For the Sake of His Child

He pictured the bright, happy child she had been before her mother’s defection. Laughter had come to her easily then. And she would have been chattering nonstop during the ride. Today she hadn’t spoken half a dozen words since they’d gotten in the car. His heart ached for what she had lost, what she continued to lose.

It was nearly six o’clock. He had wanted to return to the Hill Country earlier, but Andrea had been particularly uncooperative. Since Brynn Alder had seemed spooked at midday, he didn’t want to escalate her uneasiness by showing up after dark. He knew he had a fight on his hands to get the woman to reverse her decision. One that more phone calls wouldn’t win. But surely when she looked into Andrea’s face, saw the drugged emptiness of her eyes, the pain even massive medication couldn’t mask…

Spotting Brynn’s house, he turned in. As he parked, a huge dog bounded toward the car. Recognizing the lively setter from earlier, he got out of the car, then opened the passenger door. Andrea stepped out and the dog jumped up on her, its paws on her shoulders.

She was paralyzed for a moment, looking scared. However, the dog began licking her face and the fright receded.

As Jake watched, stunned to see Andrea respond to anything, they were suddenly surrounded by the three other dogs. Looking up, Jake saw Brynn Alder run around the side of her house. When she spotted him, she stopped. To his surprise, he saw fear in her face.

Exasperation he could understand. But not fear. Then it hit him. If she was here alone, she probably felt vulnerable.

He lifted a hand in greeting. She didn’t look reassured. Her gaze shifted, taking in Andrea and the dog.

“Shamus, down!” she commanded.

The dog licked Andrea’s face one last time, then obeyed.

Brynn approached, signaling her dogs, three of which trotted to her side. “Mr. McKenzie. What are you doing here?”

“I brought my daughter to meet you.”

Shamus stayed at the girl’s side as she turned. Brynn felt a stab in her heart. Although the girl’s face didn’t resemble her daughter’s, in hindsight the pain she saw there was familiar. Even though it had only surfaced on occasion, it must have been the pain that had eventually caused Sarah to take her own life.

Brynn gulped back her emotion as Jake McKenzie stared curiously at her. She took a few steps forward, unable to resist the lure of the child. Oh, to have a chance again with Sarah, to make right what she hadn’t done when Sarah was alive. To save her this time…

“Mrs. Alder?”

Brynn jerked her gaze from the girl to Jake McKenzie.

“This is Andrea.”

Brynn curved her trembling lips into a smile. “It’s good to meet you, Andrea.”

The girl didn’t respond.

Brynn wasn’t bothered by the lack of reaction. Instead she said, “Let’s go inside. You’re probably thirsty after your long drive.”

Jake looked relieved to hear the invitation. Dropping an arm over Andrea’s shoulders, he gently shepherded her inside, walking into the comfortable room. Once they’d sat down, Shamus settled at Andrea’s feet. McKenzie watched his daughter. “He likes you, Annie.”

Hesitantly she reached out to pet the dog. In return, the gentle giant gazed adoringly at her.

Brynn reluctantly pulled her own gaze away. “Make yourselves comfortable. I’ll get some iced tea.” She left the hall, Virgil at her heels.

When she returned a few minutes later, with the tea, Andrea was still stroking the dog.

“Shamus usually won’t settle down for more than two minutes.” Brynn placed the tray on the round coffee table, trying to keep her hands from shaking. “He must like you, Andrea.”

The child looked up at Brynn with such pain-filled eyes it tore again at her heart. Jake McKenzie hadn’t exaggerated.

“He’s nice,” Andrea said finally, her voice soft.

Brynn continued studying the child. “Yes, he is. Do you like dogs?”

Andrea shrugged.

It wasn’t an eloquent response, but Brynn recognized a slim crack in her apathy. She remembered how Sarah had used the same gesture when words just wouldn’t do or were difficult to summon.

Andrea reminded her so much of Sarah, who’d been so shaken by what life had dealt her. As she had hundreds of times since, Brynn wondered how differently things might have turned out if she’d been more aware then.

But her earlier suspicions couldn’t be ignored. What if the child was simply a terribly effective prop McKenzie was using?

Brynn turned to him. “Sweet tea or plain?”

“Plain, thanks.”

She handed him a glass. “And you, Andrea?”

“Sweet, I guess.”

As she poured the tea, Brynn studied the girl, wanting to connect with her. “What do you like best about school?”

Andrea didn’t look up from the dog. “Nothing.”

Jake caught Brynn’s gaze, his expression pointedly reminding her of his earlier words.

She placed Andrea’s glass on the table. But the girl didn’t reach for the tea. Like her dull eyes, the vacant expression could be the result of drugs. Her skin was unnaturally pale, her eyes shadowed with dark circles. Brynn looked from the girl to Jake McKenzie. There was a definite resemblance, especially in their hair coloring. More telling, every time Jake’s glance fell on his daughter, it filled with genuine concern. His love for Andrea was a nearly palpable thing stretching between the wounded pair. Apparently he was who he said he was. And his daughter clearly needed help. She looked fragile enough to break.

Brynn remembered Jake’s dire prediction—that Andrea was running out of time. What if he was right? Could she turn her back on the girl and risk the worst? Despite her fatigue, Brynn knew the answer. She wouldn’t, couldn’t allow that to happen.

The old, weathered grandfather clock chimed, reminding Brynn of the time. “Andrea, would you take Shamus outside, please?”

The girl hesitated, her hand still on the dog. She glanced up at her father, who nodded. “I guess so.”

Brynn pointed to the terrace doors. “You can go that way. The other dogs may follow.”

Andrea and Shamus walked outside. The two terriers trailed them, but the Border collie remained at Brynn’s side.

As soon as Andrea was out of hearing, Jake leaned forward, urgency etched in his features. “Well?”

“I can see that Andrea needs help.”

“Your help.”

“Andrea’s case is different from the children I’ve dealt with so far. I’ve had no professional training, other than psychology classes in college. Giving children time away from their day-to-day lives, from the stress even well-meaning parents can put on their children, is how I help. But in Andrea’s case…” Brynn paused, swallowing back the memories pushing at her. “Are you certain the relationship with her mother is beyond repair?”

He frowned. “My ex-wife only agreed to have Andrea in return for marriage and a guaranteed financial arrangement. But she’d had all she could take—her words, not mine. When she filed for divorce, she wanted more money, but nothing to do with Andrea.” He stood suddenly and turned toward the windows. “I never guessed a woman could have absolutely no maternal feelings. But Val thought she’d wasted enough time, said she hadn’t signed up for a life sentence. I felt Andrea was better off with no mother than one who resented her. Forcing Val into motherhood was doing no favors for Andrea. I always thought Val would come to love her. How could she not?” Shaking his head, he pivoted back toward Brynn. “This conversation isn’t helping Andrea.”

“If I’m going to help her, I’ll need to know everything.”