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Before I realized it,we were pulling into the entrance to the park. Zeke found a spot close to the playground and parked. It wasn’t too busy—maybe fifteen kids or so running around and climbing on the swing set, but it could’ve been a crowd of one hundred, and I still would’ve found him instantly in their midst.
Jake.
I sucked in a deep breath. How was it possible that he’d grown so much in seven months? Had he been this tall seven months ago? Had his hair been this long?
He was on the swing set—he’d always loved the swings.He was wearing athletic shorts and a jersey from some sports team that Stan was probably a fan of. He swung high and then low, his hands gripping the ropes of the swing as he squinted up and down the length of the park.He was looking for me.
My hands curled into the fabric of my dress, my chest threatening to explode. My baby boy.
“Kenzie.” Warm fingers pressed to my shoulder.
My head turned. I hadn’t even realized that Zeke opened the door and was waiting for me to get out.
“You okay?”
My head bobbed. I didn’t trust myself to speak. I scrambled for my bag, completely forgetting that I still had my seat belt on until I went to move and couldn’t.
“Here. Let me,” he said low, reaching across me to unclip the seat belt.
I took that second to breathe him in. His warm musk. His heady scent of safety. I breathed him in and held him deep, needing every ounce of his strength.
“Thank you,” I murmured just as his face passed by mine.
He paused. Our eyes connected, his dropping to my parted lips for a split second before he straightened and took a step back behind the door so I could get out.I smoothed my dress as he locked the car.
“Ready?” Zeke prompted, subtly shielding me from the park in case I needed another minute.
“Yeah.” My pulse raced. “Jake’s over there. On the swings.” Zeke stepped to the side, and my gaze instantly found Jake’s toothy smile again as the swing went high. My heart swelled.
And then the swing went back. And that was when I saw Stan looming behind him like a proud protector.Of course, he wore his uniform.
Dread ripped through me like an arctic wind.
Seven months I’d built up strength in solitude. Seven months I’d prepared to play his game, but now that I was here—back on the board and staring at the man who’d destroyed my life, old instincts came back with a vengeance. To cower. To obey. To please. But I wouldn’t let them win. I’d come this far to get my son back. I wasn’t going to crumble now.
I forced my breaths to stay steady as we walked over in silence. I was grateful Zeke kept pace beside me rather than falling a step or two behind. I was grateful he was here because I knew the lengths he’d go to protect me.
“Mom!”
No matter the place, no matter the pain, I’d never not smile when my son screamed my name.
Jake jumped off the swing and sprinted for me. My knees hit the ground just as he launched himself into my arms, almost taking us both to the ground.
“Oh, baby. I missed you so much.” My eyes shut, and I absorbed my precious boy with everything I had. The scent of his hair. The warmth of his gangly limbs wrapped around me.
I blocked out the rest of the world so nothing could mar this moment and squeezed him so hard because it was the only thing holding me together.
“I missed you, too, Mom,” Jake mumbled, and I felt him shifting, but I didn’t want to let go. “Are you feeling better? Dad said you were really sick.”
Pain blossomed in my chest, and I forced myself to release him a little. Tipping back, I slid my hands to his cheeks, letting my eyes absorb every inch of him—inspect every inch.God, how was it possible for him to look so different in only seven months?His big hazel eyes, flecks of lavender in them that I’d never seen before. His hair looked lighter than ever—lots of time out in the sun. And his smile… he’d lost two more teeth since the last time I saw him.
“I’m feeling better now that I can see you,” I said, running my fingers through his hair even though it was combed perfectly.Of course, it was.Stan wouldn’t settle for less than a perfect son.
A million apologies piled up in my throat, crashing into worries and fears and regrets, but I couldn’t say anything of them—I couldn’t say anything because this wasn’t my game.But that didn’t mean I wasn’t going to win.
“Who are you?” Jake looked up at Zeke.
“Zeke. I’m a friend of your mom’s.” The man’s smile felt as warm as the sun as he took off his sunglasses. “You must be Jake. I’ve heard a lot about you.”
