shook his head. “You have a convenient memory, Jake. You refused to go with us. Remember?”
He remembered it vividly. His mother begging and pleading with him, but his father had already told him what she’d done. She was leaving him for Andrew Wellman. “I remember a lot of things,” he said harshly.
“Do you remember Mom had custody and could have forced you to go, but she didn’t? She knew how much you loved the old man and how loyal you were to him. In the end, she couldn’t hurt you anymore. She let you stay and I don’t think she’s ever forgiven herself for that.”
Jake had had all he could take. “She chose to leave. I remember that. Or is your memory convenient, too?”
Beau threw up his hands. “What do you want, Jake? I’m tired of talking to a stone wall.”
Ben—he was here about Ben. For a paralyzing moment he’d forgotten that. Now he wasn’t sure if he wanted Beau to help him or not. Too much tension existed between them, and he needed someone willing to fight for him. Was Beau that person?
“Since you’ve never been to my office before it must be important,” Beau said, moving back to his desk.
“Yes, it is,” Jake admitted. “But I’m having second thoughts now.”
“Why?”
“Because it’s awkward.”
“I don’t feel awkward. Do you?”
Jake didn’t answer as he took the seat his mother had vacated. Awkwardness or tension didn’t matter. What mattered was his son. He told Beau about Ben.
Beau eyes widened. “You have a son?”
“Yes, and the Fosters, the people caring for him, want to adopt him.”
“How bad is Ben’s health?”
“I’m hoping to meet him this afternoon and determine that for myself. Ms. Woods is trying to set it up and from what she’s said, Ben needs lots of care and attention.”
“And you’re willing to do that?”
“Of course I am. He’s my son.”
Silence, then Beau asked, “And Elise?”
Jake swallowed. “She’ll be filing for divorce.”
“I’m sorry.”
“I can’t dwell on it. I have to move forward for Ben.” That was his one goal. As long as he had that, the pain wasn’t so bad.
“I have to be honest,” Beau said. “It would go a hell of a lot better if she was with you.”
“She won’t be.”
“Why not?”
“Dammit, Beau, I’ll be fighting for my son alone. That is all you need to know.” He wasn’t discussing his marriage with Beau or anyone else.
“Okay,” Beau muttered.
Jake’s eyes caught Beau’s. “What are my chances?”
“If Ben has severe problems and these people know how to care for him and he’s familiar with them, a judge’ll think twice before removing him from their home. Being the biological father carries a lot of weight, though. I’ll look up some case law and see if we can even the odds.”
“Thanks, but…”
“But what?”
Jake had trouble expressing what he felt. He cleared his throat. “I want what’s best for Ben and I feel that’s being with me, but I haven’t seen him yet. The Fosters might be able to give him more than I can. If that’s the case, I’ll have to leave him there.”
A slight grin tugged at Beau’s mouth.
Jake frowned. “Why are you smiling?”
“I was thinking that to do what’s best for your son, you might have to relinquish your claim on him—like Mom did with you.”
Jake drew in a long breath. “I don’t want to get into that again.”
“There’re two sides to every story, Jake. One of these days, you might want to hear the other side.”
Jake stood. “I’d better go. I want to be ready when Ms. Woods calls.”
“Call me after you see Ben and let me know your decision.”
“All I can think right now is that I want my son,” Jake said. “That won’t change unless Ben is in such bad shape that I’m unable to handle him. I don’t know anything about kids, but I’m willing to learn. I’m bracing myself for the worst and hoping I can be the father Ben needs. He may need more than me, though. That’s what I have to find out.” He moved toward the door. “I’ll talk to you later.”
“Jake.” Beau stopped him.
Jake turned back.
“Give me the word and I’ll fight for you any way I can.”
They stared at each other, two brothers with different points of view bound together by blood—the most powerful connection in the world.
“Thanks,” Jake replied, and walked out.
CHAPTER FOUR
WHEN JAKE WALKED INTO the kitchen, the phone was ringing. He immediately picked it up. Ms. Woods’s voice came through, clear and impatient. “Mr. McCain, I’ve set up a meeting for four o’clock today. Is that fast enough?”
“Yes, thanks.” He felt a moment of relief.
“I’ll meet you at the office in Houston. The address is on the card I gave you. When you get to Houston, Mrs. Turner, head of our department, will want to explain the situation more fully.”
When were they going to stop explaining things to him and just let him see his son? “Fine,” he said.
“Try to get there a little after three. I know that’s rushing it, but—”
He cut her off. “I’ll be there, and thanks again, Ms. Woods.”
As he hung up, a sense of excitement ran through him. He was finally meeting Ben—his son—and he didn’t have any time to waste. It was already after eleven. He ran into his aunt Vin on the patio.
“Where’re you going in such a rush?” she asked.
Jake grinned. “To see my son.”
Aunt Vin patted his shoulder. “That’s wonderful. When will you bring him home?”
The grin left his face. “It’s a long story and I’m in a hurry. We’ll talk tonight.”
“I’ll
