Page 150 of Beat of Love
Kamila had confronted Selena.
Why?
And Connor knew to hide?
He even had a specialhidingplace?
Rafferty reached out and gripped Connor’s upper arms in a light but firm hold. He took it as a win when the boy didn’t flinch. “It seems like you were a very brave boy, Connor.”
“That’s what Mommy said.”
“Well, mommies are smart.”
Connor gave a lopsided grin. “Mom said the smartest thing she ever did was have me and Nadie.” His smile faded, lips turning down. “I miss her.”
The boy’s wobbling chin acted like a fist reaching into Rafferty’s chest, squeezing his heart. Without thought, he pulled the kid in for a hug. “I know you do, buddy.” Connor melted against him, shoving his face into Rafferty’s chest and arms around his neck. Rafferty felt the dampness of tears on his skin, and he smoothed his hands over the boy’s back. Any doubt he had of being capable of loving the son of the man responsible for so much pain in his life melted away as Connor cried in his arms.
The sobbing subsided, and Connor pulled away, wiping his forearm over his eyes.
Rafferty brushed back the wayward hair on the boy’s forehead. He had a sudden longing to grab the kids and haul ass to Texas. He bit back a sigh. There were still many obstacles to overcome.
He pointed to the picnic table nestling under a huge oak tree a short distance away. A wicker basket, one he’d organized with the hotel kitchen, lay on top. “How about we go sit at that table? I bet that the picnic basket holds some yummy treats” — he pointed to the bags on the ground — “and I have a couple of presents.”
The boy’s eyes lit up. “For Nadie, too?”
“Of course.”
“Thank you.” Connor gave him a quick hug before twisting away. He rushed back to his sister, calling out, “I told you, Nadie! I told you Dad would come for us.”
And Rafferty knew he would face the demons of hell before disappointing that boy and his sister.
43
Ladybirds and angels
Rafferty rose, grabbing the handles of the gift bags and told a stoic Mrs. Bronson, “Nothing will stop me from taking care of those children. Best you get on my side and make it happen.”
“You’re circumventing procedure,” she griped.
“For a very good reason. Keeping them safe.” He nodded toward the swing set where Connor stood, catching his sister as she jumped into his arms. The boy staggered under her weight but managed to stay upright. Sinead gave a shout of glee as her brother steadied her and lowered her to the ground.
“That remains to be seen,” Mrs. Bronson muttered, moving to the opposite side of the picnic table, perching on the far edge of the bench. Rafferty ignored her caustic reply, sat with his back to the table and her, and watched Connor and Sinead interact with the sheriff’s wife.
Raegan crouched before the kids and said something. Connor nodded and she gave him a quick hug. She turned to Sinead, kissed the girl on her forehead, and spoke to Connor again before straightening. Lifting a hand to her face, the woman swiped a finger under her eyes. The sheriff joined her and placed a kiss on her cheek before wrapping his arm around her shoulders and hugging her close.
Rafferty returned his focus to the youngsters moving across the grass, Connor holding Sinead’s hand.
The little one squealed and stumbled to her knees. Connor stooped beside her. Rafferty shot to his feet, but sat back down as she laughed again, peering intently at the grass.
“It’s a ladybird,” he heard Connor say. On hands and knees, heads close together, the two siblings held an earnest conversation.
His heart hammered in his chest, and a wave of apprehension washed over him despite his earlier heroic proclamation to Mrs. Bronson.
Those two innocent kids werehisresponsibility.
His.
God help him. And them.
