Child of Mine. Bonnie K. Winn

slip away. “That can’t be. We’ve been checking for years and never found a death certificate.”

      “His first name was John. Kyle was part of his middle name—Litchkyl.”

      All of Kyle’s lies. Even his name. He’d signed their marriage certificate as Kyle Johnson. He’d cheapened every single thing about their marriage.

      She closed her eyes, afraid to ask. Hope and despair warred in her heart. Swallowing, she lifted her chin. “And the baby? The boy?”

      He hesitated.

      And her heart nearly stopped.

      “Is safe.”

      “Where is he?”

      Matt stared at her.

      “Please, if you know anything.” She took a deep breath. “I’m sorry. I haven’t explained myself very well. I was married to Kyle. The baby, the boy, I mean, is mine. I’ve been looking for him. That’s why I’m here, why I’m trying to trace the box. So, if you can tell me anything…”

      “It’s too late. You made your choice.”

      She gaped at him. Where did he get off…? “I understand loyalty to a deceased friend, but you don’t understand the circumstances—”

      “I understand plenty.”

      There was derision in his tone, but she had no idea why. “I don’t know what Kyle told you—”

      “The truth.”

      She shook her head. “His version. Despite what he may have said, I need to find my son. You’re a father. You must understand that.”

      “I understand you walked away once. Do the best thing for your son again. Walk away now.”

      Stunned, Leah watched as Matt Whitaker crossed the room and headed out the door.

      Back at the bed-and-breakfast, Leah sat in one of the overstuffed chairs near her bedroom window. She still couldn’t believe Matt Whitaker’s reaction. And she never would have imagined that Kyle could elicit such loyalty.

      Kyle dead. For all her anger, it wasn’t something she would have wished. He’d been so young.

      Who was raising her son? Had he been legally adopted?

      Throat dry, she considered the possibilities—along with Matt Whitaker’s harsh response. Getting his help wasn’t going to be easy. But she would really need it to find Danny, especially if there’d been a private adoption. That wasn’t something that could be simply traced.

      Staring out at the quiet street, she knew she wouldn’t sleep that night. Her mind was filled with too many questions.

      Leah watched for Whitaker’s truck. From her vantage point at the parlor window in the bed-and-breakfast, she could see the traffic going down Main Street.

      Persistence paid off by midafternoon. As soon as he parked in front of his store, Leah bounded outside and down the boardwalk.

      Matt was alone in the display area, his back to her. “Be with you in a minute.”

      “Fine.”

      He stiffened and turned around slowly.

      “Mr. Whitaker…Matt, please, let me tell you about my relationship with Kyle…John.”

      “I know all I need to.”

      “Obviously not, or you wouldn’t be shutting me out. I was nineteen years old when we got married. I believed everything he told me—”

      The bell over the door clanged as it opened. A group of young boys piled in, talking and laughing. The one she recognized as Whitaker’s son ran up to him.

      “Dad! Billy’s dad’s gonna take everybody for pizza after soccer practice. Can I go?”

      Distracted, Matt glanced down at him. “Who’s driving?”

      “Billy and Dustin’s dads. Is it okay?”

      Leah watched the boy, able to see him close-up for the first time. He was animated, eager. Then he turned and she could see his face more clearly. As she studied his features, she saw that his eyes were a unique shade of green, like her own. Even their shape was similar to hers. So was his mouth. He looked up at her and the impact of recognition hit her.

      Matt glanced at her, then down at his son. “It’s all right, but home right after the pizza. And mind Billy’s and Dustin’s dads.”

      “Okay,” the boy agreed. “Thanks, Dad.”

      “Come on, Danny,” the others called.

      Leah shivered as she watched him dash out with his friends. She’d been almost certain when she saw his eyes. The name confirmed it.

      No wonder Matt had been avoiding her, putting her off. It all made sense. Perfect, horrible sense.

      Anger, hot and raw, clawed through her. “How could you?” She turned on Matt with every bit of righteous pain and accusation she could muster. “I’ve heard of slime like you. How could you steal my child and then have the gall to pretend that you didn’t know where he was?”

      “Steal? Just how is it a person steals an abandoned baby? You’re a real piece of work. What? Did you decide after eight years that it might be fun to play mommy? Forget it. Danny’s done just fine without you until now. Go with your original instincts. Pretend he doesn’t exist.”

      “Abandoned?” Leah shrieked. “Abandoned?”

      “Boss, is everything okay in here?” Nan rushed in from the rear entrance. “I just got back from the post office and it sounds like someone’s plucking live turkeys. You can hear it all the way outside.”

      Breathing hard, Leah and Matt paused.

      “Yeah,” Matt said in the awkward silence. Then he slammed out the door, got in his truck and roared away.

      Leah was left in the heavy silence.

      Embarrassed, Nan cleared her throat. “Sorry to interrupt.”

      “No. If anyone should apologize, it’s me, I was the one yelling.” Leah tried to calm her breathing. “Will you tell me one thing?”

      “If I can.”

      “Did you know a John Johnson?”

      “John? Sure. He was Matt’s younger brother. Half brother, really. Matt was always looking out for him.”

      And still was, apparently.

      Leah allowed enough time to collect herself before driving to Matt’s house. His truck was parked out front. He didn’t answer the door, so she walked around back to the shop.

      He was sitting at his work bench, a piece of alder wood in his hands. Although she was sure he heard her, he didn’t stir.

      And she didn’t bother with greetings. “You could have told me about Kyle being your brother.”

      “It didn’t take you long to figure it out.”

      “I shouldn’t have had to.”

      Matt put the wood down on the bench. “Why would you want to come back now? You’re a stranger to Danny.”

      That stung. Badly. “Through no fault of my own. Kyle wanted money from my parents. They expected him to work for it. That wasn’t in his plans, so he took Danny. Then he called and asked for half a million dollars. He said it was to set him up in his own business. He wanted to be a big-time real estate mogul just when the market was hitting bottom. My parents refused. I thought he’d give up and bring Danny home, but he didn’t.”

      “I don’t believe you.”

      “Danny was an infant! Barely six weeks old.”

      Matt met her