The Deputy's New Family. Jenna Mindel

was that tall man you were talking to?” Keen interest sparkled from her mom’s eyes. Her dishwater-blond hair was covered with a flamboyantly patterned silk scarf, another “on sale” purchase. Who did yard work wearing Ann Taylor?

      Beth waved her hand in dismissal, but her heart skipped a few beats at the mere mention of Nick Grey. “Oh, he’s the dad of a new student in my class.”

      “Married?”

      Okay, so every one of her friends was either married or getting married and her mom hoped the same for her. At twenty-six, it wasn’t as if Beth was beyond hope, but she’d always been the proverbial bridesmaid. In a couple weeks, she’d repeat that role for her best bud and ex-roomie, Eva Marsh. Beth didn’t need a reminder of her very single status, nor did she need her mother ferreting out prospects. Not that Beth had much success on her own.

      She let loose a sigh. “Mom...”

      “Well, is he?”

      “No. He’s widowed.”

      Her mother’s smile grew even wider. “Interesting.”

      Yeah, very. Who wouldn’t be moved by a handsome widowed man and his adorable son? “Can I have that receipt?”

      “You’re awfully bossy since you moved back home.” Her mother bustled for her purse and then handed over the offensive slip of paper totaling the merchandise from a department store in Traverse City.

      “Just trying to keep you out of bankruptcy.” Beth smiled sweetly. She’d moved home over Christmas after she’d gotten wind of her mother’s dwindling bank account. Something had to be done.

      “You’ve got a smart mouth just like your father, God rest his soul.” Her mom stripped off her work gloves and washed her hands. “What do you want for dinner?”

      Beth shrugged.

      Her mother used to get in hot water with her father over spending habits, too. On a cop’s salary, they could afford only so much and her mother had expensive tastes. But she’d never been this bad with her shopping sprees before, had she? Maybe now that Beth saved every penny, her mother’s spending glared brighter.

      Beth’s dad used to say the key to happiness was being content with what you had. He used to tell Beth to do whatever she loved and be grateful to God for everything. God had given her a passion. It was teaching. Her dad’s had been for police work. It got him killed.

      “Beth?”

      She shook off her thoughts. “What?”

      “Dinner?” Her mom cocked her head. “My, my, that man really got to you, huh? What’s his name, this father of your new student?”

      Nick. Nicholas Grey. The name kind of rolled easily around in her brain. “What about the leftovers from last night? Let’s eat those and I’ll make a salad.”

      Her mother made a face. “I suppose.”

      Beth chuckled. She’d called a halt to throwing out food, too. Her mother was a wonderful cook who loved to create masterpieces in the kitchen, but she made too much and then left it in the fridge too long. Since moving in, Beth never had to worry about packing something good for lunch.

      Beth got up to make that salad while her mom reheated the chicken carbonara from Sunday’s dinner. Beth glanced at the woman who worried her. Ever since her mom’s work hours had been severely cut back at the airport in Traverse City, her mom’s handle on her finances had slipped. Even with Beth’s rent payments for living here. The shopping trips increased. Was she bored? Or was something else going on?

      Nick Grey’s question about after-school day-care providers filtered through Beth’s mind. Could watching Corey bring meaning back to her mother’s daily routine? Something about that little boy’s reserve made Beth think her mom’s flamboyant style might be good for him. It didn’t get any more convenient than walking across the street from school.

      The fact that Beth would get to see more of Nick Grey when he picked up his son brought a heady flip in her belly. Followed by guilt. This couldn’t be about exploring the immediate attraction she’d felt for Corey’s dad. Although it might be a nice side benefit.

      Beth stopped cutting a carrot and looked at her mom. “Would you be interested in watching a seven-year-old boy after school?”

      “Is he a good kid?”

      “I think so.” Another gut feeling.

      Her mom’s gaze narrowed. “Who?”

      “Corey Grey, my new student. His mom died a year ago, and he seems a little lost.”

      Her mom’s face fell. “How awful for him.”

      “That’s why I was talking with his father. He asked about after-school care providers. If you’re interested, I can let him know. If not, no problem.”

      “Let me think about it.” But her mother looked interested.

      Her mom could use the extra money, but Beth knew that wouldn’t be the reason if she agreed. A softy at heart, Mary Ryken would be all over a child in need.

      When they were done with dinner and cleanup in the kitchen, Beth headed for her usual spot at the dining room table to grade papers. After that she’d walk to the LeNaro community pool for her daily swim. Ever since moving back home, Beth found that several laps in the pool not only helped her relax, but it helped fight the extra calories from her mom’s cooking.

      Beth was no skinny mini. She’d always been tall and full figured. She tried to whittle her hips with swimming, but her body refused to cooperate. Her mother said size fourteen was not fat but normal. Still, standing six foot in bare feet wasn’t exactly common for a woman. Not too many men were knocking down her door for a date.

      She sighed and got back to work but the memory of looking up at Nick Grey invaded her concentration. He was certainly tall enough.

      Later when Beth skipped down the stairs with her duffel bag ready for the pool, her mom stopped her with a raised hand.

      “I think I will watch that boy after school. You can tell your Mr. Grey that I’ll do it until school’s out and then we’ll see. What’s he going to do for the summer?”

      Beth shrugged. “I don’t know, but I’m sure he’ll figure something out. We’ve got a couple of months yet. I’ll let him know tomorrow. Maybe we could do a trial run, you know, make sure you and Corey click.”

      Her mother nodded. “Yes, do that.”

      Beth hesitated to leave. “You’re sure about this?”

      Her face broke into a wide smile. “Very sure. Have a nice swim.”

      “Thanks.”

      Walking down the sidewalk, Beth didn’t bother to enjoy the sight of spring flowers blooming along the way or the mild warm night air. Her mind whirled. Would Nick agree to Corey staying with her mom after school? It might be good for both of them. And Beth couldn’t help feeling a shiver of excitement at the thought of seeing Nick Grey more often.

      She’d have to be careful, though. It wasn’t smart to get involved with a student’s parent when there might be issues. Could get messy real quick.

       Chapter Two

      Nick made breakfast. The eggs were too hard and the bacon a little too crisp. He wasn’t a whiz in the kitchen, but he knew enough to get by. Knowing how to get by was what made him good at undercover work. God’s grace had kept him alive during his last assignment, which had taken him away from home most nights. But that line of work was over. For his son’s sake, he couldn’t take those risks anymore. So he’d kissed the adrenaline rush goodbye and transferred into a rural county sheriff’s department. About time, too.

      Nick would never