The Deputy's New Family (6 page)

She fought the urge to lean back and into him. “Both.”

“Then we’ll get both.” Nick’s voice was low and soft.

Beth was an idiot to confuse an order of pizza and wings with an endearment, but somehow Nick had made it sound that way. She quickly focused on Corey. “What do you like on your pizza?”

Corey looked thoughtful and then confused. “Huh?”

Beth smiled. “What kind of pizza do you like?”

The boy shrugged. “Pepperoni, right, Dad?”

“That’s right.” Nick looked pleased with his son’s cheerfulness. “Good call coming here.”

Thanks to Sandy.
Beth bit back jealousy. “Yeah, it was.”

“Hey, Beth, Mr. Grey.” Her school’s counselor stopped by their table.

“Hi, Diane.”

“Try their specialty pizza today. It’s barbecue chicken and awesome.”

“Thanks.” Why did Beth feel as if she’d been caught doing something wrong?

“I like pepperoni,” Corey said.

“You do? Well, that’s good, too.” Diane smiled and then turned her attention toward Nick. “Looks like you guys are settling in.”

“We are.”

Corey’s attention was caught by the arrival of Thomas and his mom.

“Thanks for getting a table. This place fills up pretty fast after games.” Sandy slipped into a seat right next to Nick. “Hi, Diane, do you want to join us?”

Diane tapped on the tabletop. “Oh, no, my husband’s waiting for me in the car. Thank you. Nice to see you.”

“See you Monday.” Beth was glad Sandy had shown up. She didn’t need Diane thinking she and Nick were an item. Not so soon after being advised to stay in teacher mode.

Corey stared at Thomas’s mom but didn’t say a word.

Beth glanced at Nick to see if he’d introduce his son. When he didn’t say anything, she stepped up. “Corey, this is Mrs. Clark.”

Sandy smiled. “Hello.”

“Hi.” Corey’s voice was barely audible.

“Mom, can we have some quarters for games?” Thomas held out his hand.

Sandy dug in her purse.

Nick stood and placed his hand on Corey’s shoulder. “Come on, bud, let’s check out those games.”

The boys followed Nick to the corner by the door where an ancient pinball machine stood proud with lights flashing. There was also one of those claw machines packed with stuffed animals that begged to be played with and lost.

Beth watched Nick instruct the boys.

He might not realize it, but Nick was pretty good with kids. He didn’t try too hard to sound interested, nor did he talk down to them. Kids saw right through a patronizing tone.

“So, Beth, are you and Nick Grey seeing each other?” Sandy asked after they’d given the waitress their order while the boys continued to play.

“No.” Beth shifted. Seeing the gleam in Sandy’s eyes made her want to stretch the truth.

Sandy’s eyes narrowed. “Oh?”

Beth came clean, partially. “My mother watches Corey after school.”

“Ahh. Nick seems like a nice guy.”

“He is.” Beth’s impression of Nick had been way different than
nice
that day he’d showed up in her classroom. He had an edge to him. A good attribute for a cop.

Beth sipped her pop.

Sandy glanced toward the pinball machine. “So what’s his story? Divorced?”

“Widowed.” Beth figured that was common enough knowledge to repeat. Still, she didn’t like giving Sandy any pointers. Or encouragement.

“Awww, that’s too bad.” Sandy’s eyes had softened but they didn’t look a bit sorry. More like relieved that there wasn’t a Mrs. Grey lurking in the background.

“Yeah.” What else could she possibly say?

“Hey, Beth!”

Beth looked up to see her friend hurrying toward her. “Eva!”

They quickly embraced, and then Eva looked around the crowded restaurant. “Wow. Not many tables open.”

“Join us,” Beth said, and then glanced at Sandy to see if she’d mind.

“Adam is with me, along with Ryan and Kellie. You sure there’s room?”

“We’ll make room.” Sandy smiled and pulled a small table for two that was empty toward their larger one. She welcomed the additional people and yet Beth didn’t think it was about “the more, the merrier.”

Easier to corner Nick in a group.
Really! What was wrong with her? If she didn’t want him, she shouldn’t care if someone else might.

Tamping down her venomous thoughts, Beth made the introductions as they all pitched in to help Sandy gather chairs.

“Hello.” Nick had returned with the two boys. He took the increased size of their party in stride, save for the raised eyebrow he gave her.

Beth did the honors. “This is Nick Grey and his son, Corey. They recently moved to LeNaro and Corey’s in my class.”

Eva reached out her hand. “And this is my fiancé, Adam, my brother Ryan and his fiancée, Kellie.”

After a quick round of small talk, everyone sat down. Beth noticed that Sandy had managed to scoot next to Nick again. She shrugged it off and concentrated on Eva. “You’re getting close.”

Eva grinned. “Two weeks until the wedding. I can hardly wait.”

“Me neither.” Adam brought Eva’s hand to his lips.

Eva brushed him aside. Her cheeks were pink but she beamed with joy.

“The cherry blossoms will be wide-open by then,” Ryan added with a look of such sweetness toward Kellie that Beth’s heart twisted.

She’d once had hopes of capturing Ryan’s notice, but Kellie was perfect for him. And Beth was happy for them all. Really, she was, but when would true love happen for her?

As if her eyes had a will of their own, she glanced at Nick.

He gave her that crooked grin that wasn’t much of a smile at all.

She smiled back. He looked bored out of his mind. From Sandy’s chatter or the table talk about cherry farming, Beth wasn’t sure. Still, meeting new people was good for him, considering his newness to town.

Eva’s smile grew wider as she glanced at Nick and then back at her. “So, Beth, have you thought about who you’re bringing to the wedding?”

* * *

As they left the pizza shop, rain poured from the sky with no sign of letting up. Under the red-and-white awning, Nick turned to Beth. “We’ll give you a ride home.”

She looked as if she might argue but nodded. Her house was only a few blocks away, but she’d be soaked through if she walked home.

He watched Beth wave goodbye to her friends as the two couples climbed into a huge blue pickup. They were nice people. Sandy and her son raced to their car, too. Beth was right about her; he could do a lot worse, but Sandy Clark held no interest for him.

Corey didn’t seem impressed, either. He’d barely spoken to the woman.

“Ready to run?” He clicked the remote to unlock his small SUV. He’d traded in his car before the move, after hearing about the winters up north. He looked forward to putting the four-wheel drive to use. Maybe he and Corey could learn to ski.

“Ready.” Beth reached for Corey’s hand.

His son took it as naturally as if he’d been holding hands with Beth forever. But then, she was his teacher. Little kids must be used to that sort of thing.

They made a dash for the car.

Beth pulled open the back door for Corey and waited while he climbed into his booster seat.

She slipped into the passenger side with a squeal. “Rain just dribbled down my back.”

They were soaked dashing for the car. And cold.

Beth shivered and then clenched her teeth to keep them from chattering.

“Corey, hand me that blanket,” Nick said.

“I’m okay.” Beth rubbed her arms.

“You’ll be home before the heat kicks in.” Nick wrapped the blanket around her shoulders. That small movement brought them into close proximity.

Close enough to kiss.

His gaze lingered on her full lips.

“Thanks.” She sounded breathless.

He leaned back fast. “You’re welcome.”

The air inside his car hummed with more than the drone from the defroster on high. The scent of rain mixed with the softness of Beth’s perfume had Nick’s brain reeling.

Friendship.
He’d said that was all he was looking for, but it sure wasn’t all he wanted.

Nick glanced at Corey through the rearview mirror. The kid’s eyes were wide but not wise. His boy couldn’t possibly understand the currents of attraction swirling around them.

For Corey’s sake, Nick wouldn’t get involved with Beth. There was too much to lose if they suddenly broke up. Women could be vindictive when they wanted to be, and he wouldn’t risk exposing Corey to any of that. Especially when he needed to concentrate on reading. The poor kid had had enough drama to last a lifetime.

Friendship.
That was all he’d offer Beth until he knew his son had passed second grade. That was all he could handle until he knew for sure what kind of woman Beth proved to be.

Chapter Six

S
unday morning, Beth entered her small community church with her mom. Spotting Eva Marsh, Beth waved. And her friend made a beeline straight for her.

“Morning.”

“So what’s the deal with that redheaded guy who can’t keep his eyes off you?” Eva kept her voice secret-sharing low.

Beth shook her head. “I thought you’d decided to attend your brother’s church.”

“We are, but we still like to visit. I grew up coming here.”

Beth scanned the packed pews for her friend’s outrageously handsome fiancé. He chatted comfortably with a crusty old farmer named Jim Sanborn. Although Adam was now a full-time cherry grower, he didn’t fit that role today. Dressed in crisp gray slacks and a cotton sweater, Adam looked as urbane as when he’d first knocked on Eva’s door over a year ago. Beth had been her roommate then, and she’d coaxed Eva to give Adam a chance. Now they ran Marsh Orchards together and would soon open a bed-and-breakfast to boot.

Eva poked her in the ribs with her elbow. “So? What gives with Nick Grey?”

“Nothing gives. His son is in my class and my mom watches Corey after school.”

“And?”

“And that’s it.” That was all it should be.

“I don’t believe you.”

Beth never could pull one over on Eva. “He’s a deputy sheriff.”

“Oh.” Eva wrinkled her nose.

She knew Beth’s criteria. She also knew how much her father’s death had affected her. Eva had been a strong friend through the tragedy. If not for Eva, Beth didn’t know what she might have fallen into trying to cope with the loss.

“So...he’s off-limits.”

“Pretty much.” Beth knew what it was like to wait at home and worry. She’d seen her mother do it most of her life. When Beth was old enough to understand the danger her father faced on the job, she had worried, too.

Working in a relatively safe place like Northern Michigan hadn’t mattered in the end. They all had breathed easier after moving here, thinking the threat had been removed and her father was safe. But her dad hadn’t been killed on the streets of suburban Detroit. He’d been shot on a lonely stretch of back road in Leelanau County and left for dead.

Eva squeezed her arm. “Well, your Mr. Grey just walked in the door and he’s headed our way. Maybe he doesn’t know he’s on your do-not-touch list.”

Nick’s hair looked damp from a shower and he wore a long-sleeved navy shirt and jeans. Tall and lean, Nick wore jeans well. Even better than his sheriff’s uniform.

“He knows.” Beth took a deep breath.

Nick wanted to bring God onto the front burner of his life.

Even more reason to like the guy.

“Uh-huh.” Eva gave her a doubtful look.

“Look, Nick doesn’t want to get involved, either.” With Corey’s issues, moving to a new town with a new job, Nick had more things to concentrate on than her.

“And he told you that when? After you told him about your vow not to date policemen?”

Beth rubbed her forehead. Since when had Eva gotten so smart? “I don’t know. Maybe.”

And then Nick stood before them with Corey closing in right behind him. “Miss Ryken.”

Beth smiled. “Mr. Grey.” They still didn’t call each other by first names. “Hi, Corey.”

Eva’s eyes held amusement before she extended her hand. “Nick, was it?”

He accepted it. “Yes. And you’re Eva Marsh.”

“Soon to be Eva Peecetorini. In fact, it...”

Beth gave her friend a pointed look. Would Eva get the hint not to invite Nick? They didn’t need any matchmaking. If Beth wanted him to go, she’d ask him herself. She didn’t need any help. Didn’t want it, either.

“...is just a matter of waiting now.” Eva smiled.

And Beth let out the breath she’d been holding.

“Congratulations.” Nick nodded.

Eva barely contained the happiness that perked and gurgled within her, ready to bubble over on them. “Thanks. Nice to see you both again. Bye, Corey.”

“Bye.”

Beth watched Eva sidle up to her fiancé. The two were rarely far from each other for very long. The music started and folks scattered into their seats.

“After you.” Nick gestured for her to lead the way.

They were going to sit together. And why shouldn’t they? They were friends, right? Despite Eva’s observation that Nick’s gaze had lingered on her at the pizza shop, they were friends. They were adults, too. They could handle attraction for each other and not act on it.

Beth slipped into a pew next to her mom.

“Morning.” Nick strategically placed Corey between them.

“Good morning, Nick. If you’re not busy after church, why don’t you and Corey come over for dinner?”

Beth felt the smile on her face freeze. Her mother hadn’t said a thing about inviting the Greys for Sunday dinner. She’d been looking forward to an afternoon nap.

Nick glanced at her. “Thank you, but I don’t think so....”

Corey turned toward his dad. “Can we, please?”

“I have more than enough, and homemade cookies are on tap for dessert. I made the dough this morning.” Her mom knew how to twist the knife.

Nick hesitated.

Because of her. And that would never do, not when Corey wanted to come over. She faced Nick. “You can’t turn down homemade cookies.”

He gave her that crooked half smile. “What kind?”

“Peanut butter.”

“My favorite.”

Hers, too. Beth smiled.

He smiled back.

Were they kidding themselves to think they could maintain mere friendship? Nick needed to make summer arrangements for Corey soon. Then they’d hardly see each other. Save for maybe Sunday mornings.

Nick leaned forward. “I guess that settles it. We’ll be there.”

Beth ignored the flutter of excitement that zipped through her. This was going to be a long six weeks until summer break.

Throughout the worship service, Beth heard Nick’s deep voice singing the songs as if he knew them. Proof that he’d been a churchgoer, as he’d said. Not that she had any reason to doubt him, but hearing him sing reassured her all the same.

When the kids were dismissed for children’s church, Corey hesitated.

Beth leaned toward the boy. “You don’t have to go, but you’ll have more fun there than here. Do you want me to walk you down and then you can decide?”

The boy nodded and took her hand.

Beth glanced at Nick. “I’m going to go with him to check it out.”

He gave his boy a reassuring nod. “It’s okay, bud. See what you think.” And then he looked at her and mouthed the words
thank you.

Maybe she’d overstepped her place, but Beth got the feeling that Nick didn’t expect Corey to go. And then Corey would miss out. She knew the children’s program director and her aides. They’d take good care of the boy and maybe he’d make more friends.

As they descended the steps, Beth asked, “Did you go to church with your grandparents?”

“Sometimes.”

“Did they have stuff for kids to do during service?”

Corey shook his head. This was clearly all new to him.

They entered the noisy lower level and Beth introduced Corey to the teenage co-teacher. “He’s new to the area.”

“Great.” The girl gave Corey a wink. “We’re going to have a snack first before we get started. Do you like animal cookies and juice?”

Corey nodded.

The girl offered her hand. “Follow me and I’ll find a place for you.”

Corey looked at Beth.

“I’ll hang out for a little bit if you’d like to stay.”

That satisfied. Corey went with the teenager and squished in between a couple other kids at the table.

After snack time and cleanup, it didn’t take long for Corey to join in
their
form of singing. Beth watched for a few moments while the kids moved and wiggled to match the words of the song amid giggles and laughter.

Corey wiggled, too, and when he glanced her way, Beth gave him a wave and left for upstairs.

The minister was already into his message when she slipped in next to Nick.

He leaned close, sending a shiver through her. “He’s okay?”

“Yeah, he’s doing great.”

Beth tried to focus on the sermon. Pretty hard to do with Nick next to her. Everything about him seemed magnified in the space of the pew. Her gaze strayed to his strong hands resting on long jean-clad thighs.

“God answers prayer,”
she heard the minister say.
“He doesn’t always give us what we want, but He’ll give us exactly what we need.”

Beth closed her eyes as those words hit her hard and took root. God knew what she wanted—a safe man to love and make a family with. But what if she needed something else?

* * *

“Try this one again.” Nick had the sports page of the weekend paper open on the coffee table in the living room. He and Corey had been banished from helping in the kitchen.

Silence.

Nick glanced at Beth setting the table in the dining room. She wore a blue dress with white polka dots that skimmed the middle of her calves. Tall and trim yet with full curves, Beth looked ultrafeminine and sort of old-fashioned, as if she’d stepped right out of the Dust Bowl era. She’d kicked off her sandals when they walked in the door and puttered around in her bare feet.

He liked watching her move.

His chest tightened as it hit him that this felt like home. Listening to Beth and her mom fixing a meal together lulled him into a relaxed, sleepy sort of place. Tempted to stretch out on the couch and close his eyes, he wondered how the Rykens would react if he did just that.

Only then he’d miss watching Beth.

He looked at his son. Corey’s eyes were glued to the TV screen. There was work to be done, so he tapped the newspaper. “Come on, bud. It’s about the Tigers, your favorite team.”

Corey shrugged. “I don’t want to read it.”

Nick grabbed the remote and clicked off the television. This was their ritual. Nick brought out the books, and every night Corey said he didn’t feel like reading. Nick insisted. Corey slumped and tried and stumbled and grew more discouraged until Nick couldn’t stand it. So he’d take over and read the rest.

That probably wasn’t what Beth had in mind when she’d given him books for his son to read. He thought about what Beth had told him yesterday. Corey was stressed. Somehow he had to put his boy’s fears to rest without breaking Beth’s confidence.

“Corey, look at me.”

His son obeyed.

“We’ve got all summer to work on this, but the more progress we make now, the easier it will be. You want to be ready for third grade, right?”

Corey looked at him closely as if reading between lines, only he struggled there, too.

“Look, bud, would you rather repeat second grade?”

His son’s eyes grew round with fear.

Nick hated scaring the boy but he needed to level with him.

“No....”

Nick nodded. “I don’t want you to either, but we’ve got to work hard and show Miss Ryken you’re ready to move on. Don’t you think we should try?”

Corey nodded.

Nick had him. “I heard the third-grade teacher here is pretty tough.”

“How do you know?” Corey responded with a look of pure skepticism.

Nick had lost him and thought quick. “Thomas’s mom might have said something about it.”

Corey narrowed his eyes even more and then glanced at Beth.

Nick closed the deal before his boy saw through the fib. “This is about getting you ready to learn big stuff next year. You’re a smart kid and this is a hiccup we’ve got to cure.”

“Okay.” Corey sighed and pulled the paper close. “Will the Ti-eye...geerrrrs maaake the paaay-uh.”

Nick cringed. “That’s it. Take your time and sound it out. What do the Tigers do?”

“Play baseball. Play-offs?” Corey looked at him.

“Yeah. What do you think? Will they go this year?”

Corey grinned. “They better.”

Nick ruffled his son’s hair. “If they know what’s good for them. Okay, let’s get back to the article.”

He spotted Beth standing in the dining room with a dish towel in her hands watching them. Their gazes locked and he saw the approval shining in her blue eyes. He got the feeling that he’d turned a corner with his son. Maybe with Beth, too.

“Dinner’s ready,” she said softly.

“Let’s wash up, bud.” Nick stood.

“Can we take the paper home with us?” Corey asked.

Nick could have given his son a bear hug but decided against it. Small steps required small reactions to keep them going. “Absolutely. After we make sure it’s okay with Mrs. Ryken.”

“We’ve read it. You can take the paper.” Beth nodded. “Now hurry up. Mom and I are setting out the food.”

Dinner smelled amazing and he wasted no time bustling Corey into the half bathroom to wash up.

Once they were seated around the table, Mary grabbed his hand. “Will you say the blessing?”

“Sure.” Nick took Corey’s hand and bowed his head. Beth sat across from him holding his son’s other hand and her mom’s. They made a tight circle around the table. “Thank You, Lord, for bringing us together. Please bless this food, and bless us as we place our trust in You. Amen.”

Mary squeezed before letting go. “That was lovely.”

Nick nodded. The words had sort of spilled out of him. He was grateful Beth was Corey’s teacher and her mom lived right across the street from the school.

Even more grateful that they attended church and made good role models for his son. This move north was looking more and more like the right thing. And Corey might yet grow easier around him.

Nick didn’t feel so lost. Not with the help he received from these two women. As he sat in the Ryken dining room spooning a healthy glop of mashed potatoes onto his plate, this felt like family. He glanced at Beth. She cut Corey’s roast beef into smaller bites.

She’d make a great mom.

To Corey.

He banished the thought before it took root.

Nick needed a level of certainty in who Beth was before he could even think about pursuing her. This time, he’d know the woman inside and out before he’d allow one kiss between them. Then there was the mammoth obstacle of Beth’s objection to his choice of career to consider. He couldn’t promise her he’d always be safe. What had happened to Beth’s father could happen to him.