Adopted Son

Tuck’s throat felt dry. “I promise, ma’am. I’ll make sure he has the best home possible.”

“Thank you,” Wilma whispered. “And make sure he has his stuffed dog. He carries it everywhere…and sleeps with it.”

Tuck and Opal eyed each other. “What does the dog look like?” Tuck asked.

“It’s blue and made out of that really soft fabric.”

He stood. “I’ll see that he has it.” Tuck twisted his hat in his hand. “I’m real sorry about your daughter, Mrs. Harper.”

Outside, Opal eyed him. “You really meant that, didn’t you?”

“Sure.” Tuck placed his hat on his head. “It’s sad when anyone dies like Nicole did.”

“Yeah, but I was talking about the dog.”

“Yes, ma’am, I meant that, too.” Tuck fell in step beside Opal. “I’ll find the dog and I’ll make sure Brady gets a decent home. He’s been through enough.”

“I’ll put some feelers out. There are always couples looking for small children. In the meantime I guess I’d better track down the father’s family.”

“If you don’t mind, I’ll handle that.”

“Mind?” Opal lifted an eyebrow. “You’re like an angel sent from above. You’re certainly a cut above other law enforcement officers I’ve worked with.”

“I was left as an infant, so I know what getting a good home means.”

“Well, bless my soul, aren’t you something?” Opal stopped in her tracks. “You’re one of a kind, Jeremiah Tucker. It’s good to remember where you come from, and it’s even better to give some of it back.”

“Thanks, Opal. I’ll call when I have any news.”

He strolled toward his car, feeling better about the situation. With a little luck, he was hoping that one of Braden’s parents wanted Brady.

Back at his office, it didn’t take long to track them down. Bruce, the father, lived in Dallas and had married a woman with three small children. He said his wife wouldn’t be willing to take on another child. He was sorry and hoped they found Brady a good home. The mother, Eileen, lived in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Her new husband had had an accident and was paralyzed from the waist down. She had her hands full and regretted she couldn’t take Brady.

Tuck stared at the phone, wondering why neither had asked about Brady’s recovery or his well-being. Brady was their grandchild, their flesh and blood. Yet they seemed not to care.

Tuck ran his hands over his face, hoping that Opal could find the perfect family for Brady.

Perfect.

He thought of Grace. Uptight, repressed—that was how he thought of her. How he needed to think of her, but last night was different. For a brief second she’d let down her guard and so had he. The image was playing tricks with his mind.

And it shouldn’t.

His friends the McCain brothers teased him about Grace. He and Grace were the only two single people left in their group and they were often paired together, especially at weddings. His friends saw that as a sign. Maybe he needed to stop being so touchy. Maybe…

His thoughts halted as he noticed the time. It was Friday and he was late for a brother’s meeting. Even though he wasn’t a McCain, Tuck was included because he was Eli’s foster brother and a good friend. Eli’s father was Joe McCain, but Eli had never carried the McCain name because Joe denied he was Eli’s father.

The McCain family had been a mess. He couldn’t understand how a father could walk away from his own son, not like Joe McCain had walked away from Eli. Beau and Caleb had been the lucky ones. They had lived with their mother, but the old man had raised Jake. Now the brothers had all made peace with each other and their dysfunctional father, who had passed away years ago.

Opal was wrong. After a tumultuous childhood, the McCains had found true happiness. It did happen.

He headed for his car and Salado, which was a quaint, historic town between Austin and Waco. It was the midway point for Beau and Jake, who lived in Waco, and Caleb, Eli and Tuck, who all lived around Austin.

When he arrived at the small diner, he recognized all the cars parked in the lot. He hurried inside. It was a typical small-town café: hardwood floors, booths, red gingham tablecloths and a jukebox in a corner. A Willie Nelson tune played in the background.

“Where have you been?” Eli asked in his best grumpy voice as Tuck took a seat.

Tuck ordered a beer and told them about Brady.

“Man, I don’t know how y’all handle things like that,” Jake said. “I’ll stick with raising cotton and corn. That I can control. Well, that is, if Mother Nature cooperates.” Jake ran the McCain farm outside of Waco.

“I see a lot of it,” Beau added. “Then parents who have abused their kids want them back. It’s hard when you get a judge who will grant that.” Beau was the lawyer in the family.

“This is turning into a downer,” Eli said. “Let me tell you guys what Jesse is up to.”

“We know what Jesse is up to.” Tuck took a swallow of his beer. “He’s chewing on everything in sight.”

“That’s the truth.” Eli leaned his forearms on the table. “I think he might be growing fangs instead of teeth.”

Jake raised his beer. “Here’s to a lot of sleepless nights.”

“Oh, man.” Eli downed a gulp of his beer and looked at Caleb. “How’s Josie?”

Caleb was also a Texas Ranger and he and Josie were expecting their first child. “She’s sick as a dog in the mornings. She’s taken a desk job, which I’m very grateful for. But I didn’t tell her that. Can you imagine a pregnant cop with mood swings carrying a gun?”

The brothers laughed.

“I suggested that she take a leave of absence from the force until after the baby comes. That didn’t earn me any points. I just worry about her.”

Eli slapped him on the back. “It comes with the territory.”

Beau sat twisting his bottle, which wasn’t like him. He was the talker in the group.

“You’re going to rub a hole in the table,” Jake told him.

“What?” Beau glanced up.

“What’s up with you?” Caleb asked.

“I’m almost afraid to say it out loud.”

No one said a word as they waited for Beau to speak.

“Macy’s pregnant.”

The brothers jumped up and pumped Beau’s hand, which gave way to hugs.

“Oh, man,” Caleb said, smiling. “When’s she due?”

“In November.”

“Josie’s due in October. Two McCain babies born in the same year.” Caleb beamed with excitement. “Have you told Mom and Dad?”

“We told them last night.”

“And Mom’s kept it quiet all day?” Jake lifted an eyebrow.

“We wanted to tell everyone ourselves,” Beau replied. “And, believe me, Mom’s bursting at the seams to tell someone.”

“This is wonderful,” Jake said, hugging Beau again. “Except Katie is going to start bugging Elise and me again for a baby. When Jesse was born, we heard about it nonstop.”

Eli grinned. “You know how to fix that.”

“Oh, no.” Jake shook his head. “A boy and a girl, we’re done.”

The brothers kidded back and forth. Tuck was the last to hug Beau. “Congratulations, man.”

“Thanks.”

Macy’s first marriage had ended in divorce because her baby daughter had died from a genetic heart defect. Since Macy carried the gene, she refused to have more children. Beau and Macy had adopted Zoë, a baby of Macy’s sister. But now they would have a child of their own. Tuck knew that wasn’t an easy decision for them to make.

All his friends were happy with families and children. It was wonderful to see. Suddenly he saw Brady lying in that hospital bed—he had no one. Brady needed someone to love and care for him. Without even having to think about it, Tuck knew he could be that someone.

“I’d better go,” Caleb said, grabbing his hat. “Josie’s home by now and I can’t wait to tell her.”

“Me, too,” Eli added. “My wife needs a break from the chewing monster.”

“Remember you guys promised to come to one of Ben’s Little League games,” Jake reminded them.

“We’ll be there,” Eli and Caleb promised at the same time.

Goodbyes were said and Tuck turned to Beau. “Could I speak to you for a minute?”

“Sure.” They resumed their seats at the table after the others had left.

“I know you’re anxious to get home,” Tuck said, now nervous about what was going through his mind.

“I’ve got a minute for a friend.”

“Congratulations on the new baby. I’m real happy for you and Macy.”

“I know and thanks. We’re excited and nervous.” Beau eyed him. “What’s going on?”

Tuck looked straight at him. “I’d like to adopt Brady.”

CHAPTER THREE

FOR THE FIRST TIME since Tuck had known him, Beau seemed speechless. “Are you sure about this?”

“Yes.” The more he thought about it, the more real the idea became. “Brady needs someone and no one in his family wants him. I’ve always planned to take in kids, so I’ll start a little earlier than I thought. Will you help me gain temporary custody pending an adoption?”

“You know I will. But think about this.”

“I’ve thought of very little else since I saw Brady chewing on a bag of dog food.” Tuck shifted in his chair. “Can you believe that? They bought food for the dogs, but not for the baby.”

Beau grimaced. “Man, that’s awful. I can see how upsetting it would be to find a baby in that situation. But this decision will change your whole life. Are you ready for that?”

Tuck nodded. “I know there’ll be some adjustments, but I really believe I’m ready.”

“Okay. I’ll start on the paperwork tomorrow and call you when I’m ready to file it.” Beau paused.

“What?” Tuck asked, sensing something else was bothering Beau.

“Be prepared for some hard questions from the judge.”

“Like what?”

“Your job for starters. What do you plan to do with Brady during the day?”

“I haven’t thought it through, but by the time the hearing rolls around I’ll have a plan. Mrs. Wiggins lives down the road from me. She’s a retired teacher and now keeps her small granddaughter. She might also be willing to watch Brady. I’ll talk to her. And there’s a small day care two blocks from my office. I’ll check it out, too. I can make this work, Beau.”

Beau played with the paper napkin on the table. “I have no doubt you can. You’re my very good friend and I love you like a brother, but I have to be honest.”

“I wish you would.”

“It’s very difficult for a single male to gain custody of a child, especially one that is not his biologically.”

“So you’re saying I don’t have a chance.”

“I’m saying it will be difficult and I want you to be aware of that. I’ll be behind you one hundred percent, though, making sure the judge knows what an incredible man you are. And what a wonderful father you’d make.”

Tuck relaxed. “Thanks, Beau.”

Beau studied him for a moment. “I don’t suppose there’s a woman in the picture whom I don’t know about.”

“No.”

“What happened to that police officer you were dating?”

Tuck shrugged. “It wasn’t serious.”

Beau lifted an eyebrow. “Is it ever?”

“Not lately.”

Beau leaned back in his chair. “I’ve never questioned your personal life or your life’s choices. That’s your business, but as your lawyer I’ll have to delve deeper. I have to be able to argue convincingly in front of a judge that you, a single male, would be the best parent for Brady Harper.”

“I understand. Ask all the questions you want.”

Beau looked straight at him. “Why do you feel that taking in foster kids is exclusive of marriage and having children of your own? Your adoptive parents were married. I’m not clear on why they didn’t have kids of their own, though.”

“Ma had a miscarriage early in the marriage and the doctor couldn’t stop the bleeding. He ended up doing a total hysterectomy.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t know.”

“She worked in an office for a while then Pa was asked by the FBI to help nail a firearms dealer from Mexico. When they captured the guy in El Paso, he had his five-year-old daughter with him. He’d kidnapped her from her mother in South Carolina. Pa said the little thing was frightened to death and he became attached to her. He talked CPS into letting him take her home to Ma where he knew she would get special care. Ma kept her for three days comforting her and letting her know she was safe. The mother was so grateful to have her daughter back. Ma said after that she knew what she wanted to do and they helped hundreds of kids over the years, including Eli and me.”

“I’ve heard the stories.” Beau leaned forward. “But I still don’t understand completely why, to you, taking in foster kids is exclusive of marriage and having your own kids.”

“The marriage thing just hasn’t worked out for me.” Tuck twisted his empty beer bottle, knowing he had to share parts of his life for Beau to understand him. “Have you ever seen a two-year-old who’s been hit so hard that his jaw broke into four pieces and punctured his eardrum?”

Beau shook his head.

“Have you ever seen a four-year-old who’s had a pot of boiling water poured over him because he wouldn’t mind?”

Beau winced and shook his head again.

“Have you ever seen a six-month-old baby girl malnourished and with cigarette burns all over her body?”

Beau held up a hand. “Stop. You’re going somewhere with this, so please just get there.”

“Those three cases are vivid in my memory. When the grandmother in Arkansas was finally awarded full custody of the six-month-old, she didn’t even resemble the battered baby that had come to live with us. Ma rocked and sang to her and doctored her burns. Eli and I did, too. She was a laughing, happy child and we were sad to see her go. But there are so many kids like that, Beau. The violence and abuse never stops. I just would feel selfish bringing more children into the world when there are so many who need someone.”

Tuck looked at his friend. “I’ve had these goals of taking in foster children ever since I witnessed how one person can change a life. Ma and Pa did it every day. I learned everything about life from them. I feel its something I have to do. I feel it’s something I need to do.” With his thumb, he peeled the label off the beer bottle. “I like being with a woman just as much as the next guy, but I haven’t found anyone to change my mind—or anyone to share my goals. Eli says it’s a mind-set because of the circumstances of my birth, but it’s much more than that.”

Beau eyed him with a strange look on his face. “You feel very deeply about this.”

“Yes. Brady needs someone and I can be that someone.”

“You’re a better man than me. I don’t think I could give up so much.”

Tuck shrugged. “I’m different. I guess I’ve always known that.”

“And you wish your friends would stop trying to change you.”

“No. I know they care about me and I need that, too.”

“Well, Tuck, I’m going to do everything I can to make sure you’re granted custody of Brady Harper.”

“Thanks, Beau. I’d appreciate that.”

“And I sincerely hope that one day you find a woman to share your incredibly selfless dream.”

Tuck grinned. “Ah, a romantic.”

“You bet,” Beau said. “I just want you to be happy.”

“Helping Brady would make me happy.”

Beau patted his shirt pocket, searching for a pen. “Do you have the caseworker’s name? I’d like to find out all I can about Brady—to make our case as strong as possible.”

Tuck handed him a pen and gave him the information. They walked out together. “I’m really happy about the baby, Beau. Give Macy my congratulations.”

“I will and thanks.” They shook hands and hugged briefly. “You’re a rare man, Jeremiah Tucker, and I’m proud you’re my friend. I’ll call as soon as I have any info.”

Tuck swallowed back emotions as he slid into his vehicle. He sat for a moment savoring that bond of friendship. Backing out, he reached for his phone and called Sergeant Scofield. He wanted to go by the trailer and look for the stuffed dog so Brady could have it when he woke up. The sergeant gave permission and Tuck went by the station for a key.

Darkness had fallen by the time Tuck arrived at Brady’s so-called home. He saw the yellow police tape that surrounded the trailer. Getting out, he noticed the dogs were gone but the vans were still parked in the yard. There was an eerie quiet about the place.

He went up the steps and unlocked the door. As he flipped a switch, a light came on. Good. The electricity hadn’t been turned off yet. A distasteful odor greeted him. It was indescribable. Death came to mind. He shook off the feeling, glancing around.

Clothes, trash, junk and broken dishes cluttered the floor. He kicked some of the mess out of the way and walked to the spot where he’d found Brady. The toy was lying in the place Brady had sat. Tuck hadn’t even noticed it before.

Picking up the stuffed dog, he saw it was filthy, but that didn’t matter. What mattered was that Brady had the toy when he woke up. Tuck locked the trailer and drove to the hospital. It was late, but he went anyway.

Outside the ward, a nurse stopped him. “I’m sorry. Visiting hours are over.”

He introduced himself and explained about the stuffed animal. “His grandmother said he takes it everywhere and even sleeps with it. Brady will probably be less upset when he wakes up if he has the dog.” He showed her the toy. “It’s filthy, but I’m not too sure if it can be washed or not.”

She eyed him for a second then took the dog. “Usually all stuffed animals can be washed. We have a washer and dryer here so I’ll wash it and Brady will have it by morning.”

Tuck hesitated. It wasn’t that he didn’t trust her, but nurses had a lot to do and she might forget.

“Don’t trust me, huh?”

Tuck looked into her honey-brown eyes and realized she was flirting with him. She was attractive, with short brown hair and a slim figure, but tonight he wasn’t interested.

“By the way, my name is Jennifer.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Jennifer.” He motioned to the toy in her hand. “I just want Brady to have the dog.”

“He will, Ranger Tucker. I promise.”

“Good. I’ll be back in the morning.”

“I’m looking forward to it.”

Tuck nodded and walked off wondering if he was losing it. A beautiful woman, a willing smile and he didn’t act on it. What was he looking for? He suddenly saw green eyes and an uptight expression.

Grace.

Why couldn’t he get the woman out of his head?

THE NEXT MORNING Tuck was at the hospital early. Opal was at the nurses’ station so he slipped in to see Brady. He was still lying on his stomach, but in a different direction and he had on a diaper and a gown. The dog, all clean, was tucked under his arm.

He stood there staring at this little boy whose life might become a part of his own. Suddenly he wanted that more than anything—to love him, to make sure he never went hungry and that no one ever harmed him again. He could do that. He could be Brady’s father.

“Are you the officer who brought the stuffed animal?”

Tuck turned to look at a woman sitting by the next bed, where a little girl in a pink gown slept. Machines were attached to her head and her chest. “Yes,” he replied, and introduced himself.

“I’m Barbara Wilcott and this—” she glanced at the baby “—is my daughter, Molly. That’s very nice, what you did.”

“Thank you.” Tuck walked around Brady’s bed to stare at Molly. Her head was bandaged and she had an IV in her arm. “How is your daughter?”

“They removed a tumor from her brain three days ago. She hasn’t woken up yet. We keep waiting.” Barbara brushed away a tear.

Tuck felt a lump in his throat. “How old is she?”

“Two.”

“She’s very lucky to have you.”

Barbara wiped away another tear. “And that little boy is lucky to have someone so caring looking out for him.”

Opal entered the room, preventing Tuck from responding. “I pray your little girl recovers,” he said instead, and walked over to Opal.

“How’s Brady?” he asked.

“He’s much better. They took out his IV this morning.” Opal set her purse on the floor. “He should wake up at any moment. I just spoke with the nurse and she said they’ll start the refeeding process and watch him closely. The problem with kids this age who’ve been deprived of food is they’ll binge on everything in sight. She said they’ll start with formula and work up to solids, taking it slowly.”

“Does anyone know how long he was without food?”

“We’re guessing about three to four days. The neighbor saw Nicole with Brady about four days ago, but she hasn’t seen Brady since. Nicole has been in and out, but no Brady. We think Davis cut off her drug supply and she was out looking for another fix. She found the guy who was dead in the bed in a bar. Davis came home at the wrong time, or maybe for Brady it was the right time. Just so sad.” Opal shook her head.

“Yeah. But Brady’s going to be okay, that’s the main thing.”

Opal nodded. “I got your message about the grandparents. Sad, but I see it all the time. Some can’t do enough. Others just walk away, but that’s okay. We’ll find Brady a really good home.”

“I’m thinking about adopting him.” Tuck thought this was as good a time as any to tell her.

Those tired blue eyes opened wide. “You talked your wife into taking him. That’s wonderful.”

“I’m not married.”

Opal frowned. “What?”

He knew what that frown was about. “Is there a law that says a single male can’t adopt?”

“Heaven forbid, are you from another planet?”

He tensed. “I take offense to that.”

“Take all the offense you want. I’m just being honest. I know you care for Brady and you’ve formed a connection to him. But I’ve been in this business long enough to know that a judge rarely grants custody to a single person, especially male.”

“But it’s not unheard of?”

Opal pushed her glasses up her nose. “I wish you would have told me this yesterday. I’ve already let people know we have a fourteen-month-old up for possible adoption. We’ll get responses—” she looked directly at him “—from couples. And a judge will go for a family structure first.”

“I know,” Tuck admitted. “But I have to try.”

Opal shook her head again. “You’re a rare specimen, Ranger Tucker.”

Tuck had heard that before.

Brady moaned and they turned their attention to him. He rolled over, winced as his bottom touched the bed, but he didn’t cry. He sat up and stared at Tuck and Opal.

“Why isn’t he crying?” Tuck asked under his breath.

“I have no idea,” Opal whispered back. “He should be screaming his head off.”

Brady grabbed his stuffed dog and held it close to his chest, his dark eyes watching them.

Tuck removed his hat and placed it on the nightstand. “Hi there, buddy,” he said. “Feeling better?”

Brady didn’t make a move or a sound.

Tuck held out his hands over the railing. “Want to get out of there for a minute?”

Brady leaned over and bit his fingers.

“Ouch, buddy. That’s not nice.”

“Oh, this is going to be a tough one,” Opal said. “I can see that now. Usually babies who’ve been left alone will go to anyone, but Brady’s doing just the opposite. He’s fighting back at everyone.”

A nurse came in with a sippy cup of milk and Tuck and Opal backed away to let her take care of him. She didn’t have much better luck. Brady hit and bit her, but he took the milk.

Watching Brady, Tuck could almost feel his anger and he knew Brady’s full recovery was going to take time. He’d have to learn to trust again. Tuck was patient and could help Brady—if only the court would let him.

GRACE WAS HAVING A BAD DAY—her second in a row now. It was Jeremiah’s fault. Ever since he’d touched her she’d been having all these feminine feelings distracting her from her work.

Today she went shoe shopping, her passion, on her lunch break and stopped in the lingerie department at Neiman Marcus. She looked at skimpy, silk peignoirs like the ones Caroline used to wear. She’d even bought one. When she planned to wear it, she had no idea. She just enjoyed looking at it and imagining herself wearing it.