Page 46 of Redeeming Melodies

A small laugh escaped me. "Jake Thompson." I offered my hand to Tommy properly. "Nice to meet you."

"I'm Tommy Blue! Dad got pulled over by you." He said it with such pride that I had to bite back another laugh. "But it's okay because you were nice about it."

Elliot reached us, something soft crossing his face as he watched his son. "Making friends already, champ?"

"Dad! They have horses here!" Tommy bounced between us, practically vibrating with excitement. "Real ones! Can I ride them? Please?"

"We'll have to ask Mr. Caleb about that." Elliot's hand settled on Tommy's shoulder, steadying his son's enthusiasm. "Remember what we talked about?"

Tommy straightened, putting on what was clearly his 'best behavior' face. "Be polite, say please and thank you, and no running in the barn." He glanced guiltily at me. "Oops."

Something warm unfurled in my chest watching them together. The way Elliot guided without controlling, the obvious trust between them.

"Sheriff Thompson might put me in jail if you keep breaking the rules," Elliot teased, throwing me a wink that definitely didn't make my stomach flip.

"No way!" Tommy's eyes went wide. "Would you really?"

"Nah." I found myself grinning. "Think I can let it slide this time. But only if you promise to be careful around the horses."

"I will! I'm super careful with animals. Mom never lets me near them but Dad says-" He caught himself, glancing uncertainly at his father.

"It's okay, buddy." Elliot's voice carried a gentleness I hadn't heard before. "You can talk about the differences. Remember what Dr. Wilson said?"

"That it's normal to have different rules at different houses," Tommy recited carefully. Then, brightening: "Like how you let me have pizza for breakfast!"

"Thanks for that reveal, champ." Elliot ruffled his son's hair, but his eyes held a shadow of something deeper. "Why don't you go find Mr. Caleb? Ask him nicely about those horses."

"Can I?" Tommy looked between us. "You'll come watch if I get to ride?"

"Wouldn't miss it." Elliot's whole face softened looking at his son. "Just stay where Caleb or I can see you, okay?"

"Promise!" Tommy turned to me, suddenly shy. "Will you watch too, Sheriff?"

The request caught me off guard. "Sure, buddy. I'll be there."

Tommy beamed, then took off toward the paddock, remembering to walk until he cleared the barn doors.

"Pizza for breakfast?" I asked once he was out of earshot.

"Judge me all you want, Sheriff, but you try saying no to those eyes in the morning.” Elliot watched his son's progress across the yard. "Everything's been so structured with his mother. Sometimes he needs to just be a kid."

The warmth in my chest spread. "That why you brought him here?"

"Partly." His eyes met mine, something vulnerable flickering there. "Needed somewhere quiet to figure things out. Somewhere he could breathe."

"Somewhere you both could breathe?" The words came out softer than intended.

"Judge's orders came through yesterday." Pride and relief mixed in his voice. "Got him for four whole days."

"Four days?" The words came out before I could stop them. "You found a place to stay?"

"Working on it." He accepted a drink from Caleb - something non-alcoholic, I noticed. "Been at Clara's meanwhile."

Tommy's excited shout drew our attention. He'd joined the other kids by the horses, his whole face lit up with joy.

"He seems happy," I said softly.

"Yeah." Elliot's expression softened watching his son. "First time I've seen him this relaxed in months."

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