Kitabı oku: «A Baby by Christmas», sayfa 4

CHAPTER FOUR

WHEN JAKE WALKED INTO the kitchen, the phone was ringing. He immediately picked it up. Ms. Woods’s voice came through, clear and impatient. “Mr. McCain, I’ve set up a meeting for four o’clock today. Is that fast enough?”

“Yes, thanks.” He felt a moment of relief.

“I’ll meet you at the office in Houston. The address is on the card I gave you. When you get to Houston, Mrs. Turner, head of our department, will want to explain the situation more fully.”

When were they going to stop explaining things to him and just let him see his son? “Fine,” he said.

“Try to get there a little after three. I know that’s rushing it, but—”

He cut her off. “I’ll be there, and thanks again, Ms. Woods.”

As he hung up, a sense of excitement ran through him. He was finally meeting Ben—his son—and he didn’t have any time to waste. It was already after eleven. He ran into his aunt Vin on the patio.

“Where’re you going in such a rush?” she asked.

Jake grinned. “To see my son.”

Aunt Vin patted his shoulder. “That’s wonderful. When will you bring him home?”

The grin left his face. “It’s a long story and I’m in a hurry. We’ll talk tonight.”

“I’ll be at bingo,” she shouted after him.

“I’ll talk to you in the morning, then.”

“Okay. Drive carefully.”

Jake made a stop at the barn to talk to Mike, to check if there were any problems he couldn’t handle. There weren’t. The machines were out of the fields and the cotton was stored in modules waiting to be taken to the gin. Wags jumped into the truck.

“Sorry, boy, you can’t go,” Jake said, pulling him out by the collar.

Wags whined in protest.

“You can ride with Mike and I’ll be home tonight.”

With Wags barking loudly, Jake climbed into his truck and within minutes he was on the highway to Houston.

He didn’t know what he’d find when he arrived, but as he’d told Beau, he was preparing for the worst. Ms. Woods hadn’t said Ben was mentally challenged. He was just slow. Did that mean the same thing? He wasn’t sure and it didn’t matter. Ben was his son and he’d love him no matter what.

Sherry crossed his mind and Jake wondered again how she could have abandoned her own son. He grunted. What was he thinking? Women abandoned children all the time—children who didn’t have anything wrong with them—like his mother had abandoned him. He still felt a queasiness in his belly from just seeing her. Beau had said there were two sides to every story, but he was wrong. His father had been a hardworking man who loved his family, and his mother had had an affair and become pregnant. She had destroyed a home and a family and Jake couldn’t see any other side than that.

Gently rolling hills, dense woods, farms and ranches flashed by as he drove through Hearne to College Station to Navasota and hit Highway 290 into Houston. The highway merged with Loop 610 South, and as he negotiated heavy traffic, that sense of excitement returned. He couldn’t stop thinking how much more thrilled he’d be if Elise was with him, but she wasn’t.

He wondered how she was. He’d purposefully tried not to think about her, which was impossible because she was always there at the back of his mind. Had she seen an attorney yet? Probably, he decided. What they’d shared was something basic to her. To him, it had developed into something much more.

He had been so shocked when she’d called and asked him out. He didn’t date women like Elise Weber—beautiful, educated and with an air of being untouchable. He preferred women who were soft and natural. Not that Elise wasn’t those things. She just seemed way out of his reach. That was his first impression, but then he got to know her and she was a completely different person. He responded to her warmth and vitality. They seemed to be able to talk forever. He wasn’t a guy who liked to talk, but with her it came easy.

He shifted uncomfortably as he realized Elise had been in control from the start. She knew what she wanted and she didn’t have any problem getting him. Hell, after that first date, he wanted her like crazy. Elise had been a big surprise in the bedroom. Her cool professorial facade disappeared into a warm, inviting woman, and that sensuality blinded him to the problems in their marriage. Her dead husband’s picture on the nightstand was a big example. So many times he’d resisted the urge to knock the damn thing to the floor, but he respected her enough not to do that. He kept waiting for her to remove it. That never happened. And it hurt. His feelings didn’t matter to her.

He didn’t have to worry about Elise, though. She’d be fine because her emotions weren’t involved—not the ones that counted, anyway. It bothered him that he’d hurt her, and it would be a while before he’d lose the feelings he had for her…if ever. She loved someone else and she’d told him that up front. That didn’t keep him from falling for her. But it kept him locked in a pain of his own choosing.

IT WAS TEN AFTER THREE by the time Jake found the office. This office was basically the same as the other, only much larger and there were people in the waiting area. He told the woman at the desk who he was and took a seat. In a few minutes Ms. Woods came out and he followed her into an inner office where an older, gray-haired woman sat at a desk. She stood and shook Jake’s hand.

“It’s nice to meet you, Mr. McCain,” she said. “I’m Gail Turner and I worked with Carmen on Ben’s case when his mother left him at the hospital.”

“Then you know Ben very well?” he asked, taking a chair by the desk.

Mrs. Turner resumed her seat and Jake had a feeling he was in for some cold, hard truths.

“Yes. After Mrs. Carr was granted custody, we checked on Ben for several months and saw that she was very capable of caring for him. We didn’t become involved again until Mrs. Carr called us two months ago. She knew she was dying and she asked us to locate Ben’s father.” She paused. “We weren’t aware until this morning that the Fosters want to adopt Ben. They knew we were searching for the father and they never gave us any indication that adoption was a possibility. But in all fairness I have to admit that they know Ben and his routine and they care for him deeply.”

Jake frowned. “Are you saying the Fosters would be better for Ben than me?”

“A judge will make that decision,” she replied coolly.

Same old line. “On your recommendation.”

“Well, yes, our recommendation will weigh heavily in the decision.”

Jake chose his words carefully. “So, Mrs. Turner, what you’re trying to tell me in not-so-subtle terms is that Ben would be better off living with the Fosters.”

Mrs. Turner clasped her hands on the desk. “Dr. Howard Ruskin, Ben’s doctor, a developmental pediatrician, feels very strongly that it would be detrimental for Ben to be moved out of his familiar surroundings at this time. After several visits with Ben, I have to agree with him. Ben’s taken a step backward because of Mrs. Carr’s death. I’m not sure how much he understands. All he knows is that his grandmother’s gone and he’s retreated into himself. The Fosters are working with him and I’m hoping to see some signs of improvement.”

“But you haven’t?”

“No. He was walking everywhere. Now he stumbles and falls. Mrs. Carr had him talking, but now he won’t say a word.”

“What does Dr. Ruskin say about Ben’s falling and refusal to talk?”

“That he’s grieving and needs some time.”

Jake’s stomach curled into a knot. “You mentioned you didn’t know how much Ben understood. What I’m asking is whether he’s mentally challenged.”

“At first the doctors thought so, but Mrs. Carr refused to believe that. The doctors also thought Ben would be a vegetable and Mrs. Carr proved them wrong. Ben was working on his ABCs and numbers and he was able to repeat them. Mrs. Carr felt he had the ability to learn. He just has to try harder, and I must admit I agree with her. The bottom line, Mr. McCain, is that we want Ben’s progress to continue.”

“I do, too.”

“That’s good.”

Something in her voice alerted Jake. His eyes narrowed.

“You’re not going to try to keep me from seeing Ben, are you?”

“Of course not,” she said. “You’re his father. You have every right to see him, and our goal, whenever possible, is to unite child and parent. But Ben’s case is very different.”

That told Jake more than he wanted to hear. They were pressing him to relinquish his claim on Ben. She hadn’t come out and said it, but it was there in her voice. He stood. “I understand the situation, Mrs. Turner, and now I’d like to see my son.”

“Sure,” she nodded. “Carmen will take you to the Fosters’.”

“One more thing,” he added before leaving. “I want Ben to know that I’m his father.”

Mrs. Turner glanced at Ms. Woods. “As I said, we’re not sure how much Ben understands.”

“I still want him to know—to feel that he’s not alone anymore.”

She seemed to hesitate, then nodded again. “It’s probably best.”

“Thank you,” he said, and left the room.

In the hall Ms. Woods said, “You can follow me over there if you like. I’ll bring my car around.”

Jake did as she asked and tailed her white Corolla through the busy Houston traffic. They made several stops for lights and finally turned into a residential area with brick homes and small landscaped yards. How did people live so close together? He’d grown up with lots of fresh air and space and he wanted Ben to grow up the same way, but it might not be a possibility. He had to prepare himself.

Carmen pulled into a driveway and he parked behind her. Jake glanced at the house. Very neat and clean, he thought, then realized she was waiting so he quickly made his way to the front door.

“Mr. McCain,” she said before ringing the bell. “I need to tell you that the Fosters are not pleased by this visit.”

“I’m not pleased that they have my son, but I’m trying to make the best of a bad situation. I hope they’ll do the same.”

She seemed to want to say more then changed her mind. She pushed the doorbell.

A slim, gray-haired man opened the door. Jake guessed he was somewhere in his fifties.

“Oh, it’s you,” he said gruffly.

“Yes, Mr. Foster, we’re here to see Ben,” Ms. Woods replied.

He opened the door wider and they stepped into the foyer. “This is Jake McCain. Carl Foster.” Carmen made the introductions.

“We know who he is, Ms. Woods,” a woman said as she joined them. She was also thin with graying blond hair. The expression on her face was unfriendly. Jake received that message loud and clear.

“This is Peggy Foster,” Ms. Woods murmured as if nothing had been said, then quickly asked, “Where’s Ben?”

“He’s in the den, but I won’t have him upset,” Mrs. Foster answered.

“We’re not here to upset Ben,” Carmen told her. “We talked about this and I thought you understood.”

“I don’t understand how he can have any rights where Ben is concerned,” Mrs. Foster snapped angrily.

Carl put an arm around his wife and led her to the kitchen. Ms. Woods didn’t say anything and Jake followed her into a large den. His eyes froze on a little boy sitting on a sofa with a pile of Lego blocks in his lap and a tattered teddy bear by his side. He held two pieces in his hands and was trying to fit them together. He looks normal was Jake’s first thought. He wore jeans, a T-shirt and sneakers like other kids. He was small for his age, though. And so thin.

Jake didn’t know what he was expecting, but at the sight of his son he felt as if the sun had burst open inside him, filling him with so much warmth that for a moment all he could do was absorb the wonderful feeling.

Ms. Woods sat beside the boy. “Hi, Ben.”

Ben didn’t answer. He kept fiddling with the plastic pieces.

“I brought someone to see you.”

Still no response.

“Ben, do you hear me?”

Nothing.

“I brought your daddy to see you.”

Ben slowly raised his head and stared at Jake. Jake’s stomach tensed at the sight of that precious face. Ben looked so much like the boy in Jake’s baby pictures, with his sandy brown hair and brown eyes. This was his son. The pain in his stomach shot straight to his heart. His son was waiting, but he couldn’t seem to move.

Finally, he took several leaden steps to sit by Ben. He tried to ignore the pain in his chest and concentrate on the pleasure.

Ben’s eyes followed him.

“Hi, Ben,” he said, his voice rusty.

Ben just stared at him.

Jake glanced down at the Lego blocks. “What are you building?”

No answer.

“It’s been a while since I played with these. Are you making a house? A car?”

Still nothing, but Ben’s eyes never wavered from Jake’s face.

“How about a tractor? I know a lot about tractors. I have several on my farm. Would you like to build a tractor?”

Ben held out a green Lego.

At the unexpected gesture, Jake felt exquisite joy. Ben was responding to him. He took the block, so desperately wanting to touch his son, to hold him. Instead he picked up several more and started working on a tractor. Ben continued to hand him pieces and Jake thought maybe Ben should help. “Okay.” He smiled. “Your turn.”

Ben tried to snap two green ones together, but couldn’t because he didn’t have them lined up correctly. Jake resisted the urge to help. In deep concentration, Ben worked until finally he’d figured out how to join the pieces.

“That’s great!” Jake gushed, feeling as if Ben had split the atom or something equally important.

After that, they continued fitting pieces together until they had a strange-looking tractor. “I don’t know, son, but I think I’ve forgotten the finer points of building a tractor.”

Ben held the model against his chest, his eyes huge.

“Next time I come to see you, I’ll bring you a toy tractor. Would you like that?”

Ben nodded.

Jake’s pulse accelerated. Ben understood what he was saying.

“Mr. McCain, it’s time to go,” Ms. Woods spoke up.

No. He couldn’t leave his son, but he knew he had no choice. He wanted to take Ben in his arms and hold him, but he was afraid it might frighten the child. It took all the strength he had to resist.

Jake got to his feet. “I’ll be back, Ben,” he said, and he noticed the look on Ms. Woods’s face. Surely she wouldn’t try to keep him away from Ben.

The Fosters came into the room and Jake and Ms. Woods left. Outside, Ms. Woods said, “I wish you hadn’t told Ben you were coming back.”

“Why?”

“Because it’s a very sticky situation.”

“And it will get stickier if you deny me access to my son.”

“I’m not doing that,” she insisted.

Jake raked a hand through his hair. “I’m sorry. I’m a bit overwhelmed at the moment, but I want to spend as much time as I can with my son. I realize, though, that I have to clear that with you.”

Carmen relaxed. “Yes, and I appreciate your cooperation.”

He drew a hard breath, trying to be patient, accommodating, anything to gain time with Ben. “I don’t understand what the Fosters have against me. Why wouldn’t they encourage a connection to Ben’s father?”

“They’re still dealing with Mrs. Carr’s death, so please try to be understanding and respect their privacy.”

Jake tilted his head up toward the smoky blue sky. It was the middle of October and fall was in the air with a robust feeling of cooler temperatures. They wanted him to understand. Did they realize what it was like for him? To have his whole world torn apart? Then be expected to let strangers raise his boy—his own flesh and blood. “When’s the hearing?”

“A date hasn’t been set, but since you’ve been located, we’re expecting it to be soon.”

“Then CPS will tell a judge who should raise Ben?”

“Yes.”

“How can you do that when you’re hesitating to give me time with Ben?” He held his hand up when she started to speak. “You don’t know if I can take care of my son or love him or nurture him. You can’t write an honest report unless you give me a chance.”

“This would be so much easier if you and your wife weren’t separated.”

Jake was taken aback. “Are you saying I can’t take care of my son because I’m a man?”

“I’m saying Ben needs a loving, stable environment and I’m not sure you can provide that.”

“I see,” he said slowly. “Then there’s only one recourse left.”

“What’s that?”

“To show you that I can provide that.” He moved toward his truck. “I’ll be back tomorrow. Set it up. Same as today.”

“Mr. McCain, that’s very arrogant and I—”

“Do it,” he interrupted. “I’ll wait for your call.”

Jake drove away feeling as if he’d won this battle, but the war was far from over. There was no doubt that he wanted his son. All those fears inside him had dissipated when he saw the face of his child. Now he’d fight for him, because Jake knew in his heart what was best for Ben—to be raised by his father.

He had to learn about Ben’s medical problems, how to care for him. That would take time, but he could do it. He felt confident about that now.

THE DRIVE HOME WAS LONG but he hardly noticed. He thought about Ben…and Elise. She kept intruding even though he tried not to think about her. He wanted to tell her about Ben, to share this with her, but that wasn’t going to happen, so he’d better get accustomed to the idea of being a single father.

As he neared Marlin, his cell phone rang. He picked it up and heard the voice that had been humming through his head.

“Jake, it’s Elise,” she said. “You left some things and I have them ready for you to pick up.”

Getting rid of all the evidence that he’d ever lived in her house, he thought, but he replied, “I’m not far from your place. I can stop by now and get them.” He was such a glutton for punishment. He was closer to the farm than he was to her place. Why didn’t he tell her to throw the things out? He didn’t need them. Still, he didn’t like the way they’d parted and he hoped they could end the marriage amicably. Maybe this was his chance to do that.

“Oh, that’s fine,” she was saying. “I’ll see you, then.”

As he clicked off, he wondered if she’d done anything about a divorce. He couldn’t help thinking, though, that a divorce was the last thing he wanted. Not today—not ever.

SHE’D DONE IT, ELISE TOLD herself. The clothes were just an excuse to see him, to talk to him. She wasn’t uncaring and insensitive to his needs and she had to tell him that. Most importantly, she had to apologize about the photo.

She ran into the closet and gathered his clothes. A fragrance tempted her nostrils and she paused for a moment. Aramis. One day when she was shopping she’d bought the cologne for him, not sure if he’d like it or not, but he had and she now associated that scent with him.

Shaking her head, she put everything in a bag, even his items from the bathroom. When Jake took those, his presence would be gone from the house. She sank onto the bed. No, it wouldn’t, she had to admit to herself. So many feelings were struggling to surface, but she couldn’t let them. The past and the emotions connected to her fears and anxieties kept her bound. But through the mental block one thing rang true: she had to see Jake.

The doorbell buzzed and she jumped. Jake was here.

CHAPTER FIVE

WHEN JAKE STEPPED INTO the foyer, Elise felt almost out of breath. The foyer wasn’t small, but suddenly the confines of the entry overwhelmed her…or was it Jake?

“Hi,” he said, and her stomach trembled at the warmth in his voice.

Her eyes met his. “Hi.”

“How are you?”

She tucked her hair behind her ears and walked toward the living room—to put some distance between them and to sort through her emotions. “Fine,” she lied. “Your things are in here.” She picked up the bag and handed it to him.

He took it and asked, “Could we talk for a minute?”

“Sure,” she replied, sitting on the Queen Anne chair and slipping her bare feet beneath her. She was glad he’d asked to talk. It made what she had to say easier.

He sat on the sofa. “Have you seen a divorce lawyer yet?” he asked.

She shook her head. “No, I haven’t gotten around to it.” She wondered if he could hear the hesitation in her voice.

“Let me know when you do.”

I don’t want a divorce. I don’t want a divorce. I want a baby…and I want you. The words ran through her head but she couldn’t say them. Something inside her wouldn’t allow her to do that, and she knew what it was—fear. Despite this, she had to find a way to tell him.

She smoothed the front of her pants. “I have to apologize.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Oh?”

“You were right. It was insensitive of me to leave Derek’s picture on the nightstand. I shouldn’t have done that and I’m sorry.”

Jake was dumbstruck. He’d never expected her to admit that. She kept the man on a pedestal, and she wanted the world, including Jake, to do the same. He cleared his throat. “Thanks, and it was insensitive of me to bring it up when I did.”

“You were angry and you had a right to be.”

He didn’t know where this was coming from and he didn’t want to say anything that would hurt her more.

“Maybe,” he admitted grudgingly.

She raised her eyes to his. “I do care about you. You were wrong when you said I didn’t. I wouldn’t have asked you to marry me otherwise.”

“From the start I knew you could never love me. You were still in love with your dead husband, but I wasn’t asking for your love—just your consideration.”

She bit her lip, his confession obviously cutting deep. “I guess my mother and Judith were right, which I never like to acknowledge, but I’ve been obsessed with having a baby. I couldn’t think about anything else. It took over my life, my thinking, my reasoning…and my treatment of you.”

“Elise—”

She broke in. “I took all the magazines on conception and childbirth and threw them in the trash.” She blinked back a tear. “It’s so hard to let go of that dream, but I realize now that I’m not ready for a child. I just got carried away with the thought.”

“How do you know you’re not ready for a child?” he asked, puzzled.

“If I were, I’d be able to accept your little boy, to love him, to be his mother—but…”

Jake’s heart stumbled, and he realized he’d been hoping she’d change her mind. That hope was now gone.

“Please don’t think I’m heartless,” she begged. “I wish I could explain to you how I feel, how…”

What was she trying to tell him?

“It’s okay,” he assured her. “It’s a tough situation.”

They were quiet for a moment. Jake wasn’t sure what to say to her and the words slipped out before he could stop them. “I saw Ben today.”

“I’m glad.” She had to squeeze the words past her lips.

Jake wanted to tell her everything, but he could see she was uncomfortable talking about Ben. So he had to let it go…and he had to let Elise go.

He stood. “Thanks for the apology. It means a lot. Now I’d better leave because I have to be up early to make the drive to see Ben again.” He moved toward the door, then turned back. “If you’d like to meet Ben, just call me. It might change the way you feel.” Why had he said that? He had to make her aware that option was still open to her—to be a part of his life…and Ben’s.

“It won’t,” she said quietly.

Jake walked out the door, feeling as if he’d just been sucker punched.

ELISE BLINKED BACK TEARS, refusing to cry. She couldn’t do that anymore. Getting to her feet, she noticed the bag on the floor. Jake had forgotten his things. She grabbed them and ran for the front door in time to see Jake’s tail-lights disappearing out of the driveway. She carried the bag to the closet. She’d call him tomorrow. No, she wouldn’t. She couldn’t see Jake again, it was too painful. She’d give the things to Beau and he could take them to Jake.

Jake’s cologne wrapped around her and a whimper left her throat. Why was this so hard? Why couldn’t she just tell him the truth? She’d planned to, but looking into his warm eyes she couldn’t tell him that she’d almost killed a child with her negligence. She was so afraid of taking responsibility for a child that wasn’t her own, so afraid of hurting his little boy. She shook her head and made her way to the bedroom.

She saw Derek’s picture turned down on the nightstand and picked it up. Derek was the only one she could talk to. He understood her and loved her unconditionally. Staring down at his loving face, she knew why she kept his picture on display. She never wanted to forget Derek, and if she saw him every day, she wouldn’t. She closed her eyes as reality spun its truth. Despite having just looked at the picture, she didn’t see Derek’s face anymore. Jake was all she could see. She wasn’t sure how that had happened. But it had.

Derek and Jake were so different. She’d met Derek in college. They’d been friends first and then study partners because they both loved American literature. One evening as they were studying for an exam, Derek had said, “If I asked you for a date, would you go?” She didn’t have to think twice. She answered “Yes” immediately. A few dates later he’d asked, “Do you mind if I kiss you?” Derek was kind, considerate and gentle. His lovemaking was the same, and she’d never wanted any other man in her life.

Until she met Jake.

He was so completely different…or maybe it was the different effect Jake had on her emotions. From the first moment she saw him, she thought he was handsome and sexy and she harbored risqué fantasies about him, which shocked her, then excited her and made her feel alive and feminine again. She’d never realized how much she needed that. She found herself acting on unusual impulses…like dreaming of babies and marriage. Their sex life was unlike anything she’d ever imagined. It was so much more. Derek had been gentle and affectionate, but Jake was passionate and fiery, and when they got into bed she wasn’t just lying there being made love to—she was a partner giving and taking until she heard herself moaning with pleasure. She wasn’t shy with Jake. She was actually bold and daring and she enjoyed discovering that part of her nature.

She felt as if she’d betrayed Derek because Jake touched a part of her that her first husband hadn’t. She and Jake had connected in a special way—the way a husband and wife should. And now it was over. All because of her.

She stood, opened a drawer and placed Derek’s picture inside. That part of her life was over, too. The years stretched lonely and empty before her, unless she could talk about it. Share it. No, she couldn’t do that. She couldn’t tell Jake she’d almost killed a child. He’d think she was a terrible person.

But then she was a terrible person. She was letting her teenage phobia control her, allowing her to reject a three-year-old boy who needed a mother. That made her the worst kind of woman—a woman without maternal instincts. A woman who was only capable of caring for a child if he was her own flesh and blood. The pain ripped through her and she let it. She didn’t try to rationalize it or to disguise it. She deserved it.

JAKE REACHED THE FARM, feeling numb inside and trying to come to terms with the ending of his marriage. He hadn’t eaten but he wasn’t hungry.

He walked into the kitchen and stopped short. Beau was sitting at the table feeding Wags some doggy treats.

“What are you doing here, Beau?” he asked as he pulled up a chair.

“Feeding that hungry dog of yours. You should feed him more often.”

“Wags is always hungry,” Jake commented. “He spends a lot of his time chasing rabbits out of the cotton fields and he burns up a lot of energy trying to catch one.”

Wags rested his face on Jake’s thigh while Jake stroked him. “Wags is a good dog.”

Beau appeared thoughtful. “There’s a woman who lives in the condo next to mine and she adopts every stray she finds. She found a cat and was nursing it back to health. I agreed to keep it at my condo while she was out of town. I’m not too fond of cats, but I enjoyed this one and all her antics.”

“Animals are good company and friends.” Jake continued to rub Wags and the dog’s tail beat a steady tattoo on the floor.

“Actually I prefer the human female variety for company.”

Jake did, too. He preferred Elise and…

The silence stretched, then Beau asked, “How did it go with Ben?”

Jake ran both hands over his face and knew he had to talk to someone or he’d explode. “I saw him, Beau, and he was the most beautiful sight.”

“Then he’s not hooked up to machines or anything?”

“No, he seems like a normal three-year-old except he’s small and thin.” Jake glanced off to the blue ceramic cookie jar of his mother’s. She’d left it behind just like she’d left him. As a kid, he remembered dragging a chair up to the counter and stealing a cookie. Would Ben ever be able to do that? He cleared his head of such thoughts.

“He was sitting on a sofa playing with Lego blocks,” he continued. “He had a difficult time making the pieces fit but he tried and tried, and his eyes lit up when he did. Even though he didn’t speak, he kept watching me. They don’t know how much he understands. I think he understood that I’m his father, though.”

“Did you tell him you were?”

“Ms. Woods did,” Jake explained. “I asked that he be told.”

“Good for you.” Beau paused. “Can Ben walk?”

“They said he can, but he stumbles and falls, especially since Mrs. Carr’s death.”

Beau leaned forward. “Why did CPS contact you now?”

“Mrs. Carr was dying and asked them to find Ben’s father. I told you that.”

“Yes, I know, but why didn’t they contact you when Sherry basically abandoned Ben? Your name was on his birth certificate. Isn’t that what you said?”

Jake got to his feet and paced back and forth. “Yes…yes it was. God, I’ve been so consumed with the fact that I have a son that I never thought of that. Why did they wait so long to find me?”