Authors: Gary Ponzo
A Touch of Malice (31 page)
Julie put her hand to her mouth, her eyes swelling with compassion.
“I’m serious,” he said.
Julie clutched Nick hard, her arms wrapped around him with intensity. “Oh, baby. You have nothing to be afraid of. I would never, ever, dream of leaving you.”
The words washed over him like a baptism. He felt refreshed somehow, even as his eyes began to mist.
While they embraced, Thomas came crawling out of the bedroom, his head down, still groggy from his nap.
“I think someone just woke up,” Nick said.
Julie turned around to see her son pull himself up on a hallway table where they’d kept their cell phone chargers. Thomas came full upright and now saw Nick for the first time. His eyes sparkled with delight.
Nick crouched down to receive his son, then saw the boy release himself from the table and stand on his own.
Nick looked at Julie. “You didn’t tell me he learned to walk.”
“He hadn’t,” she said, watching the scene with amazement on her face.
Thomas took a wobbly step toward his father and Nick closed the gap between them, readying himself for the fall. The toddler took a second step, all the while smiling ferociously.
Nick was close now and Thomas took one last shaky step before lurching into his father’s arms.
“Oh, my goodness, Thomas,” Nick said. “What have you just done?”
Thomas tucked his head into Nick’s shoulder and with a whispery voice, said, “Da Da.”
The End
If you enjoyed this Nick Bracco thriller (#4), please look for the others in the series:
#1-A Touch of Deceit
#2-A Touch of Revenge
#3-A Touch of Greed
Thank you.
Acknowledgements
As usual there are way too many people to thanks in such a small space, but I will try my best. First of all to my readers, I appreciate all the support I've received over the years. I continue to receive and respond to all my readers personally at [email protected].
Now, to the people who helped me with this book either with research or advanced readings. Bruce Culbertson, John Hanford, Jim Boyd, Eric Faulkner, James Lieber, James Ganem, Susan Leitz, Rick and Michelle Douthit, Rick Ponzo and Tom Fiel.
Special thanks to my editor Diana Cox and my formatter Chris O'Byrne. Also, Scott Carpenter for making a terrific cover and my mom for being my biggest fan.
Finally, my family, Jennifer, Jessica and Kyle for keeping my feet on the ground and showing me what love can be like. I am forever grateful.
Thank you,
Gary
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