Page 2 of Finding You

Sometimes, I hate this job.

An hour later, after showering and changing into his street clothes, Zion slung his duffle bag over his shoulder and headed for the locker room’s exit. He had already talked to his neighbor’s kid, asking him to take Onyx, Zion’s dog, out for a walk. Now Zion was heading to his parents’ place.

He had a couple of days off, and he was looking forward to relaxing. Though it was still cold out, the city was expecting a rare warm day of sixty degrees tomorrow. This time of the year, it could be sixty-five one day and snowing the next. So he planned to do something outside. Maybe he’d see if his dadwanted to go fishing. That was something he and the old man did as often as the weather would allow.

“Z, wait up.” Zion slowed and turned at the sound of Lynix’s voice. When he caught up, they exited the locker room together and headed to the door that would take them to the employee parking lot. “We’re going to Roby’s tonight. You coming?”

Roby’s was Roby’s Pub, a cop bar they often hung out at after their shifts. Zion wasn’t in the mood for drinking, though he never had more than two beers. Nor did he feel like hanging out with the guys. It had been like that a lot lately. Perhaps turning thirty a few weeks ago had something to do with it, but he didn’t think so. His lack of interest in hanging with the guys had been like this for months, and he knew why. His mystery woman.

“Nah, man. I told my parents I’d stop by after work. I’m going to pass on Roby’s.”

Lynix nodded. “That’s cool, but if you change your mind, I’m sure we’ll still be there watching a couple of basketball games.”

“All right,” Zion said, though he had no intention of stopping by.

If his mother hadn’t texted him, telling him that she had put a plate aside for him, he’d be heading home. But no way was he turning down a home cooked meal. Yes, he could hold his own in the kitchen, but his mother’s cooking was second to none.

“Oh, and bring Dorian if you do come to the bar. She can pretty up the place,” Lynix said of Zion’s youngest sister.

Zion growled under his breath and pointed at his friend, who’d had a crush on Dorian since they’d met years ago. “You clearly have a death wish. I meant what I said. Stay the hell away from my sister… all of them, asshole.”

Lynix’s laughter could still be heard when he walked away, strolling across the parking lot to where his truck was parked.

Dorian could do a lot worse than Lynix, Zion thought as he climbed into his Ford 150. Actually, he couldn’t think of a betterguy for his youngest sister, but it would be too weird—her dating one of his best friends. He doubted it would ever happen since Dorian thought Lynix was an egotistical jerk. He wasn’t, but Zion never corrected her.

A short while later, he entered his parents’ Greystone bed and breakfast. They actually lived in the cottage out back, but when he checked, no one was there. So he assumed they were still at the B & B.

The moment he stepped inside, the enticing aroma of barbecue had his stomach growling as he shrugged out of his leather jacket. He hung it in the coat closet before he moved farther into the foyer and stopped short. His mother stood near the registration desk, holding an infant.

“Mom,pleasetell me you didn’t steal someone’s baby.”

He was only half joking. She’d been on a mission, insisting he and his sisters get married and give her grandbabies. It started when they all reached their mid-twenties, especially his sisters who were all older than him. However, no one seemed to be in a hurry to settle down and have kids. Including him.

Zion had recently turned thirty. He had barely blown out the candles on the birthday cake that his mother had baked before she started asking if he was dating anyone. That was code for—do you have a potential baby momma lined up yet?

Getting married and having children were the last things on his mind. As a Chicago police officer, his workdays were long and exhausting. Some days, he barely had the energy to drag his tired body home after a shift. Going home and having to fulfill husband and daddy duties?No thank you.

“Well, since my own children won’t give me more grandkids, I’m forced to borrow babies,” his mother said, pulling him out of his thoughts.

Zion chuckled. “You’re a trip.”

He kissed his mother’s cheek. In doing so, he glanced at the gorgeous baby girl with big light-brown eyes, a tiny nose, and bow-shaped lips. She was dressed in all pink and had to be the prettiest baby he’d ever seen.

“She’s a cutie-pie.”

Unable to help himself, he smiled at the little one and touched her tiny hand, and she immediately grabbed hold of his finger. He couldn’t help quietly baby-talking to her. When the baby offered him a smile, Zion’s heart nearly stopped.

“See, you’re a natural,” his mother said. “All you have to do is find a wife and start having a few cutie-pies like this one. Don’t you want to hold her?”

He shook his head, took a giant step back, but couldn’t take his gaze from the baby while saying, “Mom, don’t start.”

The temptation to hold the child was stronger than he’d admit, but he was definitely tempted. He loved kids, especially when they belonged to someone else.

“Okay, Mrs. Priestly. Thank you so much for entertaining her while I fixed a bottle. I…”

The stunning woman stopped talking and offered Zion a quick glance and smile before returning her attention to the baby. But just as quickly, her gaze snapped back to him. When she did, shock roiled inside of him, and his pulse thumped double-time.

It’s her.

---