LITMIR.BIZ

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about three, an age when he was questioning everything. He went through a period of asking about everyone he saw. Everyone they passed on the street, walking or driving. And even though Rosewood was a small town, that was a lot of “who’s that?” Matt smiled to himself. But the little guy had been so excited to see every new face.

      Every stage had been a revelation to Matt. He’d seen the world through new eyes.

      Danny put his books and notebook into his backpack, then hung it on the hook near the door.

      In the adjoining great room, Matt sat on a thick rug that was anchored by a heavy coffee table. On it, he and Danny had assembled an elaborate dinosaur settlement. Danny joined him, but seemed preoccupied as he adjusted the volcano.

      Matt hoped Leah hadn’t said anything. “Something bothering you, pal?”

      Danny shrugged. “Billy’s gonna have a baby brother or sister.”

      Matt could hear the dejected note in his son’s voice. “You don’t sound very excited.”

      “Billy was my only friend like me. You know, who didn’t have any brothers or sisters.”

      Matt sighed. “I see.” In the past he’d told Danny that it took both a mother and father in a marriage for siblings. He had impressed upon him the value of family, the sanctity of marriage. But he didn’t want to bring up the subject of Danny’s mother right now. He’d always told Danny that he didn’t know where she was. “Billy’s always been a good friend to you, hasn’t he?”

      “Uh-huh.”

      “And he’s happy about having a new brother or sister?”

      Danny pushed a toy brontosaurus close to a tall, plastic palm tree. “Uh-huh.”

      “Then, how should a good friend feel for him?”

      Danny was quiet for a while. “Happy?”

      “Yes, even though that’s not very easy. But, what do we know about the right thing to do?”

      “That it’s not always easy.”

      Matt leaned over to hug him, his heart tightening. He believed everything he’d taught his son and what he was telling him now. But he also believed everything he’d told Leah Hunter. He couldn’t let her snatch Danny away from everything he knew and loved until she tired of whatever she was playing at. For all John’s failings, Matt couldn’t accept that he would have lied about something so important.

      John’s father had been a weak man, but Matt and John’s mother had been a woman of deep faith and strong values. And Matt was convinced that John would have matured into a responsible man had he lived.

      “Dad, do you think you might get married sometime?”

      Matt cleared his throat. There hadn’t been much time for anyone in his life except Danny. And now… “I don’t know,” he replied honestly. “But I can’t get married just so you’ll have a little brother or sister. It has to be someone I love.”

      Danny’s eyes were so serious. “Do you love anyone?”

      “You betcha.” Matt tousled his dark hair. “I love you, buddy.”

      Danny giggled. “I know that!”

      “Good.” Matt reached across the table, adjusting one of the toy dinosaurs. “Your tyrannosaurus rex is about to eat that palm tree.”

      “Nah! A rex doesn’t eat trees!”

      Soon they were engrossed in the dinosaur valley and remained so until bath and bedtime. After a story and prayers, Matt tucked Danny in.

      He looked so young as his eyelids grew heavy and he fought the last surrender to sleep. So young and innocent. How would it affect his son if he and Leah waged a legal battle over him?

      Sighing, Matt smoothed the hair back on Danny’s forehead. He straightened the blanket, then turned the lamp off. But he left a small night-light on as he’d always done.

      Back in the kitchen, he reached in the refrigerator for a Coke when he heard a quiet knock on the back door. Opening it, he was glad to see his old friend. “Hey, Roger.”

      “It’s not story or bath time, is it?”

      “Nope, Danny just got to sleep.”

      “Wish I hadn’t missed seeing him, but I’m glad I’m not interrupting. Can I borrow your router?”

      “Sure.” Matt held up his can of cola. “Want something to drink?”

      “Sounds good.”

      Matt pulled out another Coke and handed it to his friend. “I’m sorry I didn’t bring that bookcase over today.”

      Roger shrugged as he straddled one of the bar stools. “I figured you got busy.”

      “I got paranoid.”

      Pausing midway in opening the soft drink, Roger glanced at his friend. “That doesn’t sound like you.”

      “Danny’s mother’s in town.”

      “What?”

      Matt took the stool across the counter. “No warning. Just showed up.”

      “What does she want?”

      “Danny.”

      Roger reared back. “Just like that?”

      Matt recounted Leah’s story. “And now, showing up at the school…”

      “That’s not exactly sinister. If she’s on the level, it’d make sense that she’d want to see where and how he’s being educated.”

      “Or how she can get to him,” Matt replied darkly.

      “You think she’s planning to snatch him?”

      “I don’t know,” he admitted. “It’s what I’ve been asking myself ever since she showed up.”

      “But then she’d be opening herself up to a legal nightmare.” Roger shook his head. “Unless she’s completely stupid, that wouldn’t make any sense.”

      “Hmm.”

      “Have you considered that she could be good for Danny?”

      “In what possible way?”

      “Every kid wants a mother, Matt. She may not be perfect, but she is his mother.”

      “Not perfect? What if she gets to know him, gets bored and walks away again? No. I’m not going to let Danny get hurt like that. He deserves the best, and up till now that’s what I’ve tried to give him. She could tear all that down, make him doubt the foundation he’s always trusted.”

      “Are you sure she’s really as bad as all that? I mean, you said she just got into town. How do you know what kind of person she is? It’s been eight years. She could have changed. Sounds like she was just a kid herself when she had him.”

      “She’s going to say all the right things,” Matt protested.

      “Have you got a choice? At least here, it’s on your turf. If you get into lawyers, she could win. Mothers always have the edge in custody cases, even when they shouldn’t. Think about it. What better place is there to learn who the real Leah is?”

      Matt didn’t want to learn who the real Leah was. He kept picturing his brother when he’d returned home, shaky, almost frightened.

      But Roger was right. He had a better chance of uncovering the real Leah here in Rosewood than anywhere else.

      Within a few days, Leah had discovered which classroom Danny was in and had met his teacher. One of the younger teachers, Miss Randolph was open and friendly. But then Leah had found that the entire staff was pretty much that way. As part of the Community Church, the school reflected the church’s attitude, Annie

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