He met Carrie’s gaze and his heart jerked. The look of shock in her blue eyes condemned his shameful behavior. He’d said too much. Whatever good opinion of him she might have had was destroyed. He looked away. It had been a dumb idea to come talk to her.
“You couldn’t have known.”
“But I should have. I’ve learned my lesson. I’ll be more aware next time. Especially now that I might have Jack to consider. I’ll take my time, make sure we have the same interests and values. I want a partner in life, a forever kind of woman.” Great. He’d practically told her he was interested. Smooth move, Montgomery. “Not that I’m in any hurry to get involved with anyone.” He stood, rubbing his palms together, feeling like an awkward teenager. “Sorry to dump this on you.”
Carrie rose, a faint smile on her lips. “I’m glad you did. I want to know how things are going with Jack. We’re in this together, remember?”
“I do, and I can’t tell you how much that means to me. Thanks. I’ll see you after work.”
He walked out of the small garden, keenly aware of her gaze on his back. Why had he spilled his guts to her like that? He never talked about his life in Vegas, and he’d never told anyone about Tiff’s involvement with the fraud ring. He’d buried it deep in the back of his mind. But Jack had opened up that vault of shame, and now he was having to look at things from a different perspective. Miss Gathers was right. His sins had caught up with him, and now all of Dover would know.
Chapter Five
Carrie took her time going back to the office, her emotions twisting like taffy on a stretching machine. She’d been so excited to see the birth certificate only to have her hopes dashed when it had proved useless. The disappointment in Seth’s eyes had wrenched her heart. He’d looked like a little boy who’d lost his beloved pet. She wanted to put her arms around him and give him a hug, the way she did with Jack. But her sympathy had been supplanted quickly by shock and horror. Seth’s former wife was a criminal.
She fought to keep her expression from revealing her alarm, hoping he wouldn’t see the truth in her eyes. Learning about Seth’s ex-wife had only pointed out why she needed to keep her emotions under control. He’d already been betrayed by a woman with a criminal history. If he ever found out about Carrie’s past, he would walk away without a second thought.
Her heart weighed heavy inside her chest as she made her way down the hallway. Her attraction to Seth was stronger than she’d thought possible. She never allowed herself to even notice most men. Her one brief relationship had lasted long enough for her to realize that he only wanted to conquer her, to control her. She’d walked away in time, but it had served to reinforce her belief that she was a horrible judge of men, and a romantic relationship wasn’t in her future.
Then Seth Montgomery had changed her tire—and changed her mind with a simple, kind gesture.
What she didn’t know was how she was going to keep her feelings in check and still see him and Jack. The picnic organization would be ramping up in the next few weeks, and she would need Seth’s help.
Back in her office, she started checking emails. Not surprisingly, a problem had developed with one of her orders. She’d learned quickly that part of her job involved constantly putting out fires. She clicked on the email from Party Time Events. They were claiming they’d lost her order for the two bouncy houses for the anniversary picnic. This was one thing she didn’t want messed up. The children were already looking forward to them. It took only a moment to pull up the confirmation from the folder and send it back. Just to be sure, she picked up the phone and placed a call to the company.
Her mood lightened. This was what she enjoyed and what she excelled at—problem solving, organizing and bringing things together.
If only she could do the same for Seth and Jack. But there was little she could do to solve their problem except continue to pray for a good outcome. She’d have to leave that in the Lord’s hands.
* * *
Seth stood inside the master bedroom later that night watching his son sleep. His son. He hadn’t realized how much he’d believed that until the birth certificate had arrived. Why had Tiff left the name of the father off the document? Had she been trying to get back at him, or was she really unsure who had fathered her child?
And if he wasn’t Jack’s father, who was? And would he come for him someday? The idea of losing Jack to someone else, or being forced to turn him over to the foster-care system knotted his stomach. He couldn’t lose his son. The cobalt eyes, the instant recognition by Seth’s mother, the little gestures and quirks that were so much like his own proved that Jack was his. He believed that to his core.
But the legal system wouldn’t take his word for it. Now he was forced to wait for the DNA results. The thought weighed heavy on his mind. The longer Jack was with him the harder it would be to let him go. Never in his wildest dreams would he have imagined the intense emotion that had been born when Jack arrived in his life. The love he felt for the little boy was stronger and ran deeper than he’d ever thought possible. His need to protect him bordered on fierce, and when Jack smiled at him his heart melted, his insides softened, and he wanted to show him the wonders of life. He was already thinking about signing him up for a baseball team.
Seth shook off the nonsensical thoughts. He should be concentrating on his job, getting familiar with the Dover PD system, but Jack kept him distracted. Not a good idea for a cop on duty. When he wasn’t thinking about Jack, he was thinking about Carrie. Funny, he couldn’t separate the two.
Quietly he made his way out of the room. He’d been restless and unable to sleep. Fearful of waking Jack, he’d gotten up to go watch mindless television for a while, hoping to distract his troubled mind.
He glanced out the window as he entered the living room, surprised to see every light in Carrie’s cottage blazing. It was nearly one thirty in the morning. Was she still awake? He pulled the curtain aside and took a closer look. Perhaps she was studying. He knew some of the responsibility for Jack had no doubt cut into her quiet time. He knew her classes were important, so she was probably pulling an all-nighter to catch up.
Letting the curtain fall back into place, he stretched out on the sofa and picked up the remote. It wasn’t the first time he’d noticed her lights on until late, but he hadn’t thought much about it. She’d simply been the cute neighbor and he’d assumed she worked odd hours. Now that they were friends, he wondered if she was a night owl or maybe had trouble sleeping. Still, it was odd that every light in the house was lit.
He considered calling to check on her and decided against it. If she was studying, he’d only disrupt her concentration. If she’d fallen asleep with the lights on, then he’d wake her up. Besides, it was none of his business. But he couldn’t shake the kernel of concern that rested in the back his mind. He felt a responsibility to watch out for her. As a friend, a neighbor and even a cop.
Tossing the remote onto the coffee table, he stared blindly at the flat screen, fully aware of the real reason behind his concern. He liked Carrie Fletcher. A lot. Too much. He kept telling himself it was because she was so kind to Jack and that they were partners in caring for him until the truth about his parentage was settled. But Carrie was quickly seeping into his system and touching places in his heart he’d long sealed up.
He’d sworn off relationships after Tiff. He’d learned two things about himself during his time in Vegas: he was susceptible to a certain type of woman, and he didn’t have what it took to be a good husband. Whatever had made his dad the perfect family man hadn’t been passed to him. Now that he knew about Jack, he was even more determined to steer clear of romance.
If he was going to be a good father to Jack, then he had to concentrate solely on him. Ideally, Jack should have a mom, someone to show him the kind of nurturing only a woman could provide. Someone like Carrie. But, after he’d bared his soul today and tol
d her the truth about Tiff, she’d pulled away. Watching her barriers go up had been painful.
Her attitude had been still cool and distant when he’d picked Jack up after work. She hadn’t invited him in or shared news about Jack’s day. She quickly gathered up Jack’s things and said goodbye. No doubt Carrie had dropped him back into the questionable category. He’d be fortunate to maintain their friendship. Hopefully, her opinion of him hadn’t dropped too far, because he still needed her help with Jack. He’d have to find a way to restore their relationship and remind her of their deal. He’d help with the picnic in exchange for her help with Jack.
More importantly, he needed to keep his focus and remember that this attraction he was harboring for Carrie was inappropriate and pointless. It was simply a result of his insecurities regarding Jack and being dropped into fatherhood. Carrie was his anchor. Once his parentage was established, he’d feel more confident. Besides, neither one of them was looking for romance. He had his new career to concentrate on and Carrie would eventually get her degree and move on. So why did that thought leave a cold spot in his chest?
* * *
He still had no answer when he left for work the next day. It would take some time to adjust to his new schedule. Going to work at noon and getting off at eight cut into his time with Jack. He’d hoped to spend his mornings with his son, but the little guy really loved school and didn’t want to miss it. That meant he’d have to make the most of his days off. At least they could have breakfast together before preschool started, but the long, quiet mornings alone gave him too much time to think and revisit regrets.
He was relieved when it was time to go to work. Phil greeted him in the parking lot as he was heading out for duty.
“So why didn’t you tell me that Carrie Fletcher was your neighbor?”
“No reason I should.”
“I hear you’re hanging out at her place in the evenings after work. You two have a thing going on?”
Phil could make the most innocent situation into something inappropriate. Seth weighed how much to acknowledge. If he didn’t answer, Phil would only grow more curious. “We’re not involved. She’s babysitting Jack until my shift ends.”
“Nice. And does that include being her gofer for the picnic?”
What was he angling for? “How did you know about that?”
Phil grinned. “Come on, man. You know how news travels in this town. Got to hand it to you. That was a clever way of spending more time with the lovely lady.”
“I volunteered to help with the picnic to repay her. Nothing more.”
“Guess I should have tried that and maybe she wouldn’t have turned me down.”
“You asked her out?”
“Yeah, and she gave me the brush-off at hyperspeed. I guess I didn’t have the right pedigree. No use competing with a Montgomery.”
The thought of Carrie dating Phil didn’t sit well. Phil was a decent-enough guy at heart, but he had a chip on his shoulder, and he could get testy when he didn’t get his way. Not the kind of man someone sweet and sensitive like Carrie should be involved with. He felt better knowing she had refused Phil’s invitation.
Seth set his jaw. “Carrie’s not like that.”
Phil crossed his arms over his chest and leaned back against the patrol car. “You sure about that? Are you sure you can trust her with your kid? I mean, I know she works for the church and all, but what else do you know about her?”
“All I need to know.” Seth had had enough of this conversation. He reached for the door handle, but Phil didn’t budge.
“So then you know she changed her name when she turned twenty-one?”
Seth’s gut kicked. “How would you know that?”
“I checked. I figured you’d want to know who was watching your kid.”
More likely Phil was trying to get back at him for Carrie turning him down. Phil took advantage of any chance to knock Seth down a peg.
“I know. And I’d appreciate it if you stayed out of my business. Carrie is a friend and I trust her.”
A sardonic grin spread across Phil’s face as he straightened. “Just looking out for you, pal. I’d hate to see you tangled up in a bad situation.”
“I can look out for myself. Jack and Carrie, too. So you can stop worrying.”
Seth climbed into his cruiser, started the engine and pulled out. Was Phil telling the truth or was he trying to get a rise out of him because Carrie had rejected him? If she’d changed her name, he knew she must have had a very good reason and he was certain it didn’t involve anything illegal. He wouldn’t let Phil’s jealousy plant suspicions in his mind about Carrie.
Dispatch relayed a call from a man reporting his car stolen. The address was only a few miles away. He accepted the call and took the next turn to the east, grateful for the distraction. He needed to get the image of Phil and Carrie together out of his mind.
* * *
The rest of the week passed by quickly. Carrie managed to catch up on her regular projects and, thanks to Seth’s help with the pony rides, check off another item from her list of events for the big picnic. Or course, that still left a dozen things to finalize and countless small details to address. Despite Seth’s role as her assistant, she’d yet again resisted calling him for help, but sooner or later she’d have to ask him to lend a hand.
At the moment however, she had a more important obligation. Closing her laptop, she shut off the lights in her office, picked up her bag and headed toward the child-care center at the back of the building. A bubble of excitement began to swell deep inside. The highlight of her day this week had been picking Jack up from after-school care and taking him home with her. She was already feeling like one of the mothers waiting to pick up her child, and she’d learned being a single mom was harder than she’d thought. Jack was a nonstop bundle of energy. The time she used to spend after work relaxing was now filled with games, reading books, playing with toys and watching an animated movie about little cars.
Spending the evenings with Jack this week had only deepened her affection for the child. She’d purchased a car seat so Seth didn’t have to switch them out. She’d also bought a few special toys for Jack to keep at her house, and stocked up on his favorite foods. A small voice had warned her that she was crossing into dangerous territory, but she’d do anything for Jack.
“Miss Carrie.” Jack raced toward her when he saw her at the door. She had to remind him to retrieve his backpack. He chatted about school all the way home. After being so withdrawn those first days, he’d become a little magpie. She took comfort from the knowledge that he felt safe and cared for with Seth. And her. But she wanted more. She wanted to know for certain that he was Seth’s son, though anyone who watched them for more than a few moments could tell they were related. But she knew how the system worked. Seth needed proof and the blank line on the birth certificate had been a blow.
The skies were darkening as she drove home, and she hoped they’d reach the house before the storm hit. Jack announced that he was hungry the moment they stepped inside her kitchen, and the storm announced its arrival at the same moment. She set to work preparing supper. She’d fallen into a pattern this week. First, she prepared a meal and fed Jack immediately. She chose recipes that could be easily reheated when Seth arrived later. Jack was free to play until close to eight o’clock, when Seth got off duty. At that point, she bathed Jack, dressed him in his pajamas and settled him into quiet play or looking at a book. When Seth arrived, she and Seth ate together and discussed the day. She enjoyed catching him up on the cute things Jack said and the progress he was making in preschool. They’d developed a comfortable relationship. Too comfortable, she worried, but she was committed to helping Jack.
A tap at her back door drew her quickly to the kitchen to let Seth in. The rumble of thunder sounded outside and a rush of cool damp air invaded the hous
e as Seth hurried inside, his male presence instantly changing the feel of her home. He smelled like outdoors and leather, and there was a warmth about him she couldn’t ignore. Not merely his body temperature, but a warmth of spirit. He was a nice man. An attractive man. Raindrops clung to his dark hair, and she fought the impulse to reach up and brush them away, wondering what his slightly wavy hair would feel like.
She lowered her eyes as a rush filled her cheeks. She should not be thinking things like that. Jack raced toward his father. “I missed you today, Pop.”
Seth scooped him up in a big hug. “I missed you, too, Jack.”
The sight of the little boy wrapped in the arms of the big man filled her with a sensation that stung the back of her eyes. They were so sweet together. She prayed they would be able to remain together no matter what the tests revealed. It was obvious that they needed each other.
Jack wiggled out of Seth’s grasp. “Come see the tower I made. It’s really big.” He stood on tiptoe and stretched his arm as high as it would go. “Then I smashed it over and it made a big mess. Goosh. It was funny. But I made a new one and it’s bigger.”
Seth chuckled. “It’s more fun to knock it down, isn’t it?”
Jack nodded vigorously, clutching one of the brightly colored wooden blocks in his hand. During his time with Seth, he’d slowly eased his hold on the metal truck and begun playing with other toys, though he had latched on to the stuffed dog Seth had brought him that first night.
“Come watch me, Pop.” Jack tugged at Seth’s hand.
“You go ahead. I’ll be right there. I want to talk to Miss Carrie for a minute.”
Jack ran into the living room and Carrie turned to find Seth looking at her with a puzzled expression. “What?”
“He’s a handful. I know watching him has been a big adjustment.”
She shrugged. “I like having him around. He keeps me entertained.” She sensed he was going to say more and she quickly changed the subject. “How was work today?”
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