Child of Mine

And his eyes. They’d been so easy to recognize because they were like hers and like her father’s.

Leah smiled, imagining Leland Hunter as a child, imagining him with his grandson.

Danny was a beautiful child, just as she’d known he would be. And he seemed so happy, easily smiling, laughing. Matt was right about one thing. She couldn’t take him away.

But he was wrong about her commitment.

She would last far more than a week.

She would last as long as it took.

Chapter Five

“Dad? Where’s Timbuktu?” Danny asked, sitting at the kitchen table, doing his homework.

Matt chuckled. “Where’d you hear about Timbuktu?”

“At school. Miss Randolph said that’s where she’s gonna go on her next vacation.”

“I think Miss Randolph was joking. How many more reading questions do you have?”

“Two.”

Miss Randolph must have been having a bad day, but kids could drive the most patient adult batty. Matt remembered when Danny was about three, an age when he was questioning everything. He went through a period of asking about everyone he saw. Everyone they passed on the street, walking or driving. And even though Rosewood was a small town, that was a lot of “who’s that?” Matt smiled to himself. But the little guy had been so excited to see every new face.

Every stage had been a revelation to Matt. He’d seen the world through new eyes.

Danny put his books and notebook into his backpack, then hung it on the hook near the door.

In the adjoining great room, Matt sat on a thick rug that was anchored by a heavy coffee table. On it, he and Danny had assembled an elaborate dinosaur settlement. Danny joined him, but seemed preoccupied as he adjusted the volcano.

Matt hoped Leah hadn’t said anything. “Something bothering you, pal?”

Danny shrugged. “Billy’s gonna have a baby brother or sister.”

Matt could hear the dejected note in his son’s voice. “You don’t sound very excited.”

“Billy was my only friend like me. You know, who didn’t have any brothers or sisters.”

Matt sighed. “I see.” In the past he’d told Danny that it took both a mother and father in a marriage for siblings. He had impressed upon him the value of family, the sanctity of marriage. But he didn’t want to bring up the subject of Danny’s mother right now. He’d always told Danny that he didn’t know where she was. “Billy’s always been a good friend to you, hasn’t he?”

“Uh-huh.”

“And he’s happy about having a new brother or sister?”

Danny pushed a toy brontosaurus close to a tall, plastic palm tree. “Uh-huh.”

“Then, how should a good friend feel for him?”

Danny was quiet for a while. “Happy?”

“Yes, even though that’s not very easy. But, what do we know about the right thing to do?”

“That it’s not always easy.”

Matt leaned over to hug him, his heart tightening. He believed everything he’d taught his son and what he was telling him now. But he also believed everything he’d told Leah Hunter. He couldn’t let her snatch Danny away from everything he knew and loved until she tired of whatever she was playing at. For all John’s failings, Matt couldn’t accept that he would have lied about something so important.

John’s father had been a weak man, but Matt and John’s mother had been a woman of deep faith and strong values. And Matt was convinced that John would have matured into a responsible man had he lived.

“Dad, do you think you might get married sometime?”

Matt cleared his throat. There hadn’t been much time for anyone in his life except Danny. And now… “I don’t know,” he replied honestly. “But I can’t get married just so you’ll have a little brother or sister. It has to be someone I love.”

Danny’s eyes were so serious. “Do you love anyone?”

“You betcha.” Matt tousled his dark hair. “I love you, buddy.”

Danny giggled. “I know that!”

“Good.” Matt reached across the table, adjusting one of the toy dinosaurs. “Your tyrannosaurus rex is about to eat that palm tree.”

“Nah! A rex doesn’t eat trees!”

Soon they were engrossed in the dinosaur valley and remained so until bath and bedtime. After a story and prayers, Matt tucked Danny in.

He looked so young as his eyelids grew heavy and he fought the last surrender to sleep. So young and innocent. How would it affect his son if he and Leah waged a legal battle over him?

Sighing, Matt smoothed the hair back on Danny’s forehead. He straightened the blanket, then turned the lamp off. But he left a small night-light on as he’d always done.

Back in the kitchen, he reached in the refrigerator for a Coke when he heard a quiet knock on the back door. Opening it, he was glad to see his old friend. “Hey, Roger.”

“It’s not story or bath time, is it?”

“Nope, Danny just got to sleep.”

“Wish I hadn’t missed seeing him, but I’m glad I’m not interrupting. Can I borrow your router?”

“Sure.” Matt held up his can of cola. “Want something to drink?”

“Sounds good.”

Matt pulled out another Coke and handed it to his friend. “I’m sorry I didn’t bring that bookcase over today.”

Roger shrugged as he straddled one of the bar stools. “I figured you got busy.”

“I got paranoid.”

Pausing midway in opening the soft drink, Roger glanced at his friend. “That doesn’t sound like you.”