Page 40 of Kissing Her Rescuer

“You haven't told her?” Eliza reached for Carrie's hand, taking the small pink fishing pole away from her before it became a weapon. “I figured you did.”

“No. I told you first. Cam obviously knows.” If Cameron could keep his mouth shut long enough for them to tell the news.

Dewey had driven his patrol car, hoping he would still take Carrie fishing and knowing she couldn't ride in his old truck without a working passenger seat belt. The center seat had a lap belt, but that wasn't legal for a seven-year-old. Getting a new truck was next on his list.

His eyes tracked over to Hugh's car, the one he and Eliza currently shared. It lacked in modern safety features as well.

Carrie climbed into a booster seat in the back while Eliza sat down in the front with him. The drive to his mom's house took six minutes, Carrie chattering away the whole time about what she'd name the fish she planned to catch. Both he and Eliza's life had been upended by the revelation. For Carrie, it was a serious decision between Penelope and Lilliana.

Dewey’s mom opened the door before they knocked. “Well, isn't this a nice surprise?” She gave Eliza a hug and then Carrie. “Come on in. Ken is fussing around in the garage. That old weed eater isn't working again. I think he hopes it’ll break just to give him something to do these days. How are you, Eliza?”

“I'm fine, Ms. Clara.” She glanced around the room. “Wow, this is exactly how I remembered it.”

Dewey schooled his features. His mom's peculiar collection of porcelain dolls hadn't lessened over the years. And the creepy things still watched him whenever he walked through the house. The one in the bathroom topped the list of creepy dolls.

Carrie ran over to the old, upright piano in the corner, with close to ten dolls perched on top. “These are so pretty!”

His mom lit up. “Yes, they are, darling.”

“Can I touch them?”

“Why don't you look at the one in the blue dress right there. Yes,” she said as Carrie pointed to it. “Her name is Isabella.” She turned back to Dewey, the light, carefree tone of her voice not matching the shrewdness in her eyes. “Now, why don't you both come in and sit down?”

He took a breath as he sat beside Eliza on the floral sofa. The house always smelled of lemon oil. His mom's meticulous cleaning habits had never rubbed off on him beyond picking up dirty clothes.

“I told Eliza about the test.”

His mom straightened and sent her an apologetic look. “Oh, I'm sorry I encouraged him to do that without your permission. It's just…here.” She rose and walked to the bookshelf, picking up the two pictures lying flat. “Look yourself. I just had a hunch about it.”

Eliza took the pictures, shaking her head. “It is a remarkable resemblance. Thank you for the apology.”

“I truly am sorry.”

Eliza nodded and set the pictures down on the coffee table. “I know. But,” she said, sitting back and clasping her hands in her lap. “It turns out your hunch was right.”

His mom stood again. “Right?” She looked to Carrie and then to Dewey. “You mean that beautiful baby is yours?”

“Luckily, she outgrew the resemblance.”

She clasped her hands together. “Oh!” She turned back to Carrie and then back to them. “Does she know?”

“Yes,” he said. “We told her this morning. And Hugh knows, too.”

“How did that old coot take it?”

Eliza laughed. “I have no idea. Dewey wouldn't give me any details on their conversation.”

“He's fine. Happy Zach is out of the picture.”

“Me, too,” Eliza said.

His mom nodded once. “Me, three.” She rubbed her hands together. “Does she realize that makes me her grandma?”

“Probably not.” Dewey shifted forward. “Carrie?”

Carrie brought the Isabella doll over, rocking her like a little baby. “Yes?”

“You know what we told you this morning?”

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