A Father's Secret

Even as he thought that, his mind argued back in kind. He’d seen Erin with Riley, seen how distressed she’d become when he was ill. She was a good mother—fiercely protective and nurturing. He couldn’t deny that. But as a person? As a woman who had willfully withheld the truth about all manner of things, she left a great deal to be desired.

“Can you email your findings to me in a report by morning?”

“It’s on its way already,” the investigator confirmed.

“Great, and thanks.”

“It’s what you pay me to do, Mr. Thornton.”

Sam severed the connection and thought that yeah, that was exactly what he’d paid the investigator to do. He’d had no idea of the scope of what the man would uncover, though. He shook his head slightly. He’d come so close to admitting his feelings to Erin today. What a damned lucky escape that he hadn’t. What he knew about her now changed everything as far as he was concerned.

Maybe she’d changed from the runaway who’d turned to petty crime to survive, and maybe she hadn’t. Sam really couldn’t know for sure. But nothing could excuse what she’d done as recently as two weeks ago in hiding the DNA test results proving her late husband wasn’t Riley’s father. As far as Sam was concerned, some things were not negotiable and being truthful was one of them. Especially over something as vitally important as the paternity of her son.

He slid his phone back into his pocket and returned to the reception area of the clinic, just in time it seemed. Erin and a far more subdued Riley were coming through from the treatment rooms.

“Everything okay?” he asked, stepping forward and running a hand over Riley’s head. He was cooler at least.

“Yeah, he has an ear and throat infection, poor baby. Must have picked something up when we were in town the other day. They’ve managed to get him to take something to bring his temperature down a little and I need to fill a prescription for a round of antibiotics.” She looked over to the receptionist. “I understand I need to complete some more paperwork before we can go?”

The woman smiled back at her. “Oh, no, your husband completed everything for us. If you can just settle the account you’ll be good to go.”

“I’ll take care of that,” Sam said, whipping out his wallet and sliding a credit card across the counter.

“Thank you,” Erin whispered. “But where did she get the idea that you’re my husband?”

“Later,” he said succinctly. “Let’s get that prescription then get Riley home and settled first.”

He swiped up the receipt from the counter and guided Erin back to the car. While she settled Riley in his car seat, Sam went to the pharmacy attached to the clinic and had the prescription filled. As he walked back to the car Erin straightened from where she’d been leaning in through the back door. She looked directly into Sam’s eyes as he approached. Could she see in them that he knew the truth about her, he wondered. He’d never been a particularly adept poker player, bluffing just wasn’t a part of who he was.

“Would you like me to drive us back?” Erin asked as she accepted the pharmacy bag from Sam.

“Will Riley be okay without you next to him?”

“Good point. The descent on the hill might set him off again. Are you sure you’ll be okay, though?”

“I’ll take it easy. If there’s a problem I’ll let you know.”

Without waiting for her response he sat at the wheel and waited for her to get in back and buckle her seat belt. The old tension caught in his gut as he started the car and backed out of the parking space, then headed out onto the road. He fought against it. He had overcome this already once today. He could beat this thing, the fear, the sense that he and he alone was responsible for the safe carriage of the one he loved.

When they pulled in at the lodge he was shattered. The concentration it had required to keep his cool while driving back had been monumental, but on top of the weariness he was aware of a sense of achievement. He’d conquered one beast, now all he needed to do was gear up for his next battle.

Riley was grumbling again when Erin pulled him from his car seat and carried him inside.

“I’ll get him settled and then I’ll get a meal sorted for us,” she said, going through to her rooms.

“Sure,” Sam said, welcoming the opportunity to get his thoughts together and to decide on the best way to approach this thing.

He went upstairs and stripped off his clothes. It was as if they reeked of the fear that had gripped him when Erin had expected him to drive. He took a quick shower and dressed in a clean pair of jeans and sweater, then made his way back downstairs.