To Protect Her Son

by Stella MacLean

  “Or keeps meeting the wrong kind.”

  “Could be. He doesn’t bring any of them home, or so his mother says. She wishes he’d find someone, but...” She shrugged. “Nate won’t talk about it.”

  Gayle wanted to know more about Nate. He’d survived injury and rejection and still managed to keep going. To have survived what had happened to him took courage and determination, both admirable qualities in her mind.

  “Are you sure there’s nothing going on between you two?” Sherri asked.

  “No. Nothing. What made you say that?”

  “This whole conversation has been about Nate, so don’t tell me you’re not interested in him.”

  Wouldn’t it be nice to share with her friend how she’d felt the other day when Nate was at the house? How being near him made her feel...better about life. But hearing Sherri’s description of the type of women he dated, she began to wonder if maybe Sherri believed her cousin needed a different kind of woman. One that would offer him stability and support.

  If Sherri was trying to get her and Nate together to solve what she saw as her cousin’s problem with women, Gayle wasn’t interested. She had enough issues to work out in her own life. “Sorry to disappoint, but there’s nothing to report on the romance front.”

  Sherri’s face was one big smile as Neill entered the clinic space. “We’ll talk about Nate later,” she said as she crossed the reception area to greet her fiancé.

  * * *

  NATE STOOD OUTSIDE Coach Cassidy’s office while he waited for him to get off the phone. Nate had had several appointments with teachers of some of the teenagers he was working with and had decided to drop by and see the coach before he finished his day. In Nate’s experience Coach Cassidy was a very perceptive man, a quality somewhat at odds with his size and his aggressive coaching skills. “A man’s man” was how the principal of the school described him.

  Yet many times Bill Cassidy had known almost instinctively which teenagers were in trouble and how that trouble was affecting them. After watching Adam interact with his mother and detecting his poorly disguised hostility at feeling invisible, Nate suspected that the boy was very lonely and it was affecting his relationships with fellow students and teachers. That was to be expected under the circumstances, but also something to cause concern, should it continue or get worse. Feelings of loneliness could easily lead to feelings of alienation, and he didn’t want to see that happen to Adam. He hoped the coach could explain a little bit about Adam and how he behaved around his peer group off and on the basketball court, but more important, why he hadn’t made the team.

  “Well, hello,” Bill Cassidy said as he opened the door to his office and beckoned Nate in. “What can I do for you? Or is this a social call? I’m nearly done for the day. Want to go for a beer?”

  “Yeah, that would be great,” Nate said, watching the other man grab his jacket, flip his keys out of his pocket and lock his office door all in one smooth movement.

  “So how’s life treating you these days? Still busy as ever, I assume,” the older man said as they took the stairs to the back entrance of the school. Nate noticed that Bill didn’t rush down the stairs, giving Nate a chance to keep pace with him.

  “Too busy, really, but that’s the way it is, I guess.”

  They walked in unison along the cobbled walkway toward the downtown, stopping at the entrance to Missy’s Bar and Grill. “And of course you’re getting ready to be a groomsman at Neill’s wedding. That’s going to be quite a party.”

  “I’m looking forward to it. It’s about time those two got married, if you ask me.”

  Bill shook his head slowly as they climbed onto bar stools and ordered two locally brewed draft beers. They talked sports, weather and the state of the fishing industry, and all during their conversation Neill sensed that Bill was working up to something.

  Bill toyed with the napkin placed in front of him by the waiter. “Mind if I ask you a question?”

  His tentative tone aroused Nate’s curiosity. “Sure.”

  “How far would you go to find love?”

  “What?”

  Bill hunched forward. “What I mean is this. Look at Neill and Sherri. They were so in love and planned to be married when they were in high school. Then suddenly it was all over. And if Neill hadn’t come back here they would never have known how much they still loved each other.”

  “I guess I haven’t really thought about it.” Nate was feeling a little embarrassed at the turn the conversation had taken. He’d never have expected Bill Cassidy to bring up such a topic. But he had to admit he didn’t really know Bill except on a professional level.

  “Take you, for instance. You must have loved someone in high school—Natasha Burnham, if I remember. Would you want to have a second chance at love like Neill and Sherri? What would you do if you got the chance?”

  The subject of his ex-fiancée was nobody’s business, and he was becoming very uncomfortable with the direction this conversation seemed to be going. “Unfortunately, it’s not something I’ve given much thought to recently. I guess you could say I had my chance.”

  “You think we only get one chance at love?”

  What was Bill getting at? The man had to be close to retirement, but he had been a fantastic basketball player, valedictorian of the first class to graduate from the newly built high school on the edge of town thirty years ago. He’d dated Ellen Donnelly in high school. He could have played pro basketball, but had refused the opportunity, choosing instead to go to the University of Maine. When he had come back to Eden Harbor with a degree in physical education, the town had welcomed him back.

  Nate had no idea where Ellen had ended up, and she’d never been back to Eden Harbor. Some people believed Bill had a long-standing relationship with a professor of psychology who vacationed in Eden Harbor each summer.

  He had also heard that Bill was coaching a volleyball team made up of women who worked in the town. And he was quite certain Sherri had mentioned that Peggy Anderson, the phlebotomist at the medical center, was on the team. In fact, she was the only one among Sherri’s friends who made the team, which had sparked rumors about her and the coach. But Nate knew only too well how easily rumors could get started with little or no basis in fact.

  Regardless, Nate was pretty sure that Bill was talking about his love life. Maybe he was involved with Peggy but worried about the age difference. But Nate would never ask Bill something that personal. He wanted people to respect his privacy, and that meant he respected theirs.

  “Can I ask you something?” Bill wiped the dew off the full glass sitting in front of him.

  What now? “Sure.”

  “If someone was looking for a good private investigator, who would you recommend?”

  Surprised by yet another sudden change in topic, Nate studied the older man, seeking a clue as to what was going on. Bill’s gaze was fixed on the glass in front of him.

  Nate took a long swallow of his beer as he considered his answer. “Is this about one of your students?”

  “No. Nothing of the kind. I have a friend who’s in need of a little help locating someone, that’s all.”

  Nate sighed. “I have no idea. But I’ll ask around and see what I can find out. It may mean that the private detective will come from Portland or farther south. Would that be a problem?”

  “You’re wondering what I’m up to, aren’t you?” Bill asked.

  “No.” Yet in truth he was. The cop in him couldn’t help digging for details. “It’s none of my business. I’ll ask around and see what I can come up with.”

  Bill’s gaze was steady as he assessed Nate. “Thanks for helping me. I appreciate it. Being asked for advice about a private investigator can’t be an everyday occurrence for you.”

  Nate shook his head.

  Bill leaned forward,
resting his elbows on the bar. “But you aren’t here having a beer because I need something. If I remember correctly, it was you who came to my office.” He raised his eyebrows in question.

  Relieved to focus on something other than Bill’s odd behavior, Nate pushed his glass aside and turned to him. “I’m mentoring Adam Sawyer, and he tells me he didn’t make the basketball team this year. I’m wondering if you could tell me why?”

  Bill took a long drink of his beer, wiping his lips with the napkin before putting the glass back on the shiny bar. “Adam is a good player, but not a team player. Despite my coaching him to do so, he seldom shared the ball, making the most routine plays pretty well impossible. I talked to him about it, and he promised to do better. But the minute he got his hands on the ball, he’d bolt for the end of the court. He cost us a lot of fouls in practice, not to mention loss of a concerted team play or a good offensive strategy. In the end, he wouldn’t listen to me or make the changes I needed. I already had too many boys trying out for the team.” He shrugged. “I’m sorry, because I really like him. I have to admit that when he got that ball in his hands, there were few players on the team that could stop him.”

  “I’m sorry he didn’t work out.” Nate stared at the mirror behind the bar in silence for a few minutes. He’d hoped to be able to help Adam, to make him feel more a part of the community by getting Bill to reconsider. “Is there any chance you’d change your mind?”

  “No, unfortunately. Not a chance. I had to cut two other players who were more seasoned than Adam. That doesn’t mean that with a change in approach he won’t make the team next year. Why are you so concerned?”

  “He’s been in a bit of trouble, picked up by the police, being rude to his mother, not keeping curfew, that sort of thing. I’d like to intervene and get him away from a group of older teenagers who are already on the road to trouble.”

  “I see what you’re getting at. Does his homeroom teacher know about your concerns?”

  “Not yet.”

  “Does he have good support at home? His dad died, trawler accident, I believe. What about his mom?”

  “She’s very concerned, and she seems willing to do whatever it takes to keep her son out of trouble.”

  “Are there days you wish you had an easier job?” Bill asked sympathetically.

  Nate nodded, thankful to have someone who understood how difficult it could be working with vulnerable kids.

  They finished their beer in companionable silence.

  “Would you like another?” the bartender asked.

  “Not for me,” Bill said, grinning at the bartender. “I need to get home. I’m coaching the women’s volleyball team tonight.” He slapped Nate on the back. “If there’s anything I can do to help, you’ve only got to ask.”

  “Thanks.” Nate watched him leave and wished that he had something to look forward to tonight, or someone. When he’d decided to stick to short-term relationships, he’d forgotten how lonely life could be without someone who was interested in his day and what went on in his life.

  He smiled to himself. Who was he kidding? He’d chosen his love life, and with few exceptions he liked it the way it was. No one knew better than Nate that the future was tomorrow. One day away and no longer. He’d known that the day Natasha Burnham had walked out on him.

  “I’ll have another,” he said.

  * * *

  FOR THE PAST ten days Adam had not missed his curfew, had done all his chores, mowed his lawns and worked on his home assignments. Gayle couldn’t help but note that in the past week several of the calls she’d answered for him had been female voices, not the usual sullen male tones.

  She didn’t want to jump to any conclusions just yet about what would happen in the coming weeks, but she felt very hopeful that maybe the worst was over with Adam. Wouldn’t that be a relief? Wouldn’t it be great if she and Adam were able to look to the future, to Adam doing well in school and having a better chance to make the basketball team next year?

  Nate had come over last weekend and taken Adam to a basketball game in Portland, which from Adam’s account had been awesome. She tried not to be too obvious in her inquiry about Adam’s time with Nate, but from what she could learn the two of them were really hitting it off. Had Nate’s visits been all her son needed to get back on track?

  She checked her watch. Nate was due here any minute to take Adam fishing, something she’d never had the opportunity to do, and had been pleased that Nate suggested it. From the moment Gayle learned she was pregnant she’d dreamed of a life for Adam that included things like fishing, hiking and all different kinds of sports. Even if someday soon Adam didn’t need any more of Nate’s counseling, having someone to go fishing with would be wonderful for her son.

  She was at the door on the first ring, throwing it open to see Nate’s smiling face.

  “Were you waiting for me?” he asked, his smile lighting the space between them.

  “Yes...yes, I was.” She fidgeted with the doorknob, her head whirling from the pleasant feeling rushing through her. She let go of the door and just stood there, knowing she must look a little silly.

  “Can I come in?” Nate asked.

  She glanced up at his face, her eyes moving to his. What would it feel like to have Nate coming to the door asking for her? About her? Like a real live date? Or maybe as a boyfriend?

  He smiled encouragingly, but didn’t move.

  “Oh! Yes, please come in,” she said, her cheeks warm. She bit her lip and tried to think of something intelligent to say, but nothing... “Adam is just finishing his breakfast.”

  “No. I’m ready,” Adam said, coming down the stairs dressed and ready to go. “Do I need to bring anything, Nate?”

  Gayle was delighted to hear the upbeat tone in her son’s voice. She caught the smiling glance he gave Nate, one filled with a camaraderie she hadn’t seen before.

  “I have all the gear in the car,” Nate said, grinning at Adam. “We’ll be fishing for a few hours.”

  Gayle was so relieved to see how much her son seemed to be looking forward to the day ahead.

  As Adam came up and stood beside Nate, Gayle realized that the two of them were nearly the same height. Her son was growing tall and slim, so like Harry. She blocked any more comparisons between her son and her ex. Adam would not be like his father...she hoped.

  Nate turned his attention to Gayle with a look so intense it took her breath away. “I packed lunch for the both of us.”

  For a split second she thought he was referring to her—to her and him—to a day for just the two of them. The thought of someone caring enough to invite her on a picnic made tears sting her eyes, longing crouch near her heart. “That wasn’t necessary...but thank you.”

  “You’re welcome. We’re going to have a great day.”

  “I’ll bet the fish aren’t looking forward to our arrival,” Adam said, a grin on his face as he walked past Nate with his backpack slung over his shoulder.

  Acutely aware of the handsome man standing so close, Gayle waited uneasily for Nate to turn and leave. He didn’t. Instead, he moved a step closer to her, his wide shoulders blocking the light from the front door. “Would you like to have coffee sometime? We need to talk about a few things.”

  His words startled her. “What? Adam’s doing okay, isn’t he?”

  “I believe so, but I would like to run through a few things with you.” His grin was so endearing.

  “You and me having coffee?” she asked, feeling exhilarated, until she realized that he probably did this with all the parents of the teenagers he mentored. Yet it didn’t stop her from wondering about him, about the women in Nate’s life. They were probably supersophisticated, and wouldn’t be acting as stunned as she was right now.

  She wanted to say yes. To sit in a cozy booth someplace like Bobby’s Bistro do
wn on Market Street while they sipped coffee and watched people on the street. To be with this man, to have his full attention focused on her, would be wonderful...only if she was prepared to face the consequences should she let something slip out...some inconsistency in her story that contradicted what she’d already told him. Darn!

  She stalled for time, trying to decide if she should take the risk. “When?”

  “Whenever our schedules allow. You work all week and so do I. What about tomorrow?”

  “That’s Sunday.”

  “Yes, it is.” He cocked one eyebrow, his smile charming her.

  “I’d...I... Can we do it next Sunday?”

  His brows burrowed together. He looked genuinely disappointed. “Sure.”

  She felt like a jerk for not simply accepting his invitation, but she had little choice. If Adam continued to improve, Nate’s part in their lives would quickly come to an end. She was pretty sure that if Adam no longer needed Nate’s mentoring skills she wouldn’t have to worry about being invited out to coffee.

  She could take heart in the idea that this man didn’t have the time to mentor a teenager who was clearly doing so much better. And after today’s fishing trip, and Adam’s obvious improvement, Nate would not be around much longer. Yet she was just a little sad at the thought of Nate not coming here. At least then her secret would be safe.

  They stood together, neither saying a word, the only sound the deliberate tick-tock of the hall clock. “Okay, next Sunday it is. In the meantime, the fish are waiting,” she said, trying to sound casual while her pulse danced against her throat.

  She moved with him to the door and out onto the veranda. Adam was in the front seat of Nate’s SUV, looking happy and content. She waved to her son and he waved back as Nate climbed into the driver’s seat.

  She watched them leave, and felt lonelier than she had since arriving in Eden Harbor. Would it have hurt her to accept his invitation for Sunday? Was her concern over what she might say, what secret she might expose, worth the loneliness she was feeling now?