Page 67

“Samuel!” Tessa rushes past me towards her son. The look of shock on Sam’s face at her tone tells me that he didn’t know he did anything wrong. “Why did you take off like that?” She falls to the ground. Her knees hit the stained rotting wood of the pier and pulls Sam into an embrace. “I–I couldn’t find you.”

“It’s my fault,” the gentleman says. “I shouldn’t have encouraged your boy here to pet Toby.”

“Mom.” Sam squirms from Tessa’s hold. “I’m sorry.”

She pushes Sam away from her body, and she inspects him. Sniffing, she wipes the dampness from her face. “Don’t you ever do that to me again! I can’t–I can’t even think about what would happen to me if something happens to you.”

“I know, Momma, I’m sorry.” He drops his head to her chest.

“I didn’t mean to upset your wife,” the guy says as she bends over and scoops up the wriggling dog. “I should have never volunteered to watch the little bugger while my daughter took her kids over to kiddie land.” He points to the woman and her three kids coming this way. “I tried to tell my grandbaby that the puppy needed to be left at home, but you can’t argue with a two-year-old.”

Just then a little raven-haired girl flings her body against the man’s legs. “Kinda hard to say no to that.” He looks down at the little girl.

“Everything all right here?” The woman comes up and stands next to her father.

“Everything’s fine, dear. The little boy was so taken with Toby that he didn’t hear his dad calling him.” My gaze drops to Sam’s, but he doesn’t give a reaction.

I swallow down my emotions because this could have turned out to be much different. He could have ended up being a sick fuck who preys on young kids, luring them away with a fucking puppy. Tessa could have lost him. I could have lost him.

“No harm, no foul,” I tell him.

When I look over at Tessa, she’s pulling herself up to stand. “I’m sorry I got so emotional.” She smiles at the man.

“We’ve all been there, sweetheart. Do you know who many times I lost this one at the supermarket? If they invented tracking devices when she was younger, I would have put one on her.”

His comments seem to put Tessa at ease because she laughs with the rest of us. “Ah, yes. I’ve thought about chipping Sam here a time or two. If they can do it with the animals…” She trails off, taking Sam’s hand in hers.

“Thank you for letting me pet your puppy.”

“Not a problem, young man, but make sure you let your parents always know where you are.” He puts the puppy down and hands the leash over to the little girl. She turns her back and gives us a wave over her shoulder.

“I think I’ve had enough fun for the day,” Tessa confesses, causing Sam to whine that he’s not ready to leave yet.

“I agree. How about we grab some pizza on the way home?” I place my hand on the small of Tessa’s back and push her towards the exit of the pier.

“Did you hear that guy call my mom your wife?” Sam squints as he looks up towards me.

I look over his head towards Tessa. She’s giving me the side-eye as she bites down on her bottom lip, allowing me to take the lead on this one. “Yeah, I did, bud. It’s natural when people see men and women together.”

“Yeah, but did you hear him when he called you my dad?”

I stumble at his words. “Yeah, I heard that too.” I lead them both towards the parking lot when I see my truck a few spots in front of us.

“That was awesome.” He laughs.

Hawk

The skies are cloudy as I walk up to the building to visit my mother. I haven’t seen her over the past few days. Since the incident at the pier, I’ve wanted to focus on Tessa and Sam. I’ve watched Sam while Tessa has worked, needing that one on one time with him. I’m not sure if it was the threat that he could have been taken from us or the fact that he thought it was cool that the guy mistook me for his father. The thought of being that little boy’s father makes my heart swell. I never thought I’d want that connection with a child, that responsibility but Sam makes it so damn easy. His eyes hold so much admiration when he looks at me, and I know without a doubt I would lie my life down for that little guy.

“Well, hello handsome,” Martha greets me from her station. “I guess I need to thank you.”

“And why do you need to thank me?” I ask as I lean against the high counter.

“Our girl has been nothing but smiles since she spent the day with you. She’s floating around here without a care in the world.”

“She deserves that feeling.”

She nods. “That she does, young man, that she does. So I take it you’re here to see your mama?”