Page 9 of Sutton's Shadow

“Thanks for showing me your work,” Sutton called.

Turning to walk backward down the sidewalk, Lucy called back, “Maybe I could see your work sometime too?”

“Stop by my studio anytime.” Lucy waved and spun around to race over to her mother, who smiled down at her adoringly. Her heart clenched as an image of Wyatt’s sister popped into her head. Sutton bet Bethany had never received such a look from her own mother.

With that thought, she pulled out her phone. Finding the contact among the list, she tapped the button to connect the call.

“Dylan,” she stated when the person answered. “I have someone who needs your expertise.”

“My public expertise or the other?” the woman answered.

“The public.”

“Okay, shoot. Tell me what’s up.” After filling her friend in on Wyatt’s situation, she felt mollified as Dylan immediately agreed to help. That’s what Sutton loved about her. She never shied away from the hard jobs, and she was always willing to help, especially if it involved a child. Dylan ended the call promising to come to Lake Haven the next day.

Feeling lighter than she had in a long time, she stood and made her way to the edge of the bluff. A lone figure walked on the beach, shoulders hunched, hands in his pockets. The picture of hopeless dejection. Wyatt kicked at something in the sand, and Sutton’s heart went out to him. But she smiled, excited to inform him that all hope was not lost. Help was on the way.

Chapter 3

Wyattkickedatthedriftwood in the sand, frustration all but consuming him. He didn’t like the hopelessness that flooded through him. He was a man of action. As a Ranger, he had to be. If there was a solution to a problem, he or one of his teammates would find it. But, aside from knocking on every single door in the county, he didn’t have a solution. Hell, he didn’t know if Bethany was even in the county anymore. The CPS guy could have taken her anywhere.

He rubbed his hand over his chest, hoping to ease the hollow, persistent ache where his heart should be. Wyatt had lost his heart to Bethany the first time he held her as a newborn. He’d never seen anything more precious. And now that he had no idea where or even how she was, a gaping hole was left where his heart should be.

The seagulls squawked as they took to the air behind him. He turned to see what had made them angry. Sutton smiled up at the flock as she made her way toward him. Her large camera bag was slung over one shoulder, each hand held a cup of coffee.

She sheepishly held out one cup to him. “You brought me coffee?”

“I saw you and thought you could use a little pick-me-up,” she stated. He took the coffee from her, and she wrapped her hands around the other warm cup.

She took a quick sip of her coffee and gasped. The noise caught his attention, and her eyes watered as the scorching liquid slid down her throat.

“A bit hot, huh?”

“Yup, the warning was right there in front of me,” she joked about the words etched into the lid as soon as her singed throat was capable. He laughed, the sound feeling foreign to his ears. Taking a sip himself, he looked out over the water, his amusement dying as thoughts of Bethany took hold again.

“I... I needed to talk to you,” Sutton said, shoving a length of hair behind her ear. Wyatt couldn’t help but stare. With her hair brushed off her face, she was more beautiful than he remembered. Her high cheekbones and wide cornflower blue eyes made her dazzlingly attractive despite the shadows he detected in her gaze.

She chewed on her full bottom lip as she seemed to struggle with what she had to tell him. Her teeth biting into her lip drew his eyes. The blood in his body shot south so fast it startled him. The simple action of her nibbling on her lip turned him on quicker than anything had in years. He wished he could be the one to nip on the soft skin there.

The thought was so alarming he tore his gaze away from the sight, struggling to contain his erection that suddenly sprung up.

“Okay.” He pointed to a bench at the edge of the sand near the parking lot. “Let’s sit.” He waited until she sat before joining her on the bench. As was his habit, he extended his left leg, unconsciously rubbing at his thigh. The chilly weather always made the old injury ache. He noticed her staring at his actions and stilled his hand. “What did you want to talk about?”

She swallowed before taking a deep breath, her shoulders rising and falling with the effort. She clasped her hands between her knees and leaned forward a little to stare at them. “So, I don’t know the entire story behind your situation, only what I’ve overheard. I enjoyed my time with Bethany so much when we’d come here after your injury. She’s a great kid. And I’m sorry if I’ve overstepped, but I thought I could help.”

“That’s not necessary, Sutton. There isn’t much anyone can do.” He couldn’t help the edge of anger that tinged his voice. It was sweet of her to want to help, but he meant what he said. There wasn’t anything anyone could do.

“That’s not exactly true.”

“What do you mean?”

“There is someone I know who’s a miracle worker. Her dedication to children in trouble is above par. She’s a pit bull when it comes to fighting the system.”

She paused, waiting for him to say something, but he had no words. He couldn’t imagine how this person could help the current situation. Unless she was an expert at fixing computer systems, he doubted there was anything she could do.

When he said nothing, she continued. “I called her and told her what I knew. She’ll be here tomorrow.”

Wyatt blew out a breath. “Sutton,” he said, shaking his head.

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