To Protect Her Son

It had been a difficult case for him, but it became intolerable when the woman made it clear she wanted to go out with him. She’d mistaken the interviews about her son over coffee as personal attention from him. He’d let her down as gently as possible. Then he’d spent the past hour getting his notes written up to pass the file to one of the other mentors.

He was here as a favor to his cousin after a teenage boy had been picked up by the police for fighting. The boy’s mother, Sherri’s friend, was a widow raising her son alone. In Nate’s experience single parents, especially widows, had difficulty setting boundaries for their teenagers. This was almost certainly because the mother, who had already suffered a serious loss, didn’t want to lose her daughter or son, as well.

But according to his cousin, Gayle Sawyer’s husband had died years ago. He sighed at the thought of facing another difficult situation after the morning he’d had. Not because he didn’t want to help, but he wasn’t feeling very sympathetic at the moment. This case was too close to the one he’d just signed off on.

Still and all, he couldn’t resist Sherri’s plea on behalf of her friend.

And this was the life he’d chosen, one that had its successes along with difficult moments.

After he’d been shot in Boston, he’d been angry at the world and had gone looking for someone to blame. That was until he’d met the teenager who had shot him. A boy of fifteen who had grown up in one foster home after another, the child of parents who had abdicated their responsibilities long before the shooting.

Eventually he’d come to realize that he would not be going back out on the streets as a cop. He would need to rethink his life and his career. He had always wanted to help teenagers and young adults before entering the police force, and now he had an opportunity to do that. He wasn’t being noble or particularly altruistic, not at all. There was only one thing driving him. If he could keep one kid from picking up a firearm and killing someone, he would feel he had used his time and his abilities for the greater good.

In his experience the parent was often more problematic than the teenager. He sincerely hoped this wasn’t the case here. And after this morning, he didn’t need another woman with her own issues messing up his work life. But Sherri had championed Gayle Sawyer’s cause, saying that she wasn’t a needy woman—in fact, just the opposite.

“The things I do for my cousin,” he muttered to no one in particular as he approached the door to Ted’s office.

* * *

GAYLE TURNED AS a light tap sounded on the office door. Ted Marston got up. “Hello, Nate. So glad you could come on such short notice. And by the way, thank you for helping out here,” he added as they shook hands. Turning to Gayle, he said, “I’d like you to meet Gayle Sawyer. Her son, Adam, will be your client.”

Nate Garrison walked farther into the room. The charcoal-gray shirt under his worn black leather jacket matched the gray of his eyes. Despite the cane he used, his whole demeanor spoke of a natural authority. Black hair streaked with gray sobered his appearance, and there were lines around his eyes and mouth. She could only imagine what he’d been through—physical pain, rehab and the loss of his rating for active duty.

He walked toward her, his eyes assessing. She shook hands with him, noting his gentle touch, the look of concern evident in his clear gaze. Guilt engulfed her. What sort of injuries had the police officer Harry had shot in Anaheim sustained? He’d been hit in the leg and the hip, but she had never gone to see him to apologize for what her husband had done. She realized in an instant of mindfulness that she’d been carrying this guilt with her all these years.

“It’s good to finally meet you. My cousin Sherri has been on my case for days. When Ted approached me to take your son as a client, she wouldn’t let me say no. You know what Sherri is like when she’s on a mission.” A smile crinkled the corners of his eyes, and it was if the whole room shifted ever so gently. “And you’re going to be her maid of honor.”

She swallowed over the lump of surprise lodged in her throat. How much had Sherri said about her? What conclusions had he come to? And how much did he know about Adam’s issues? “Yes, I am.”

“Then we’ll be seeing more of each other.”

“I’m really looking forward to the wedding. It should be a lot of fun,” she said. As she gazed up into his steel-gray eyes, her body tingled, a sensation so unusual for her she gave a little gasp.

“You realize we’ll have to dance at the reception,” he said, making her pulse jump.

Gayle hadn’t danced with a man in so long she couldn’t remember—high school, maybe.

Suddenly aware that he was still holding her hand, she pulled away. “I...I’m not much of a dancer. This is my first time being part of a wedding party.”

“Seriously? I thought that was some sort of rite of passage for women.”

His words reminded her of how socially barren her life had been. And this man had pointed out her shortcoming as easily as if he were talking about the weather. Determined not to let him see the hurt in her eyes, she turned her attention to Ted Marston.

Yet Nate was so gorgeous she couldn’t help but surreptitiously glance his way. Someone should have warned her. Even his cane looked sexy. If only he wasn’t related to Sherri and Anna, two people she liked and admired. There was probably some rule about Nate dating the mother of one of his clients, but that didn’t stop her from wanting him to see her as a desirable woman, not just the mother of a troubled teen.

A desirable woman who hadn’t had a date in years. How sad was that?

She listened while Ted and Nate discussed Adam’s case, answering their questions as thoroughly as possible without giving away any information about their past.

She had to be careful this handsome man didn’t find out about her lies. And even if he decided to check on her story, Harry was in prison under a different name than hers.

“We’re pretty well finished here, I believe,” Ted said at last. “You do understand that mentoring a troubled teen requires a clear understanding of the family background and the issues that may have contributed to the teen needing help?”

Family background? That would mean Nate would be asking questions she’d have to answer. Would she be able to keep her lies straight given how this man made her feel? And if he was as good at his job as Sherri said, acquiring information on the family he was working with would be easy for him. “I...I guess so.”

“Great. Now, all we need is to determine a date and time for Nate to meet Adam.”

Gayle forced a smile to her lips. Regardless of how solid her story was about her past, she was suddenly afraid to take a chance on this man who made her feel vulnerable, sexy and out of her depth. “Mr. Marston, could I speak to you alone for a minute before we do that?”

“Is there a problem?” Ted asked.

“There might be,” Gayle said, mentally running through the lie she had to offer as the truth.

As the door closed behind Nate, Ted Marston turned to her.

She cleared her throat, and ran her tongue over her dry lips. “I don’t think Mr. Garrison will work out well with my son. I should have mentioned it sooner, before you went over Adam’s case, but I feel I have to say something.”

“What is your objection to Nate Garrison? As I explained to you earlier, he’s one of the best, and he is very good with teenagers in your son’s situation.”

“My son broke curfew and was in a fight. I realize it was wrong, and he and I have talked about it. He’s sorry. He’s really making an effort to change his behavior. I’m working hard as well, to see that he doesn’t make the same mistake again.” She caught his inquiring glance. “What I’m trying to say is that there are boys out there in more desperate circumstances than Adam. We’d be willing to wait for someone else in your agency.”

“Do you realize who the other teenagers were that were involved in that fight?”

“I assumed they were kids from Adam’s school.”

“They’re among the roughest kids in the area. Two of them have already served time for armed robbery. I’m not trying to scare you here. But do you see how important it is for Adam to get help as soon as possible?”

She did, and she felt really guilty for putting up barriers. “Could we possibly find someone younger?” she asked, grabbing for the first thought that popped into her head.

“What difference would that make?” Ted said, exasperation resonating in his tone.

“He might relate better to someone closer to his age.”

What a flimsy argument! Is that the best you can do?

“Ms. Sawyer, I’m not sure you realize what is involved in getting the right help for your son. As I mentioned before, we’re very busy. Each of my counselors has a waiting list, but because of Officer Edwards’s request, I went ahead and found someone who was willing to see your son right away. Nate Garrison will make the difference between Adam getting back on track, or joining up with the boys involved in that fight. I hope I’m making myself clear. This is the best chance Adam will ever have.” He dropped his pen on the desk. “But you can always choose not to take my advice.” The expression on the man’s face held a cool finality to it.

Having it put to her that way, what choice did she have? “No. Of course I’ll take your advice. I was just a little anxious. I’ve never been involved in something like this before.”

“Then let me explain it to you a little more. Nate will want to meet your son, spend time with you as well as Adam. He will get to know you and your son, and in the process he’ll be able to identify problems that need to be worked on.”

Gayle’s stomach began to ache. “Why does he have to work with me?”

“Because you’re Adam’s mother, and your influence on his life is important in getting to the root of his problems. Also, the role his father played in his life, and your family ties, will be significant, as well. Adam has no siblings, but there might be a cousin he trusts or looks up to, a positive influence in his life.” He looked at her questioningly.

“No.” Gayle directed her gaze to her hands resting in her lap, feeling once again inadequate, alone and completely responsible for everything in her life. She didn’t want Adam to live as she did—alone and fearful of what lay ahead. She wanted him to be a happy, well-adjusted teenager, and eventually a young adult with a good life waiting for him when he completed his education. She wanted him to have everything she’d never had.

“So what will it be? Can I call Nate back into the room, and we’ll begin the process of getting help for Adam?”

“Yes, please,” she murmured, dread filling her mind at the prospect of someone picking around her past. If he discovered anything, would he tell her first? What if he encouraged Adam to go on the internet to find information about his family, especially his father? Thankfully, Adam hadn’t shown any real interest in researching family connections. That would certainly change if Nate started asking questions about Harry and her life in Anaheim.

She intended to do whatever it took to help Adam, but she would do everything in her power to keep her past out of it. Harry must never be brought into the conversation.

She should have kept her concerns about Nate to herself. He had to be wondering why she had requested time alone with the head of the center, already putting her at a disadvantage.

She knew it was selfish of her, but she couldn’t risk her friends finding out about her past and the shame she would feel when she was exposed as a liar. She didn’t want to be the subject of gossip in this town she’d come to love. She felt welcome here, accepted for who she was, who she wanted people to believe she was. And all that could come tumbling down if anyone learned of her lie about Adam’s father.

But worst of all, if she wasn’t careful, her past could affect her son’s future. Adam deserved the best she could give him, which meant she would do everything in her power to protect him from her past.

CHAPTER THREE

NATE PARKED HIS car in front of Gayle Sawyer’s house and started up the walk toward the bright blue door, his cane supporting his damaged hip as always. He’d been with Sherri at Anna’s house for dinner the other night, and was impressed with his cousin’s continued praise for Gayle. He’d liked the woman despite the fact that he’d been sent packing from Ted Marston’s office without an explanation. She certainly hadn’t behaved the way he’d expected, throwing him off guard. And the hand holding thing. He’d never, ever had to be reminded to let go of someone’s fingers. When he was asked to rejoin the conversation it was clear from Gayle’s body language that she was uncomfortable with him being there.

She was beautiful and sexy, yet her eyes were guarded, wary. He’d caught her staring at him, and couldn’t help but wonder if she was deciding whether or not his use of a cane would affect his ability to help her son. Was Gayle Sawyer the kind of person that saw his disability first, and made a judgment based on that?

Whatever his feelings, whatever judgment she had made about him, none of it mattered, because behind this brightly painted door lived a teenager who was on the edge of serious trouble. Officer Andrew Edwards was a caring young man who was doing night classes in Bangor in order to get his degree in psychology. From what he’d described of the fight that night, there was a great deal of pressure for Adam to join this gang of high school dropouts.

A tap of the brass knocker on the solid wood door resulted in the door swinging open immediately. Gayle stood there, her mass of black curls swaying around her shoulders.

She’d been waiting for him. The thought pleased him more than he was willing to admit to anyone but himself.

“Please come in,” she said just as her son appeared. Adam Sawyer was tall for his age with a smattering of acne on his cheeks. His dark hair was cut short, and his green eyes radiated distrust. They both stared at Nate as if he were bringing bad news.

Once inside, they moved to the living room, where Adam sank onto the sofa, leaving Gayle and him facing each other in chairs near the fireplace. Nate placed his cane discreetly by the fireplace, but not before he became aware of the sympathy in Gayle’s expression. He’d become accustomed to the concerned glances of those he met, the sympathy that followed, and even the pity he’d seen in others. Such behavior was now part of his life, nothing more.

To give everyone time to settle in, he checked out the room’s interior. It was small and cozy with pastel blues and yellows accenting the dark woodwork typical of many homes in Eden Harbor.

Gayle’s hands smoothed the fabric of her well-worn jeans as she sized him up. “I made the curtains and the slipcovers. I love decorating, and this house offers plenty of opportunity.” Her smile was genuine as she spoke, a smile that Nate found very attractive.

“We’ll start off today talking a little bit about the two of you, and I can answer any questions you might have.”

“That sounds okay...” Her anxious glance swerved to Adam and back to Nate. “What do you need me to do?”

“Just be here for your son. Although the focus is on him, there will be times when you and I will talk about how you feel, your concerns as his mother, what your family life was like. Things like that. Occasionally the three of us will talk about how things are going.” He looked at Adam. “But mostly Adam and I will be getting to know each other.”

“So what’s next?” She twisted her fingers in her lap as she eyed him from under thick lashes.

Anxiety was usual in these situations, but Gayle Sawyer seemed a little too anxious. Clearly she was worried about her son. But was that all? Single parents often lived with myriad concerns that were heightened during a crisis: the result of having to make all the adult decisions alone.

“How this works is that Adam and I will get together once a week to shoot pool, go to a sporting event, maybe a basketball game, talk about things that are bothering him. It won’t be about the fight he was involved in necessarily, but we’ll cover what’s going on in his life.”

“You don’t have to talk as if I’m not here,” Adam said in a sullen tone.

“Adam! Mr. Garrison is trying to help!”

Nate watched the troubled teen as he slouched farther into the sofa. Did he feel unnoticed, maybe unwelcome, in his new home? He’d lived here about a year, and making friends was sometimes difficult.

Nate smiled encouragingly as he directed all his attention to the teenager. “You’re absolutely right. And I guess I should tell you a little bit about myself. I was eleven when my father died. I missed him every day of my life. Then I met up with a police officer in circumstances similar to yours. Luckily I had family and friends who were willing to vouch for me, and I got my life turned around. I know what it’s like to feel so alone you want to lash out at people, especially as you get older and realize how important it is to have a dad’s influence in your life. And of course your move here probably wasn’t easy.”

Adam pressed his fists into the cushions of the sofa but said nothing.

“I suspect that you came here knowing no one, and had to start over finding friends. You felt like you didn’t fit in anywhere.”

Adam began picking at his nails. “I should have made the basketball team. I was on the team back in Anaheim. The school I went to there was awesome.”

“Why didn’t you make the team here?”

Adam shook his head, burying his chin in his chest. “Dunno.”

Nate made a note to call Coach Cassidy and see what he had to say about Adam.

“What’s your favorite subject in school?” Nate asked.

Adam lifted his head. “Computer science. I want to work in computers when I...when I get out of this place.”

“Adam, I didn’t know you were so unhappy in Eden Harbor,” Gayle said, her voice tight with worry.

“That’s because you work all the time at the hospital, and we don’t talk anymore like we used to when...” He rubbed his hands through his short hair, looking at neither of them.

Clearly there was a lot going on emotionally with Adam. Nate changed the subject. “Adam, do you like living in this house?”

“Yeah, it’s nicer than the apartment we had in Anaheim. Mom likes working in the garden. I never had fresh vegetables until we moved into this place.”

“I like this house, too,” Nate said. “I had a summer job mowing lawns, and one of them was across the street. I would watch Mrs. Cooper working in her flower beds and wish I had her talent with plants.”

Gayle’s face brightened. “Susan was my aunt. She left this house to me in her will.”

Adam sat up straighter and leaned forward, resting his forearms on his thighs, his eyes bright with interest. “You cut grass, too? How many lawns did you do?”

“I had five. Two during the week, and three on the weekend.”

* * *

GAYLE LISTENED AS Adam talked to Nate about his lawn work and began to feel the tension ease from her shoulders. Nate had found something he and Adam had in common. She could have hugged the man on the spot. She had no idea how a mentor worked, but if Nate’s behavior so far was any indication, this could prove to be so much easier than she’d expected. Quietly she slipped from the room and went to the kitchen, putting the kettle on for tea. She took morning-glory cookies she’d made earlier from the jar and placed them on a plate.

When the tea was ready, she put everything on a tray, including a glass of milk for Adam and headed back to the living room. Adam was laughing out loud, a sound she had rarely heard in the past few weeks. Clearly her son was very happy with the attention Nate was giving him. Delighted to be part of this new development, she put the tray on the coffee table in front of Adam.

“I thought we could enjoy a cup of tea and Adam’s favorite cookies while we talk,” Gayle said, being careful not to spill anything as she poured tea for Nate and herself. She was proud to see that Adam had waited until she’d served Nate before taking his usual four cookies and the glass of milk.

Nate and Adam continued their discussion of which mowers worked best, how Adam had managed to fix his machine the last time it broke down. Gayle was pleased to see a look of accomplishment on her son’s face, and hoped this was the beginning of a return to sharing their daily lives.

When the plate of cookies was empty, Adam finished the last of his milk and stood up. “If no one minds, I’m meeting a friend to go skateboarding.”

Forcing her shoulders down, Gayle drew in a deep breath to ease her instant anxiety. “When will you be back?”

“A bunch of us are heading over to the skateboard park. I’ll be back for dinner.”

Gayle followed him out to the back door. Once out of earshot of Nate, she asked, “What did you think of Mr. Garrison?”

“He’s okay, Mom.” He patted her shoulder the way he often did. “Stop worrying. You heard him. He said we’d hang out once a week, and that’s fine.” Scooping his skateboard off the bench, he skipped down the steps, following the cobbled path to the front of the house before disappearing from sight.

Gayle went back into the house, expecting to find Nate where she’d left him in the living room. Instead, he was standing in the kitchen, the tray on the marble counter. “Was the move from Anaheim relatively easy?”

“Yes. I was ready for a change. When I learned that my aunt had left this house to me, I couldn’t wait to move here. I’d never been to the East Coast before. It’s been a wonderful experience. I’ve made friends with several people at work, and I love my job.” Hoping that would end his questions, she started to put the dishes in the dishwasher.

“Most people don’t pick up and move that easily. Leaving friends and relatives behind is usually difficult. Why didn’t you sell this house and just stay in Anaheim?”

Gayle glanced around the sunny kitchen with its cream walls and blue/green accents, all of which she’d done herself. “Because I had never owned a home before, and I loved the photos my aunt’s executor sent me.”

“What was your life in Anaheim like? Did you work in a medical clinic there?”

Was this how it worked? He would gain background information on her before he began working with Adam? “I did. It was okay, but not nearly as friendly as the Eagle Mountain Medical Center.”

“That’s good to hear.” He paused. They exchanged half smiles. “You and Sherri have become close friends.”

“She’s the best friend I’ve ever had.” She’d never admit to him that Sherri was her first real friend. Growing up, she couldn’t take anyone to the shabby home she shared with her parents for fear of what state they’d be in, which had left her feeling isolated from her classmates.

She wanted Adam to have friends, and a place he was proud to bring them to. He had done that until about a month ago. She probably should tell Nate about that, but it might be better to wait and see how he made out with Adam before volunteering any information.

“Do you miss your friends in Anaheim?”

“With a child to raise, and very little money, I didn’t have many friends.”

“Had you moved there from somewhere else?”

“I lived in Riverside for a short time, but Anaheim mostly.”

A frown line formed between his eyes. “I can understand that you’d be busy with a child and a career, but why was it easier to make friends here in Eden Harbor than in Anaheim?”

He was asking questions she couldn’t answer without exposing the truth she’d vowed to keep to herself. She’d moved out of the neighborhood she’d been living in with Harry as soon as she could. With the grudging help of her parents, she’d taken a medical receptionist course, after which she’d moved to another part of town. There she’d intentionally avoided making friends who might connect her to the sensational coverage of Harry’s trial. Having Adam in her life was everything she’d ever wanted, and the one good thing to come out of her past. “I...I’m not sure.”