by Lisa Jordan
His warm, calloused fingers closed around hers. For a moment, she pretended all was right in the world, and she was Daddy’s little girl once again.
How many times had he reached out a hand to help her when she had fallen? How many times had he caressed her hair with those hands? How many times had he taught her how to do something, like he did with Griffin?
She missed his terms of endearment, the closeness they once shared. When she was released from prison, Dad claimed to have forgiven her—he’d even worked hard to help Mom and Ian get Agape House opened when a series of setbacks had threatened it. But did he truly forgive her—in his heart where it mattered most?
She’d hurt him deeply, and it would take time for those wounds to heal. She couldn’t erase the past, but she’d do her best not to repeat it. She’d earn back his pride and prove that she was worthy of loving.
And maybe that started with accepting Sully’s offer to help his daughters learn how to manage their new dog.
As soon as Ian concluded the prayer, Dad gave her hand a gentle squeeze, then released it.
“Wake up, Mom.” Griffin jerked on her arm, pulling her from her thoughts.
“Sorry, honey. Just deep in thought.”
“Yeah, I saw. How about getting deep in those ribs on the table?”
“Sounds good to me. Lead the way.”
She followed Griffin and sat at the opposite end of the picnic table from Dad. She glanced down the table to find him watching her, but the moment she caught his eye, he looked away. Folding her hands in her lap, she stared at the pattern on the tablecloth.
Nudging her, Ian handed her a paper plate. “You okay?”
She looked at him and smiled. “Yes, fine.”
He passed a platter piled with steaming, golden ears of corn. She grabbed the tongs and dropped an ear on her plate, then passed it across the table to Mom.
At her feet, Harper stirred. Her eyes perked as tires crunched in the front driveway. She barked and trotted for the front of the house.
“Expecting someone to join us, Ian?” Mom asked from across the table.
“Nope. Everyone’s here.” Ian stood and moved away from the table. “I’ll be right back.”
He followed Harper around the side of the house. Zoe buttered her corn and was about to take bite when Ian returned to the backyard.
But he wasn’t alone.
A police officer carrying a manila envelope followed him.
Dad shot a glance at her and frowned.
Zoe heaved a sigh and shook her head. Of course, if the police were involved, it had to have something to do with her. She dropped her corn on her plate and folded her arms on the table.
Ian’s lips thinned as he approached the picnic table. He exchanged glances with Agnes.
Agnes jumped up from the table. “Hey, Griffin. Wanna help me with the apple pie in the kitchen?”
Butter smeared Griffin’s lips. “But we just started eating.”
She smiled and nodded toward the house. “Let’s bring it out anyway. We can have it with our ribs and corn.”
“Works for me.” He wiped his mouth with his hand and hopped up from his seat.
Once the door to the house closed behind them, Dad pushed to his feet. “What’s going on, Ian?”
Ian jerked a thumb at the cop. “Officer Reynolds has something for you and Mom.”
“Us? How’d you know we were here?” Mom wiped her mouth with a napkin and left the table to stand next to Dad.
Officer Reynolds removed his sunglasses and hooked them on the breast pocket of his dark blue uniform. He crossed his hands in front of him. “I stopped by your house, but no one was there. Your neighbor—a Mrs. Kingsley—was in the yard and told me where I could find you.”
Agnes’s mom.
Dad folded his arms over his chest. “What can I do for you, Officer?”
“Sir, I’ve been directed to give you this.” He handed Dad the envelope.
Dad tore it open and scanned the contents. His gaze bounced off her and landed on Mom. Dad scrubbed a hand over his face. He crumpled the papers in his white-knuckled grip. “Are you serious?”
The officer held up his hands. “I was instructed to deliver the envelope. I’m unaware of the contents.”
“Right. Thank you.” Dad extended his hand to the officer.
The officer shook Dad’s hand, nodded to Mom, then turned to head back to the driveway.
Mom pressed her hand on Dad’s arm, a frown creasing her forehead. “What’s going on, Pete?”
Dad released his hold on the papers and tossed them on the table. “It’s a petition for custody of Griffin.”
“Griffin? Why, that’s ridiculous. By whom?” Mom picked up the papers, scanned them and then sucked in a breath. Her eyes darted to Zoe as her voice dropped to a whisper. “Davis and Marcia Jacoby.”
Zoe jumped up from her seat and snatched the papers out of her mom’s hands. As she scanned the legalese, her heart leaped to her throat.
This couldn’t be happening.
She forced back the acid burning her throat and searched Dad’s face for reassurance. “They can’t do that, can they?”
“I’m afraid they can.” Dad leaned against the table and wrapped an arm around Mom’s shoulders, drawing her to his side. “Doesn’t mean they’ll win. We’ll make sure of that.”
She hoped so.
Griffin had thrived in her parents’ custody while her morale wasted away behind bars.
He deserved so much more.
Because of the choices she’d made, their lives were drastically different than from the day she looked in his newborn eyes and promised she’d be the best mom she could.
She wanted to be the kind of mom who baked cookies and helped with classroom parties and served on the PTA. She’d been working hard to prove she could be the one who regained custody of her son, rather than grandparents who would do anything in their power to destroy her.
* * *
Was Zoe crazy to imagine their walk in the park wasn’t a training session but a family outing?
As Sully held on to the leash, Riley trotted at his side. Giggling, Ella and Ava ran ahead of them on the path that trailed along the river, their ponytails bouncing against the backs of their matching pink tank tops. They chased Griffin, who jogged ahead but kept looking over his shoulder to see how close they were.
Yes, definitely crazy.
And, for one thing, she was getting way ahead of herself. The last thing she needed was to confuse the boundaries between personal and professional. That wasn’t what Sully signed up for. Besides, he had his hands full with the girls and his job. And she didn’t need some guy to rescue her.
But Sully wasn’t some guy...
For a moment, though, she could pretend. Just for a moment she could pretend he was her husband, and the girls were hers, along with Griffin, of course.
In addition to being a dog trainer, she’d have a husband, a family. She’d belong. Without the baggage of her past holding her back.
When she’d arrived at Caleb’s for their session and suggested the park, he was all for it, even with Griffin and Harper joining them. And the girls loved the idea. After a week of training at their house, she figured Riley could handle the distractions in the park.
The morning sunshine cast a glow across the Shelby Lake River, bleaching the water and making it shimmer like polished silver.
A family of ducks swam to the bank and waddled to the grass, catching the girls’ attention. They hurried after them, causing the ducks to squawk and flap their wings.
“Girls, stay on the path, away from the bank.”
“Okay, Daddy.” Ella half turned and waved. She reached for Ava’s hand and pulled her back onto the gravel path winding along the r
iverbank.
Riley barked and tugged on his leash. Sully tightened his hold. “Riley, quiet.”
Riley looked at Sully, then back at the ducks, but he obeyed.
Sully stooped and petted his head. “Good boy.” He fished a small treat out of his pocket, commanded Riley to sit and then fed it to him. His dark blue Henley-style shirt stretched across his back.
Zoe hesitated, then placed a hand on Sully’s shoulder. “You handled that well.” She pulled her hand away before she did something stupid like run it across the sun-warmed fabric and into his hair.
He pushed to his feet and smiled at her. “Coming to the park was a good idea. Thanks for suggesting it.”
“You’re welcome. And thanks for letting Griffin and Harper tag along.”
“Hey, no problem. Your son seems like a great kid.”
“He’s the best. I figured the park offered many distractions, so it’s a great way to get Riley acclimated to new environments and follow commands outside of his comfort zone.”
The distractions for Riley were nothing compared to the ones she felt walking next to Sully. The scent of his soap lingered on his skin. The morning breeze ruffled his hair.
He bumped her shoulder with his. “You’re really good at your job.”
His praise warmed her faster than the rays of sunshine. Like Riley, she was eager to prove she could do this. “Thanks. I enjoy what I do.”
“Your passion shows. Must make your job feel less like work.”
“I’m blessed to be working for Leona. Canine Companions allows me to spend a lot of time with my favorite animals.” They followed the path past the picnic pavilion until the playground came into view.
Two little boys chased each other around the merry-go-round. A young woman pushed a toddler on the swings. A man stood at the bottom of the slide promising to catch a boy sitting at the top with a scared expression on his face.
Zoe tucked her hair behind her ear and shifted her gaze to Sully. “What about you? How do you want to spend the rest of your life?”
Sully sighed and tugged his fingers through his hair. “All I’ve ever wanted was to be a cop. With this new job, I can retain my shield and help kids know they are enough without descending into drugs and alcohol abuse.”
“Sounds like you’re the right guy for the job.”
“Thanks. It’s not what I’m used to, so it will be an adjustment.”
With Ava at her heels, Ella skipped over to them and tugged on Sully’s arm. “Daddy, Avie and I want to play in the sandbox, don’t we, Avie?”
Ava nodded.
Sully glanced at Zoe. “Do you mind?”
“No, of course not.”
“Okay, go ahead, girls.” He pointed to a bench. “Zoe and I will sit right there and watch you.”
They settled on the warm metal as the girls ran hand in hand to the sandbox.
“Here, Mom.” Griffin handed over Harper’s leash, then sat between the girls in the sandbox. He helped dig up mounds of sand for them to mold and shape. He’d make a great big brother someday.
Once Harper curled up in the shade of the bench, Zoe shifted so she wouldn’t be brushing against Sully. Did he sit that close to her on purpose? “Your daughters seem to be adjusting well.”
“For the most part, I think they are. We still have moments, especially when they’re tired.” He gazed at the girls as they patted sand into a mound. The tender expression he wore every time he talked about the girls caused Zoe to yearn for the days when her own dad looked at her like that.
“That’s normal with any kid. You’re a great dad, Sully.” He was close enough for her to see the two-inch scar on his jaw under his morning shadow.
He smiled, the lines deepening around his eyes. “I’m trying. It’s a challenge at times, especially when Ella asks when her mommy is coming back.”
“I’m sorry. That must be so hard. Can I ask you a personal question?”
“Shoot.”
“Why doesn’t Ava speak?”
Sully leaned back and rested his elbows on the top of the bench. To the passerby, he appeared relaxed, but the tic in his jaw and his clenched hands told a different story.
“Sweet little Ava used to chatter constantly, but after my injury and Val walking out on us, she clammed up and hasn’t spoken since. My sister wants me to make an appointment with an early-intervention specialist. She’s had a lot of changes recently. When I saw her with Riley and Harper that day in the park, I figured adopting a dog would help her to relax again and start speaking.”
“She may. Give it time.”
Ella stepped out of the sandbox and ran barefoot over to their bench. Sand coated her legs and denim shorts. “Daddy, Avie and I are thirsty.”
“Your drinks are in the car.” Sully pushed to his feet.
Zoe pressed a hand on his arm. “You stay here. I can get them for you.”
He fished his keys out of the front pocket of his cargo shorts and handed them to her. “There’s a small red cooler in the trunk with water bottles in it.”
“I’ll be back in a minute.” She jogged across the grass to the parking lot where Sully’s black sedan was parked in the shade. She found the soft-sided cooler and slung the strap over her shoulder before slamming the trunk closed and returning back to the playground.
Her steps slowed as she cut across the grass. Sully stood talking to a woman dressed in a light blue fitted tank top and black workout capris. A white sport visor and sunglasses shaded the woman’s face. She had an arm around Griffin’s shoulders and held him close to her side.
Who was she, and how did she know her son? A teacher? Someone from church?
As she turned, though, Zoe caught a better look at her profile. She sucked in a breath and took a few steps back as her heart hammered against her ribs. Her gaze darted between the sandbox where the girls continued to play and Sully’s car. There wasn’t any place for her to go without drawing attention. And that was the last thing she wanted at this moment.
Maybe she could duck around the small cement building that housed the park’s public restrooms.
Yes, that’s what she’d do—retreat inside until the woman was gone. She didn’t care if it made her look cowardly. Better a coward than getting in a confrontation in front of Sully and his daughters. And Griffin.
She walked backward a few steps. About ten more and she could slip inside unnoticed.
Riley had been resting in the cool shade under the bench. He lifted his head, spied Zoe and barked, drawing everyone’s attention to her.
Her feet froze.
She tried to silence him with hand signals, but the little pup jumped up and raced toward her, only to be stopped by Sully’s grip on the dog’s leash.
Could she still rush inside without looking completely ridiculous?
Sully looked at the woman, then at Zoe with an expression she couldn’t quite decipher. It was similar to the one he wore when he opened the door on their first day of training—a cross between fatigue and surrender.
Continuing to bark at Zoe, Riley ran around and through Sully’s legs, entangling him with the leash.
Ella jumped up from the sandbox and skipped over to her. “Miss Zoe, can I have a drink, please?”
So much for anonymity.
The woman’s head shot up. She removed her sunglasses, then seared Zoe with a narrowed-eyed glare. Her lips thinned as she tightened her grip on Griffin’s shoulders. “Zoe. A friend of yours, Caleb?”
He rubbed a hand over his face and sighed. “Yes, Mrs. Jacoby, she is.”
“You’d do well to choose better friends. You, of all people, should know better than to be consorting with someone like her.”
“Zoe’s changed.”
“People like her never change.” Mrs. Jacoby’s nost
rils flared. “Be careful, Caleb. You don’t want your...friend to cause problems between you and your family.”
“Are you threatening me?”
“Not at all—more like a friendly word of caution.”
Griffin shrugged Mrs. Jacoby’s hand off his shoulder and whirled around, scowling. “Hey, don’t talk about my mom like that.”
He ran to Zoe. She pulled him against her and wrapped her arms over his chest.
“Enjoy him while you have the chance,” Mrs. Jacoby slid her sunglasses back on her face and smoothed down the front of her shirt.
Ice frosted Zoe’s veins as the woman’s unspoken threat lingered between them, taunting her. The Jacobys had a lot of money and lawyers, but Zoe prayed God would go to battle on her behalf. She couldn’t lose her son, especially to grandparents who would poison him against her.
Sully studied her, but she refused to wither. He returned his attention to Mrs. Jacoby. “If you’ll excuse us, I need to get the girls home.”
Without waiting for a response, he spun around and lifted Ava out of the sandbox. He brushed sand off her denim shorts, then hoisted her on his hip. Her hands slid around his neck as he turned around and held out a hand to his oldest daughter. “Come on, Ells. Let’s go home.”
“But Daddy—” Ella scrunched up her face and stomped her foot.
He dropped to his haunches, then grimaced. He rubbed his right thigh. “Sweetie, we can come back later.”
“Why can’t we just stay now?” Her bottom lip popped out in a pout.
“We came to help Riley get used to the park, remember? Our time with Miss Zoe and Griffin is almost up. We’ll come back later, and you can play longer.”
“Promise?”
“I can’t promise because I don’t know what may come up, but I do know Aunt Sarah is coming over today, so maybe we can come back before dinner. How does that sound?”
“Yay! Aunt Sarah!” She launched herself into his arms and hugged him.
He hooked their sandals over his fingers, then held each of their hands and walked them across the stretch of grass to the car. Sully tossed their shoes on the floor of the car as they climbed into their car seats. After buckling them and handing them bottles of water, he closed the door and sighed.