Saving His Son. Rita Herron

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СКАЧАТЬ me not to go through with the charges. Then she called once or twice afterward to try and persuade me to recant my testimony. But after I moved from Raleigh, I never heard from them.”

      “So, they didn’t know about the baby?”

      “I don’t think so. I moved the day after I saw you at the courthouse.” She toyed with a fingernail. “Besides, I never told anyone the name of the baby’s father.”

      Including him. Their gazes met, held. He gritted his jaw, the pain once again almost unbearable. Lindsey threaded her fingers together in her lap, looking tired and drawn and too damned thin.

      “What about the staff, you said they didn’t see anyone go in your room?”

      “That’s right. Only, I went back the week after I was released from the hospital to talk to Janet, the nurse who helped with my delivery, but she’d taken a leave of absence.”

      His voice softened. “Even nurses go on vacation, Linds.”

      Her face jerked toward him and he saw fear in her eyes, the same fear he’d seen the night he’d crossed the line from duty to pleasure. The night they’d created a son.

      “Maybe, but it seemed odd that no one in town knew where Janet went on vacation. Maple Hollow’s so small everyone usually knows everyone else’s business.”

      He mulled over that piece of information, trying to piece together a reason someone might kidnap their baby and make her think the child had died, but guilt slammed into him. If he’d been there to take care of her, maybe he could have prevented her premature labor, or if he’d been at the hospital, he could have seen his son himself, protected him…

      “What about the other members of the staff?”

      “A terrible explosion occurred that night at a local factory. Except for Dr. Cross and the nurse, all the emergency workers were called to help.” She paused.

      “Something else odd, happened, too. I heard a girl crying in one of the other rooms at the clinic.”

      “Another patient maybe?”

      She threw up her hands in frustration and paced to the window. “I thought so, but the doctor claimed I was the only patient that night, that I imagined the other woman.”

      He narrowed his eyes. “You’re sure you heard someone else?”

      “I’m positive. You know the kids I taught said I had eyes and ears in the back of my head.”

      He smiled at the memory. A natural with children, Lindsey would have been a wonderful mother. “Could the woman have been someone from the explosion?”

      “No, they transferred all the injuries to the county hospital. The clinic isn’t equipped for major medical emergencies.”

      Gavin stood, walked to the window beside her and stared out at the busy street. Thick traffic crawled by, horns honked intermittently, the wail of a siren burst into the strained silence. Sun splashed off the concrete, flickering from a beautiful blue sky. But Gavin had never felt more dismal in his life.

      “What’s the sheriff’s take on things?”

      “He thinks Dr. Cross invented medicine. He can’t believe anything bad about him.”

      “But you’re convinced Cross is involved?”

      “I don’t know what to think, Mac, but I feel my son is out there, I hear him crying for me at night in my sleep. I have to know the truth about what happened.”

      His gaze dropped to her arms where she’d cradled them around her. His voice softened with sympathy. “Even if it turns out our baby died like the doctor said? Do you want to know that, too, Lindsey?”

      “Yes, even then.” Lindsey choked back the tears clogging her throat. “Whatever you find out, I’ll deal with it. But knowing the truth is the only way I can put this ordeal behind me and get on with my life.”

      Gavin nodded, his own throat thick. “I’ll talk to Peterson. I’m due a few days vacation. Then we’ll get out of here.” She nodded and he crossed the room and forced himself to leave without touching Lindsey when he wanted to drag her in his arms and hold her, apologize for letting her down, promise her everything would be all right.

      But he’d learned the hard way he couldn’t make promises he might not be able to keep.

      GAVIN PULLED INTO into the parking spot in front of his apartment, climbed out and waited on Lindsey to meet him at the door, a bad feeling lingering in his gut. The lieutenant had given him leave, no problem. His partner, Simon Durango, had agreed he should go. But the sight of Lindsey reminded him of the lonely hole in his life. The long days and nights he’d spent remembering her touch, the feel of her lips on his, the feel of her naked body beneath his. He’d admired her strength, had needed it that night they’d made love as much as she’d needed his.

      He’d never gotten over her. He probably never would.

      But he’d hurt her terribly. She must hate him. And who could blame her?

      “Gavin?”

      He jerked his head toward the shrubbery lining the far end of the complex, scanning the lot. “Come on, it shouldn’t take me long to pack.” He unlocked the door and gestured for her to go in but she stood ramrod straight.

      Those dark eyes watched him warily. “I can wait out here.”

      “At least come in and sit down,” he said softly. “You look like you’re going to collapse.”

      “Thanks, Mac.” Sarcasm laced her voice. “I’d forgotten how charming you can be.”

      He winced. She’d been feisty and determined to do the right thing by testifying, regardless of the consequences to her safety. He’d wanted her the minute he’d laid eyes on her, but he’d fought the attraction, knowing she was off-limits.

      “Do you mind if I use your phone while you pack?”

      He shook his head, hating the awkwardness between them but knowing he’d drawn the boundaries. “It’s—”

      “I know where the phone is,” Lindsey said quietly.

      He nodded curtly, remembering the night they’d spent together. When her husband had discovered the location of her safe house, his hired hands had come after her and they’d tried to kill her. Gavin had apprehended them just in time to save her. They’d rushed to another safe house, an isolated cabin in the mountains. Emotions had been high, adrenaline pumping from the danger. Things had gotten out of hand. They’d made love. And he’d planted the seed that had become their son.

      Now Lindsey had returned because their baby was missing.

      A wave of nausea hit him but he welcomed it. After deserting them and leaving Lindsey vulnerable and alone, he deserved the pain.

      Lindsey turned away, so he headed toward his bedroom to pack. She was absolutely right. They couldn’t get personally involved again. He’d go to Maple Hollow, check out her story and pray he could help her discover the truth about their baby. But he’d keep СКАЧАТЬ