Page 23 of The Locksmith's Promise

My heart skipped a beat as he came out with a squirming ball of loveable fluff tucked under his arm.

Dark eyes the same as the ones I saw in the mirror every morning rippled like two huge pools of trepidation as they sought mine. “Hey.”

I leapt to my feet, heart pounding in my ears, eager to wipe that anxiety from his face.

He should never wonder if I’m happy to see him.

Never wonder what version of his father was showing up for him.

God, I hope he wants me to show up for him.

“Hi, Corwin.” I shrugged and offered another shaky smile. “I’m sure this is weird, but I guess I’m your dad.”

Jeff barked and wiggled wildly in a thwarted effort to get down.

Corwin doubled down on his determination to contain him.

Her?

I was a little foggy on the details from the day before.

He scrubbed his puppy under her chin. “You guess?”

I shook my head. “I know I am. I’m happy about it,” I blurted. “I hope once you get to know me, you’ll be happy, too.”

He tilted his head to the side and tipped his chin up. “You really didn’t know about me?”

Holding his gaze, I reassured him, “I really didn’t.”

“And you want to be friends with me?”

Friends?

That word again that hurt so damn much more than the first time I’d heard it.

My gaze flickered to Maggie’s strained face. What a fucking mess.

I nodded slowly. “How about we start off as friends, and maybe when you’re comfortable with the idea, you’ll let me be your dad.”

For the first time, he smiled. At me. Knowing exactly who I was. “You want to be my dad?”

The knot in my throat tightened my voice, “There’s only one thing I want more.”

He cocked his head to the side. “What’s that?”

I swallowed and studiously avoided Maggie’s gaze, knowing full well I was careening toward a cliff but unwilling to hit the brakes to save myself.

“To be best friends with your mom again.”

Friends was one thing, but best friends? Best friends meant trust and respect and loyalty. And those I could build on.

He beamed like a lighthouse and stepped closer while Jeff panted excitedly. “That would be good. Mom doesn’t have too many friends.”

A small sound of protest broke from Maggie’s lips. “I’m okay, Cor. I’m happy with my boy.”

Her answer was as much truth as warning.

After what I’d put her through and the amount of time I’d allowed to pass, I knew before coming back to Moose Lake I’d be in for an uphill battle. Not knowing about Corwin, I hadn’t realized just how steep it would be.

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