Adopted Son (21 page)

“It makes me angry when they call me a killer’s son.”

A wound opened inside Tuck.
It made him angry to be a rapist’s son.

He clenched his hands, concentrating on Micah instead of himself. “It’s okay to be angry. We all are at some point in our lives, but in your case you can channel all that emotion into your fastball. For someone your age, you throw a fastball better than anyone I’ve ever seen.”

Micah raised his head. “You think so?”

“Sure. Stay in school, get good grades, keep playing sports and a college scholarship is just waiting for you. After that, the sky is the limit.”

“But everyone thinks I’m a bad person because of what my father did to…”

“I don’t.”

Micah didn’t answer, just picked at the grass.

To help Micah, Tuck knew he had to bare a part of his soul, a part that was as alien to him as anything he’d ever felt. He had to do it, though.

But could he? He suddenly saw Grace’s face and it gave him strength. Courage.

He clenched his hands tighter. “Do you think I’m a bad person?”

Micah looked at him. “No, you’re the best person I know.”

“I’m going to tell you something I’ve never told another human being.”

“What?” Micah’s eyes grew big.

Tuck’s fingers turned numb. “My biological father was a rapist.”

Micah’s eyes grew bigger, if that was possible.

“So do you think I’m a bad person because of what my father did?”

“No. No.” Micah threw himself at Tuck. “You’re the best.”

Tuck held him for a moment, then drew back looking into Micah’s tear-filled eyes. “You see, we have certain genes from our parents, but that doesn’t make us our parents. We’re each a unique individual and we know right from wrong. Our behavior, attitudes and actions determine our destiny.”

As he said the words he knew they were true. Never in his life had he committed a violent act and learning the truth about his father wasn’t going to change that.

“Yeah,” Micah echoed in barely a whisper.

“You keep practicing that fastball and one day I’ll be watching you play in the major leagues.” Tuck ruffled his hair. “Let’s go get a burger and fries and then I’ll take you to school.”

Micah jumped to his feet. “I’m going to be strong, Tuck, just like you.”

Just don’t be blind like me.

When Tuck left the school, he checked his messages. Grace had called four times. He wondered what she wanted. Without hesitation, he called her back, but didn’t get an answer. Now they’d play phone tag.

He had to testify at a murder trial in the afternoon. Afterward he had a meeting with the assistant D.A. to go over some details, and then he went home to change. He was going to see Grace. He’d been in limbo too long. A part of him was helping kids; the other part was loving Grace. He suddenly had a need to tell her that.

For the first time in days he felt alive again.

W
HEN
T
UCK PULLED INTO
his driveway, Grace’s car was parked behind his truck. He drove into the carport, placed his hat on the seat and got out, wondering why she was here. But he didn’t care. He was just happy to see her.

She opened her car door and slipped out, Sam in her arms. The con artist was glad to see her, too. In a power suit and heels, dog hairs on her blouse and jacket, she looked great. The wind tossed her hair across her face and she flipped it back as she made her way to within a couple of feet of him. A sudden warmth flooded his body.

They stared at each other for a full ten seconds. His eyes feasted on her. God, he’d missed her. He’d been going through his daily routine, but it wasn’t the same. His life wasn’t the same without her. She’d said it was okay to have a life, to fall in love.

Had he ruined all hope of that?

“How are you?” she finally asked, and that concerned voice broke through the barriers he’d erected around his heart.

“I’m fine. I’m coming to grips with everything.”

“I’m glad.”

Somehow they’d reverted back to the tense conversations they used to have and that hurt—because he was the cause of it.

“I’ve been trying to reach you for most of the day,” she added.

“I returned your call and left a message.”

“I got it a little while ago and thought I’d come out here in person to tell you.”

His first thought was of Eli, Caroline and Jesse. Had something happened? Fear tugged at his insides.

“What happened?”

“The Templetons are pregnant and have withdrawn their petition for custody of Brady.”

“What!”
Had he heard her correctly?

“The Templetons no longer want Brady.”

“My God.” He swiped a hand through his hair. “I have to call Beau and go…” He frowned. “Where is Brady?”

“He’s still at the hospital.”

“Why?”

“He’s had a staph infection and is running a low-grade fever. They just finished another round of antibiotics. At the time, the doctor thought it best to keep him there.”

“Didn’t the Templetons want to take him home?”

“Lisa been sick a lot lately from the pregnancy, and I don’t think she was up to caring for him.”

“Damn it. So Brady’s all alone?”

“No. The nurses are taking very good care of him and I’ve been there most of the day. I’ve also spoken with the doctor and he feels the staph infection is now under control and Brady is ready to go home.”

He reached for his cell phone. “I have to call Beau.”

“I’ve already called Beau and I’m taking over the case. It’s okay with him if it’s okay with you. I just need your approval. I’ve already spoken with Judge Farnsworth and after applying a little pressure she’s put the hearing on the docket for Monday at one o’clock. She also agreed not to accept any more petitions for Brady.”

He watched her closely. “Thanks.”

“I’m so sorry for what the Templetons have done and I have to make this right—for Brady and for you.”

“You certainly have things rolling.”

“I just need your approval to go forward.”

As he stared into her green eyes he knew without any doubts that she still loved him. She was doing everything in her power to make sure he and Brady were together. But that wasn’t enough now. He and Brady needed her. So many times he thought he could do this alone, but Brady needed a mother. His friends’ wives were right. Brady needed something that Tuck couldn’t give him, but then again, he could.

“You have it,” he replied, realizing she was waiting for his answer. Dealing with the lowest part of his life, he thought he was unworthy of love. Today proved him wrong. Spending time with his little brothers made him see that. Everyone was worthy of love, even him. As he’d told Micah, each person can control their own destiny. And he intended to do that.

She turned to go back to her car and he wanted to say so many things. But “I’m sorry” and “Please forgive me” seemed stuck in his throat.

“Grace.”

She glanced at him.

Sam was still clutched in her arms. “You have my dog.”

“Oh, I’m sorry.” She placed Sam on the ground. “Bye, Sam.”

“Grace.”

She looked up.

“I’m sorry I hurt you.” They stared at each other and he hoped she saw all the regrets in his eyes. He hoped she saw the love.

“Me, too,” she replied, and continued to her car.

Most of his adult life he’d been searching for a woman to love and accept him for who he was. He’d finally found her. Grace had told him that all he needed was their love. She’d been right. He had to tell her. And he had to do it now or he was going to lose her. “Grace.”

She stopped, but didn’t turn around and his heart stilled in his chest.

Grace took a deep breath, fighting for strength.
Please, let me go.
He’d asked for time and she was trying very hard to give him that, but if she looked into his eyes one more time she was going to throw herself at him.

“I love you.” The words came low and husky and sounded better than any Brahms she’d ever heard.

She whirled around, stared into his love-filled eyes and took off running, in high heels, which was something she didn’t do well. She tripped and fell into his arms and he swung her round and round until she was dizzy—dizzy with happiness. Dizzy in love.

“I’m sorry. I’m sorry,” he whispered a moment before his lips claimed hers. The pain and the sadness faded away.

When they came up for air, she stroked his face, his hair. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine.” He kissed her gently. “Thank you for not giving up on me.”

“I’ll never give up on you, Jeremiah Tucker.” Her tongue stroked his lower lip. “I love you.”

He groaned and kissed her deeply. After a moment, he took her hand. “Let’s go inside and talk.”

She followed. She’d follow him anywhere.

Inside Grace felt that comfort and peace she’d found here. She didn’t intend to ever let it go again.

Tuck walked to one of the boxes, knelt down and rummaged through it. Grace knelt beside him. Pulling out a small box, he looked at her.

“Grace Whitten, will you marry me? Will you be Brady’s mother? Will you be the mother of any children we decide to have?”

She bit her lip. “Are you saying…”

“I’m saying I want a life, a complete life with you. You did say I had a right to take some back and a right to fall in love.”

“Yes. Yes.” Tears filled her eyes from sheer joy.

“I’m ready to do that, so will you marry me for better or worse?” He held up the box. “These are my parents’ wedding bands. I’d like for us to use them if it’s okay with you.”

“Yes. Yes. If you don’t kiss me soon, I’m going to start blubbering like an idiot.” She threw herself at him and they tumbled onto the area rug, locked in each other’s arms.

He kissed her until there was no more sadness, no more pain. Grace lost herself in the joy of being back in his arms, in his life. Finally Tuck scooted up against his recliner and pulled Grace onto his lap.

She stroked his hair. “You said you’ve come to grips with everything.”

He turned his head and kissed her hand. “I’m sorry I hurt you, but I’ve never felt that desolate before.”

“And now?”

He told her about Micah. “He was just feeling so much pain and I knew I had to share my pain for him to understand he wasn’t a bad person because of what his father had done.”

“And it helped you to understand that you weren’t a bad person?”

“Yes. I could see it so clearly.”

“All the love you’ve given these boys saved you.”

He kissed her cheek. “In a way. To help Micah I knew I had to accept the circumstances of my birth, to accept that I was still the same man these boys depended on and was always there for them. I had to open up and share to completely accept it, to believe I was worthy of a life and all that it entailed.” He caressed her arm. “But it wasn’t Micah’s, Dillon’s or Pablo’s faces I saw at the end of that long, dark tunnel of pain. It was yours. Seeing your face in my mind gave me the strength to do it.”

She buried her face in his neck, her arms wrapped around him, and Tuck felt an indescribable peace. “Beau told me once he hoped I found an incredibly selfless woman to share my dream. I just found an incredible woman.”

“Ah. Thank you. I’m so sorry you were hurt like that,” she whispered against his skin. “But I had to give you time like you’d asked for and for a bossy, pushy woman that wasn’t easy.”

“Hey. You’re talking about the woman I love. She’s concerned and enthusiastic.”

“Mmm. I like that.” She raised her head. “Is Micah okay?”

“Yes. I’ll be keeping a close eye on him.”

“Oh.” Her eyes grew bright. “Molly woke up.”

“Is she going to be okay?”

“They think so.” She glanced at her watch. “We’d better go. I don’t want to leave Brady too long.”

They rose to their feet and Tuck slipped his arms around her, twirling her around the room. He stopped, buried his face in her hair, just holding her. “I wish we had time to…dance.”

“Me, too,” she groaned as he kissed her ear. “But later…we’ll…have plenty of time…later.”

He grinned and took her hand, walking toward the back door.

Suddenly he thought of something that had to be done. He went to the mantel for a small knife Pa used to carve the names on the table.

“Come here,” he said as he moved toward the kitchen table. “We’re going to carve your name in a place of honor.”

He wrapped his arms around her from behind and guided her hand as they etched Grace next to Tuck. “That’s forever,” he murmured, kissing her cheek.

She trembled and turned into the circle of his arms. “Forever.”

W
HEN THEY REACHED
the hospital, Jennifer told them Brady was in the playroom and they quickly made their way there. Brady, in a gown and socks, squatted on the floor, pushing a toy truck around.

“Hey, buddy,” Tuck said.

Brady glanced up and his eyes grew big, his mouth forming an
O.
Today there was no anger in those eyes, they were bright and clear. Quickly Brady stood and turned away. Tuck didn’t know what he was doing until Brady reached for a ball and rolled it his way.

Tuck swallowed the lump in his throat. Brady remembered. He picked up the ball and walked to Brady. Squatting in front of him, Tuck said, “How are you, buddy?”

Brady just stared at him.

“I’ve been gone for a while, but I promise from now on I will always come back. You can count on that. Do you understand that?”

Brady continued to stare at him.

“If you understand, nod your head,” Tuck prompted, nodding his head.

Brady moved his head up and down.

“Good, Brady.” He was responding and Tuck felt joy spiral through him. “Is it okay if I hug you?”

Brady kept nodding and Tuck lifted him into his arms, holding him tight. Brady laid his head on Tuck’s shoulder and he knew he and Brady were meant to be together.

Just as he and Grace were.

She’d filled an empty place in his life and in his soul.

Grace wrapped her arms around them.