A Father's Secret

He hadn’t had a moment’s hesitation while out on the boat, yet right now he could barely hold back the bile that rose in his throat, let alone drive this heap of metal and motor—this potential death trap.

“Sam?”

“All right!” he snapped back then instantly wished his words back. “I’m sorry, I’ll do it. Just give me a moment.”

The fear in Erin’s voice tripped a trigger in his brain and with a shaking hand he reached to turn the key. The engine roared to life, making him realize that he had automatically pumped the gas. He snapped his seat belt tight and reached to put the car in gear before letting the emergency brake go. One step at a time, he mentally ticked the boxes.

The car inched slowly forward and Sam found himself fighting back the urge to throw up. In the back of the car Riley’s screams had stopped again, and even his crying had subsided a little. In the rearview mirror he noticed Erin was bent over his car seat. She looked up into the mirror, meeting Sam’s eyes.

“You can do this, Sam. But you’re going to have to go a little faster,” she said with a watery smile.

He looked down at the speedometer. Ten miles an hour. He’d have laughed if the situation hadn’t been so ridiculously nerve-racking. If the lives of his son and his son’s mother didn’t depend on how he managed to drive the car.

His fingers curled even tighter on the steering wheel as he applied more pressure to the accelerator. The car jerked forward then slowed as he dragged his foot back again. God, he was a mess. What if he did that up on the road? That awful winding road that led to the nearest town. What if he did something stupid, like the last time he was behind the wheel of a car, and destroyed the lives of the people who now most depended upon him?

He hadn’t even had a chance to tell Erin the truth out on the boat today, as he’d planned. Not that it mattered now, he warned himself as the reminder of the envelope he’d found in the office came flooding back. It hardened his resolve. By doing what she’d done, she’d effectively been denying his right to discover if Riley was his baby. He’d have it out with her in his own good time but right now, his son depended upon him and he was going to prove to himself, if to no one else, he was all the father Riley needed.

Relief flooded through every taut muscle in Sam’s body as he eased the car into a space at the after-hours clinic. Erin was already lifting Riley from his car seat. He’d started screaming again as they driven through the winding hills and not even Erin had been able to calm him. She slung her bag over one arm and clutched the baby to her.

“Can you bring his diaper bag for me?” she asked, already heading for the entry.

“Sure,” he said to her retreating back.

She was through the door before he’d locked the car. He leaned for a moment against the door, the diaper bag in one hand, car keys in the other. He’d done it. He’d actually conquered his worst fear, and he’d done it for Riley. He took a steadying breath and started to walk toward reception, feeling inordinately proud of what he’d achieved.

Erin and Riley were nowhere to be seen when he entered the reception room. In fact, the waiting area was surprisingly quiet with only one other person on the visitors’ seats, slumped in a chair with a year’s old, well-thumbed magazine on his lap.

“Can I help you?” the perky young woman behind the desk enquired as he approached.

“I’m with Erin Connell and her baby, Riley?”

“Poor little thing. Yes, one of our doctors could see her right away.”

“Can I go through?”

“Oh, you’re the father? That’s excellent. I didn’t get all the details I need from Mrs. Connell. Perhaps you could complete them for me, and sign the consent form relating to Riley’s care?”

“Oh, I—” Sam cut himself short.

He was about to say he didn’t have the authority to sign on Erin’s behalf. But he did. He had every right. He was Riley Connell’s father whether Erin liked it or not and as such he silently picked up the pen from the counter and began to complete the remaining details that were required. He’d just finished them and pushed the clipboard back toward the receptionist when his cellphone rang in his pocket.

The receptionist pointed at a sign on the wall requesting that all mobile devices be switched off or turned to silent. Giving her a nod he reached for the phone, ready to turn it off. Then he saw who was calling him.

His private investigator. He hadn’t heard from the guy since he’d told Sam where to find Erin and Riley. Sam had all but given up on him finding any further information. He had to take this call. He had to know what else she might be hiding. Especially in light of what Erin had done by keeping the news about James Connell’s DNA test secret.