Adopted Son

“You’re a better man than me. I don’t think I could give up so much.”

Tuck shrugged. “I’m different. I guess I’ve always known that.”

“And you wish your friends would stop trying to change you.”

“No. I know they care about me and I need that, too.”

“Well, Tuck, I’m going to do everything I can to make sure you’re granted custody of Brady Harper.”

“Thanks, Beau. I’d appreciate that.”

“And I sincerely hope that one day you find a woman to share your incredibly selfless dream.”

Tuck grinned. “Ah, a romantic.”

“You bet,” Beau said. “I just want you to be happy.”

“Helping Brady would make me happy.”

Beau patted his shirt pocket, searching for a pen. “Do you have the caseworker’s name? I’d like to find out all I can about Brady—to make our case as strong as possible.”

Tuck handed him a pen and gave him the information. They walked out together. “I’m really happy about the baby, Beau. Give Macy my congratulations.”

“I will and thanks.” They shook hands and hugged briefly. “You’re a rare man, Jeremiah Tucker, and I’m proud you’re my friend. I’ll call as soon as I have any info.”

Tuck swallowed back emotions as he slid into his vehicle. He sat for a moment savoring that bond of friendship. Backing out, he reached for his phone and called Sergeant Scofield. He wanted to go by the trailer and look for the stuffed dog so Brady could have it when he woke up. The sergeant gave permission and Tuck went by the station for a key.

Darkness had fallen by the time Tuck arrived at Brady’s so-called home. He saw the yellow police tape that surrounded the trailer. Getting out, he noticed the dogs were gone but the vans were still parked in the yard. There was an eerie quiet about the place.

He went up the steps and unlocked the door. As he flipped a switch, a light came on. Good. The electricity hadn’t been turned off yet. A distasteful odor greeted him. It was indescribable. Death came to mind. He shook off the feeling, glancing around.

Clothes, trash, junk and broken dishes cluttered the floor. He kicked some of the mess out of the way and walked to the spot where he’d found Brady. The toy was lying in the place Brady had sat. Tuck hadn’t even noticed it before.

Picking up the stuffed dog, he saw it was filthy, but that didn’t matter. What mattered was that Brady had the toy when he woke up. Tuck locked the trailer and drove to the hospital. It was late, but he went anyway.

Outside the ward, a nurse stopped him. “I’m sorry. Visiting hours are over.”

He introduced himself and explained about the stuffed animal. “His grandmother said he takes it everywhere and even sleeps with it. Brady will probably be less upset when he wakes up if he has the dog.” He showed her the toy. “It’s filthy, but I’m not too sure if it can be washed or not.”

She eyed him for a second then took the dog. “Usually all stuffed animals can be washed. We have a washer and dryer here so I’ll wash it and Brady will have it by morning.”

Tuck hesitated. It wasn’t that he didn’t trust her, but nurses had a lot to do and she might forget.

“Don’t trust me, huh?”

Tuck looked into her honey-brown eyes and realized she was flirting with him. She was attractive, with short brown hair and a slim figure, but tonight he wasn’t interested.

“By the way, my name is Jennifer.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Jennifer.” He motioned to the toy in her hand. “I just want Brady to have the dog.”

“He will, Ranger Tucker. I promise.”

“Good. I’ll be back in the morning.”

“I’m looking forward to it.”

Tuck nodded and walked off wondering if he was losing it. A beautiful woman, a willing smile and he didn’t act on it. What was he looking for? He suddenly saw green eyes and an uptight expression.

Grace.

Why couldn’t he get the woman out of his head?

THE NEXT MORNING Tuck was at the hospital early. Opal was at the nurses’ station so he slipped in to see Brady. He was still lying on his stomach, but in a different direction and he had on a diaper and a gown. The dog, all clean, was tucked under his arm.

He stood there staring at this little boy whose life might become a part of his own. Suddenly he wanted that more than anything—to love him, to make sure he never went hungry and that no one ever harmed him again. He could do that. He could be Brady’s father.

“Are you the officer who brought the stuffed animal?”

Tuck turned to look at a woman sitting by the next bed, where a little girl in a pink gown slept. Machines were attached to her head and her chest. “Yes,” he replied, and introduced himself.

“I’m Barbara Wilcott and this—” she glanced at the baby “—is my daughter, Molly. That’s very nice, what you did.”

“Thank you.” Tuck walked around Brady’s bed to stare at Molly. Her head was bandaged and she had an IV in her arm. “How is your daughter?”

“They removed a tumor from her brain three days ago. She hasn’t woken up yet. We keep waiting.” Barbara brushed away a tear.

Tuck felt a lump in his throat. “How old is she?”

“Two.”

“She’s very lucky to have you.”

Barbara wiped away another tear. “And that little boy is lucky to have someone so caring looking out for him.”

Opal entered the room, preventing Tuck from responding. “I pray your little girl recovers,” he said instead, and walked over to Opal.

“How’s Brady?” he asked.

“He’s much better. They took out his IV this morning.” Opal set her purse on the floor. “He should wake up at any moment. I just spoke with the nurse and she said they’ll start the refeeding process and watch him closely. The problem with kids this age who’ve been deprived of food is they’ll binge on everything in sight. She said they’ll start with formula and work up to solids, taking it slowly.”

“Does anyone know how long he was without food?”

“We’re guessing about three to four days. The neighbor saw Nicole with Brady about four days ago, but she hasn’t seen Brady since. Nicole has been in and out, but no Brady. We think Davis cut off her drug supply and she was out looking for another fix. She found the guy who was dead in the bed in a bar. Davis came home at the wrong time, or maybe for Brady it was the right time. Just so sad.” Opal shook her head.

“Yeah. But Brady’s going to be okay, that’s the main thing.”

Opal nodded. “I got your message about the grandparents. Sad, but I see it all the time. Some can’t do enough. Others just walk away, but that’s okay. We’ll find Brady a really good home.”