Page 41 of Return By Fire

“What address did you send it to?”

I rattle off the one Kara sent messages to, and he snickered. “No wonder. That’s the one I give out to potential spammers, women, or when I need to connect to restaurant WiFi.” He thinks for a moment. “I think I checked it a year ago to grab a restaurant coupon, maybe?”

“I must have hit the wrong one,” I manage, even as my heart withered for Kara, but especially for the boy I was poised on the entrance to meet.

Before I could knock, the door flies open and my eyes cast downward. Sable hair, bright green eyes. Kevin must be a constant reminder to Kara of her time in Alaska since he looks just like Jennings, I think wondrously.

Pain slices at me, but still I grin at the kid who laughs as he says. “Mom, you and Aunt Maris were telling the truth. Uncle Jed’s smile is creepy in person!”

Dean sidles up behind Kevin, shaking his head. “Obviously, they prepared Kevin for your arrival.”

“It’s so great to finally meet...” I don’t get to finish my sentence because my arms are filled with little boy.

I clutch this precious gift close, head bowing over his. When I manage to lift my head up, Dean’s eyes are bright, but his smile is wide as he holds the door open. “Why don’t you show Uncle Jed your room, buddy, while your mom and I finish dinner?”

“Where have you been, Uncle Jed?” Kevin demands.

Just like Kara suspected.

Just like Dean prepared me for.

Fortunately, we discussed this in advance so I’m able to answer with a half-truth, “Traveling, buddy. That is when I wasn’t helping Aunt Maris in Alaska.”

The uncomplicated answer satisfies his curiosity. But another question quickly takes its place. He blinds me with an enormous smile. “Do you like to swim?”

“Love it. In fact, I have a boat.”

Kevin drags me forward, peppering me with questions. In between my answers, I manage to get one or two in myself.

By the time the four of us sit down for dinner, any uncertainty about my choice has all but disappeared.

I’m 100% on Team Kevin regardless of which adult that means I stand behind.

* * *

I gape at Jennings’s mini-me. “You’re cold?”

“It’s technically still winter here.” Then, before I can explain this is balmy weather, Kevin launches into an explanation about weather systems that would impress Jim Cantore during a hurricane. He wraps it up with a quick grin before saying, “Don’t move. I want to hear all about the glacier you live near.”

Then he dashes inside, leaving me to observe Kara’s worried expression.

And Dean’s protective one.

Without hesitation, I reach across the table and squeeze her fingers. “I read the letters.”

If anything, she stills like a predator waiting to swoop in on its prey. “Oh?”

“I wouldn’t be here tonight if I didn’t see the effort you made with your limited resources—and refusing to put me and Maris in the middle—to reach out to his father.”

Kara relaxes imperceptibly.

“Are you planning on telling Kevin about Jennings?”

She nods. “I never had any intention of keeping them apart, Jed. I swear, I’ll try again the next time Kevin approaches me with any questions about his father. Now that he’s more mature, he can ask the questions he needs answered and handle any truth I give him.”

I sink back in my chair, knowing it’s only a matter of time.

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

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