The Deputy's New Family. Jenna Mindel

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      Beth got up to make that salad while her mom reheated the chicken carbonara from Sunday’s dinner. Beth glanced at the woman who worried her. Ever since her mom’s work hours had been severely cut back at the airport in Traverse City, her mom’s handle on her finances had slipped. Even with Beth’s rent payments for living here. The shopping trips increased. Was she bored? Or was something else going on?

      Nick Grey’s question about after-school day-care providers filtered through Beth’s mind. Could watching Corey bring meaning back to her mother’s daily routine? Something about that little boy’s reserve made Beth think her mom’s flamboyant style might be good for him. It didn’t get any more convenient than walking across the street from school.

      The fact that Beth would get to see more of Nick Grey when he picked up his son brought a heady flip in her belly. Followed by guilt. This couldn’t be about exploring the immediate attraction she’d felt for Corey’s dad. Although it might be a nice side benefit.

      Beth stopped cutting a carrot and looked at her mom. “Would you be interested in watching a seven-year-old boy after school?”

      “Is he a good kid?”

      “I think so.” Another gut feeling.

      Her mom’s gaze narrowed. “Who?”

      “Corey Grey, my new student. His mom died a year ago, and he seems a little lost.”

      Her mom’s face fell. “How awful for him.”

      “That’s why I was talking with his father. He asked about after-school care providers. If you’re interested, I can let him know. If not, no problem.”

      “Let me think about it.” But her mother looked interested.

      Her mom could use the extra money, but Beth knew that wouldn’t be the reason if she agreed. A softy at heart, Mary Ryken would be all over a child in need.

      When they were done with dinner and cleanup in the kitchen, Beth headed for her usual spot at the dining room table to grade papers. After that she’d walk to the LeNaro community pool for her daily swim. Ever since moving back home, Beth found that several laps in the pool not only helped her relax, but it helped fight the extra calories from her mom’s cooking.

      Beth was no skinny mini. She’d always been tall and full figured. She tried to whittle her hips with swimming, but her body refused to cooperate. Her mother said size fourteen was not fat but normal. Still, standing six foot in bare feet wasn’t exactly common for a woman. Not too many men were knocking down her door for a date.

      She sighed and got back to work but the memory of looking up at Nick Grey invaded her concentration. He was certainly tall enough.

      Later when Beth skipped down the stairs with her duffel bag ready for the pool, her mom stopped her with a raised hand.

      “I think I will watch that boy after school. You can tell your Mr. Grey that I’ll do it until school’s out and then we’ll see. What’s he going to do for the summer?”

      Beth shrugged. “I don’t know, but I’m sure he’ll figure something out. We’ve got a couple of months yet. I’ll let him know tomorrow. Maybe we could do a trial run, you know, make sure you and Corey click.”

      Her mother nodded. “Yes, do that.”

      Beth hesitated to leave. “You’re sure about this?”

      Her face broke into a wide smile. “Very sure. Have a nice swim.”

      “Thanks.”

      Walking down the sidewalk, Beth didn’t bother to enjoy the sight of spring flowers blooming along the way or the mild warm night air. Her mind whirled. Would Nick agree to Corey staying with her mom after school? It might be good for both of them. And Beth couldn’t help feeling a shiver of excitement at the thought of seeing Nick Grey more often.

      She’d have to be careful, though. It wasn’t smart to get involved with a student’s parent when there might be issues. Could get messy real quick.

       Chapter Two

      Nick made breakfast. The eggs were too hard and the bacon a little too crisp. He wasn’t a whiz in the kitchen, but he knew enough to get by. Knowing how to get by was what made him good at undercover work. God’s grace had kept him alive during his last assignment, which had taken him away from home most nights. But that line of work was over. For his son’s sake, he couldn’t take those risks anymore. So he’d kissed the adrenaline rush goodbye and transferred into a rural county sheriff’s department. About time, too.

      Nick would never understand why that same grace hadn’t covered his wife when she’d wrapped her car around a tree. But then, Susan might have made her own decisions about that. It wasn’t that rainy the night she’d wrecked. He’d never know for sure. He’d make sure Corey never knew, either. He’d rather his son remember his mom’s good days.

      He turned away from the stove to holler down the hall at his son, but the kid was already dressed and seated at the kitchen table.

      Nick slipped a plate in front of his son.

      Corey stared at it for a few seconds before digging in.

      Susan’s mom made picture-perfect eggs. Susan had, too. When things were good, they were great, but then she’d hit a dark stretch and nothing worked well. If only they’d dated longer before they married, if they’d waited to have Corey, maybe...

      Maybe he would have known, but then again, maybe not. Her wild bouts had come well after Corey was born.

      “You’re ready early.” Nick sat across from his son and sprinkled his eggs with hot sauce before digging in.

      Corey nodded.

      Nick racked his brain for something else to ask. Getting his kid to talk to him was worse than questioning a perp. They went nowhere fast. “I’ll pick you up after school.”

      Again the boy nodded.

      They ate the rest of their meal in silence.

      Nick grappled with frustration. He had a lot of ground to make up for leaving his boy behind for the past six months. Pretty hard to make a seven-year-old understand that he was safer with grandparents who lived an hour north of the city.

      Another reason to transfer. Nick wanted to sleep better. He’d never grown used to worrying about some thug finding out where he lived. That had been the sole reason he’d refused to buy a house despite Susan’s prodding that she and Corey deserved better than their Grand Rapids apartment.

      The quick drive to LeNaro Elementary School was a quiet one, but the closer they got, the more Corey came to life. He’d lean forward, look out his window and clutch the backpack given to him by his lovely teacher.

      Nick parked and unbuckled his seat belt.

      “I can walk in by myself.”

      Nick looked at his son, careful not to bruise СКАЧАТЬ