d have to wait until he reported to work on Monday and see what he could accomplish.

Right now he had a more pressing task to address—telling his mother about Jack. He needed to do that soon. It wouldn’t take but a moment for word to get out, and he didn’t want her to learn about his son from strangers or rumors. Telling his siblings was another thing he wasn’t looking forward to. He had to uncover the truth for everyone’s sake.

His attention returned to the little boy sitting in front of the hearth. Their gazes collided, sending a jolt of recognition along Seth’s nerves. Those big cobalt blue eyes were better than any birth certificate.

The boy looked uneasy, forcing Seth to realize that since Carrie had left he’d been preoccupied with phone calls and internet searches instead of paying attention to Jack. That was something he’d have to correct.

He leaned forward, opening his arms and offering his best smile. “Hey, Jack. Come over here. Let me see that cool truck of yours.” The boy hesitated only a moment before standing and coming to him. He stopped within the circle of Seth’s body, and he was struck again by how small and frail the child was. His throat tightened. Jack was a baby. Too young to be abandoned by the one who should love him most. Seth sent up a grateful prayer that Carrie had been the person to find him and that Jack was now safe with him.

“That’s a really sharp looking truck you have, buddy.”

“It’s a supertruck.”

Seth smiled at the sincere look in his blue eyes. It was the most Jack had said all evening. He hoped that meant he was feeling more comfortable. “Awesome. What does it do?”

Jack fingered the battered toy. “It can fly.” He angled the toy into the air. “It can go way faster than anything.”

“That’s cool.”

A frown tugged his little brows downward. “What’s your name?”

The simple question hit with the force of a sledgehammer to his solar plexus. That was the biggest question of his life. What did he tell the child? While his instincts said Jack was his son, if he was wrong it would be wise to keep some emotional distance for both their sakes. He searched for a compromise. “My name is Seth, but how about you call me Pop?”

Jack thought a moment, then smiled. “That’s a silly name.”

He picked Jack up and set him on his lap. “It’s what we used to call my dad. It’s sort of a special nickname.”

“Are you my dad?”

The longing in the little voice tore through him. He pulled the boy closer. “We’re going to figure that out together, okay?” The odor from his dirty clothing assaulted Seth’s nose.

Carrie had pointed out that he needed a bath. It was after eight o’clock. Time for Jack to be asleep. Reaching for the plastic sack, Seth pulled out what he hoped were clean clothes but proved to be little more than rags. His shoes had holes in the toes, the thin T-shirt was useless and there was no clean underwear at all. How could Tiff have treated the boy this way? She’d had her problems, but he’d never imagined her as an unfit mother. Who was he kidding? He didn’t know anything about his former wife. That was the problem.

His problem now was what to do with Jack. The clothes he wore would probably disintegrate in the washer. This was a bachelor household. He’d only been back in Dover a few weeks, and he’d been too busy getting settled into his house and his new role as a Dover police officer to think of much else.

He needed help. Seth rubbed his forehead. There was only one person he could turn to, and he dreaded asking. A glance at the clock pointed out how late it was. Jack needed to go to bed. He picked up his phone and dialed Carrie’s number. “Hey, Carrie.”

“Seth? Is Jack okay? What’s wrong?”

“Jack’s fine, but I need your help.” He could sense her resistance through the connection. He hoped she wouldn’t turn him down. “I went through the things in Jack’s bag. None of the clothes are wearable, and the ones he has on should be tossed. I want to give him a bath, but I don’t have anything for him to put on afterward. I thought maybe you had a small shirt or something.”

“No, nothing that tiny. I’ll be right over.”

She was at the door within moments, and clearly unhappy to be there. She’d changed from the simple skirt and top she’d worn earlier to dark sweatpants and a T-shirt with a faded logo on the front. She looked younger, more approachable. Jack ran and hugged her, a big smile lighting his face. Seth’s concern eased a bit. Carrie would know what to do. “Any suggestions?”

“You’ll have to go shopping.”

“Now? Where? It’s Friday night in Dover. Every place is closed.”

“Not all. The Dollar General is open. They’ll have everything you need. I’ll stay here and give Jack his bath.”

Seth ran a hand down the back of his neck. He didn’t know what he’d expected, but shopping hadn’t entered the picture. “I don’t know anything about what a kid needs.”

“He needs the same things you do, only in smaller sizes. For now we’ll guess at those. Probably size 4.” Carrie scribbled on a piece of paper and handed it to him. “He’ll need pj’s, jeans, T-shirts, shoes and socks, underwear and a jacket.”

“All that to go to bed?”

“He can’t wear pajamas all the time.”

She looked at him as if he was the dumbest man on the planet. And he was when it came to kids. “Right.” He scanned the list. It seemed simple enough, but he’d rather stay and give Jack his bath and let her go to the store. But he didn’t know anything about that, either.

“Okay. I’ll be back as soon as I can.” He grabbed his jacket and started for the door.

“Seth, add a toothbrush to your list. And maybe a stuffed animal.”

He wasn’t sure why the toy had been added, but he nodded and opened the door. He stopped, glancing over his shoulder. “Thanks, Carrie. I really appreciate your help.”

“I’m doing this for Jack.”

Her tone clearly showed her displeasure with him. Did she still have him pegged as a deadbeat dad? He didn’t like being seen that way. He’d have to change her mind and show her that he wasn’t that kind of man, though why her opinion should matter left him puzzled. She wasn’t even his type. He’d always been drawn to the tall, dark, sultry types, with long hair and even longer legs. Maybe that was his problem. Maybe he should be looking for someone real, with a gentle spirit and fierce love for kids.

Except he wasn’t looking for any kind of relationship. Not in the near future.

* * *

Carrie ran her fingers over Jack’s soft, freshly washed hair. After his bath she’d wrapped him in a towel, and together they’d snuggled on the sofa to wait for Seth. The child was tired and the warm bath had lulled him close to sleep, but for some reason he was fighting it. Every few moments he’d glance at the door. She realized he was waiting for Seth to return and probably wouldn’t sleep until he was home.

He’d already called four times with questions. What’s the difference between a size 4 and a 4T? Did little boys like red or blue pj’s? How did he buy shoes when he didn’t know the size? And would a dog or a bear be a better stuffed toy?

She had to give him credit. He was trying. He could have easily grabbed the first thing he’d seen and dashed home.

Pulling a magazine from the small stack on the end table, she flipped to a page and began to read softly, “‘When working with a lathe, it’s important to keep a steady pressure on the gouge to ensure the proper depth and angle of the design. This master kit of gouge tools includes everything you’ll need to create the perfect spindles, bowls and other—’”

“I never realized a woodworking catalog had bedtime-story appeal.”

Carrie started when she heard Seth’s voice behind her. She hadn’t heard him come in, so content was she with Jack cuddled in her arms. He was a sweet little boy, starved for affection, and her heart had already lost its battle to keep her emotional distance. She wanted to keep him close and make sure he never felt abandoned again.

“It’s not the words that lull them to sleep—it’s being close and hearing your voice that comforts children.”

“I’ll try to remember that.” He took a seat on the coffee table and began unloading his bounty.

Jack stirred and grinned at Seth. “Hi, Pop.”

“Hi, Jack.” Seth ruffled the boy’s hair affectionately. “I got you some new pajamas. Let’s get them on so you can go to bed.”

“Pop?” Carrie shot a glance at Seth as he handed her the package of superhero briefs.

“It’s what we used to call my dad. It’s too soon for anything else.”

Carrie pulled labels off the blue pajamas, slipping the shirt over Jack’s head. Too soon? Did that mean Seth was starting to believe Jack was his?

Dressed in his new pajamas and smelling like soap, Jack looked like a very different child. There was a warmth in his eyes that hadn’t been there before. She thanked the Lord for that and prayed Jack would always feel safe and loved.

“Seth, I’m going to help Jack brush his teeth. Why don’t you get the bed ready?”

“Right.” He disappeared down the hall.

A few moments later Carrie took Jack’s hand and walked him toward the master bedroom. Seth was seated on the edge of the bed, covers folded back and a smile on his face. A brown-and-white stuffed dog waited on the pillow. Jack let go of Carrie’s hand and hurried forward.

“Leo.” He took the stuffed toy and held it to his chest.

Seth frowned. Carrie hastened to explain. “It looks like my dog, Leo.”

“You mean that little fuzzy rodent I see in your yard?”

Carrie sent him a disapproving glare. “What are you going to name your dog, Jack?”

The child thought for a moment. “Barky.”

Seth nodded in approval as he tucked the covers around the small body and ran a gentle hand over the little head. “That’s a super name. Ready to say your prayers?” Jack shrugged his shoulders. “We’ll make this first one short.” He folded the boy’s hands together and a said a quick blessing.

The gesture caught Carrie off guard. She hadn’t expected Seth to be a man of faith. Something inside her shifted, leaving an odd, uncomfortable tightening in her chest.

“Amen. See you in the morning, Jack.”

“Pop? You won’t go away?”

Carrie’s throat constricted and she could see the tendons in Seth’s neck flex with emotion. “No, Jack. I’ll be right here when you wake up. Promise.”

Reassured, Jack was asleep before they stepped out of the room.

As if having the same thought, they turned at the door to watch the small boy in the big bed as he slept.

Seth rested a hand against the door frame. “He looks so small.”

“You should have seen him in the tub.” She wrapped her arms around her waist in a vain attempt to quell the sadness inside. “Without his clothes, he’s just skin and bones. It broke my heart.”

“I know. I can’t believe someone just dumped him on your porch and walked away.”

“It happens all too often.”

“You sound like you have experience in these matters.”

Carrie glanced at Seth and saw the curiosity in his eyes, along with a hint of concern that warmed her. “I’m studying toward my degree in social work. There are too many children who get lost in the system. They need an advocate.”

One corner of his mouth lifted, revealing a charming crease in his cheek. “Well, from what I’ve seen tonight, you’ll make an excellent one.”

His compliment brought a rush of heat to her face. She never knew how to respond when people said nice things to her, but the smile he’d given her had kicked her pulse rate up a few notches. One of the first things she’d noticed about him was his knock-you-to-your-knees smile. He had two deep creases, like elongated dimples, on either side of his mouth, and they flashed whenever he spoke. It was a fascinating face, one she could watch for hours.

She stopped her wayward thoughts and glanced back at the sleeping boy to collect herself. Seth shifted beside her, sending a whiff of tangy aftershave in her direction.

“Contrary to what you might think, I would never abandon a child of mine. If I’d known about Jack, I would have fought to be part of his life.”

She wanted to believe that. She wanted to believe that her first impression of him was the correct one. That he was a nice guy, a man of character. But how did she know for certain? Those kind of men had been absent in her life. It was easier and safer to lump them all into one negative category.

Seth must have read the doubt and confusion in her eyes. He touched her arm lightly, and the contact sent a rush of warmth along her skin, awakening another layer of awareness of the man beside her. At five feet five inches, she wasn’t short, but Seth’s six-foot height and solid build made her feel petite. The kindness in his eyes wrapped around her like a gentle hug.

“I’ll take good care of Jack. You don’t need to worry. We both care about the little guy and want what’s best for him. But it’s going to take some time to sort this out.”

His words eased some of her concern. “I know. I just don’t want him to feel alone.”

“He won’t. I’ll be with him until we get to the bottom of this. And he has you and Leo right next door.”

She wasn’t sure that was a good thing. In a few short hours she’d become entangled with the little boy and drawn into Seth’s life. She turned her attention back to the bed. They stood at the bedroom door watching Jack sleep, both reluctant to leave him alone. Carrie knew she should not get involved in this situation, but that resolve had already started to crumble.

“What if you can’t find her?” She hated to think of what kind of future the child might face if that happened.

Seth sighed. “Let’s not borrow trouble. For now let’s make our little guy happy while we look for answers.”

Our little guy. Their mutual affection for Jack and their desire to help him had bonded them whether she liked it or not. For the immediate future, they were his advocates. She looked into Seth’s eyes and thought she read the same strength and determination there that was inside her. It would be nice to have a partner, someone equally dedicated to the cause.

A small chamber of her heart clicked open, as if suddenly unlocked after years of neglect. She fought back the swell of attraction and the need for connection swirling inside. She couldn’t afford to depend on anyone, not even a man as handsome and kind as Seth. There was too much at stake in her life right now. The pressure in her chest increased, forcing her to take quick breaths. She had to get out of there. Away from Seth. She needed space and time to think.

“I’d better go.” She hurried to the living room, but stopped at the front door when Seth called her name.

“You want me to check with you in the morning and let you know how Jack slept?”

No. She wanted out of this situation. A memory of Jack scared and abandoned on her porch tapped into her deep need to help. How could she refuse now that she’d become attached to the little guy? “Yes. That would be nice.” With one last look at Seth, she forced herself to walk away, hurrying across the yard and not stopping until she was safely inside her home.

Curled up on her bed, she took a few deep breaths to calm her anxious mind. Leo hopped up and settled into her lap, and she buried her fingers in the soft, thick fur. Petting Leo always calmed her down. Too bad he couldn’t teach her to be stronger in her convictions.

When would she learn to listen to that warning voice inside when it spoke? She’d told herself not to get involved with Jack’s situation. She’d heard the warning bells before she’d stepped inside Seth’s home and again when he’d called and asked for her help. But she couldn’t turn away from the little boy’s needs.

Dealing with Seth was another matter. Her unexpected attraction to Seth was disturbing. She had closed the door on relationships long ago. She’d seen firsthand how letting your heart rule your head always led to disaster. Especially when you had a past that needed to stay buried.

The memory of Jack snuggled in her arms, his head tucked under her chin as she read the magazine, tapped into a longing she didn’t allow herself to contemplate. A child of her own, a home, a husband. A life she wasn’t entitled to. But, for one second, as they’d stood watching Jack sleep, both of them so full of affection for the boy, it had been as if they were Mom and Dad tucking their child into bed.

That was a life she’d never have. The legacy of her childhood wasn’t something she would inflict on anyone. Not a husband and certainly not a child. No one would understand her childhood or the things she’d done to survive. But that was long ago. She was a different person now. A woman with a renewed mind and heart. She’d accepted the fact that spending her life alone was the price for that transformation, and she didn’t regret it. She had more blessings than she could count, and she would thank the Lord every day of her life.

God had given her a mission to devote herself to helping children trapped in bad situations. She would be their champion the way Mavis Tanner had been hers. Another year of classes and she’d have her degree. All she had to do was stay focused.

She scooted under the covers, tugging them up to her chin and holding Leo tight in her arms. She couldn’t afford to be distracted by a lovable little boy and a man with eyes filled with warmth and tenderness.

* * *

Carrie took another bite of her cereal, the hungry birds gathered around the feeder outside her breakfast-room window providing her morning entertainment. She’d slept late because she’d spent most of the night replaying last night’s events over in her mind.

She’d finally fallen asleep, but even her dreams had been filled with images of being alone, lost in the dark and being chased down shadowed rain-slicked streets. All old subconscious fears born of her own troubled past.

Still, she couldn’t help wondering how Jack had fared after they’d settled him in bed last night. Glancing out the window again, she saw Seth and Jack walking toward the truck. The group of cottages where she lived was known as Collinstown, built by a former logging company in the 1920s to house their employees. The driveways were positioned off an alleyway in the back, leaving the front yards facing the tree-lined streets and the park in the center of the little neighborhood.

Her insides warmed as she watched the man and child. Jack was still holding his metal truck tightly in his hand, but Seth held the other. She wondered where they were going this morning.

A jolt of realization seized her chest. She darted through the door and jogged across the lawn. “Seth. What are you doing?” Breathless, she stopped at the fence. Jack, already in the backseat of the cab, waved at her from the window.

Seth’s dark brows arched when he looked at her. “We’re going to pick up a few things.”

“But he needs a car seat.”

A muscle in his jaw flexed, then his mouth lifted at one corner. “Well, I checked the cupboard and I was fresh out of kids’ car seats. Unless you have one I could borrow?”

“Of course not. I don’t have kids.”

He leaned toward her, a sardonic grin on his face. “Neither did I. Until last night.”

Jack waved at her from the window of the truck and pointed downward. Leo had come outside to join them. “But you have to keep him safe.”

Crossing his arms over his chest, he nodded thoughtfully. “I considered letting him ride in the truck bed, but it’s too cold for that.”

“You can’t be serious...” The smirk on his face stopped her protest.

He grinned and took a step closer. “Stop worrying. I’m going to strap him nice and tight in the backseat, drive very carefully to the store and get him a car seat. Is that the right answer?”

Her cheeks warmed and she took a step back. “Sorry. I just don’t want anything to happen to Jack. He’s been through enough.”

“I know.” Seth’s tender gaze caused a skip in her pulse.

“And after that?”

“We’re going shopping for clothes that fit. And a bed.”

“You’re going to keep him?”

Seth’s expression grew serious and he nodded, rubbing his chin. “Just until I can get him to a little-boy shelter where he can find a good home.”

Hot emotion burst through her system. “What kind of heartless man are you?”

Seth raised his palms. “Easy. I’m just kidding. I’m sorry. I didn’t know it would upset you so much. You take things too seriously. Of course I’m keeping him. At least until I know exactly what’s going on. I told you that last night.”

Carrie tugged at the strand of hair near her ear. “I know, but things can change.”

“I don’t go back on my word, Carrie. Jack’s not going anywhere until we sort this all out. Trust me on that.”

She wanted to believe him, but the skeptical part of her ran deep. For now, she’d give him the benefit of the doubt until he proved her wrong. Then she’d be there to take charge of Jack. “Okay, then.” She backed away from the fence. “Be sure and check that the shoes you buy have at least an inch between his toe and the end of the shoe. And he really needs a warmer jacket.” Jack waved again. And she waved back, unable to keep from smiling. He looked excited. “And maybe a haircut?”

“Maybe what he really needs is a friend to come along and help.”

Was he asking her to join them? Out of the question. This was just what she’d worried about. Getting drawn into the problem. She’d been in that situation several times, and it always ended with her heart being broken. “Oh. No. I’m sure you’ll do fine. The store clerks will help you find what he needs.”

Seth cocked an eyebrow. “He asked about you this morning. He went to the front window several times, hoping to see you and wave.”

“He did?” The thought warmed her. She’d thought about it several times and decided against it.

“Carrie, honestly, I really could use your help. I’m out of my comfort zone here.”

Her gaze drifted to Jack, his little smile climbing inside her heart and taking root. She wanted to make sure he had what he needed. “Okay. Give me a few minutes to change.”

Once again she ignored the voice telling her to stay home and mind her own business. But she had to admit that spending time with Jack was appealing. As far as Seth was concerned, that was a different problem. She stopped at her back door and glanced back. Seth was leaning against the truck, looking good in his dark jeans and a deep blue cotton shirt rolled up at the sleeves. He could have been posing for an advertisement.

Nope. This was not good...at all.

Chapter Three

A short while later, settled in the large cab, Carrie questioned her decision to join the shopping trip. Especially when, after picking up a car seat and having it installed, Seth took the highway toward Sawyer’s Bend, the large city nearest to Dover, and not the more convenient local stores. “Is there a reason we’re driving thirty miles from Dover to shop?”

She’d meant the question to be teasing, but the way Seth gripped the steering wheel told her she’d hit a nerve.

“Bigger stores. Better selection.”

He wasn’t telling her everything. She studied him. His head was tilted to one side in a thoughtful pose, but the veins in his neck pulsed and his chin jutted slightly forward. He was upset or worried or both. Was it because of Jack? Was he regretting his commitment to the child? She wanted to ask him, but she didn’t know him well enough to pry. The potential answers to her many questions left a sour taste in her mouth. Her natural skepticism was always right below the surface, but so far Seth had shown no signs of bolting. She’d wait and see how things developed.

They stopped at the mall and started their quest at one of the big anchor stores, where Seth purchased for Jack enough outfits for a month, along with expensive new shoes, and treated him to a few new toys. They even managed to get him a haircut. Carrie couldn’t help but marvel at the adorable transformation in the boy. Instead of the bedraggled child on her porch, he looked like a beloved and pampered little prince.

Shopping had given them all an appetite, so they’d settled into the food court, where Jack was munching on chicken nuggets with vigor. She looked at Seth and saw him glance over his shoulder. Her curiosity grew. He’d done that multiple times, looking around, scanning the shoppers as if watching for someone he knew or perhaps wanted to avoid? She felt certain it was because Jack was with them. Was he ashamed? Or simply not ready to accept the truth? That notion didn’t mesh with the way he’d enjoyed buying things for Jack.

Maybe he was worried about seeing someone he knew. It would prove awkward when he had to explain Jack. After all, Seth had been blindsided by the news he was a father. She shouldn’t expect him to suddenly shout to the world he had a five-year-old child. But that’s what she wanted him to do.

When they started the drive back to Dover, Carrie took a moment to assess her companion. Jack had fallen asleep the moment he was buckled into his car seat. She needed to understand for her own peace of mind. After all, Seth had told her she had a stake in Jack’s well-being.

“Is something bothering you? Is it Jack?”

He glanced out the window before responding.

“Not exactly.” He shook his head. “I’m not proud of that time in my life. I went to Las Vegas to experience all the things I’d been told were bad for me. I felt like I’d been set free to finally live my life the way I wanted. I found out the hard way that kind of life isn’t living at all. When I came to my senses, I crawled back home and went to work for the family business. The thing is, my mom never knew anything about that year. Dad told her I was out West working on a job. She’d be so disappointed in me. And now I not only have to tell her about my past, but that she might have another grandchild.”

“Are you afraid she’ll reject him?”

“No, not at all. I just don’t want to break her heart. She’s been through a lot since my dad died. Mostly I don’t want her embarrassed by my behavior. I’ve worked hard to clean up my reputation, but this could tarnish everything. Her life, mine and Jack’s. I never realized how our thoughtless actions can come back to bite you. I thought I’d buried that whole episode.”

Carrie knew only too well how the actions of the past lurked in the back of your mind like a ticking time bomb waiting for the right trigger to explode. No matter how hard you tried, you couldn’t defuse it. “What are you going to do?”

“First, I have to face my mom. I’m going to see her later today. After that, I’ll try to track down Tiff and get some answers and some proof. If necessary, I’ll hire a private investigator, but I’ve got a lot of resources at my disposal I can tap into first.”

“Like what?”

He grinned. “The entire law-enforcement database of the Dover Police Department. I’ll be officially on duty Monday, so I’ll have access to a dozen ways to track down people and information.”

All the blood rushed from her head. Her stomach clenched. “You’re a cop?”

“You’re looking at Dover’s newest police officer. I have a shiny new badge to prove it. I thought you knew.”

She shook her head, unable to find her voice.

“That’s where I’ve been the last year. After dad died, I realized it was time I followed my own dream and not his. I attended the Houston Police Academy, but it didn’t take long to realize I wasn’t cut out to be a big-city cop, so I came home and took a job with the Dover PD.”

A cop. How had she not known? She’d only seen him from a distance a few times. Never in uniform. They both worked days, and she usually got home late and huddled inside her house until morning. They had only spoken that one time when he’d changed her tire, and their professions had never entered the conversation.

Old memories sent a shiver along her spine. Cops weren’t to be trusted. Cops took away the people you cared about. Cops were incapable of compassion. Logically she knew that wasn’t true, but emotionally she couldn’t shake the past. Making friends with a cop was dangerous. Her greatest fear was for the truth to come out and ruin the life she’d worked so hard to create. Her past was locked away in a courthouse file, protected from everyone. The only people who could uncover her shame were a judge and the police. A police officer like Seth.

“I don’t suppose you’d consider coming with me when I talk to my mom? Just to watch Jack while I break the news. I could use the moral support.”

The tension inside her chest cut off her air. “No. I don’t think so. Please take me home.” He jerked his head in her direction, but she kept her face angled toward the window.

“You okay?” he asked.

The tender tone of his voice scraped across her raw nerves. “Fine.” She leaned against the door the rest of the way home, keenly aware of the concerned glances Seth sent her way. She had to hold it together until she got home. The moment the truck stopped in front of her house, she opened the door to bolt.

“Carrie, wait! What’s going on?”

“Nothing. Tell Jack goodbye.” She jogged into her house, locking the door behind her. Scraping her fingers across her scalp, she tried to make sense of what had just happened.

There was only one way to proceed. Stay clear of Seth and put an end to her involvement with Jack. She had too much at stake to risk her past being revealed now. Becoming involved in the life of a police officer was playing with fire.

She covered her face with her hands as tears formed. Would she ever be able to break free from her past?

* * *

Seth’s pulse raced as he brought the truck to a stop in front of the small cottage a short distance from the large mansion that had been his family’s home for three generations. His older brother and his wife and family occupied the main house now. Mom had chosen to move into the small cottage nearby.

Today he’d have to face his rebellious youth and cause his mother pain that she didn’t deserve. He glanced in the rearview mirror, relieved to see Jack looking back at him, his big eyes full of curiosity.

“Where’s Carrie?”

“I took her home while you were asleep. She said to tell you goodbye.” Seth got out of the truck and went around to unfasten Jack from the carseat. “We’re going to meet my mom. You’re going to like her.”

He lifted the boy from the seat, holding him snug against his chest as he walked toward the cottage. His muscles tensed as he made his way up onto the porch and tapped on the front door before entering. His mom came toward him from the kitchen, her eyes filled with concern and worry that pulled his chest even tighter. Her expression grew curious as she looked at Jack.

“Seth, honey, are you all right? You sounded so serious on the phone.”

He set Jack down, keeping hold of his little hand, feeling like he was twelve again and having to explain why he’d used her Waterford crystal bowl to hold his red wiggler worms so he could go fishing. “I’m fine. I just need to talk to you and introduce you to Jack.” He took a deep breath. “I think he’s my son. I wanted you to know as soon as possible. I didn’t want a bunch of rumors and half-truths flying around town.”

His heart pounded fiercely in his chest as he watched the surprise and puzzlement move his mother’s gentle features. His mom blinked, then her features softened as she looked at Jack.

“Hello, Jack.”

“Hi.”

“I’m glad to meet you. Do you like cupcakes?”

Jack nodded happily.

“I thought so. I just happen to have a newly iced batch in my kitchen. Why don’t you show me which one you’d like to eat.” She held out her hand and Jack took it without hesitation.

Some of Seth’s anxiety eased. His mom had taken the news with her usual calm manner and managed to win Jack over, too. But the hard part was still to come. The explanation.

In the kitchen, his mom settled Jack at the table with two colorful, sprinkle-covered cupcakes and a glass of milk, then took a seat beside him at the counter waiting for him to begin.

“Mom, something happened last night that I need to tell you about before you hear it someplace else.” Quickly he explained about Jack being left on Carrie’s porch and the note naming him as Jack’s father. He could read the disappointment in her blue eyes and knew what she was assuming. “It’s not what you think.”

He searched for the right words, unable to find them. He stood and paced off a few steps. “Do you remember that year after college when Dad and I fought all the time?”

“Yes, and you went to work out in Vegas for a while. Only you were really out there sowing some wild oats.”

Seth stared in surprise. “You knew about that? Dad said he didn’t want you to know.”

“I knew. I spent a whole year praying for you to come to your senses and return home unharmed.”

Seth sank back onto the stool. There was still more to confess. “What you don’t know is that I got married.”

“Only briefly.”

“You knew about that, too?”

“Do you think the boy is yours?”

“Maybe. Probably, but I need to know for sure.”

“I agree. You should get in touch with our attorney, Blake Prescott, and find out what steps you need to take.”

“I can do better than that. I’ll be officially on duty Monday, which means I can use the police databases to track his mom down.”

His mother looked at Jack, happily munching on his cupcake, his little face bearing the evidence of his enjoyment. “He looks exactly like you at that age. He has your eyes and your smile.”

“I know.” He nodded, not sure if her assessment made him feel better or worse. The circumstantial evidence was mounting, but he needed facts. “What if it turns out he’s not mine? I’m already feeling attached. I don’t know if I could let him go.”

His mother squeezed his hand. “For now let’s assume he is. You do whatever you must to get to the truth. We’ll place this in the Lord’s hands and see how it works out. What are your plans for him while you’re at work?”

“I don’t know yet.” He raised his hand to forestall her next statement. “No. You’re not going to babysit. You already have your hands full with Linc’s new baby and filling in for the other grandkids. I’ll work something out. This is my problem.”

He thought he saw a flicker of pride lighten her eyes. “Well, you could enroll him in the church preschool. They also provide after-school care. I’m sure Kathy could make room for one more little fellow.”

“I’ll look into it.”

“What do you plan on telling people? You can’t show up with a child without some kind of explanation.”

“I don’t know. I haven’t thought that far ahead. I don’t even know how I’ll tell the rest of the family.”

She placed her hand on his cheek and smiled. “You bring Jack for Sunday dinner tomorrow. We’ll tell them then and decide as a family how to proceed.”

“Is it okay if I bring Carrie? She might have some insight into how to handle things.”

“Carrie? The neighbor who found Jack?”

“Carrie Fletcher. She’s been a trouper. I wouldn’t have known what to do if it hadn’t been for her. She has a real passion for kids like Jack.”

“I know her. She’s the new head of special events at the church. From everything I’ve heard, she’s doing a wonderful job.”

“I think she said something about working at Peace Community. We’ve mainly talked about Jack.” He wiped a hand across his mouth. “I doubt she’ll come.”

“What happened?”

“She found out I was a cop and her reaction was puzzling. She shut down and hardly said a word the rest of the way home. When I stopped at her house, she ran inside like the bogeyman was after her.”

“Maybe she’s wary because of the danger involved in your line of work. That’s the main reason your father was always against you going into law enforcement.”

“I know.” He knew how the danger associated with the job could tear apart a policeman’s family life. His uncle had been a cop killed in the line of duty.

Seth wanted to believe his mother was right, but something about Carrie’s reaction ate at him. He usually received two responses when people learned he was a cop. They were either curious about the job or puzzled at why he’d chosen a dangerous profession. Carrie’s reaction had been more like... Seth swallowed around the lump in his throat. Like someone who was trying to hide something. He’d seen that look on the faces of people he’d arrested. That look of being cornered with no way out.

That didn’t make sense. What would Carrie have to hide? Perhaps it had something to do with her childhood. Her comments and her attitude suggested she might have more in common with Jack than he realized.

He didn’t want her to be uncomfortable around him. On the contrary, he wanted to get to know her better. And Jack was the link. At the very least he wanted to reassure her she had nothing to fear from him. He’d give her some time to adjust to the idea of his job. He felt sure he could ease her concerns. After all, being a cop in Dover wasn’t anything like being a cop in Houston. Here, he could focus on serving and protecting the people in his community and not the endless stream of senseless violence that had dragged him down.

* * *

Monday morning dawned bright and sunny with temperatures promised in the midseventies. Carrie dressed in a new pair of linen pants and a long peach top, plus some dangling silver earrings. The outfit lifted her spirits, and she arrived at the church eager to tackle her hectic work schedule. It was exactly what she needed to put the weekend behind her. Learning that Seth was a police officer had left her battling old fears and memories.

She had called her friend and mentor, Mavis Tanner, for some advice. Mavis had been her first and biggest blessing from the Lord. She’d taken Carrie under her wing, introduced her to the Lord, and helped her get her GED and enroll in community college. Without Mavis, Carrie would be living a very different life.

Her friend had gently reminded her that her concerns about Seth were nothing more than her old insecurities bubbling to the surface. Then she pointed out that the Lord had forgiven her and the past couldn’t hurt her unless she allowed it. She’d felt better after their talk, but she hadn’t told Mavis about her attraction to Seth. She had to sort that out on her own.

She wondered what Seth had done with Jack today. It was his first official day on the job. He’d called her a couple times, but she’d ignored him. She needed more time to absorb the fact that he was a police officer. Her mind and her heart had battled all night. But now she needed to concentrate on her work. There was a mountain of arrangements to make for the upcoming picnic celebration. She had no time to waste on her neighbor.

Thankfully, the day passed quickly. The only thing left on her schedule was the meeting this evening with the committee heads for the anniversary picnic. She had one volunteer spot to fill and several adjustments to the activities to discuss, but nothing major. The plans were all coming together nicely.

After a quick bite to eat in her office, she made her way to the meeting room. Kathy met her coming from the opposite direction. “You look frazzled. Everything okay? I didn’t have a chance to talk to you at church yesterday.”

“I spent the time between services fielding questions about the picnic. I have to admit it’ll be a relief when it’s all over.”

“I keep telling you that you need an assistant.”

Carrie arched her eyebrows. “Like Ralph?”

Kathy rolled her eyes. “No. Like Ralph used to be.”

The committee members filed in and Carrie started the meeting by going over the positions still needing to be filled. Midway through, Seth Montgomery slipped in and took a seat at the back of the room. Her throat went dry. He was dressed in full uniform. The white shirt with its military-style tabs and pockets contrasted sharply with his olive-toned skin and made his shoulders appear even broader. He was a handsome man, a man who carried himself with confidence and authority. A man with the power to uncover her deepest secret.

Thankfully, the meeting came to a close quickly, and she hoped Seth would leave with the others. Unfortunately, no one had stepped up to be her gofer. It was just as well. The extra work would keep her too busy to think about Seth or Jack.

“Carrie, guess what I found for you?”

She glanced up to see Kathy approaching the table, followed by a smiling Seth Montgomery. She tried to hide her discomfort behind a stiff smile and avoid eye contact. The uniform stirred old anxieties, but she couldn’t deny it also added a layer of masculinity to his already compelling appeal. No doubt, he’d dismissed her as a basket case, given the way she’d bolted from his truck the other day. It didn’t matter since she’d be keeping her distance from now on.

Kathy spread her arms. “Meet your new anniversary-picnic assistant.”

Seth flashed his white teeth and rested his hands on his duty belt. “Kathy told me you needed help, so I decided to step up.”

He couldn’t be serious. “You have a full-time job. You won’t have time to do all the small errands I’ll need help with.” Not to mention she was trying to avoid Seth, not work side by side with him.

“Are you turning me down?”

She searched for a polite response. “No. But you said yourself you’re starting your new job, and then there’s Jack to take care of. I need someone flexible who can act as a gofer. The way Ralph used to.”

“And that’s the beauty of my job, Carrie. After this next week, I’ll be on the midday shift. Noon to eight. That leaves all morning to run errands.” He held up a finger. “Plus, who better to be your gofer than a police officer? I’m on the road all day, I have access everywhere in town and it’ll give me plenty of opportunity to interact with the community. Part of my job is being visible around town and building goodwill between the department and the citizens. I already ran it by Captain Durrant and he’s on board.”

Carrie’s hopes faded. She really needed help to get all the details of the picnic together, but not with Seth. “And Jack? Who’s going to take care of him while you’re running my errands?”

“I enrolled him in the preschool here this morning. I tried to let you know, but you weren’t answering your phone.”

Backed into a corner, she frantically tried to think of other reasons to refuse his offer. He leaned forward and she caught a hint of his spicy aftershave and a whiff of leather. His nearness stole the starch from her knees, forcing her to grasp the table for support. She could not develop any attraction for her neighbor—a man with the ability to destroy her life.

“Carrie, I owe you big-time for helping out with Jack. This is my way of paying you back. It’ll work out. It’s a win-win for both of us. I’ll help you with the picnic, and maybe you could help by watching Jack from time to time. He misses you. He keeps looking for you.”

Now he was being unfair, using Jack to get to her. “I appreciate what you’re trying to do, but this position has always been Ralph’s job.”

Seth grinned and tugged on his earlobe. “Ralph is getting older and can barely find his way to church.”

She bristled. “He’s a dear man who has devoted himself to this church. I wouldn’t dream of breaking his heart.”

“What’s this about you replacing me?”

They turned around to see Ralph shuffling toward them, his shoulders bent forward, his dark eyes snapping from under the brim of his Mississippi Braves ball cap.

Carrie exhaled a heavy sigh. This is what she’d dreaded. “No, Ralph, you haven’t been replaced.”

The old man muttered a soft curse and tugged at his cap. “Better not. No one’s putting me out to pasture.”

Seth stepped toward him and extended his hand. “Hello, Mr. Ralph. Remember me? Seth Montgomery.”

Ralph ignored the hand, pointing a finger at him, instead. “You’re the rapscallion who threw all my hay out of the barn loft onto the floor so you and your hoodlum friends could jump into it.”

“Yes, sir. That was me.” He gestured toward his uniform. “But I’ve rejected those ways and embraced the law.”

Ralph harrumphed. “You the one trying to take my job?”

“No, sir. Never. But I’d like to be your apprentice, learn the ropes from the master, so to speak.”

Carrie watched the anger fade from the old man’s dark eyes and the shoulders straighten. “Fine by me, but you’d better stay on your toes. This ain’t a job for slackers.” Ralph wagged a finger at them as he walked away.

Carrie dared a look at Seth. “Thank you. That was very sweet. You preserved his pride.” Seth unleashed his smile in her direction and her insides wobbled.

“So, does that earn me the position? I promise I’ll keep him in the loop. I like the old guy.”

Carrie knew she’d regret it, but she really had no choice. Mavis was right. She had to stop worrying. Seth was only trying to help. “Fine. But I warn you, you’ll hear from me a lot between now and the picnic. Especially those last few weeks.”

Seth grinned and held out his hand. “Deal. And it’s even better that we live next door. We’re a good team, Carrie. We can work together on the picnic and help Jack.”

She took his hand. It was warm and strong and filled her with a sense of security. Seth would always make those he cared about feel secure. Being protective was in his nature. She’d seen that firsthand in the way he’d stepped up to take care of Jack. He would make a great father and a devoted husband, when the time came.

And he would choose a woman of strong character from a good family. Not someone like her. A thief with a criminal record.

Chapter Four

Seth scanned the area around the municipal complex as his temporary partner, Phil Hagen, pulled the cruiser out of the police-station lot and onto the highway. Traffic was heavy with residents heading to work. Farther up the road, yellow school buses lumbered into the sprawling attendance center of the Dover school system. He kept his gaze moving, looking for anything unusual or out of place. Major crimes in Dover were few. Most of their calls were for accidents, DUIs and domestic disputes. There hadn’t been a murder in town in years. Even so, Phil had assured him there was still enough criminal behavior to keep the Dover PD busy.

Today they were patrolling the southern section of the town, where a series of burglaries had recently been reported. Neighborhoods there ran the gamut from lower-income wooden homes and the only apartment complex in town to the newly constructed subdivisions of large homes that were mainly owned by people from Sawyer’s Bend looking for a quieter lifestyle.

“So what’s the opinion on these thefts?”

“The captain thinks it’s a bunch of bored teenagers breaking into homes, taking game consoles and tablets just for the thrill of it. It’s only the homes in the new subdivision that are being hit.”

“Sounds like they could use something to occupy their time. Maybe I can get Kent Blackburn, the youth pastor from the church, to look into it. He could get them to come to the group on Sunday nights or join a Bible study.”

Phil shook his head. “Yeah, right. Church is the answer to everything, isn’t it?”

“It should be. Teens are searching for their identity and they don’t always look in the right places. Kent has a real way with teenagers. They trust him.”

Phil merely shook his head and fell silent. Seth returned his focus to the things happening outside the car window, but his inner focus was on Jack and Carrie. He hadn’t talked to her since she’d agreed reluctantly to accept him as her assistant. He wasn’t sure if she was avoiding him or simply busy. He’d stopped by her office the last two days after he dropped Jack off at preschool, but it was always empty, and when he inquired he was told the same thing by everyone. “She’s around here somewhere.” If nothing else he’d learned that she was extremely committed to her job.

Jack, on the other hand, had seen Carrie every day. He spent the ride home each afternoon talking about school and how Carrie came and visited him at lunch or during recess. While he was glad she was looking in on the boy, he didn’t like the idea that she might be avoiding him. He had a plan to address the situation this evening. He only hoped it worked.

A car blew through the stop sign, and Phil hit the lights and pursued the blue sedan, which slowed and pulled over. A ticket was issued and they continued their patrol. The morning passed quickly with a response to a woman who had found a gun buried in the spot where she was putting a new flower bed, and the apprehension of a man trying to steal a car out near the county-line road.

Their lunch break was interrupted by a call to go to see a contractor in the old Victorian section of town who had reported stolen materials from the job site.

Seth sensed Phil glancing in his direction. “What?”

“So you going to tell me about this kid that popped up in your life or is there some reason you want to keep him a big secret?”

Seth glanced out the window and searched for the right words. He knew the man would want to know and he was surprised that it had taken this long for him to ask. Phil wasn’t shy about butting into other people’s business. The family had decided to simply explain that Jack had been with his mother and now he was with Seth. No other explanation would be given until the whole truth was known. “Jack has been with his mother, and now he’s come to stay with me.” It was the truth, but not the whole truth, and he didn’t like the feeling it left in his chest.

“So you have a kid, huh? That’s rich. Guess your love-’em-and-leave-’em past finally caught up with you, huh?”

Seth set his jaw. Phil had never been a close friend, merely one of the guys he’d hung around with growing up, and since being temporarily partnered with him for his first week on the job, he’d been reacquainted with the man’s lack of tact and understanding. “Jack’s mother and I were married.”

“Do tell? Rumor around town says you didn’t know you had a kid.”

His fingers curled into a fist on his thigh. This is what he’d feared—rumors and gossip that would embarrass his family and, especially, Jack. “Don’t believe everything you hear, Phil.”

A low chuckle filled the car. “No, that might tarnish the mighty Montgomery name, now, wouldn’t it? We can’t have that.”

“Just what do you have against my family? You’ve had a chip on your shoulder all your life.”

“Nothing. I just get sick of hearing how superior y’all are. Big house, big company, running everything in town. It’s a wonder none of your clan has run for mayor, then you could really take over.”

Seth let the dig slide. He was in no mood to spar with Phil. What he wanted was to talk to Carrie. He had questions about Jack, things that had happened in the last few days he needed to tell her about. Besides, Jack missed her. He kept going to the window, looking for her and Leo.

As soon as his shift was over he was going to pick up Jack, swing by Angelo’s and get a large pizza. Then he’d show up at her door. She wasn’t going to avoid him forever.

* * *

There were still a few minutes of daylight left in the sky when Carrie got home, a perfect opportunity to take her glass of sweet tea onto the front porch and enjoy the explosion of spring. The azaleas were in full bloom along the side of her house and in the park across the street. Pink, white, red, coral and purple flowers, all mixed together like an exquisite Monet painting. The confederate jasmine that climbed up the side of her porch and made a nice privacy screen was blooming and filling the air with its sweet, heady fragrance.

She’d had a very productive day at work, though none of it had revolved around the anniversary picnic. Her regular duties took a lot of time. The picnic was an extra project. She should have called Seth for help with a few things but hadn’t. She wanted to avoid that situation for as long as possible. It was a futile hope. Especially since she took time out of each day to check on Jack in the preschool in the morning and during after-school care in the afternoon. The little guy was always so glad to see her, and the toothy grin he gave her turned her insides to soft goo. His sweet hugs unleashed a nurturing part of her nature she was beginning to enjoy.

Each night she longed to talk to Seth to see how they were doing and ask how Jack was adjusting. She’d talked herself out of it each time, though, try as she might, she just couldn’t keep thoughts of the pair from invading her mind. She couldn’t decide which little-boy smile touched her more—Jack’s innocent, uninhibited grin or Seth’s slow one, which brought a knowing twinkle to the corner of his eyes.

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