[Montgomery Ink 00.5 - 01.0] Box Set

by Carrie Ann Ryan

  Maggie. He’d mentioned that name before when they’d talked about ex’s. He hadn’t said they’d been too serious. Apparently they’d been serious enough.

  “You shouldn’t have run away, Leif,” Austin said softly.

  Leif’s eyes filled and Sierra held back a curse, glaring at Austin.

  “Wait. I mean people would be looking for you. They’re probably worried. Not that I didn’t want to meet you, because I do kid. Damn it.” His eyes widened. “I guess I probably shouldn’t curse.”

  “No, you shouldn’t,” Sierra mumbled, and held back a sign as Austin ran a hand down her back.

  That was something at least.

  “So…you’re Leif,” Austin said, sounding like he had no idea what to say.

  That made two of them.

  Leif turned toward Austin and Sierra held back a breath. “I don’t want to live there anymore. Mom said you were my Dad because I had your name. If you don’t want me. Fine. But I don’t want to go back. I’ll live in the alley like I did last night.”

  Tears filled Sierra’s eyes and she looked into Austin’s who had the same look on his face as she was sure she had.

  Alley? he mouthed over Leif’s head.

  She shook her head. They’d deal with that later.

  Maya walked toward them, the phone in her hand. “We need to call the lawyer and then his social worker. They need to know he’s safe.”

  “I’m not going with them!” Leif wrapped his arms around Sierra and hung on tight.

  She gasped, not ready for his weight, but Austin steadied her. She wrapped her arms around his slight frame, soothing him as his body racked with sobs.

  “Oh honey,” she murmured. Austin ran his hand down her back, but didn’t touch Leif. She didn’t blame him. She didn’t even know the full story.

  Austin came closer, kissing her temple before whispering, “I’ll tell you everything soon. Trust me?”

  She pulled away to meet his gaze and said the only thing she could say. “Yes. Always.”

  Austin’s shoulders relaxed marginally. “Don’t leave me, okay?” he whispered again.

  “Never,” she whispered then squeezed Leif tight. “Okay, honey. We need to call them like your Aunt Maya said.” Leif froze then looked over his shoulder.

  Fuck. She hadn’t meant to say that, it just seemed natural. Well, hell, she was going about this all wrong but there wasn’t a guidebook for when your boyfriend’s secret love child came out of nowhere.

  At least she didn’t think so.

  “Then we’ll figure it all out,” she continued as if she hadn’t made the mistake.

  “Okay,” Leif mumbled and Sierra let out a breath.

  Austin couldn’t keep his eyes off Leif and Sierra felt for him. She had no idea what he was thinking or planning, but she knew she wouldn’t leave his side.

  She couldn’t.

  Not when she loved him.

  Leif squeezed tighter and her heart lurched.

  This had come out of nowhere but she wasn’t going to run away. Not again. She was done with running.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Two weeks.

  Two weeks and everything in Austin’s life had changed. He had a little boy under his roof, a woman he loved but hadn’t confessed the latter to, and a whirlwind of emotions that he didn’t think he’d ever untangle.

  As soon as Sierra took charge the morning Leif had shown up, things had been rolling. Leif wouldn’t let her go, but that hadn’t stopped her. Austin had stayed by her side, trying to get ahold of his own thoughts and emotions but failing miserably. He was always the one in control, the one who knew what to do, but the last two crises in his life had shown him he hadn’t been as steady as he thought.

  That scared him more than he thought it would.

  Way fucking more.

  Maya had called the lawyer, but Sierra had been the one to talk with him. His woman hadn’t even heard the whole story from Austin’s lips but took control when he wasn’t sure what to do.

  He didn’t know what he’d have done without her.

  While Leif had clung to Sierra’s side, refusing to let her go, she talked to the lawyer about what to do then handed Austin the phone when things turned to his choices.

  The phone call had changed his life.

  “Austin, I can push through and find a solution that will allow Leif to live with you now if that’s what the both of you want. But you have to tell me what you want.”

  Austin had looked into Leif’s and Sierra’s eyes and realized there was only one thing to say.

  “Push it though. He’s not going back there if we can help it.” Maggie had put Austin’s name on the birth certificate, meaning that Austin had the legal right to his son.

  Leif had let out a breath while Sierra hiccupped a sob. Austin felt the sort of numbness that came over him when he had too much going on within himself. He had no idea if he’d made the best choice or even the choice that would be good for both of them, but he made the only choice he could.

  Things moved quickly and slowly at the same time after that call. Sierra had to go back to the store, only to pick up her things. She’d left Becky and Jasinda alone at Eden, and that alone told Austin how much she’d do for him. Sure, she’d left them alone before, but they were about to open and she was on call. Eden was her rock, her baby, and she’d left it to take care of him and his son.

  When the results from the DNA test came back positive four days after Leif had moved in, Austin’s world rocked once more.

  This was his son.

  His kid.

  It wouldn’t be a foster care or adoption but a son returning to his father. And yet he didn’t know him.

  His son.

  Holy fuck, that still rocked him, and it had been two weeks of him saying it over and over to himself for him to actually understand what had happened.

  The group home hadn’t been bad to Leif, despite the worst-case scenarios that had been running through Austin’s head. They’d just been, like most places that were state funded, understaffed and over capacity. Leif hadn’t been abused, truly neglected, starved, or beaten.

  But he hadn’t been home either.

  The kid refused to talk about his mom more than to say she was gone, and Austin understood that. Considering he was going through the pain of the possibility of losing his father, Austin didn’t begrudge the kid a bit.

  He also had no idea what to do with a ten-year-old boy. His family and Sierra had stepped up to the plate and helped him though. He’d forced his mother and father to stay home and keep healthy while the rest of the family worked on setting up the house. Leif wouldn’t leave without Sierra, so Austin stayed home with the two of them, clearing out a guest room and letting Leif pick what he wanted. At the time, Austin wasn’t sure if this would be temporary or permanent, but it didn’t matter. Leif needed a home, and if looks said anything, Austin had been almost certain Leif was his son. The DNA results were a formality, confirmation for the lawyers and courts. He would find a way to make this work—for all of them. Sierra had been on her way to changing how he was thinking anyway.

  His sister Meghan had pitched in first. She had two kids of her own and immediately brought them over. Leif was four years older than Cliff and even older than Sasha, but the kids kept him distracted enough that Sierra and Austin could breathe. It was awkward as hell at first, but Cliff had brought over his toys, which might have been too young for Leif, but the kids played together and got to know one another.

  It didn’t surprise him that his sister hadn’t thought twice about introducing her children to their cousin.

  Cousin.

  Shit.

  Miranda, Wes, and Storm had gone shopping for things a ten-year-old boy would need. Leif had a few things in storage, but until the judge ruled that Leif could stay permanently, he needed clothes and other things. Alex was off on assignment and couldn’t be there to help. Plus, Alex had his own issues, so Austin didn’t blame him for not dropping eve
rything. Maya was running the shop and dealing with that other part of Austin’s life. Griffin had been the one to help with the lawyer and legal issues.

  Sierra coordinated it all while Austin stood by her and tried to help where he could—even if it was just agreeing or putting his two cents in.

  Austin didn’t know what he’d do without his family.

  Without Sierra.

  She hadn’t said a word about what had happened in his past, merely nodded, rolled her shoulders back, and dug in. They had discussed the probability that Leif was his son, but Sierra just shook her head.

  “Wait until you’re ready to tell me the whole story. If you’re not ready and just trying to make me feel better, then it’s not helping anyone.”

  “It’s not much of a story,” he said softly. He’d kissed her hard then relaxed.

  She slept over each night, practically moving in. They hadn’t made love, but they’d spooned, holding each other deep into the night.

  Sierra worked during the day and helped him at night.

  Austin worked at getting Leif in school, dealt with lawyers during the day, and was learning how to be a father at night.

  Taking care of the details and practicalities had taken over their lives, and now that those were somewhat under control, the emotional punch was taking its toll.

  Now here he was, a father, a single one at that. Yes, Sierra was his in every way, but they hadn’t had the discussion they’d needed to. That would have to come soon because he wasn’t sure he could put any more of his own issues on her shoulders. He already felt like a heel for doing as much as he had so far.

  Sierra was at work when Austin came home to find Leif sitting on the porch, staring out at the mountain range, his body language closed off. While Austin had been worrying out his own life, Sierra’s life, and that of his family, Leif was always in the forefront.

  He’d always known that one day he’d become a father.

  He just hadn’t expected to skip the first ten years of the child’s life. Now he had a ten-year-old on his hands and no idea what to do with him. How did one get to know one’s son when neither of them seemed to be very good at communication?

  He saw his own eyes in that little face. Saw his chin, his hair, his cheekbones. Leif had Maggie’s nose, but that was it.

  Leif was a Montgomery, and yet Austin didn’t know what the next step was.

  “Go out there, son,” his mother said from his side. She’d taken the afternoon to watch Leif when he got out of school so Austin could try to catch up at work. Harry was doing okay considering and hadn’t wanted Marie around hovering. A new grandchild had been just the ticket for the both of him.

  Funny how things happened.

  “I don’t know what to say to him, Mom,” Austin said softly. He’d never felt the need to lie to his mother as an adult. Sure, he’d been a dumb kid when he was growing up, but now that he was older, he wanted advice and comfort. He didn’t hide things.

  Other than what he felt for Sierra, but that was something he needed to process on his own.

  Eventually.

  “Go find out what his hobbies are. Find out his favorite color. Ask about his day. He finished his homework, but you can ask about it.” Marie cupped his face, and Austin sighed. “He’s a very bright boy, Austin. He smiles when he thinks no one is looking.”

  “I know. I’ve seen that.” Hadn’t he been watching? Hadn’t he been trying to figure out what to do?

  “I know, baby. You’re trying. This has thrown us all for a loop. I liked Maggie when you were dating her, though I didn’t know her well. It’s really sad that she’s gone.”

  Austin nodded. “I know. I don’t know how Leif is dealing with that.”

  Marie shook her head. “Well, thankfully, Sierra set up time with a counselor.”

  Austin sighed. “She said hers helped her, and frankly, though I don’t like telling strangers my feelings, if it helps him, then sure.”

  “Good for you, son. This is a blessing. I know it. The fact that we have a chance with him now is something we can’t take for granted. I’m just upset we lost ten years with him.”

  His mother’s mouth thinned, and Austin pinched his nose. They’d been over this before. No one, including Austin and Sierra, was pleased that Maggie had hidden him. In fact, Austin was fucking livid. But right then, yelling and storming around wasn’t going to help Leif.

  There had been no secret letter or notes to Austin in the case of Maggie’s death. There had been nothing but Leif’s last name and Austin’s on his birth certificate. The lack of answers raged in Austin to no end, but at this point, there was nothing he could do but move on and find a future with the son he’d just met.

  “I know you’re upset, Mom.”

  Marie let out a breath. “I’m sorry for bringing it up again. I’ll try to stop it, but I can’t right now. Go out on the porch with your son and get to know him. He’s not that scary, and I’m pretty sure he doesn’t bite.”

  Austin cracked a grin then kissed his mom on the cheek. “I love you. Thank you for everything.”

  Marie smiled softly. “I love you too. Will Sierra be home soon?”

  Home. Sierra technically didn’t live there, but he’d gotten accustomed to her being there. God, he didn’t find it fair that he was throwing all of his on her shoulders. She’d lost a child of her own, and now she was essentially raising his with him—one that was the same age as her child would have been.

  It wasn’t fucking fair, and Austin wasn’t sure what he was going to do about it.

  “Should be,” he said absently.

  His mom studied his face, frowning. “See you soon, honey.”

  “Thanks, Mom,” he said again as he walked her out.

  He found himself watching Leif on the porch, his hands in his pockets just like his son’s.

  His son.

  He wasn’t sure he’d ever get used to saying that.

  “What are you doing out here?”

  Leif turned around, his eyes wide. “Just thinking.”

  Like pulling teeth, Austin thought, though he wasn’t much different. Like father, like son.

  Fuck.

  “About what?”

  Leif shrugged again and sank down into one of the deck chairs. “Things. How was work, Austin?”

  The kid called him Austin, not Dad, something they both probably weren’t ready for—not by a long shot.

  Austin shrugged much like Leif had. “Good, I guess.” The kid blinked and looked away. Ah, yeah, maybe he should share a bit more to get Leif to do the same. The kid was a human being, and Austin had interacted with plenty of those. Why was this so hard?

  “I had two consults today. That’s where I talk with clients about what they want.”

  Leif perked up and turned. “Really? Do you tattoo them right then?”

  Austin relaxed at Leif’s interest. Tattoos were something he could talk about. He might not look like the perfect dad with his sleeves, beard, and build, but tattoos weren’t taboo to him. Maybe he’d show Leif that too.

  “Sometimes. It depends on the design and timeframe. A huge design might take more than one sitting. Plus, I like for the people I work with to go home with something like that and think about it just in case. I don’t want to ink them and have them freak out that they made the wrong choice.”

  “Because tattoos are permanent.”

  Austin nodded, holding out his arm. “Yep. I can do cover-ups, and there’s tattoo removal if they really need it, but that hurts like a bit— It hurts a lot. Plus, you’re just scarring the tissue then, so it’s not really the same.”

  Leif studded Austin’s arm intently. “So you have it all tattooed?”

  “Yeah. Both arms. I did some of it. Maya did the rest. They’re called sleeves.”

  Leif looked up, his eyes wide. “You tattooed yourself.”

  Austin grinned. “Yeah. I can’t do big ones on my own because the pain gets to me in a way that I get a little tired, and most angl
es are too hard, but I like to know I have my own artwork on my body.”

  “That’s cool.” Leif held out a hesitant hand. “What’s this one? It’s the same thing on your sign.”

  Austin sucked in a breath. “It’s the Montgomery Iris. Wes and Storm’s company has the same logo. It’s our family logo or crest. All of us Montgomerys have the same tattoo, just in different places and in different colors sometimes.”

  “Really? Even Marie and Harry?”

  Austin grinned. “Even Marie and Harry.”

  “So what do you have to do to get one?” Leif asked, his gaze on Austin’s ink rather than his face.

  Austin swallowed hard. “Be family. And eighteen.”

  Leif looked up and grinned. “Do you think…”

  Austin sucked in a breath. “I think when you’re eighteen and if you want one, then sure. But not in a place that shows if you want to work in a place that doesn’t like tattoos. We might like them and have no problem with them, but some people judge, and I’d rather you not have to deal with that when you’re eighteen.”

  Leif blinked, his eyes wet. Austin knew his were the same. Must be allergies. “Only eight years then.”

  Holy shit. Only eight years. He’d lost so fucking much. Yeah, it sucked, and he shouldn’t blame the dead, but he did. Maggie had taken something precious from him for one reason or another. She’d put his name on the birth certificate so yeah, he could be traced eventually like he had been, but she’d kept his son from him. Maybe deep down she wanted him to know about Leif, but he didn’t know if that was the case. She’d hidden him. Most likely because she thought he was a freak, but right then, he didn’t care about the reason. He just cared about the fact he’d missed Leif’s birth, missed his first words, his first steps, his first day of school.

  He’d missed so much, and now he was missing more because they had a long road to figure out how the two of them would work together as a unit.

  Life was short, and Austin didn’t want to lose any more time with his son.

  “Hey, you two, I brought dinner,” Sierra said from the doorway, a box of chicken in her hand.

  Austin stood and took the box out of her hands, leaning down to kiss her. “Thank you, Legs.”