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His mouth tightened.
“You know the smartest thing would be for Jacob and I to go somewhere Richard couldn’t find us. You could help me.”
“Not an option,” he said curtly.
“Why?”
“You need to be free to live when and where you choose. To use your real name.” He glanced at his father then back to her. “To get medical care, visit your mother and sister.”
She thought he was done. He wasn’t.
“Get married.”
Robin gaped at him. Was he implying...? Her heart felt as if it was playing hopscotch.
Had she imagined that slight nod?
After a moment, she said in a low voice, “I know you’re right. But your dad was hurt because of us, and if it happened again, to either of you—” She couldn’t finish, couldn’t say, If either of you died. She couldn’t forgive herself for that, either.
“Hey.” Seth stepped forward and tipped her chin up. “Don’t worry so much.” He bent his head and kissed her lightly.
It was the first time he’d done anything like that in front of his father, who had been a silent spectator to the scene. Had Michael already figured out that something was going on between them? Or had Seth told him?
She backed away. “I’d better...um...” Spend some time with her son. That was it. She said so, and fled.
* * *
SETH COULDN’T HELP wondering why Winstead was so obviously keeping the world apprised of what he was doing and where he was doing it. He might as well be buying billboard space up and down I-5 between Seattle and Portland.
Now, if Robin was wrong in believing that the guy’s ego would demand he kill her himself, his current public busyness made sense. With him so easy to track, he might think Robin and the police would relax. A hired gun could stroll right in and take care of her. With Winstead’s alibi well-established, he could go straight to court demanding custody of his son.
As things stood, he’d get it, a truth that burned like acid in Seth’s gut. He had seriously considered suggesting a quick marriage to Robin so he’d have some legal claim on Jacob, but that wouldn’t give him any certainty of winning a custody battle, even with Robin’s medical records to show the judge. Didn’t matter that Winstead had never met Jacob, when he had the argument that the child’s mother had never given him the chance.
He heard the rumble of an engine before he saw a large panel truck coming up his father’s driveway. Right on time. Seth went out to meet the lumberyard driver and help unload the door he had ordered. Installing it would give him something to do this afternoon.
Given the thump the door made when he leaned it against the clapboard wall, he wasn’t surprised to let himself in to find Robin hovering.
“I’m replacing the door,” he said.
A smile played at the corners of her mouth and lit eyes that had been shadowed too often since he’d met her. “I don’t know if I want to stick around to hear the fireworks or not.”
He turned on hearing the thunder of small, sock-clad feet. Jacob, coming to find out what was up. Seth squatted and the boy threw himself into his arms, allowing Seth to rise easily and swing him in the air. He chortled and held out his arms as if he was flying. He’d taken to galloping to find Seth half a dozen times a day so he could “fly.”
Laughing with him, Seth felt a clutch beneath the breastbone. It was a credit to Robin that the boy had such an open, winning personality despite the ongoing fear she’d lived with. Seeing her in his freckled face didn’t hurt, either. Seth wouldn’t at all mind this kid calling him “Daddy.”
Yeah, he was a goner, and twice over.
“Gotta do some work, buddy,” he said, when he set Jacob down.
Robin took the boy’s hand. “Do you need to go potty?”
“No!” Jacob insisted. “No, no, no, no!”
“Uh-oh.” Seth grinned at her. “The terrible twos may be upon us. Ah...where’s Dad?”
“While you were outside, he took a pain pill. He said he thought he’d lie down for a while.”
Seth grunted. “Why does everybody say, ‘I’m fine’ when it’s a lie?”
