Walter rose from the chair he’d claimed for his own long ago. “Lucky, can I speak with you a moment.” He tilted his head toward the back door.
“I’ll be there in a sec,” Lucky answered when Charlotte raised a brow at him. Bo didn’t flinch. Must not be anything too bad. He’d know, right?
Lucky stepped out onto the back deck and eased down into his favorite Adirondack chair. Walter groaned and sank into the other of the two original chairs. In the past few months two more had appeared for Charlotte and Ty.
Now they’d need to add another, smaller chair. Or rather, two. They might need a bigger deck.
Moose noticed one of his favorite humans and came bounding toward them. Lucky threw his hand up, palm out. Moose stopped. Ty’s working with the beast really paid off.
Lucky moved his hand and Moose crossed the deck at a less dangerous pace for so big a dog, whined once, and laid his massive head on Walter’s lap.
Walter idly scratched the dog’s ears.
Surely the boss hadn’t called him out here to hang out with Moose. “What’s up, boss man? You feeling okay?” Thank God Walter had bounced back since nearly dying not even a year ago.
“Yes, I’m fine. You appeared uncomfortable. I thought I’d give you a few moments of relative peace.”
Lucky always could count on the boss, even when he hadn’t known he could. “Thanks.”
“How’s your hand?”
Lucky flexed the remaining fingers on his left hand. “I’m still getting used to being down a couple of digits.” Sometimes, his hand still throbbed, even with pain killers, or he dropped something because he miscalculated, and tried not to use his left hand at all. Walter didn’t need to know all the details. He’d been around. He probably already knew.
“How are you doing? Nervous about bringing a baby home?”
How was Lucky feeling? Anxious, scared he’d mess this up, hopeful.
Happy.
“I’m good,” he allowed. “Never thought I’d be doing this, you know?”
“Yes. Although I’ve never brought home a child myself, I can imagine it would be rather earth-shattering, especially for a man who, until a few years ago, swore he didn’t need anyone else.” Walter fixed Lucky with a raised-eyebrow gaze.
“You don’t have to sound so smug. Just come right out and say, ‘I told you so’, why don’t cha?”
A corner of Walter’s mouth twitched. “Wouldn’t dream of it. In fact, I couldn’t be prouder. Look at you. You’ve taken a less than stellar start and now you have a home, a family, respect at your job. What’s next for you?”
What next indeed? “I’m not sure. Keep training the newbies, I guess, continue consulting.” As much as he complained about the rookies, most of them weren’t total losses. Who knew? Maybe he’d find another Loretta Johnson or Bo Schollenberger one day. The bureau could always use more of both.
“What of Alejandro’s mother? How is she? It’s been a few weeks since I interviewed her.” Walter’s hand stilled. Moose whined until Walter resumed petting.
“She’s doing all right, I’m told. Taking classes and still staying with decent folks who’ll help her get her life back on track.” Yolanda, the woman he’d forever owe for giving him and Bo their son. One day, they’d bring all who’d wronged her to justice.
Lucky lived for the day, even though he no longer played an active role in the case.
“Good. I’ve only spoken with her through an interpreter, and only about the case. I’m glad she’s doing well. No one should have to go through what she did.” Walter turned more fully toward Lucky. “I’m honored you’ve given her… your son my name. If he ever needs anything, or you and Bo ever need me, I’m here.” Walter patted Lucky’s shoulder with a beefy paw. More quietly, he added, “If anyone questions his parentage, you let me know immediately.”
“I appreciate that. I don’t see why anyone would question, do you?” Lucky’s heart pounded. Had someone said something? Although adoption would have been a reasonable option, they preferred for folks to believe Andro was truly Bo’s biological son.
That he’d always been wanted, and his birth eagerly looked forward to. One day they might have to sit down with their son and tell him the whole story, but they reserved the right to decide when.
“No. Why should they? Bo’s name is on the birth certificate. I can’t see anyone challenging him.” Walter gave his best barracuda smile and added, “And succeeding. There’s not a legal loophole to be found. I have powerful friends. And so do you.”
A threat to anyone who tried? Well, even drug lords were afraid of Walter, as Nestor once pointed out.
Something else troubled Lucky. “The baby isn’t going to make a difference for Bo’s job, is it?”
“Why should it?” Walter rose, to Moose’s dismay. He butted the man’s hand for more petting. “You and Bo will make great parents. All that’s needed to say is congratulations.” With that he disappeared into the house, leaving Lucky to his thoughts.
