The Lawman's Secret Son

Seth set his jaw. Phil had never been a close friend, merely one of the guys he’d hung around with growing up, and since being temporarily partnered with him for his first week on the job, he’d been reacquainted with the man’s lack of tact and understanding. “Jack’s mother and I were married.”

“Do tell? Rumor around town says you didn’t know you had a kid.”

His fingers curled into a fist on his thigh. This is what he’d feared—rumors and gossip that would embarrass his family and, especially, Jack. “Don’t believe everything you hear, Phil.”

A low chuckle filled the car. “No, that might tarnish the mighty Montgomery name, now, wouldn’t it? We can’t have that.”

“Just what do you have against my family? You’ve had a chip on your shoulder all your life.”

“Nothing. I just get sick of hearing how superior y’all are. Big house, big company, running everything in town. It’s a wonder none of your clan has run for mayor, then you could really take over.”

Seth let the dig slide. He was in no mood to spar with Phil. What he wanted was to talk to Carrie. He had questions about Jack, things that had happened in the last few days he needed to tell her about. Besides, Jack missed her. He kept going to the window, looking for her and Leo.

As soon as his shift was over he was going to pick up Jack, swing by Angelo’s and get a large pizza. Then he’d show up at her door. She wasn’t going to avoid him forever.

* * *

There were still a few minutes of daylight left in the sky when Carrie got home, a perfect opportunity to take her glass of sweet tea onto the front porch and enjoy the explosion of spring. The azaleas were in full bloom along the side of her house and in the park across the street. Pink, white, red, coral and purple flowers, all mixed together like an exquisite Monet painting. The confederate jasmine that climbed up the side of her porch and made a nice privacy screen was blooming and filling the air with its sweet, heady fragrance.

She’d had a very productive day at work, though none of it had revolved around the anniversary picnic. Her regular duties took a lot of time. The picnic was an extra project. She should have called Seth for help with a few things but hadn’t. She wanted to avoid that situation for as long as possible. It was a futile hope. Especially since she took time out of each day to check on Jack in the preschool in the morning and during after-school care in the afternoon. The little guy was always so glad to see her, and the toothy grin he gave her turned her insides to soft goo. His sweet hugs unleashed a nurturing part of her nature she was beginning to enjoy.

Each night she longed to talk to Seth to see how they were doing and ask how Jack was adjusting. She’d talked herself out of it each time, though, try as she might, she just couldn’t keep thoughts of the pair from invading her mind. She couldn’t decide which little-boy smile touched her more—Jack’s innocent, uninhibited grin or Seth’s slow one, which brought a knowing twinkle to the corner of his eyes.