The Deputy's New Family

Chapter Two

Nick made breakfast. The eggs were too hard and the bacon a little too crisp. He wasn’t a whiz in the kitchen, but he knew enough to get by. Knowing how to get by was what made him good at undercover work. God’s grace had kept him alive during his last assignment, which had taken him away from home most nights. But that line of work was over. For his son’s sake, he couldn’t take those risks anymore. So he’d kissed the adrenaline rush goodbye and transferred into a rural county sheriff’s department. About time, too.

Nick would never understand why that same grace hadn’t covered his wife when she’d wrapped her car around a tree. But then, Susan might have made her own decisions about that. It wasn’t that rainy the night she’d wrecked. He’d never know for sure. He’d make sure Corey never knew, either. He’d rather his son remember his mom’s good days.

He turned away from the stove to holler down the hall at his son, but the kid was already dressed and seated at the kitchen table.

Nick slipped a plate in front of his son.

Corey stared at it for a few seconds before digging in.

Susan’s mom made picture-perfect eggs. Susan had, too. When things were good, they were great, but then she’d hit a dark stretch and nothing worked well. If only they’d dated longer before they married, if they’d waited to have Corey, maybe...

Maybe he would have known, but then again, maybe not. Her wild bouts had come well after Corey was born.

“You’re ready early.” Nick sat across from his son and sprinkled his eggs with hot sauce before digging in.

Corey nodded.

Nick racked his brain for something else to ask. Getting his kid to talk to him was worse than questioning a perp. They went nowhere fast. “I’ll pick you up after school.”

Again the boy nodded.

They ate the rest of their meal in silence.

Nick grappled with frustration. He had a lot of ground to make up for leaving his boy behind for the past six months. Pretty hard to make a seven-year-old understand that he was safer with grandparents who lived an hour north of the city.

Another reason to transfer. Nick wanted to sleep better. He’d never grown used to worrying about some thug finding out where he lived. That had been the sole reason he’d refused to buy a house despite Susan’s prodding that she and Corey deserved better than their Grand Rapids apartment.

The quick drive to LeNaro Elementary School was a quiet one, but the closer they got, the more Corey came to life. He’d lean forward, look out his window and clutch the backpack given to him by his lovely teacher.

Nick parked and unbuckled his seat belt.

“I can walk in by myself.”

Nick looked at his son, careful not to bruise that seven-year-old ego. “I know you can.”

“Then why are you getting out?” Corey’s eyes narrowed.

“I’m going to talk to the school counselor. You being new and all, it’s probably a good idea, don’t you think?”

Corey shrugged. “I dunno.”

Nick didn’t, either. Beth Ryken had suggested it and since she probably knew more about kids than him, he was taking her advice. He didn’t start work for a few days yet, so now was as good a time as any to see what this school counselor was all about and let her know Corey’s background. He only prayed they wouldn’t label him as troubled like the last school.

Entering the elementary school, Nick was struck by the noise of kids banging their lockers shut and chattering as well as the smell of breakfast wafting from the cafeteria. Maybe Corey would have eaten better here? Once he started his morning shift, Corey probably would. The principal had informed him about the school’s breakfast program for kids dropped off early.

He looked down at his son with a mop of red hair and scattering of light freckles. The kid was the spitting image of himself as a boy. Sad, too. Nick’s parents had divorced the summer he had turned ten. As the oldest, Nick had always felt as if it was somehow his fault. His and his sister’s for fighting, for not being quiet when his dad came home exhausted from his shift as a Grand Rapids city cop.

A sharp tug at his heart kept him walking alongside Corey instead of turning into the school office. Crazy maybe, but he didn’t want to say goodbye to his son. If he had kept his boy out today, they could have spent more time together. Doing what, he didn’t know. Nick hadn’t spent enough time with Corey ever since Susan had died. He’d always regret that.

Nick let work come first too many times. Needing to get the bad guys never flew with Corey. Those big eyes of his son’s saw through his excuse for what it was. An excuse.

Nick was scared of raising a little boy on his own.

“What are you doing?”

“Thought since I’m here, I might as well walk you to class.”

“I’m not a baby.”

“I know.” Nick caught a glimpse of a flowered skirt attached to the pretty second-grade teacher standing in the doorway.

Beth Ryken gave them a sunny smile that nearly knocked him on his backside. The woman was that beautiful.

“Good morning, Corey and Mr. Grey.”

He gave her a nod. “Miss Ryken.”

“I got my backpack, see?” Corey stepped into class without a glance backward.

“That’s good. I’m going to talk to your dad a minute.”

Corey actually smiled at her. The woman had charmed his son, as well.

She stepped out of the doorway into the hall. “He’s a great kid. A little serious.”

Nick sighed. “It’s been tough on him since his mom died.”

Her blue eyes softened. “And on you, too, I imagine.”

Not as it should have been. He’d stayed undercover and sloughed off his kid first to his mom, then to Susan’s parents. Not fair to them, even though they’d welcomed Corey with open arms. He cleared his throat. “Yeah.”

“I wanted to tell you that I might have found an option for Corey after school.”

“Really? Where?”

She took a deep breath and smiled. “My mother.”

“Across the street?”

“Yes. She could use the extra income. I think she’d be great with Corey, but you’ll want to meet her and find that out for yourself.”

Nick couldn’t believe his ears. Corey had requested the same only yesterday. “And you’ll be there.”

She looked confused. “Ah, yeah, after I finish up my day here. But you’ll have to talk nuts and bolts with my mom. Pickup times, that sort of thing. I can introduce you after school today if that works.”

“That definitely works. I’ll pick up Corey here and then walk over with you.” It was nice to talk to a woman at eye level. Corey’s teacher smelled like spring and new beginnings. Like kissing in the rain. Whoa. Not a place his mind should go.

“And your mom’s name?”

“It’s Mary Ryken. She works part-time at the Cherry Capital Airport in Traverse City.” Beth Ryken sounded breathless.

Nick stepped back, away from the allure of the woman in front of him. Her mother needed the money, she’d said. With gas prices the way they were, her twenty-mile one-way commute would be expensive. “I look forward to meeting her, and then we’ll see.”

“Great.” That sunny smile again.

Nick couldn’t look away.

“I better get started with class.” Her cheeks went rosy pink.

“Oh. Yeah.” He extended his hand. “Hey, thanks for this.”

“You’re welcome.” She accepted his handshake and her skin felt soft.

He didn’t want to let go but had to before he made a fool of himself. “I’ll see you later, then.”

She nodded and slipped back into her classroom.

Nick walked down the hall and checked his watch. He’d see the school counselor and then head for the sheriff’s department. He’d run a background check on Mary Ryken before making any decisions.

* * *

Beth checked the clock on the wall. Just a couple minutes until the bell would ring, ending the school day. She glanced at her students working on their homework for tomorrow—a short reading passage with questions next to it.

Beth spotted Corey with his head down and wandered over. “Everything okay?”

He shrugged and sniffed.

Beth’s midsection tightened as she knelt down. “What’s up, Corey?”

“I don’t want to do this.” His eyes were red, but so far no tears had leaked out.

The bell rang and kids clamored for their jackets and backpacks. Corey stayed put and stared at his work sheet; he hadn’t answered any of the questions.

Beth directed the kids as they left, all while keeping a close eye on Corey, who looked devastated. She gathered his things from the cubby locker and dropped them on the seat next to him. Beth was about to sit down and have a chat with him when Nick Grey popped into the classroom.

“Hey, bud, why the long face?”

Corey quickly shoved the work sheet into his backpack and shrugged.

Nick looked at her for direction. For the meaning behind his son’s sulk.

She smiled, but her mind churned. “If you both don’t mind waiting a few minutes while I clean off my desk, we’ll head over to my mom’s.”

Corey’s head jerked up, his demeanor totally changed. “We’re going to your house?”

“Yes. To meet my mother.” That was all Beth would say, in case Nick chose another option for Corey’s after-school care.

“Cool.” Corey slipped into a navy windbreaker.

“Do you want us to wait in the car?” Nick’s worried gaze lingered on his son.

“Oh, no. I’ll only be a minute.” Beth kept her voice upbeat, but her initial worries about Corey returned.

Why had he been upset over a short reading assignment? The subject matter had been harmless enough. Tall ships and their sails. She’d have to talk to his father about that.

By the time they crossed the street, Beth had decided on discretion when she talked to Nick Grey. This was only Corey’s second day in her class. New school, new home, no friends yet—it all added up to stress. Her principal hadn’t received Corey’s transcripts from his old school yet, so she shouldn’t jump to conclusions.

Beth opened the front door and sniffed. Her mom had been baking. Nice. She gestured for Nick and Corey to come in and then kicked off her shoes. “Mom? I’m home and I brought guests as promised.”

Her mother came toward them and looked right at Corey. “You must be hungry for a snack. I’ve got chocolate chip cookies straight from the oven.”

Corey nodded and then looked at his dad.

“Thank you, Mrs. Ryken, that sounds wonderful.” Nick held out his hand. “My name’s Nick Grey and this is my boy, Corey.”

Her mom gave her a quick wink. “Yes, Beth told me about you both. Come on into the kitchen.”

The kitchen smelled like melted butter and chocolate, and Beth got busy pouring glasses of milk while her mom passed around a plate of warm cookies. Corey appeared to be on his best behavior. He took a napkin and carefully spread it on his lap before eating. That was definitely not a trick he’d learned from his father. Nick wolfed down a cookie with one bite while reaching for another.

Beth quietly slipped into a seat and grabbed a cookie, giving Corey a smile.

“I see you like flowers,” Nick said. “There’s quite a few in your yard.”

Her mom nodded. “I love having them pop up willy-nilly every spring. They keep spreading and I love the surprise of where they’ll go next. I won’t mow my lawn until after they’ve bloomed. But my annuals are a little more organized.”

That answer seemed to please him, and Beth nearly laughed. Nick was using her mother’s erratic gardening as some sort of test, and evidently, she’d passed the first question.

“Beth, why don’t you take Corey to fill up the birdfeeders while I talk to his father?” Her mom peeked at Nick over her designer-brand reading glasses. “If that’s okay with you.”

“It is.” Nick smiled. It was an awkward smile, as if he wasn’t used to doing it.

Beth let her gaze linger. Smiling was definitely something Nick should do more of.

Turning to the man’s son, Beth slapped her hands on her lap. “What do you think, Corey? Do you mind going outside with me?”

The boy had finished his second cookie and had chocolate smeared in the corners of his mouth. He gave her a heart-stealing grin. “Okay.”

Beth held out her hand to the boy. “Let’s go. I’m going to need your help.”

They stepped out of the kitchen onto the back deck. She knew they were in full view of Nick and her mom. A year before Beth’s father died, he had installed big windows and a sliding glass door along the back wall of the kitchen as a Mother’s Day present. Their backyard was large and her mother had birdfeeders scattered everywhere. Didn’t matter where a person sat in the kitchen or living room, they’d have a clear view of birds scattering seeds.

Beth opened the door to the shed and grabbed a bucket. “So what happened today, Corey? Why don’t you want to do the homework assignment?”

The boy shrugged. “I just don’t.”

She filled the bucket with birdseed and handed it to him. “Did you have homework at your old school?”

He shook his head.

“Did you get it done in school, then?”

He shrugged. “Grandma didn’t give homework.”

Beth frowned. “Tell me about your grandma.”

“She used to read to me a lot and show me how to count.”

“What about your teacher? Did she read to you, too? Or did she have you read the stories on your own?”

Corey stopped filling a low birdfeeder and looked at her as if she’d missed the obvious. “Grandma was my teacher.”

“Oh.” Beth closed her eyes. She definitely needed more information. She needed to talk to Nick.

* * *

Nick watched his son with Beth. He could tell that Corey talked to her. As they filled birdfeeders, Corey chatted easily.

He glanced at Beth’s mom, who’d been watching him. She was a nice lady, if a little scattered. “I think Corey will do well here after school.”

“I’d love to have him, and this works well with my weekday shift of seven till noon at the airport. Plenty of time for me to run errands and get home to meet Corey.”

“Some weeks I’ll have midweek days off and work the weekend. Would you mind Corey hanging out during the day on a weekend?”

Mary’s brow furrowed. “What is it that you do?”

“I start with the sheriff’s department in a few days.”

Mary Ryken’s eyebrow lifted, but the expression on her face had fallen into disappointment. “You’re in law enforcement.”

“Yes, ma’am. A deputy.” Nick drained his glass of milk. Mary had offered him cookies until he’d stuffed himself.

“My husband worked for the same but was killed on duty.”

“Yes, ma’am. I’m sorry for your loss.” He’d looked it up. It was what made her a good choice. Mary understood a cop’s life. She’d lived it. She’d understand if his shift ran late.

Her eyes grew stern. “Don’t let it happen to you. That boy needs you.”

Nick nodded. It was why he was here. Why he’d transferred out of undercover work. “I don’t plan on it.”

“No one ever plans on it, but it happens. And it happens to the best of them.” Mary’s tone hardened.

He waited for her to pass on watching Corey but she didn’t say a word, only looked at him expectantly.

“The job’s yours if you want it.”

“I do.” She smiled. “And weekends are no trouble. I’m a homebody on weekends, and Corey can go with me to church if that’s okay with you. Our church has a good children’s program.”

“That would be great. We need to find one anyway.” He wanted to get back in the habit of going when he wasn’t working. It’d been a long time. A dry time.

Again Nick glanced out of the large windows. Beth and Corey had finished filling the birdfeeders and sat on a wooden swing together. Corey laughed at something Beth said. His son looked like what a seven-year-old should look like. Carefree.

Since he’d taken Corey back from his grandparents, the boy acted so careful, careful in what he did and said—if he said anything. Nick had learned to accept shrugs as their primary mode of communication. His boy had a lot to say to Miss Ryken.

Mary glanced at the clock.

Nick followed her gaze. It was closing in on four-thirty. Time to leave.

Mary smiled. “Why don’t you and Corey stay for dinner?”

That surprised him, but then it didn’t. If Mary Ryken cooked half as well as she baked, they were in for a real treat. He’d like to see how Corey responded to her. “Thank you, Mrs. Ryken. I appreciate your offer. We’ll stay.”

The woman stood. “Good, and please call me Mary.”

“What can I do to help?” He also got to his feet.

“Not a thing.” She waved him away and then stepped out of the sliding glass door. “Beth, why don’t you show Nick around since Corey will be coming here after school. And, Corey, would you like to help me in the kitchen?”

Nick gave Mary a double take. She’d turned down his help.

As if sensing his confusion, Mary explained, “I might as well get to know the boy a little better, and you’ll want to make sure everything is secure for him here. Beth will show you.”

“Oh. Yeah, thanks.” For a minute there, Nick thought she was throwing him and her daughter together.

Corey raced into the kitchen. “Really, I get to come here after school?”

Nick folded his arms. “That okay with you?”

His son nodded.

Nick remembered Corey’s comment about Beth reminding him of his mom. Of Nick’s wife. Was that why his son wanted to come here? To recapture a feeling of home and what he’d lost?

“Corey, why don’t you wash your hands in the bathroom around the corner and then come back and I’ll tell you what I need you to do.” Mary had a nice way of issuing orders.

“Yes, ma’am.” Corey had a nice way of following them, and he slipped out of sight.

Nick’s sense of ease at this choice hit a speed bump when Beth walked into the kitchen. Seeing her regularly might be a problem. He couldn’t muddy the waters of his life with an ill-timed relationship. Not when he needed to rebuild his relationship with Corey.

He sure could use a friend, though, and she was Corey’s teacher. Keeping it friendly presented a unique challenge considering his track record. But it was only a couple of months until school was done. He’d figure out somewhere else for Corey to spend his days during the summer months because Mary worked in the mornings.

Surely he’d survive the next two months. They’d all survive.

Beth stood before him. “I’ll give you the tour.”

“We’re staying for dinner.” He watched her reaction closely.

“Mom always makes more than enough.” She gave him another sunny smile.

“Do you mind?” They’d invaded her space.

“Not at all. Come on. We can chat about Corey.”

Nick blanched at the serious teacher look on Beth Ryken’s face. He got the feeling that she’d found something wrong with his boy and he was going to hear about it. “Lead the way.”

It didn’t take long to walk through the downstairs. Each room looked crowded with wall hangings and books and knickknacks. Beth’s mom had collected a lot of stuff over the years, and that stuff seemed to pop up in odd spots like her flowers outside.

“There’s a bathroom and two bedrooms upstairs. Just so you know, my father was in law enforcement and we have his firearms. But they’re locked in a safe upstairs.”

“No problem.” Nick had guns at home, too, locked up where Corey couldn’t get at them.

Someday he’d teach his son how to use and respect them. He’d start off with the BB gun his father had given Nick when he was Corey’s age. Keeping that gun had been one of many disagreements between him and Susan. She didn’t want their boy following in his father’s footsteps.

Nick stepped outside with Beth. The day had grown warm enough to forego jackets. The backyard was surrounded by a tall wooden fence. Huge trees grew along the other side and their branches shaded part of the yard, lending more privacy.

One of Mary’s more organized flower beds had been set up in the corner, complete with statues and greens poking up through the soil. The yard felt secluded, winsome even, as if he might find a secret passageway to some imaginary land, if a person was given to that kind of fancy. He wasn’t.

He glanced at Beth. “You wanted to talk about Corey?”

She nodded and headed for the swing she’d occupied with his son earlier. “Maybe we should sit down.”

He swallowed hard. “Okay....”

Whatever she had to say wasn’t going to be good. It hadn’t been good at Corey’s previous school, either. The social worker there had said Corey displayed antisocial behavior. What was so antisocial about being quiet? Corey had been withdrawn, but Nick couldn’t blame the kid. He’d lost his mom, and that school worried about how often he colored with a black crayon!

He waited for her to get comfortable before settling himself next to her, taking care to keep space between them. That pretty skirt she wore draped across her knees and swayed against her long legs, which were bare. Her feet were, too.

“What can you tell me about Corey’s education?”

He gathered his wandering thoughts. “What do you want to know?”

“Corey said his grandmother was his teacher?”

Nick nodded. “For a little bit. Corey lived with his grandparents the last six months before we moved here. His grandmother pulled him out of school after Christmas break. She homeschooled him. Why?”