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A couple of hours later, the room was empty except for a rocker and the chests of drawers she’d decided she wanted in there to hold her art supplies.
Dave and Cathy returned to the Great Room.
“I think I’ll wait and borrow a two-wheeler to help move this big dresser and mattress and box spring,” he said, leaning the mattress against the wall. “Will it be in your way if I leave it right here?”
“That’s fine. But where will you find a two-wheeler?”
“I’m sure the furniture store will loan me one of their carts,” he said. “We’ve bought enough stuff from them,” he added when she raised a questioning brow. “It doesn’t cost them anything to do me a little favor in return. It’s one of the side benefits of doing business locally.”
“I see.” She hesitated, then said, “Want some coffee?”
“Sure,” he said, surprised. Well, at least she was letting him stay a few more minutes.
“Mama,” Cory whined from the crib in his bedroom.
“I’ll make the coffee. You get him,” Dave said. He started the coffee perking and poured a cup of apple juice for Cory.
“Dada.” Cory rewarded him with a big smile when he and Cathy came into the kitchen.
Cathy gave Dave an apologetic smile, saying, “He thinks you’re Don.” She put Cory into his high chair, found him some animal crackers, and sat at the table opposite him.
“Do you think he remembers Don? He was only six months old when Don died.”
“Maybe he doesn’t, but I show him Don and Jenny’s picture often. He may recognize you from that.”
“Oh. That could be.”
Through the glass doors, they watched boats pull water skiers past them on the lake and drank their coffee.
“Have you ever tried water-skiing?” she asked.
“Sure. It’s fun.”
“It looks dangerous,” she said doubtfully, catching her breath as one skier fell and toppled into the water. The boat immediately slowed and returned to pick him up.
“Don’t you swim?” Dave asked, wondering why she seemed afraid of water sports. They were, after all, second nature to everyone who lived near the lakes.
“Oh, sure, I swim, but only in a pool. I’ve never tried it in a lake. I mean, there are fish and weeds and stuff in a lake, aren’t there?”
“Sure. But our fish don’t bite. We don’t have any sharks here.”
She shrugged and made a face. “It’s still dirty and smells like earth, weeds, and fish. I prefer a pool. I had Cory take swimming lessons back home.”
“Cory!” His heart thudded with anxiety, and he stared at the toddler. “He’s much too young, for that, isn’t he?”
“No. They learn faster when they’re young.”
“But...”
She stood up, clearly not liking his objections. “It’s perfectly safe. I’d better get back to work. I’m behind schedule on my contract, what with the moving and everything. Thanks for your help, Dave.”
Damn it, she was trying to dismiss him again. Served him right for commenting on her methods of child raising. He was sure that’s what had set her off.
He rose and offered, “Can I help you move these boxes into your workroom before I go?”
“All right,” she said, relenting.
He did so, but she was clearly ready for him to leave.
* * * *
As he drove back to his empty apartment, he pondered his options. She was pretty well settled in. He’d have to think of some other excuse to see her. To see Cory, he meant, of course.
He’d always been such an eager beaver. First one at baseball practice, waiting for the coach and other guys to show up. First one in the car when Dad announced they were going to a movie.
She didn’t appreciate his horning in on her life, even if he was supposed to be only the kid’s uncle. Or his kisses, either, he thought grimly. But he could have sworn she liked them. She’d practically melted into his embrace and kissed him back. Then she’d suddenly stiffened and pushed him away. Why?
Inside his home, he slumped down on his leather couch and began clicking the remote while he stared unseeingly at the television set.
Why had she suddenly turned cold? Was there something in her past that had turned her off of all men? Or was it only him she objected to?
Really, he knew little about Cathy or her sister, the girl his brother had married. Don had met Jenny after he’d taken the job in California. She’d told them very little about her family except that money was rather tight for them.
At Don and Jenny’s wedding, he’d arrived at the church late. He’d been too nervous about doing what Don expected of him as best man to pay much attention to the girl he was partnered with as maid of honor. He remembered Cathy as a tall, slim girl with a sweet smile and long chestnut-colored curls. She’d worn a long, lacy mint green dress. A tall, blond man had stuck close to her side throughout the reception. He frowned. Cathy hadn’t mentioned him yesterday. Did she still care about him?
Jenny’d had the same chestnut hair, half covered with a white lace head thingy and veil. She’d carried a bouquet of red and white roses. Her long white dress had been a lacy designer creation with a train trailing behind her as she came slowly up the aisle in the little valley church, one hand on her father’s arm. She’d stepped proudly up to meet Don without glancing at Dave as he stood beside his brother.
The weather had been stifling hot and the organ music mesmerizing. In minutes it was over and he’d watched Don kiss Jenny, then he’d taken Cathy’s arm and followed them back down the aisle to greet their guests and drink champagne. The blond man had immediately whisked her off, and he’d seen little of Cathy the rest of the day, nor had he ever expected to see her again. He’d visited with relatives and flown back to Minneapolis.
He hadn’t expected Don’s marriage to last any longer than his own had. But Don had been happy with Jenny. At least as far as Dave knew.
Then much too soon, it had all come to a screeching halt. Now, he and Jenny were gone, and Cathy was alone with a baby to raise. His baby, damn it.
Don would hate that and expect his brother to pick up the pieces and help her out. He, not Cathy, should be raising Cory. He had a right to help support his son, if Cathy thought Cory was only his nephew. She couldn’t do it alone. Well, she could, of course, and obviously wanted to. But he didn’t want her to have to do that. He wanted to share in caring for Cory, damn it. If only she’d let him.
He hoped the tall, blond man Cathy had been with at Don’s wedding was no longer in the picture. Maybe that trucker, Harry, was, though, even if she’d claimed he was only a friend.
Frowning and restless, he shifted on the sofa and clicked to another station. But instead of the pictures on the screen, he relived the sight of Cathy in her work jeans. His fingers had itched to cup those soft, round hips tightly encased in blue when she bent over to pick something up.
She’d sounded so cold, she’d probably never let him into her house again, let alone kiss and hold her.
But God, how those soft, full breasts had filled out her tee shirt when she’d leaned forward to help him move the mattress.
He sat bolt upright on his sofa and grinned. The mattress and dresser. He’d left them leaning against her wall, promising to get help and a cart to move them to the garage storage area for her.
He did have a valid excuse to go back. She wouldn’t refuse to let him move those. And if he took Ken along to help him, she wouldn’t feel threatened by them being alone. Being alone with him made her nervous—that was why she was so anxious for him to leave. He’d get Ken to help and go back tomorrow after work. Yes!
With a happy whistle, he realized he was hungry and went out for a hamburger.
There was nothing like solving a problem to improve a man’s appetite.
He’d take it one day at a time and keep thinking up excuses to see her and Cory. Someday, she might let him kiss her again.
* * * *
Sunday, Cathy worked around her house all day, arranging her workroom and doing the accumulated laundry.
In the afternoon the front doorbell rang.
Half expecting it to be Dave again, she went to answer it. She was surprised to see no car in her drive but found a smiling, jeans-clad young woman at her door, holding a covered dish.
“Hello.”
“Welcome to the neighborhood. I’m Jane Meadows and I live over there,” the woman said, nodding toward a house barely visible through the trees. The woman was thin, of medium build, and had piercing blue eyes, but her smile was friendly.
“Won’t you come in?” Cathy said. “I’m a mess. I was doing laundry and stuff. I’m Cathy Kassig. I only got here yesterday.”
Jane nodded and stepped inside. “You’re Jenny’s sister and their baby’s new mom, I hear. I saw the truck and Dave’s car the other day, but I figured they’d keep you busy so I waited until today to drop in. I brought a casserole.” She held out the covered dish.
“Thank you. How nice,” Cathy said, taking the still warm casserole and leading the way through the Great Room and into the kitchen. Jane seemed to know all about her. News always traveled fast in rural areas and small towns, she remembered.
“It’s a simple hamburger and tomato recipe, but it’s my family’s favorite, so I hope you like it.”
“I’m sure I will.”
“Isn’t this a lovely house? I haven’t seen any of the Langer family in a while, but I always admired this house.”
Cathy nodded and put the casserole into her refrigerator. “I love it. I’d never seen it before yesterday. I was expecting a cabin, not a real house with so many wonderful conveniences.”
“I’m sure you’ll enjoy living here.”
“I’m sure I will. Would you like some coffee?” At Jane’s nod, Cathy turned to put on the coffee. She didn’t want to feel obligated to the Langers for the lovely house. Of course, she was obligated, far more than she could ever repay, for the wonder of having Cory as her son. But that was her sister’s doing. Don’s lawyer had told her that Dave hadn’t been at all happy about it, but wouldn’t say why.
Yesterday she’d gotten a hint...his face had quite openly shown horror at the idea of a baby swimming. He thought she wasn’t being a responsible mother. Was he was paying so much attention to her, even kissing her, to keep an eye on her, to find a way with all his money of taking Cory away?
No, that was silly. She was being paranoid. Not giving herself and her cute son much credit, either. Anyone would want to spend time with such an adorable boy.
She swallowed, pouring water into the coffeemaker. And she wasn’t exactly ugly, was she? He might feel some attraction for her. Animal attraction, like she did for him.
She shivered, remembering the warm, wonderful feeling of his arms around her, holding her close. And his lips, teasing and tasting hers. She was warm all over again, just thinking about it. She’d never been able to fake feelings. And she’d never felt like that in any other man’s arms.
Stop it! She was not getting involved with anyone in the Langer family. Dave was just being polite so he could visit Cory. He obviously adored kids.
She pulled her attention back to what her guest was saying.
“How is Dave? I haven’t seen him since the tragedy.”
“He seems fine,” Cathy said. “Have you known him long?”
Jane shook her head, her straight black hair swinging around her long thin throat. “Eldon and I have only lived here a couple of years, so we don’t know them very well. But Dave’s a gorgeous hunk, don’t you think?” She cast Cathy a sly glance.
“He’s very good-looking,” Cathy agreed, trying to keep her voice casual. Yikes, was she a mind reader? Jane seemed to be suggesting she thought Cathy should be romantically interested in Dave.
“What do you and your husband do?” Cathy asked, trying to change the subject. She poured their coffee and sat opposite Jane.
“He works at an advertising firm in Minneapolis, and I work in the county clerk’s office in Canton. His job sounds interesting but mine is dull, boring paperwork, filling out forms, most of the time.”
“I see. So he has a long commute?”
Jane nodded. “I don’t see much of him. He leaves early and comes home late. Such is life in the ’burbs.” She gave a hearty laugh.
“Do you have children?”
Jane shook her head.
“Don’t you get lonely, then?”
“Sometimes,” Jane said, nodding. “But I keep busy with club work and stuff. There’s lots going on if you look for it. I’ll probably be bugging you to join various things.”
“Oh, I’m not sure if I’ll have much time for that sort of thing. I don’t know any babysitters yet.”
“Of course, you’ll need to get settled in first. But joining things is a great way to get acquainted. ’Course the Langer family will probably keep you busy. But tell me if you’re interested in any clubs and I’ll be happy to introduce you.”
“I will.”
Jane rose. “I’ve got to run. Thanks for the coffee.”
Cory whimpered, and Jane said, “Oh, I’ve got to see the baby before I go.”
Cathy led the way into the bedroom where Jane admired him and then took her leave.
Cathy brought him out to the Great Room, put him down in the playpen and put away their coffee things.
She grinned at Cory as he pulled himself up to the side of his playpen and held up his arms to her, saying, “Mama.”
She picked him up and gave him a hug. How could Dave not love this little guy on sight? Dave was, after all, the boy’s uncle, and Cory no doubt reminded him of his dead twin. Of course Dave would adore the boy. Why shouldn’t he? She’d been too harsh.
If she hadn’t pushed him away, she might have spent today with him instead of all alone.
By evening, she was bored and cranky and finally went to bed right after Cory did. His cold was almost gone, but he was still coughing and slept a lot. Maybe things would look better after a good night’s sleep.
* * * *
Monday morning, she sketched out some preliminary drawings for the picture book. But she couldn’t seem to concentrate, and nothing she did seemed right. Cory was being cranky again as well. Maybe they both needed to get out of the house for a little while.
Remembering she needed to get the phone connected and open new bank accounts, she put Cory into his car seat in her Chevy and drove into town, carefully noting the road numbers and watching for landmarks so she could find her way back. She’d always had trouble with getting lost and didn’t want to start out life here having to ask for directions to find her way home.
She was a mom now, and she had to be a responsible adult.
When she got into town, she called her parents to tell them she’d arrived safely. She told them the house was very nice, and she’d met Dave, but said nothing about not yet having settled the matter of rent. Her father would want to take over the problem, as he always did, and she wanted to stand on her own two feet.
She couldn’t help feeling a bit lonesome, though. She knew no one here, after all, except Harry, several hours away, and now Dave, of course. But she’d practically told him to leave her alone.
With a sigh, she finished her errands. She picked up more milk, bread, and orange juice at the grocery store, found her way back home without once taking a wrong turn, and felt quite proud of her accomplishment.
When she arrived, Dave’s silver Mercedes sat in her yard. He and another man leaned against it.
At least he hadn’t gone inside without her. She warmed toward him, feeling pleased that he’d respected it as her home, and had waited for her to return.
“Hi, Cathy,” he said, coming forward to lift Cory from his seat. “How are you, buddy?”
“Dada,” Cory said, raising his arms in welcome.
Cathy caught her breath. “Cory! His name is Uncle Dave,” she quickly corrected.
Dave had an odd look on his face. “I don’t mind.”
“What are you doing here?” she blurted.
“I came to move the rest of the furniture to the storage room,” Dave said smoothly. He motioned toward his companion. “Cathy, this is my partner, Ken Gould. Ken, this is Cathy Kassig, and this big fella is Cory. He’s going to lend us some muscle with the furniture, aren’t you, pal? Well, maybe we’ll let you grow a bit more, first.”
He tickled Cory and swung him up and around while Cory giggled with pleasure.
“Hello, Ken, happy to meet you,” Cathy said, feeling ungrateful for asking Dave why he was here. She should have remembered he’d promised to finish moving the heavy stuff.
The man with him was tall, blond, and good-looking. From his jaunty grin, he knew it, too.
Ken took her hand and said, “Dave, you son of a gun. You didn’t tell me we were going to come help a gorgeous gal today, or you wouldn’t have had to coax me. I’d have come on the run. Just call me anytime, babe!”
“Babe,” Cory repeated, making both men laugh.
“Flatterer,” Cathy said, extracting her hand. But she couldn’t help smiling at Ken’s comments. She picked up her groceries, and Ken took them from her. She shrugged and pulled out her house key and unlocked the front door.
They followed her inside. Dave put Cory down in his playpen and went back for the furniture cart.
He and Ken made quick work of moving the big dresser and the mattress to the storage area above the garage.
Cathy sighed. She couldn’t have moved that furniture by herself. She put the groceries away and made coffee to show her appreciation for their help.
She sat and talked to them, feeling a lot less lonely after an hour of friendly conversation and Ken’s silly banter. It felt good to be the center of attention for a while. She usually spent way too much time alone with her paints and only her baby for company.
Excited, Cory walked all the way across the big room for them, the most steps he’d taken all at once. Dave was enthralled with the boy’s accomplishment. Cory loved the attention they both gave him and clung to them until he grew tired.
She promised to call Dave if she needed help with anything further, and they reluctantly took their leave.
After the men left, she bathed Cory and put him to bed. Somehow in a much better frame of mind now, she headed back to her workroom.
Three hours later, she surveyed the drawings she’d done with satisfaction. These were good, much better than the ones she’d done earlier. She’d send them off tomorrow for her editor’s approval.
* * * *
On the drive back into Minneapolis, Ken wouldn’t let the subject of Cathy and Cory rest.
“No wonder you’ve been so preoccupied,” he teased. “I’d have a looker like that on my mind too. Too bad I didn’t meet her first.”
“I haven’t been preoccupied,” Dave protested, scowling and concentrating on passing another car.
“Ha. Even Susie has been complaining. She said that three different times today you told her to bring a file she’d already given you. You couldn’t even find some of the stuff right in front of you on your desk.”
“Our secretary has a big mouth,” Dave muttered grouchily. He had to stop letting Cathy and Cory constantly occupy his thoughts. It was interfering with his work, if even his secretary noticed.
“Only to me. She’s careful not to repeat such things outside the office,” Ken said.
Dave scowled at Ken. “You’re the last person she should tell. You’ll never let me live it down.”
Ken laughed. “I have to get back at you some way, or else you’d have the upper hand all the time. And that wouldn’t be a partnership, now would it?”
“Huh. Just leave my...my nephew out of this. And his new mom, too.”
“Okay, okay. When did you get so touchy about a woman? What’s so special about Cathy? You never used to mind a little kidding.”
“I’m not touchy. There’s nothing special about Cathy except she’s raising Cory and he’s a Langer.” That was a big lie, and he knew it. Cathy was special all right, from her silky chestnut-colored hair to her pink painted toenails. He thought of the love in her face as she looked at Cory and the gentle way she had with him. Even the pleasure she’d shown in pointing out a doe to the boy. Yes, she was something special, but he wasn’t admitting it to Ken.
“Yeah, I know. And the Langers always look after their own.”
“You got that right.” Dave set his jaw and passed another car. Cory was his, and he’d damn well look after the kid. He’d just have to keep finding ways to do that and to see him and Cathy, too, whether she liked it or not. She had seemed to like him, before she’d gone all cold on him. Why had she done that? What had he said or done to make her blow so hot and then go all cold?
“Get us home in one piece, will you?” Ken groused, grabbing at the dash as Dave sped up. “I’ve never seen you drive so aggressively.”
Dave sighed and eased up on the gas, pulling back into line behind yet another car he’d been about to pass. “Sorry.” He’d better keep his mind on the road, before he killed them both.
“If you’re not interested in Cathy, do you mind if I ask her out? I really dig those long legs and all that gorgeous, thick hair.”
“Suit yourself,” Dave said through clenched teeth. “But you’ll have to get in line behind the big, redheaded trucker who helped her move here. She acted pretty sweet on him.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah,” he echoed. “And considering how well he and Cory hit it off, I’d say they’ve spent a good deal of time together.”
Cathy had denied that she and Harry were dating, Dave remembered. But it wouldn’t hurt for Ken to think it was true. Cathy didn’t need a playboy like Ken around. He’d just have his fun and drop her the minute another pretty face came along.
He was only protecting her from hurt by discouraging Ken, Dave told himself. Ken’s interest in Cathy made him unreasonably angry.
“Well, I never let a little competition stop me,” Ken returned.
Dave dropped him off at his apartment, still in a foul mood at the possibility of his partner and Cathy dating. He drove on home.
* * * *
Dave treated Ken coldly at the office all the next day. Ken responded in kind until Susie noticed.
Just before an important client was to arrive, Susie strode into Dave’s office behind Ken and shut the door. Tapping her foot, she stood arms akimbo, and said in a furious, low tone, “You two had better shape up before I show this client in for your meeting. And behave yourselves when you take him to lunch too, or he’s certainly going to take his business elsewhere.”
Ken looked at Dave. “She’s right, you know.”
“Yeah. Guess we’d better cool it and make up.” Dave sheepishly held out his hand, and Ken shook it. “We won’t discuss Cathy or Cory here at the office, agreed?”
“Agreed.”
“Is that what this is about? You’re putting your business at risk fighting over some bimbo? You two should be ashamed!”
“Cathy’s not some bimbo!” Dave objected. “She’s the mother of my son.”
“Your son?” Ken and Susie echoed in unison.
“Yes, Cory’s my son. And Cathy’s off limits to you.” He glared at Ken.
“I think you’d better explain that,” Ken said.
Susie, for once speechless, nodded.
Dave gave them the thumbnail sketch version of Cory’s birth. “So that’s why she’s off limits.”
“Why didn’t you explain that before?” Ken asked.
Dave shrugged and said, “It’s not something I’ve told everyone yet. Keep it under your hat for now.”
“Humph! Well, whatever.” Susie glared at them and flounced back out to the outer office.
Dave sighed. “She’s really getting out of line, isn’t she? Sometimes she acts more like a mother than our secretary.”
“Yeah. But what would we do without the old battleax?”
“Get some pretty young thing instead?”
“You mean one who can’t type and can’t find anything she filed?”
Dave laughed. “We might get lucky next time.”
Ken shuddered. “Remember the last three we hired before Susie?”
“True. We’d better shape up, instead.”
The rest of the day went smoother, and the client signed on the dotted line, giving them both work for the next few weeks.
* * * *
On the drive home, Dave told himself he wouldn’t do anything further to try to stop Ken from making a move on Cathy. Maybe telling him to back off was enough.
She might not even go out with him if he did ask her. Or she might like a playboy and not get hurt. But somehow he didn’t believe she was the kind of woman who indulged in casual affairs. She’d pushed him away after a few kisses, for heaven’s sake.
She’d get serious, Ken would move on and she’d be hurt. Dave sighed. It was none of his business.
If only it were.
Still, it was a beautiful afternoon. He hadn’t taken his boat out for a spin in a long time. He should check on whether it needed some tinkering with, or something. He could go to the lake and work on his boat in the boathouse without bothering Cathy.
He went home, changed into casual clothes, and drove out there, pleased to see her red Chevy parked outside the garage. She was home.
He should just stop in long enough to say hello, so she wouldn’t worry about what he was up to. She’d see his car and wonder why he was here, wouldn’t she? It was only the polite thing to do.
She answered the door in a halter top and shorts. Those long legs were bare with only sandals on her feet. Her toenails were neatly painted red today. The clean fragrance of soap and woman met his nose. His mouth went dry, and some other parts tightened painfully.
“Hello.”
“Hi, Cathy. I...I’m going to work on my boat. Down there in the boathouse.” He pointed at the low building next to the dock.
“Oh. I see.” She smiled.
“I...I thought I’d let you know. In case you saw my car and wondered what I was up to.”
“Oh.”
“How’s Cory’s cold?”
“He’s much better, thank you.”
This was ridiculous. They were being stiff and polite when all he wanted to do was grab her and kiss her senseless. Not the best way to win points with her.
“Would you like some coffee? I’m a mess, though, full of paint spatters,” she said, stepping back to allow him entry.
He sighed in relief. She was going to let him inside the house. “You look just fine. I’d love some coffee.”
Cory was in his playpen and began bouncing up and down when he saw him walk in. He called, “Dada!”
Dave grinned. “Hi, buddy. Would you like out?” He looked at Cathy for permission to take him.
Cathy sighed and nodded. “He’s probably tired of being in there. I’ve been working, and he’s had to stay penned up.”
He followed her to the kitchen area and sat down with the baby in his lap. Cory grinned and reached up a hand to rub Dave’s hair. “Couldn’t he play on the floor with toys?” Dave asked.
She ladled coffee grounds into the maker. “The trouble is, he doesn’t stay in one spot anymore. He’s walking too much now to keep an eye on. Before I lift my brush or mix a color, he can be into something else he shouldn’t be into.”
Cory squirmed, and Dave allowed him to get down. Cory balanced carefully against Dave’s knee, then took off on uncertain steps across the room, before plopping down and crawling over to the coffee table. He pulled himself up to the coffee table and reached for a ceramic ashtray.
“I see what you mean,” Dave said.
“Cory, no! Mustn’t touch!” She hurried over to him and grabbed the ashtray out of his reach. He wailed in protest, and she picked him up and brought him back to Dave. “He’s going to be a handful from now on.”
“You can pack away any of the stuff you don’t want him to touch,” Dave said, taking Cory on his lap. “Don’t feel you have to leave anything out that Mom left here. It’s your house now, and you can rearrange stuff however you want.”
“Thanks. I think I will pack away quite a few of the knickknacks, or at least move them to high shelves. Stuffed toys and his blocks will have to be enough decoration for now,” she said ruefully.
She poured the coffee and got Cory some juice. “Put him into his high chair. If you keep him on your lap, he might try to grab your coffee cup and get burned.”
“I guess you’re right about that. He wants to reach out and touch everything.” He settled Cory into the high chair and handed him the juice, then sat back to drink his coffee.
“Oh, I forgot to give you a key to the side door of the garage,” he said. “You can put your car in, you know, rather than leaving it parked outside. It’ll be safer.”
She looked up, surprised. “Have you had problems out here?”
“Only a couple of times. But it’s better to be safe than sorry. I always locked my car or put it in the garage when I stayed out here.”
“All right,” she said, taking the key and laying it up on the counter. “But I thought I got away from all that when I left L.A.”
“There’s an extra garage door opener on the workbench inside. Clip it to the visor in your car, then you can drive right inside in bad weather.”
“That’ll be wonderful.”
“Oh, and I opened a savings account for Cory today.” At her surprised look, he added, “It’s a tradition in our family. We open an account, then everyone adds a little now and then for birthdays or Christmas or whatever. It all adds up and interest helps, too. By the time the kid’s ready for college, he’s got a little nest egg to draw on.”
“That’s very nice of you,” she said carefully. “I’ve already put Don and Jenny’s life insurance money away for Cory’s education.”
“Great. But who knows how much will be needed by the time he’s out of high school? Inflation, you know.”
“I suppose.” She looked morose and drank her coffee.
“Anyway, the bank needs his social security number. Could you give it to me?”
“Sure. I’ll look it up. It’s in some of my files, somewhere. I haven’t unpacked everything yet.”
“No hurry.”
“Wait a minute—it’s on my income tax form, and there’s a copy on my laptop. I’ll get it. Keep an eye on Cory, will you?”
In a few minutes she was back with a slip of paper in her hand.
“Here it is. I wrote down his full name, too, so they’ll credit it correctly.”
“Thanks.” He glanced at it and did a double take. She’d written “Cory Donald Kassig” and his social security number.
“Kassig?” he croaked.
She nodded, looking puzzled at his question.
“Why isn’t his last name Langer?”
“Because I adopted him and changed his name to mine.” She stared at him. “You must have heard that.”
“No,” he said, carefully holding his temper. “I didn’t hear that.”
“It’s all legal. Jenny asked me to, before she died. She was so worried about leaving him. I promised her I would adopt him. So he’d never be alone, without a family.”
Nauseated, he swallowed, trying to take in the implications of what she’d said. “He has the whole Langer family. He’d never be alone.”
“That’s not the same as having a legal parent.”
He had to get out of there before he did something he’d regret later. “I...I’d better get to work on my boat,” he managed and bolted.
Inside the garage, he leaned against the wall, his stomach churning with the shock of her news. Now what? She’d legally adopted his son! He’d lost him.
She could take him anywhere as her son, and he’d have no right to see him unless she allowed it. Why hadn’t he told her he was Cory’s father right after the funeral? Maybe he could have prevented this. He’d been a coward, that was why, afraid he couldn’t cope with an infant. He should have made more of an effort to adopt Cory himself. Now it was too late.
Or was it? Should he tell her now? Would she believe him?
Even if he could convince her it was true, what good would it do? She wouldn’t give Cory back to him, and she’d hate him and Don for keeping the truth a secret from both her and Jenny.
She might even move away, afraid that he’d make a legal move to take Cory away from her.
You’ve messed up again, Dave. Didn’t Mom always say it never pays to tell a lie?
