His Secret Child (Slade Security Team 2)

“They mean well, but everything is so fresh.”

“More like they’re incredibly nosy.”

Bethany shrugged. “That, too. But it’s more from wanting to know if they can help, or how they can help.”

“There’s no such thing as helping by minding your own business?”

Bethany shrugged. “They know me. They know Jason. They knew Tayra. They don’t know you—so they’re checking you out as much as they’re checking up on me. It’s one of the reasons I’m thin

king about staying a while—it’s good to have people watching your back.”

His shoulders relaxed. Bethany hadn’t realized he was tense. A small smile edged up his mouth, bringing back his charm. “Yeah, I know about that. Now, I hope you’re hungry. I ordered the extra mega size.”

“Cool,” Jason said, looking up from where he’d been blowing bubbles into his soda.

***

After lunch, they boxed up the extra pizza, drove home, and Slade insisted on taking what he called a ‘walk around’ with her. While Jason played in the front yard, Slade had Bethany take him on a tour.

“How old is this place?” he asked.

She shrugged. “I think it’s the mileage more than the years. Tayra never had the cash to fix it and I haven’t had the time. Or the inclination. So long as the roof doesn’t leak, and the water comes on, I’m good.”

He shook his head. “Give it another year and that roof will be leaking. Paint and minor repairs keep the major ones at bay. You want to be proactive about problems.”

She grinned suddenly. The wind tugged at her curls, and Slade wanted to reach out and tangle one around his finger. He shoved his hands in his back pockets instead.

Bethany crossed her arms and leaned against a pine that shaded the side yard. “Now you sound more like Slade of Slade Security. Is that how you see me and Jason—problems to be solved?”

“People aren’t problems. People cause problems.”

“No wonder you’re single.”

He leaned his shoulder against the pine. It was big enough to shade both of them, but he’d moved close enough to smell the scent of Bethany’s shampoo. Lemon and honey, he decided. Sweet and tart at the same time—like Bethany. “How do you know I’m single?”

“No ring. No calls or texts, other than work—unless you live with someone named Travis. That’s the only name I’ve heard you mention, so I’m thinking that’s Travis at work and not Travis at home. I also Googled you and you’ve got the smallest digital footprint I’ve ever seen.”

He grinned. “Unlike you. And Jason. So tell me about his condition—LLD?”

“Leg-length discrepancy.” She let out a breath. “His left leg’s longer than his right. He was born with a condition. They call it Russell–Silver syndrome—RSS. His intrauterine growth wasn’t good, and then Tayra said he was a tough baby to feed. The doctors tried lifts in his shoes, but it’s been getting worse. They want to do surgery now. Either they’ll shorten the longer leg, or lengthen the shorter leg. We’ve been to two specialists, and, surprise surprise, each one has different ideas about what’s better.”

Slade glanced into the front yard. From where they stood, they could see Jason on his knees in the dirt, running trucks over the ground and making engine sounds. “What are the other options? Seems like he’s already been through enough.”

Bethany shook her head. She pushed off of the tree. “I’d give everything to save Jason from this. We put off any thought of surgery once Tayra got sick, but…well, I’m worried now. Jason saw his mom go into the hospital and not come out. That’s not a great thing for any kid to see and now he has to go into another hospital.”

Slade touched a hand to her cheek, brushing at a freckle. “He’s a tough kid. Give him some credit. But this has been hard on you, too.”

She tipped her head to one side. “You really do have a white knight complex, don’t you? Is that the reason for the help? You’re going to bring in an army of contractors, fix the house? Then an army of doctors to fix Jason? Next you’ll be fixing me? Is that the idea? And when you’re done, you can ride off into the sunset.”

“Isn’t it cowboys who ride off? Knights hang around for the bar-be-queued dragon before they split.”

Bethany shook her head. “Nice. Make a joke about it. But I’ve got your number, Slade. Your work is your life, and that means a little boy like Jason would get the best money could buy—but forget about giving him your time. That’s another reason for you to be on my side about me adopting him. I’ve structured my work, my life, for him. I’ve been there for him when Tayra wasn’t. I’m Jason’s stability.”

Slade held up his hands. “Whoa, there, now who’s the cowboy? I’m not here to fight you.”

“Really? Then what are you here for?”

Slade pulled in a breath and let it out. He glanced at Bethany. She was staring up at him, her blue eyes bright. She was going to put two and two together, eventually. But he didn’t want to say anything. Not until he was certain. He shook his head and asked, “When’s Jason’s next doctor’s appointment? I’d like to be there to talk to the doc.”