Adopted Son (8 page)

As he drove home he wondered about Grace. Why hadn’t she told him she was no longer on the case? Because it didn’t matter. Her firm still represented the Templetons and her loyalty was with them. What about her personal feelings? Did she feel he’d make a good father?

Turning off the freeway, he decided he was thinking too much about Grace. But tonight had been one of those experiences that he would remember always.

She’d called him Tuck.

T
HE WEEK PASSED SLOWLY
for Grace. She knew the Templeton case was on the docket for Thursday and they had gone over it in the weekly meeting. She didn’t offer Ann any advice and Ann didn’t ask for any. Ann felt the case was a sure win. Grace didn’t respond to that, either.

To say she was torn was putting it mildly. Her heart was clearly going in a different direction than her mind or her firm’s best interest. But since she’d had the talk with Tuck by the vending machine, her heart was not on business.

Her mind was, though.

On Wednesday, she went by the hospital to check on Brady. Tomorrow his future would be decided and she wanted to make sure it was the right one. Telling herself to stay out of it didn’t seem to work.

The beautiful Jennifer wasn’t on duty but another nurse told her that Brady was in the playroom with the Templetons. She stood outside the door watching Brady, Lisa and Keith interact. Lisa and Keith sat at a child’s table with a big puzzle on it. Brady stood trying to fit the pieces together, seeming oblivious to the two adults.

Lisa said something to Brady and he didn’t respond. She touched his shoulder and Brady pulled away, concentrating on the puzzle for a second then darting around the room, his socks making no sound on the tiled floor.

Brady was so beautiful with his big eyes and sweet face that Grace couldn’t take her eyes off him. Brady’s whole life was ahead of him. All he needed was the right people to nurture and guide him. Were Lisa and Keith those people? She had to be sure about that.

For Tuck.

And for herself.

Brady ran by Lisa and she reached out to catch him, holding him in her arms. Brady wiggled for a second to get away, but Lisa held on. Suddenly he laid his head on her shoulder. Grace’s breath caught in her throat.

“I guess everyone was right,” a familiar voice said from behind her.

Grace whirled to face Tuck, her pulse racing at his tall figure. She swallowed. “About what?”

“Caroline and others have said that Brady needs a mother. He needs nurturing and care from a woman so he can trust again.” His eyes were on Brady and Lisa and the pain in those eyes tore through Grace.

“Brady has a lot to overcome and it’s going to take time,” she offered for lack of something to say.

“Yeah, and he needs someone with him twenty-four hours a day.”

She was taken aback by his response. “Does that mean you’re withdrawing your petition?”

“No.” He glanced at her. “A judge will still have to make the decision concerning who’s best for Brady. But when Brady grows up, I want him to know there was a man who never gave up on him.”

That was the most caring thing she’d ever heard and tears stung the back of her eyes. She couldn’t make a fool of herself in front of him.

“You didn’t have to take yourself off the case,” he said abruptly. “I’m sorry I mentioned that.”

Her hand tightened on the strap of her purse. “I felt it was the right thing to do.”

He stared at Brady and Lisa. “Sometimes doing the right thing is hell.” After saying that, he walked off down the hall.

Grace’s chest contracted painfully and she wanted to go after him, to reassure him. But it wasn’t up to her.

Glancing back to the room, she saw Brady push Lisa away. She caught him again and he hit her. Grace winced. That wasn’t good. Brady had a lot of anger inside him and his recovery wasn’t going to happen overnight.

As Grace left the hospital, she thought of going to Tuck’s but she knew he wouldn’t welcome her presence. And he probably wanted to be alone before the big decision tomorrow.

So she went home to her neat, quiet apartment.

N
OT MANY THINGS
made Tuck nervous, but he had to admit he was on edge about today’s proceedings. Shaving, he nicked his chin. He spilled coffee on his slacks and had to change. When he spilled his coffee a second time, he realized he was as nervous as he’d ever been.

And the day had barely begun.

He met Beau at the courthouse and Beau explained what was going to happen. Tuck nodded. He just wanted it over with.

They met the Templetons and their attorney in the judge’s chambers. Opal Johnson and Harvey Beckman from CPS were there. A doctor and a therapist were there, too. They found seats in front of the judge’s desk.

They stood as the bailiff introduced Judge Nora Farnsworth. She took her seat and everyone resumed theirs. Each attorney presented their reasons why their client was the best person to gain custody of Brady Harper. The doctor spoke of Brady’s injuries and his recovery. The therapist talked about Brady’s mental health and the care and attention he needed for a full recovery.

“I have read all the facts, listened to the witnesses and in most cases I would take more time to review this case.” The judge closed a file and addressed everyone. “But CPS, Mrs. Johnson in particular, has stressed that Brady Harper needs stability now. So many people around him is confusing him more.” The judge adjusted her glasses.

“Ranger Tucker, I’m very impressed with your devotion to this child, as is Mrs. Johnson. I have depositions from just about every nurse on the pediatric ward praising your devotion and constant vigil at Brady’s bedside. For a single male that is very unusual and I realize that you’ve formed a connection to the boy.”

Tuck felt a big but coming and he didn’t have to wait long.

“But I have several reservations. Number one is your job. As a lawman, it is very high risk and time consuming. Number two is your single status.”

“Your Honor.” Beau was on his feet. “I sent the court several cases where a single male was granted custody of a minor child. Just because a man is single doesn’t mean he can’t successfully raise a child.”

“Yes, Mr. McCain, I read your documents and I am thoroughly impressed with your research. But Brady Harper is different. He’s not biologically linked to Ranger Tucker and Brady has problems that will require a lot of attention. Even at fourteen months, he has a lot of anger issues. He needs to know that someone is always going to be there for him. That trust, that bond, has to be built day by day.”

“Your Honor…”

“Sit down, Mr. McCain. I’m ready to rule on this case.

“In light of Brady’s physical and mental state, I see no recourse but to place him with the Templetons, where he will have a full-time mother and father. Brady will need that structure to grow strong and healthy.”

“Damn,” Beau said under his breath.

Tuck’s breath wedged in his throat like a wad of cotton and for a moment he had trouble breathing. The verdict was what he was expecting, but he never realized it would hurt this much.

“Thank you, Your Honor.” Ann Demott rose to her feet. “When will the Templetons be able to take Brady home?”

“His wounds haven’t healed completely and I’m also concerned about his mental state. The therapist feels Brady has locked himself away into a safe corner of his mind and it will take a lot of patience and love to reach him. I would like the Templetons to spend most of each day with Brady so he can get to know them and start the bonding process. The therapist feels strongly about this, as do I. Brady is in familiar surroundings and to take him out of the hospital now would be disastrous. This has to be done slowly. In two weeks, I’ll review the therapist’s reports and make a ruling on when the Templetons can take Brady home. I hope all goes well. This little boy deserves a second chance.”

“Thank you, Your Honor.” Lisa smiled brightly and hugged her husband.

“I hope you realize the enormous task ahead of you,” the judge replied.

“Yes, Your Honor, we do,” Keith said.

Tuck stood, needing to say something. “Your Honor, may I please have some time to say goodbye to Brady? I don’t want him to feel that I’ve abandoned him.”

“Ranger Tucker, considering Brady’s mental state, I agree. I want this to go as smoothly as possible for Brady.” She signed a document then looked at Tuck. “Ranger Tucker, I hope you understand I’m doing what’s best for Brady Harper.”

“Yes, Your Honor.”

And that was it. The Templetons would raise Brady. He swallowed back any resentment he felt. His bottom line was still Brady’s well-being.

Everyone rose as the judge left the room. Tuck saw Eli and Caleb standing at the back, and to the right stood Grace. His heart leaped. For a brief moment he thought she was here for him, and then he realized she was here for the Templetons. They were her friends and her firm represented them.

For some reason that hurt.

Opal gave Tuck a hug. “I’m sorry, but I told you. Don’t worry, though. One day I’ll find the perfect child for you.”

“Thanks, Opal.”

“Even if you are single,” she whispered under her breath and walked away.

Tuck smiled slightly as Eli and Caleb strolled toward him.

“Sorry, man,” Eli said.

“Me, too,” Caleb added.

“Thanks,” Tuck replied, feeling the need to be alone. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Grace speaking to the Templetons. Was she congratulating them?

“We’re meeting Jake at Metz’s Park to shoot some hoops then we’re going out for a juicy steak.” Caleb was talking, but Tuck’s attention was on Grace. Her hair was loose around her shoulders again, making her green eyes vibrant and her features soft and appealing. She was beautiful. Why had he never noticed that before?

And why was he noticing it now?

“Tuck?”

He swung his focus to Caleb. “It’s not even three in the afternoon. I’ll be fine, guys. I appreciate your being here, but go back to work.”

Eli shook his head. “No can do. Jake’s on his way and he’s dropping Elise and the kids at my house. Macy and Zoë are already there and Josie will arrive after work. It’s all planned.”

Tuck took a moment to absorb this. It felt good to be included as one of the McCains and no way was he letting them down. He needed to burn off some restless energy and what better way than to fool around with friends who knew what he was going through.

“Okay,” he said and picked up his hat, placing it on his head. As he did, his eyes caught Grace’s and she walked over to him.

Being perceptive guys, his friends moved away to give them some privacy.

“I’m sorry,” she said, and he got the feeling she really meant it.

“I knew it was a long shot, but I had to try.” He shoved his hands into the pockets of his slacks, feeling nervous again and he didn’t know why.

“Brady will have a good home.”

“I’m counting on it.” He tried to smile and failed.

They stared at each other and he wasn’t sure what to say, so he said the only thing he could. “Bye, Grace.” Walking toward his friends, he felt this was goodbye in more ways than one.

Without warning, a pang of regret hit him.

G
RACE FELT BAD FOR
T
UCK
and she couldn’t get his hurt expression out of her mind. So she spent the rest of the afternoon in her office, working, staying busy to keep from thinking about Tuck.

She had three messages from her father, all irate that she wasn’t taking calls, all about Derek Mann. After returning the calls, she sat in deep thought. Her father was nervous and she had to wonder why. She had taken over the firm so why was he stepping back into the picture? He was a U.S. Congressman and not affiliated with the Whitten Law Firm anymore. Or that was the picture he presented to his constituents and his adversaries. What was going on?

She flipped through the impressive résumé of Derek Mann. He’d attended law school at Baylor University and had received a law degree from University of Houston. He graduated in the top ten percent of his class. After that, he clerked for some impressive judges in Texas and Washington. The last year he was a partner in a big-name firm in Boston. Why did Mann want to come back to Texas? And what did he have to do with her father?

Pushing a button on her phone, she said, “Nina, I’d like to see Chuck as soon as possible.”

“Yes, ma’am, I’ll let him know.”

Chuck Wallace and his father, Charley, were the firm’s main private investigators. Sometimes they hired outside investigators if they needed extra help on a case, but Charley Wallace had been on the payroll since her father’s days at the firm. She’d hired Chuck three years ago and she knew she could trust his discretion. Charley was very loyal to her father and she wanted to avoid questions she felt she didn’t need to answer.

Her cell buzzed. It was Caroline.

“Are you okay?”

Her hand gripped the phone. “Yes. Why wouldn’t I be?”

“You don’t have to appear tough with me, Grace. I know this day was hard for you.”

Her sister knew her better than anyone. “Yes,” she admitted. “I felt bad for Tuck. He really loves Brady.” That’s what bothered her the most—Tuck’s feelings for Brady were real, sincere. But then, she reminded herself, Lisa’s and Keith’s were, too. And those feelings would grow once they got to know Brady. They would make great parents. She really believed that.

There was a long pause on the other end. “You called him Tuck.”

“Yes” was all she could say.

“We’re having a girls’ night at my house,” Caroline said. “And you’re invited.”

“Caro, I’m busy.” She didn’t want to intrude. Everyone was married and had kids or were expecting. She’d feel out of place.

“The guys are consoling Tuck and you’re coming. Do you hear? No suit, either. I’m making double-fudge brownies and I have ice cream.”

“Caro…”

“And Jesse would like for you to come. He misses his Auntie Grace.”

Grace sighed. “You’re so good.”

“See you later.”

Grace clicked off with a thoughtful expression. She was glad Tuck had company tonight. At least he wasn’t alone. Or with Jennifer. Where did that thought come from? It came from the right side of her brain where jealousy was alive and well. She definitely needed a night out.

She checked her appointments as Nina buzzed.

“Yes?”

“Chuck’s here.”

“Send him in.”

A man in his thirties with disheveled hair and a worried expression entered. Chuck lived on antacids. There was always a roll in his shirt pocket. She noticed the bulge along with his pens and notepad. An ex-police officer, Chuck was injured in the line of duty and Grace was more than glad to have him as a member of the Whitten team.