for a few days. I also picked up some clothes for Corey.”
“The sheriff stopped by about an hour ago. He dropped off what the boy had at the foster home. Just some old clothes and another pair of worn tennis shoes, barely enough to fit into a grocery sack. I almost tossed it in the trash. But Corey grabbed the bag and took it into his bedroom as if it were some sort of treasure.” He sighed and tipped his hat back.
“Oh, Holt. That’s so sad.”
“Yeah, and it doesn’t get any better. Seems Corey’s dad is in prison, and he isn’t eligible for parole for a long time.”
Her heart ached. “So he’s been in foster homes for a while.”
He nodded. “Speaking of which, Reed also said we’d be getting a visit from Social Services. Probably tomorrow.” His gaze met hers. “I want you there with me.”
Leah felt the heat from his look, trying to tell herself this was only for the boy’s sake. “Of course. And I want to thank you for doing this for Corey.”
“It’s temporary, Leah. I can’t offer the boy any more.”
She wanted to argue the point, but saw the pain in Holt’s eyes. There were so many things she wanted to know about this man. But she knew he wasn’t willing to share. Maybe he never would.
It was after seven o’clock. Leah had just finished cleaning the kitchen after supper. Zach retired to his small house out beyond the barn to watch television. Holt had disappeared into the den to do some paperwork. What did she expect from the man, to keep her company?
Corey came barreling into the kitchen dressed in his new blue Western shirt, dark denim jeans and a pair of buckskin boots. “Leah, how do they look?”
She smiled at his excitement. “You look great. How do the boots fit?” She knelt down on one knee for a closer look.
“I put on two pair of socks like you said.” He nodded. “So they’re okay.”
She stood. Corey had eagerly accepted everything her mother had collected from the church. “Well, you’ll probably outgrow them in a few months.”
“I can wear the other pair of boots you brought when I help Zach tomorrow.”
“Good idea. They’re already broken in.” The ladies at the church had been generous in sending clothes along with a pair of kid’s boots.
Just then Holt walked in. He glanced at Corey then continued to the coffeemaker. After pouring himself a cup he turned around and leaned against the counter. He eyed the boy more closely. “You need to break those in.”
“I will,” Corey said and glanced at Leah. “Maybe I should wear old jeans to work in and save these for good.”
“If that’s what you want,” she said.
Holt gestured toward the clock. “It’s not too late if you want to watch some television before turning in.”
Corey nodded, then paused before leaving to look back at the two. “Good night, Leah. Thank you for the clothes.”
“You’re welcome. And good night, Corey.”
The two males exchanged a nod and Corey disappeared from the kitchen.
Leah turned back to Holt. He was watching her. “Coffee?”
“No, thank you.” She had enough things to keep her awake without the help of caffeine. “I think I’ll say good-night, too.”
Holt didn’t want Leah to go yet. He’d spent too many nights alone in this house. He was beginning to doubt his decision to stay. “Wait,” he called to her. “We need to talk about tomorrow.”
She raised an eyebrow. “What’s up tomorrow?”
“The social worker. She’s coming out to see if I’m providing a suitable temporary home for Corey.”
“Well, are you?” she challenged.
“You seemed to think so about twenty-four hours ago. Are you having second thoughts?”
“No. It’s just that I’m worried about Corey. He seems a little jumpy around you.”
“I’ve hardly said anything to the kid.” He put down his cup and came to her. “And he avoids me about as much as you do.”
Her eyes widened. “I told you I had errands to run and clothes to pick up.”
“So you’re going to be around tomorrow?”
“Of course. I want Corey to stay here—at least until they find a good permanent home for him.”
Most likely that wasn’t going to happen. Not many people wanted to adopt an eight-year-old boy. “That’ll be a problem for the future. But if Corey is to live here for the time being, we need to play the happy couple…for the social worker.”
“We didn’t tell Reed we were a…couple.”
Holt shrugged, enjoying her discomfort. “I’m not sure what we need, but when Social Services shows up we should at least act like we know each other.”
“I guess you’re right.” She turned those velvet-brown eyes on him. “So, give me a rundown on yourself in twenty-five words or less.”
That made him smile. She made him smile. “So, don’t you want to know more?” He cocked an eyebrow. “What if I have a sordid past?”
“What if I do?” she returned. “I mean, I’ve been out of the country for the past three years.”
His eyes roamed over her petite frame that he’d come to appreciate more and more. Leah Keenan looked like the all-American girl. Just the type you took home to the family—the type you married. Definitely not his type.
“Were you ever in prison? Have you taken illegal drugs? Robbed a bank?”
“Of course not. You can contact the magazine I work for in New York. They’ll vouch for me.”
He fought to hold back a grin. “I was kidding. You’ve got small-town girl written all over your face”
“Unlike the city slicker from New York.”
Holt had no doubt that she’d heard about his childhood when he’d lived here. “You already know John Rawlins was my father. When my parents divorced, my mother took me back to her family. I stayed there until college, and afterward I worked as a financial adviser for a Wall Street firm. I’m not married, not engaged, there isn’t even anyone in my life…at the moment.”
She drew a breath. “I lived here in Destiny since I was four months old. Since the day my mother brought her three daughters to the Keenan Inn and left us.”
“Whoa …” He frowned. “How did that happen? How could she …?”
She shrugged. “I’m not sure how she could have done it.
