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
