Lorraine Beatty - The Lawman's Secret Son

“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.”