CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
JEFF EXITED THE stairwell on the third floor, his blood humming. He’d been with the cops for more than an hour, telling his story again and again until they were satisfied. His head was pounding and he desperately needed sleep. And to see Evan and Tara.
This time he planned to tell her exactly what he wanted.
When he reached the room where Evan slept, he shookhands with Ty and Jerome, happy to see Olivia had dispatched the guards so quickly.
Once inside, Jeff’s heart filled. He loved his little boy more than life, and they were finally together again.
He greeted his dad and asked, “Where’s Tara?” Had she left him already?
Despite telling her he loved her when he thought they both might die, he hadn’t given her any reason to believe things betweenthem had changed. He wasn’t sure they had, but he was leaning toward trying to carve out a future with her. If she’d have him and his son.
“She went for a bathroom and coffee break. You just missed her.”
“Oh.” Ridiculous to be disappointed that she wasn’t available the minute he wanted to see her. But he also didn’t like her walking around unprotected.
If she could have waited for him… Excepthe hadn’t bothered to let her know he was on his way back, had he?
His dad closed the book he’d been reading in the chair next to the bed where Evan slept. “She and Evan got along well.”
Jeff met his dad’s gaze. “Oh, yeah?” he asked carefully.
Dad smiled. “She was great with him. They talked and played games. I think he might be as smitten as you.”
If he were honest, that was exactly whatJeff had been hoping for when he brought her here. Not insta-love, but the first step in a long process of getting Evan comfortable with the idea of having Tara around.
Jeff sat hard in the recliner under the window and rubbed his face.
“How’d the interview go?”
“Fine. Exhausting.” Outside, a bird landed on a pine tree branch and peered in the window. “I know they’re just doing their job,and this case is a bit of a clusterf— uh, disaster, but how many times do they need to ask the same question before they’re satisfied with the answer?”
Dad circled the bed and laid a hand on Jeff’s shoulder. “I’ve never been through anything like that, but I imagine it’s trying. Especially after all the emotional and physical blows you’ve taken this weekend.” He squeezed lightly. “I’m here foryou if you need to talk, or whatever.”
“Thanks, Dad. I appreciate it. Knowing you were with Evan made today easier.” Jeff sighed. “I’ll fill you in on the details when I’m not such a zombie.”
The older man smiled. “Whenever you’re ready.” He glanced out the window. “You mind if I go for a quick walk around the building? I could use some fresh air.”
“Of course not.”
His dad stepped outof the room, closing the door behind him.
“Daddy?”
Jeff stood and moved to Evan’s side. “Hey, bud. How’re you feeling?”
“You came back.” Evan looked up at him earnestly.
Trying not to take it personally, Jeff smiled. “Of course.”
“Where’s Miss Tara?”
“She went to the restroom.”
“Oh.” Evan pouted. “I was afraid she went home without saying goodbye.”
“Not yet, but soon.”
