“I’m not going to let anything happen to any of you, Maddie.”

Kurt lowered his head. His next move was as instinctive as it was inevitable. He had wanted to kiss her for days, but this time he intended the kiss to be light, gentle. A tender gesture meant to soothe her fears and give her the assurance of his protection. But the instant he felt the softness of her lips, the taste of her, he wanted so much more. With all the willpower he could muster, he broke the kiss.

Her surprise was as evident as his own as she stared up at him.

For ten years she’d nourished her memory of the father of her son with fanciful yearnings and wishful dreams. Now, under the pressure of his lips, the warmth and power of his embrace, divine sensation spiraled to the pit of her stomach in a degree of aroused passion she had never suspected existed within her.

“Maddie, I want to make love to you.”

Dear Reader,

It’s been business as usual for the men of the Dwarf Squad, so Kurt Bolen (Code name: Sneezy), on medical leave due to a wound he received on the last mission, decides to make a quick visit to the small Wisconsin town in which he was raised. He is unprepared not only for the greatest and most unexpected surprise of his life, but also to find himself involved with illegal organ harvesters who are out to harm him and those near and dear to him.

I have to admit I’ve grown very attached to these guys in RATCOM, the CIA’s Rescue and Anti-Terrorist Special Ops Squad, and the great gals they ended up marrying. If you liked Ann Bishop and Trish Cassidy, I’m sure you’ll find Maddie Bennett just as appealing. Her mundane daily routine of running her bookstore takes on a whole new perspective when Kurt Bolen comes back to town.

I want to take this opportunity to thank you for the thoughtful cards and letters so many of you have sent Don and me during this chapter in our lives. Nothing is more rewarding than knowing there are unknown faces out there offering their prayers and support.

With Valentine’s Day upon us, give that special person in your life a hug and kiss from me. And above all, have a happy and healthy winter.

My deepest love and affection,

Ana Leigh

Heart at Risk

USE TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR

Ana Leigh

www.millsandboon.co.uk

ANA LEIGH

is a Wisconsin native with three children and five grandchildren. From the time of the publication of her first novel in 1981, Ana successfully juggled her time between her chosen career and her hobby of writing, until she officially retired in September of 1994 to devote more time to her “hobby.” In the past she has been a theater cashier (who married the boss), the head of an accounting department, a corporate officer, and the only female on the Board of Directors of an engineering firm.

This New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author received a Romantic Times BOOKreviews Career Achievement Award nomination for Storyteller of the Year in 1991, the Bookrak 1995-1996 Best Selling Author Award, the Romantic Times BOOKreviews 1995-1996 Career Achievement Award, and the Romantic Times BOOKreviews 1996-1997 Career Achievement Award for Historical Storyteller of the Year. Her novels have been distributed worldwide, including Africa, China and Russia.

I dedicate this novel to Kurt Kelley, a family friend

who is as dear to my heart as a son, and

who kept asking, “How’s the book coming?”

Hey, here it is, Kurt!

Contents

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Prologue

Colombia

The stillness was eerie. Black…noiseless…encompassing. No sound of distant voices, chirp of a cricket, chatter of a bird. Not a leaf stirred, nor a creature scurried as the six men hastened through the trees, their footsteps swathed in darkness and silence.

Suddenly the blackness was breached by a dim light filtered through the shutters of a window on the upper floor of a two-story stone building that stood like a monolith amid the scattered wooden shacks that surrounded it.

They had reached their target.

They’d been told that the local residents rarely ventured out at night, and despite the heat, kept their doors locked and shutters closed. Kurt could only hope tonight was no exception.

The strident bark of a dog split the stillness. Cassidy raised his hand, halting the squad. The barking ceased as quickly as it had begun and was too distant for their presence to have alerted the animal, so they moved on.

As they neared their objective, the squad pulled on their thermo night-vision goggles, casting the darkness into a surrealistic green that enabled them to read the H sign hung above the front entrance of the building. To Kurt, a hospital meant sanctuary, a place of healing.

So how come I have a knot in my gut and goose bumps on my arms?

A door slammed and the men froze. The faint glow of a cigarette indicated the presence of a man, an automatic weapon hung from a strap on his shoulder.

“Make him?” Cassidy whispered. Kurt nodded. “Take him out.”

Kurt raised the scoped sniper rifle and lined up the target. As soon as they heard the faint pop of the silencer, the squad moved quickly and entered the building.

Despite the wooden floor, the six men stole up the stairway without a sound and proceeded toward a lit room at the end of the hallway, halting to make sure each room they passed was deserted.

The final room had double doors that swung inward. Cassidy shoved up his goggles. The rest of the team did likewise, then waited as he peered cautiously through the glass in one of the doors. The wait seemed endless. He glanced at Don Larson beside him. Larson nodded, and tightened his hold on the weapon he carried. Cassidy and Larson would be the first two through the doors. The whole squad was tensed and wired. Ready to go. It was always like this right before the action.

Cassidy turned his head and mouthed the word eight, indicating there were eight armed men inside. The squad was outnumbered, but had the element of surprise—if not, all hell would have broken out by now.

He mouthed the word nine and made a slashing motion across his right arm to indicate there were nine unarmed people on the right side of the room.

They most likely were the six American hostages the squad had come to rescue, and probably three local medical people. Kurt could only hope that none of them would get hit when the gunfire started.

Cassidy stepped back, nodded then pushed open the doors.

Within seconds the shooting, shouting and cries of alarm had ended, and the fight was over. None of the team or hostages had been wounded and as the squad checked the bodies on the floor Cassidy announced, “Ladies and gentlemen, we’re here to get you out. Please do exactly as told.” He repeated the same message in Spanish.

A slim, middle-aged man stepped forward. “I am Dr. Fernando Escobar, head of this hospital,” he said in accented but proper English. “We are grateful to you and your men, but I must offer medical assistance to any of those wounded men who require it.”

Kurt shook his head when Cassidy glanced at him.

“None require it,” Cassidy said succinctly.

“Then I must check my patients.” The doctor went over to two hospital beds that had been shoved against a wall in the corner of the room. One of the women, obviously a nurse, joined him.

Cassidy turned back to the hostages. “Who’s in charge among you?”

“I’m Dr. Eric Danvers,” one of the men said. “We’re a volunteer medical group. We come down here for a month each year to offer medical assistance.”

“I’m aware of that, sir. And we’re here to take you home. Dr. Escobar, what about your staff and patients? Do you wish to be evacuated?”

“No, these patients are local villagers, the victims of for-profiting organ harvesting,” Dr. Escobar replied. “It is a very common practice among the poor in this area. The harvesters come into a village, pay the locals a meager amount of money, extract the organs in a makeshift operating room and then dump the victims on our doorstep, not really caring if they live or die. None of us are in danger now. The terrorists were after the Americans.”

“As you wish, sir,” Cassidy said. “Did any of these men mention what terrorist group they belonged to?”

“No,” Escobar replied. “But I am sure you know or you wouldn’t be here.” He turned back to his patients.

Kurt felt relieved when he heard the sudden tell-tale whir of a helicopter; their taxi had arrived—and punctual as usual.

With a wordless command Cassidy nodded to Rick Williams and Pete Bledsoe. They knew what was expected of them and led out.

Once they were airborne, the rescued hostages settled down and talked in low tones among themselves.

Too tired to follow the conversation, Kurt leaned his head against the wall, closed his eyes and thought about the mission.

Once again the Dwarf Squad had made it through without anyone seriously wounded. He couldn’t help grinning when he thought how the Agency had tagged them the Dwarf Squad because they used the names of the seven dwarfs as code names. Then the grin slowly faded as he thought of Danny Sardino, code name Bashful, who had been killed in Beirut two years earlier. Danny had been the only squad member killed from the time they were formed.

These men were his brothers. His only family. Most had been SEALs when the CIA recruited them for RATCOM, the Agency’s Rescue and Antiterrorist command. Rick Williams and Pete Bledsoe were the only exceptions—the two Brits had served in England’s SAS. They’d been together for almost four years now. With the exception of Justin Anderson, who’d become a member of the squad six months before when Mike Bishop, the leader of the squad, had been pulled out and made deputy secretary of RATCOM. Dave Cassidy had moved up to squad leader.

And each man in the squad had an individual specialty—his was sharpshooter.

Together the six men were not only a family—they were a definitive weapon.

Chapter 1

Why in hell did I come back here? Kurt thought with disgust. I hated this damn town when I lived here.

In ten years the town hadn’t changed much—still only one main street with one stoplight and one service station. The steeple of the Catholic church was still the tallest structure in town, and the courthouse with its portico and creaking rocking chairs looked like it could use a coat of fresh paint.

Kurt glanced at the grain store as he drove past it. The sign now read Cletis Tyler, Owner. So old man Tyler must have either died or retired, and his piss-ass son—and fellow classmate—had taken over.

Jake’s Tap was still the only tavern in town, the Dew Drop Inn the only motel. The post office was in the same spot, and the bank had a new brick facade. From what he could see, the only thing new was a two-story department store in the strip mall, boasting everything from safety pins to television sets. A woman’s beauty salon called Curl Up with Shirley was a new addition also, and a pharmacy now occupied the space where Elsa’s Bakery had been.

He used to love going to that bakery when he was a kid. It always smelled of freshly baked bread. Elsa Guttman, the kind old lady who owned it, would always slip him a sugar cookie. Maybe he had a few good memories of the town after all.

He was surprised at the sight of a tearoom and bookstore standing next to the old Rivoli Theatre. Now closed and boarded up, the letters on the theatre’s once brightly lit canopy spelled out Building for Sale or Lease.

The balcony of the old theatre offered some fond teenage memories for Kurt as well…

If he kept it up, pretty soon he’d be blowing his nose and wiping the tears out of his eyes.

Yeah, right!

Kurt parked in front of Rosie’s Diner. Twenty-five years ago Rosie Callahan had been the town hooker and earned her money the hard way—on her back. Much to the chagrin of half the guys in town, five years later she’d saved up enough money to open the only diner in town. By the time Kurt left town Rosie had just been elected mayor and was back to her old tricks in order to pay off campaign promises.

He popped seventy-five cents into a newspaper box and grabbed the Vandergriff Sentinel. A quick glance revealed that Carson Meadows was still the editor in chief, reporter and chief cook and bottle washer for that matter. Nothing changed except the price. It had gone up twenty-five cents in the past ten years.

Upon entering the diner Kurt perused the place from habit—the same eight stools at the counter, two connecting rows of six booths each, and six tables in the front near the window. The only change in the place was the color of the walls, and a large poster of Brad Pitt with sword in hand now hung where an earlier one of John Wayne with rifle in hand had reigned for the eighteen years he’d lived in the town.

The changing of the guard.

The place smelled of boiled cabbage, so he didn’t have to be a rocket scientist to figure out the daily special. Kurt had beaten the dinner rush by about a half hour and the place was almost empty except for a couple and their kids in one of the booths and an old guy sitting at the counter.

The blond waitress who’d been talking to the old man glanced up when he entered. He’d have recognized Gertie Karpinski anywhere. She may have lost her youthful teenage glow, but there was no mistaking “Bare It and Share It” Karpinski. While most girls carried around lipstick, Gertie carried condoms. And in their four years of high school Gertie had lived up to her motto and bedded every guy in the graduating class—even that uptight jerk Cletis Tyler.

He headed for a booth, and could feel Gertie’s eyes on him as he walked over, sat down and reached for the menu.

Surprise! Corned beef and cabbage was the special.

Gertie sauntered over to the booth and put down a glass of ice water, then pulled a pad and pencil out of her pocket.

“So what’s it gonna be, good looking?”

He closed the menu. “How’re you doing, Gertie?”

She did a double take. “Kurt Bolen! I don’t believe it! Where have you been for the past ten years? Hope it wasn’t in the slammer.”

“No. I’ve been seeing the world, compliments of the U.S. Navy.” It was a half-truth. He didn’t mention the CIA. That was one job you didn’t advertise.

“You back to stay?”

“Just passing through. What have you been up to? I never figured you’d hang around Vandergriff after graduation.”

“I’ve been married and divorced a couple times.”

“What about children?”

“Hell, honey, you know I’m too smart to let that happen. Besides, I’d be the mother from hell. What about you? Don’t see no ring on your finger.”

“Same as you, Gertie. I tried marriage, but it didn’t work out. Fortunately there were no kids to get hurt by it.”

Gertie patted his hand. “Guess we’re just not the marrying types. But you sure don’t look any worse the wear for it. Matter of fact, you look great.” She reached out and squeezed his bicep. “Wow! I don’t remember all that muscle.”

Same old Gertie. Totally shameless. But he couldn’t help liking her. He always had. She had a good sense of humor, and in school she’d never put on airs or tried to be anything other than honest about herself.

“So what’s it gonna be, honey?”

For an instant he weighed whether she meant sex or food. He settled for the safer choice.

“Burger with the works and some fries, Gertie.”

“Same old Kurt. I see your taste in food hasn’t changed.” She giggled throatily and leaned over. Her uniform was cut low enough to whet his appetite. “What about women?”

This time her message came through loud and clear. If the cleavage was the appetizer, his groin had begun to ratchet up for the main course.

He dragged his gaze away from her breasts and looked up and grinned. “Women all taste good to me, Gertie.”

By the time Kurt finished reading the newspaper his food arrived. His training kicked in and he automatically checked out whoever came in as the diner began to fill up.

He was finishing up the burger when a young woman entered. The male in him—more than the CIA agent—assessed her as she approached a booth by the window where an older woman and young boy were seated.

She sure was hot. Damn hot! Late twenties with a hundred fifteen or twenty pounds curved lusciously on about five feet seven inches. Soft curls of auburn hair feathered her forehead and nape. His mom used to call it a feather cut, but there was probably some fancy French name for it now. Whatever—his fingers itched to dig into it.

But what really grabbed his attention were her green eyes. They were slightly slanted—that Ava Gardner look that turned a man on with a single glance.

She looked vaguely familiar to him and he figured they’d probably been schoolmates. But the only redhead he remembered from school was Joey Bennett’s sister, Mandy or Mattie, or something like that. And she’d been lanky, wore geeky glasses, and had long kinky red hair.

“Hey, Maddie, you’re not going to believe this,” Gertie yelled out to the new arrival. “Kurt Bolen’s back in town.”

The woman jerked her head around and looked at him. Maddie Bennett. So she was Joey’s sister. Boy, had she changed!

Those jade eyes were wide with shock and she was looking at him as if she’d seen a ghost.

Kurt was too flabbergasted to speak. He smiled and waved. Maddie nodded slightly and then turned her head away.

He ordered a slice of pie and coffee, and as he ate, he couldn’t keep his mind off Maddie Bennett. He’d never rally paid too much attention to Joey’s sister, but still he couldn’t believe the change in her. Some past memory flitted on the edge of his brain, but he couldn’t nail it. What in hell difference did it make? He was out of there.

Kurt polished off the rest of his coffee, threw some bills on the table, and got up to leave. His curiosity got the better of him and he stopped at her booth on his way out.

“How have you been, Maddie?”

“Fine,” she said. Despite her attempt at casualness he could tell she was uptight. “What about you?”

“No complaints. How’s Joey? Is he still living in Vandergriff?”

“Joey’s dead. He joined the marines after graduation and was killed in Afghanistan.”

“I’m sorry to hear that. We had some good times together.”

The older woman extended her hand. “I’m Elizabeth Bennett, Maddie’s Aunt Beth. I don’t believe we’ve met.”

“Kurt Bolen,” he said, shaking her hand.

Elizabeth Bennett smiled warmly. He was struck by the beauty of the gray-haired woman. Unlike her niece—who at the moment appeared to be so tense she looked ready to pop—Elizabeth Bennett had a serenity that enhanced her loveliness. But regardless, both women were knockouts. The family must have one hell of a gene pool!

“Kurt graduated with Joey and me, Aunt Beth,” Maddie said.

Elizabeth Bennett frowned in concentration. “Bolen? Of course! Was your father Charles Bolen?”

“Yes he was. Did you know him?”

Here it comes: Kurt Bolen, the no good kid from Stoneville, whose father was the town drunk.

“I’m a retired nurse, Kurt. I was on duty the night they brought your father into the hospital,” she said sadly. “Such a tragic accident.”

Changing the subject quickly, she smiled and slipped her arm around the young boy’s shoulders. “And this handsome lad is Maddie’s son Scotty.”

He reached out a hand. “Hi, pal.”

The boy hesitated momentarily, as if he didn’t know what to do. Then, as if pleased with the manly gesture, the boy grinned and shook his hand.

Kurt glanced at Maddie: Uptight and Gorgeous looked like she was holding her breath. And he discovered Elizabeth Bennett was studying him intently. What was with these two women? He had to fight the urge to reach down and check if his fly was open.

“After all these years what brought you back to Vandergriff, Kurt?” Elizabeth Bennett asked.

“Just passing through. I’m being treated at the Vet hospital in Milwaukee and I thought I’d drive out and see the old hometown.”

“Oh, I hope it’s not anything too serious.” Elizabeth’s concern seemed genuine.

“I blew a kneecap, but at least I’m off the crutches now.”

Elizabeth’s face creased with sympathy. “Oh my. I’m sorry to hear about that. It must be painful. So you’re in Milwaukee, you say?”

“I expect to leave there tomorrow and go home.”

“Where is your home?”

“In D.C.” Kurt started to back away. “Well, I better get going. Nice meeting you, Ms. Bennett.”

“Yes, and I hope your leg heals swiftly. Take care of yourself, dear boy.”

“Thank you. Nice seeing you again, Maddie.”

“Yes, take care of yourself,” Maddie echoed.

Her face didn’t crack a smile. Ava Gardner eyes or not, she was one edgy female. But come to think of it, she’d been that way ten years ago, too.

Since she wasn’t wearing a wedding ring, she was either widowed or divorced, and he couldn’t help wondering how long it’d been since she’d been laid. With her looks…Oh, hell, grow up, Bolen!

He winked at the boy and departed. Once he was in his car, Kurt realized he’d been so distracted by Maddie that he hadn’t said goodbye to Gertie. Well, tomorrow morning he’d stop in for breakfast and say it then—for the sake of the good old times.

Elizabeth Bennett watched Kurt Bolen walk to his car. A slight limp was perceptible, but he appeared to be coping remarkably well with it. “My goodness, he certainly appears to be a fine young man, doesn’t he?”

“He’s okay,” Maddie said.

Beth eyed her niece warily. “Just okay? Honey, you’re too young for that kind of reaction. He’s gorgeous.”

“And you, Aunt Beth, are too old for yours.”

“I liked him,” Scotty declared.

“What was he like ten years ago?” Beth asked. “He’s too good-looking for you not to have noticed.”

“For goodness’ sake, Aunt Beth, what difference does it make? He’s been gone for ten years. We rarely spoke. I don’t think he even remembered my name. He and Joey hung around together, so that was always trouble looking for a place to happen. Kurt left town right after graduation, and that’s the last I saw or heard of him until a couple minutes ago.”

Maddie reached across the table and squeezed Scotty’s hand. “So have you decided what you’re having to eat, sweetheart?”

“I’ll have a hamburger and French fries.”

“Scotty, that’s all you ever order when we eat out.”

“Hamburger and French fries are my favorite meal.”

Maddie chuckled and tousled his thick growth of dark hair. “How will you ever know until you try something different?”

Beth only half listened to the exchange between mother and son as she watched Kurt pull away in a red Charger. Despite Maddie’s attempt to be casual, Beth could see her niece was still very upset over this chance meeting with Kurt Bolen. This piqued her curiosity. Something here didn’t quite add up…

Beth choked back a gasp when she suddenly realized what it might be, and her mouth curved in a pleased smile. Yes, Kurt Bolen, take good care of yourself. I have great plans for you.

Kurt pumped up the pillow for the dozenth time and leaned back on the bed. The old Laurel and Hardy movie ended and he grabbed the remote and started to channel hop. Television sucked. It bored him royally unless it was a football or basketball game.

Besides, in the six months since his injury, he’d watched enough television to last him a lifetime. He loathed sitcoms, they were an unrealistic picture of family life—at least the family life he remembered. The multitude of crime and horror shows did nothing but demonstrate ghoulish ways to torture and murder. And as for all the alien and paranormal characters, there was no worse monster on this earth than a terrorist with an UZI or a Rocket Propelled Grenade launcher in his hands.

Kurt turned off the tube and tossed aside the remote in disgust. He got out of bed and walked to the window. It was Saturday night and only a little past nine o’clock; the town had rolled up its streets already. Hot time in the old town tonight!

Well he was too edgy to stay cooped up in the motel room. He pulled on his jeans, shirt and shoes and went out. He should have taken up Gertie’s offer at the diner. Instead he’d gotten diverted by Maddie Bennett. Boy that woman was hot! But why in hell did she disturb him so much? There was something about her he couldn’t remember, but it would come to him.

Without any destination in mind, he ended up on Poorman’s Peak, the bluff that overlooked Stoneville’s shanties and railroad tracks where he’d grown up. Kurt parked, then sat gazing down on the site. Light glowed from the factory that sprawled several blocks in length. The second shift was hard at work.

He’d been raised on the “wrong side of the tracks” in the part of town disparagingly called Stoneville, because of the quarry that furnished the major employment for Stoneville’s residents. He’d had no siblings and had run with a tough group of boys. His folks had worked in the quarry and one night in Kurt’s freshman year of high school, his drunk father had staggered in front of a moving train. Two years later his mother had died of lung cancer.

He’d toughed it out alone and finished school. The morning following graduation he’d gone to Milwaukee and enlisted in the navy, got married three years later and six months after that went through a bitter divorce.

The United States Navy had been his salvation. It had steered him on a course away from the gutter he’d been heading into and toward becoming a Navy SEAL and ultimately a member of the CIA’s Dwarf Squad. It had given him the close brotherhood and inviolable friendships of the other squad members. Now faced with the possibility that the squad would be disbanded, he feared the loss of a family again.

There was no kidding himself. That was the real reason for his irritability, his impatience and disgust with everything that crossed his path. The writing was on the wall. Sure as hell RATCOM was going to be disbanded. His family was going to be busted up.

Kurt sighed and looked down on Stoneville. Yeah, for damn sure there wasn’t anything sentimental about this “sentimental journey” home. First thing in the morning he’d climb into his car and Vandergriff, Wisconsin, would see the last of him. This time for good.

Just as he turned the ignition key to leave a car drove up and parked a short distance away.

As he backed out, the headlights of his car revealed the driver of the other car. He recognized Maddie Bennett at once. What in hell was she doing up here alone? Waiting for some guy, no doubt. And he was probably married. Why else would they meet up here unless they didn’t want anyone in town to see them?

Well, uptight or not, it figured if she wasn’t still married there’d be some guy banging her. The thought disappointed him. Why did a gal with an angel face and Ava Gardner eyes have to settle for making out with a married man in the seat of a car?

Suck it up, Bolen. Not your problem. Your problem is that you’re not the guy she’s waiting for.

Chapter 2

Maddie’s brief encounter with Kurt Bolen had resurrected memories best forgotten, and she’d been in a near panic ever since. Ten years had only enhanced his dark-haired, brown-eyed handsomeness. She’d had a crush on him from the time she’d first seen him when the Bennetts had moved to Vandergriff her final year of high school.

Recalling those long-ago days was painful to her now—almost as painful as they’d been then. Since her father worked for the quarry company, they, too, were one of the “Stoners” that the town looked down upon.

It’s ancient history, Maddie, so why dredge it up?

She didn’t have to ask herself that; she knew the answer. How often in the past ten years had she driven up here to Poorman’s Peak and recalled the last time she had seen Kurt Bolen—the night of their high school graduation? And now tonight, she’d turned her head and there he was.

She’d had no close friends that last year of high school and spent most of her time alone, so why she’d even gone to the graduation party at Gertie Karpinski’s was still a mystery to her. After she’d sat in a corner being ignored for two hours, she had decided to leave. On the way out she’d encountered Kurt Bolen sitting on the steps outside.

Kurt and Joey were part of the same gang, but Kurt had never paid any attention to his friend’s shy, freckle-faced sister. Why should he? Every gal in the school had the hots for him.

Throughout the evening she’d stolen peeks at him. He’d spent most of his time sneaking drinks from the flask in his pocket and was too drunk to even remember her name. As if he’d ever remembered her name.

She had declined his offer of a drink, but had gotten up the nerve to sit down and talk to him. It was the first time they’d been alone—and he’d actually spoken more to her than “Hi.”

When she’d stood up to leave, Kurt had offered to drive her home. Even though he’d been inebriated, she’d accepted. On the way home he’d driven up to Poorman’s Peak and parked. Since it was still early and the party was still going strong, they’d been the only car.

But kids didn’t come there for the view; they came to make out. In his drunken state Kurt had leaned over and kissed her—and then kissed her again. She could still remember the smell of the whiskey on his breath, and even more intoxicating, the excitement of his nearness and thrill of his kisses. Having worshipped him from afar she’d been too enthralled to resist when he’d slipped the dress off her shoulders and made love to her. It had been the most divine memory of her life, and despite the hardships that followed, she’d never ceased to cherish those stolen moments. He had fallen asleep—or more likely passed out. She’d driven him home, parked the car in front of the shack where he lived and left him undisturbed.

The next morning she’d overheard Joey telling their mother Kurt had left town. A couple of months later she was certain she was pregnant.

Determined to raise the child, she’d refused to reveal the father’s name and ignored her parents’ suggestion to abort the pregnancy or put the baby up for adoption.

Her brother Joey had gone off and enlisted in the marines and shortly before Scotty was born, her parents were shot to death when the bar they were in had been held up. Aunt Beth had taken her in and helped her to raise Scotty.

With Beth’s help Maddie had been able to go to a junior college in the morning and work the second shift at the quarry. After earning an associate’s degree, and with her aunt as a cosigner, Maddie had been able to borrow enough from the bank to open a bookstore and tiny tea shop. It had been ten years of constant struggle and hard work, but at least her son would not end up as a Stoner.

And now Kurt Bolen had appeared from nowhere. She harbored no bitterness toward him. How could she, when he was responsible for giving her the most precious thing in her life—her son. But she also realized he could threaten everything.

Was it fair not to tell Kurt the truth about Scotty? Was she being selfish, and not considering what would be best for her son?

Obviously Kurt had no intention of remaining in Vandergriff, but what if he demanded equal parental rights? She knew nothing about him or what he’d been doing for the past ten years. He’d been pretty wild when he was younger. She couldn’t imagine turning Scotty over to this stranger on alternate weekends and such. And that could very well happen if Kurt demanded it.

And what if he was abusive or a drunkard? He’d always drank heavily, even on the night Scotty was conceived. To reveal the truth to him now would only open a can of worms that could have a negative effect on Scotty’s life and her own. No matter how much she’d held on to those girlish fantasies through the years of Kurt coming back to town for her, she was no longer an irresponsible teenager. Her responsibility—and only consideration—was for the welfare of her son.

She would not let anything or anyone threaten that welfare.

After checking out of the motel the next morning, Kurt filled the gas tank, went to the diner and ate breakfast then said goodbye to Gertie.

Once outside he took a final look around, climbed into his car and turned on the ignition. “Goodbye forever, Vandergriff.”

Last night had resurrected too many memories. He wanted to get back to Milwaukee then home to D.C.

He took a shortcut on a back road to get to the I-94 Expressway. Nearing an old abandoned quarry that had filled with water during the years, he thought of the many times he’d used it as a swimming hole when he was a kid.

He slowed his speed when he saw a young boy skimming stones into the water. As he got closer, he recognized Scotty Bennett, and saw that Elizabeth Bennett, wearing a floppy, wide-brimmed hat to shade her face and eyes from the hot sun sat on a rock nearby. Times sure had changed since he was a kid. Back then, no one thought you needed a babysitter when you were a nine-year-old playing outside.

Kurt tooted the car horn and waved. Scotty spun around, recognized Kurt, and attempted to wave back. He lost his balance, staggered backward and toppled into the water.

Kurt slammed down on the accelerator and sped to as near the edge of the quarry as he could get. Elizabeth had just reached it.

“Can he swim?” he shouted to her, dashing out of the car.

“Not very well,” she said. “Oh, dear God!”

Peering down into the hole, Kurt saw the struggling boy surface then go under again. He pulled off his shoes and dove in, then felt a shock of pain to his knee when he hit the water.

Visibility was poor in the murky water and without goggles it was difficult to see. After several painful dives, he caught sight of Scotty and brought him to the surface.

Elizabeth was on her cell phone calling 911 for help and came quickly to his aid to help get Scotty out of the water. Kurt’s knee was throbbing and by the time he succeeded in hoisting himself out, Elizabeth had Scotty stretched out on his back and was attempting to give him CPR to get some air into the unconscious boy’s lungs.

Kurt took over the rhythmic procedure and after several more attempts Scotty began to spit up water. Kurt quickly flipped him onto his side as the boy regurgitated the water out of his lungs. “Elizabeth, get the blanket from the backseat of my car.”

She nodded and hurried to get it. By the time the volunteer fire department and every other emergency vehicle in town arrived with sirens blazing and lights flashing, Scotty was wrapped snugly in a blanket and sitting up coughing a bit but coherent.

The paramedic with the fire department checked Scotty’s vital signs. Satisfied, he packed up his emergency equipment. “He’ll be fine. His lungs sound clear and the rest of his vital signs are okay, Ms. Bennett.”

Beth had remained calm and efficient throughout the whole ordeal. “Thank you, Kevin. How’s the new baby doing?”

“Mother and child doing fine,” he said. “And Sandy loves the sweater and booties you knit for the baby.” He shook his head. “Each summer we have to pull a kid out of that hole. The county should either drain it and fill it with dirt and rocks, or build a fence around it. Last year one of the kids wasn’t as lucky as Scotty here. We lost him.”

When the vehicles had all departed Elizabeth grasped Kurt’s hand. That steel control she’d maintained throughout the ordeal had dissipated, and her voice trembled when she tried to speak.

“How can I ever thank you enough, Kurt. Scotty would have drowned if you…” The bubble finally burst. She couldn’t go on, and broke down sobbing.

Kurt put his arms around her and let her cry. It would do her good.

“I’m sorry,” Scotty said sorrowfully, tears streaking his cheeks. “I feel real bad that I made you cry. Please don’t cry anymore, Aunt Beth.”

Elizabeth knelt beside the boy and kissed him, then dried her tears and held him in the circle of her arms.

“Sweetheart, it wasn’t your fault. I’m just so happy you’re okay. I think I better get you home and into some dry clothes.”

Kurt started to hobble back to his car. He had some pain pills in his pack, but rarely used them to avoid becoming dependent on them. Right now the pain was too severe to try and tough it out.

“Oh, dear, you injured your leg again, didn’t you?” Elizabeth asked.

“I’m sure it’s nothing serious. I aggravated it when I dove into the water.”

“Well I insist you come home with me and let me check it out. Besides, you’re soaking wet and should change into dry clothing.”

The last thing he wanted to do was go back into town. But he did want to get out of his wet clothes.

“I can change right here, Ms. Bennett.”

The sweet old lady’s countenance hardened into a stern frown. “I do not intend to stand here and argue with you, young man. You’re coming home with me.”

The issue was settled.

In a lighter vein she added, “Besides, you wouldn’t abandon us out here, would you?”

“How did you get here?”

“We walked. Are you able to drive, or should I?”

“My right leg’s fine, Ms. Bennett.”

“And please drop the formality,” she declared. “I’m either Beth or Aunt Beth. Whichever you prefer. And I think I should probably drive.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Kurt replied, tempted to snap off a salute.

“Come on, honey,” she said to Scotty, slipping an arm around his shoulder and helping him into the car.

Once they were on their way, a twinkle appeared in Beth’s eyes. “You take orders very well, Kurt.”

“A habit I picked up in the military,” he said.

“Army, navy or marines?”

“Navy.”

“How long have you been in?” she asked.

“I enlisted right after graduation.”

“What’s your rank?”

“Actually, I’m not in the navy anymore.”

Her surprise was apparent. “What do you do for a living?”

“I work for the government.”

He was spared any more of the interrogation when she pulled into the driveway of a two-story, cream-colored house with black shutters and roof.

Scotty appeared none the worse for his near drowning. He jumped out of the car and raced ahead into the house.

Beth stayed behind to offer a helping hand to Kurt, who appeared to be the only casualty of the incident.

Beth insisted he shower to cleanse the quarry water off him. By the time he finished, the painkillers had kicked in and eased the pain considerably.

“Give me your wet clothing and I’ll wash it with Scotty’s.”

“That’s not necessary. I’ll pack up and get out of here.”

“I won’t hear of it,” Beth declared as she took the wet clothes from him. “It won’t take long and in the meantime I’ve made a fresh pot of coffee. So just sit down and relax.”

She returned a few moments later, put a plate of chocolate chip cookies on the table and poured them each a cup of coffee.

Beware of maiden aunts bearing chocolate chip cookies. What was she up to?

Suddenly the door burst open and Maddie rushed in. Kurt doubted she even noticed his presence. “Where is he?” she asked breathlessly.

“Relax, dear. Scotty’s taking a bath. Kevin gave him a clean bill of health.”

Beth could have saved her breath. Maddie rushed past and up the stairs. She returned moments later.

“The bathroom door’s locked and he won’t open it. He said he prefers privacy when he bathes.” Her mouth curved in the barest suggestion of a grin. “Privacy! I’m his mother! That little munchkin! I ought to warm his bottom when he comes out.”

“I know, dear, I got the same response, and I’m a nurse. So sit down and have a cup of coffee with us.”

For the first time since she arrived, Maddie looked directly at him. Kurt cut her some slack. Her concern for her son was understandable.

“Thank you, Kurt. Aunt Beth told me on the phone that you’re responsible for saving Scotty.”

“I just happened to be in the right place at the right time. Besides, if I hadn’t waved at him, he probably wouldn’t have fallen.”

“If anyone’s to blame, I am,” Beth protested. “I never should have let him get that close to the rim of that hole.”

Maddie took a deep draft of the coffee. “Please, neither of you are to blame. Accidents happen. I just thank God Scotty’s okay.”

“We all are, dear,” Beth said. “Except for Kurt. He aggravated his knee injury when he jumped into the water.”

Despite her anxiety for her son, Maddie looked contrite. “I’m sorry, Kurt.”

“No sweat. It’s happened before. I just have to take it easy for a while. I’ll have the doc check it out when I get back to the VA hospital.”

Beth handed him the plate of cookies. “It’s a long drive back to Milwaukee. And you shouldn’t drive after taking those pain pills. I think you should rest right here for a couple of days. There are twin beds in Scotty’s room, so you can double up with him.”

“It’s only a couple hours’ drive, Beth.”

“And you only took a couple pills. I won’t hear of it. We insist you remain right here.” Beth looked at Maddie for support. “Don’t we, dear?”

Aunt Beth was sniffing the wrong scent if she expected her niece to back her up. Maddie looked anything but supportive. “Well…ah…I understand why Kurt would want to get back to proper medical care.”

“I beg your pardon, Missy,” Beth declared, feigning indignation. “I happen to be a registered nurse.”

“But you don’t have X-ray eyes, do you, darling?” Maddie hurried from the room and went back upstairs.

They heard her pound on the bathroom door. “Scotty, you’ve been in that bath long enough. Unlock this door, or I’m getting the key and coming in.”

“Okay, I’ll be out in a minute,” the boy yelled back. “Boy, a kid’s got no privacy living in a house full of women.”

“Hasn’t any privacy,” Maddie corrected. “Furthermore, you’ll have even less if you’re not out of there in the next sixty seconds.”

“How can I have less of what I don’t have to begin with?”

“You’ll find out soon enough if you don’t listen to me.”

Beth smiled. “Hope you don’t get the wrong impression, Kurt. Right now Maddie’s aching so badly, she’s about to burst if she can’t get her arms around that boy and judge for herself that he’s okay. They’re very close and he’s her whole life.” She shook her head. “Lord, if anything would have happened to Scotty, Maddie would never have been able…”

Kurt reached over and patted her hand. “I understand. It’s not hard to tell they’re tight. What about his father? Is he alive, or is Maddie divorced?”

“Oh, he’s very much alive.”

“Where is he?”

“Right here in Vandergriff.”

“Does he know about the accident?”

“Yes,” she said. She looked up and smiled. “Scotty will be glad to hear that you’re staying for a couple of days. Now there’ll be another man in the house.”

“Beth, I didn’t say I was staying,” he said.

“But you will, won’t you, dear.” She smiled confidently and picked up their cups and carried them to the sink.

In the past ten years he’d been his own man, made his own decisions unless the military made them for him. But no one talked him into doing anything he didn’t want to do—and right now he wanted to get the hell out of there as quickly as he could.

With that firm resolution in mind he opened his mouth and said, “Okay, but just until tomorrow.”

Kurt glanced at Maddie who had just come down the stairs. She didn’t look happy—appalled would be more correct. He swung his gaze back to Beth. She looked like the cat who’d just swallowed the canary.

So why did he suddenly feel like he’d just stepped into a steaming pile of horse manure?

Chapter 3

“Boy, this is cool,” Scotty said when Kurt brought his backpack into the bedroom. “I never had a roommate before.”

“You mean you’ve never had a sleepover?”

“Oh, sure, but that’s not the same as someone staying for more than one night. How long you gonna stay, Mr. Bolen?”

“Sorry, pal, just for tonight,” Kurt said. Unless he could think of a good excuse for leaving right away.

“I cleaned out one of my dresser drawers. You can put your clothes in it, Mr. Bolen.”

“That’s not necessary, Scotty. I’ll keep them in my pack. And just call me Kurt. I’m not used to such formality.”

“My mom said it’s not polite to address an elder person by their first name.”

“Maybe a woman—but we fellows have to stick together, right?” He gave Scotty a high five and the boy grinned.

“Aunt Beth brought in some extra hangers so’s you can hang up your shirts and pants.”

“That was very nice of her, but I only have a couple shirts, and an extra pair of jeans. I didn’t figure on staying away too long.”

“You mean from the hospital in Milwaukee?” Compassion now glowed in the boy’s blue eyes that only seconds before were alight with happiness. “Does your leg hurt real bad?”

“Naw…nothing to worry about. Tomorrow it’ll be fine.”

“I hope not.” He blushed in embarrassment. “I mean, I hope you don’t have any more pain, but I want you to stay longer.”

As Kurt glanced around the room, a thought crossed his mind. “Do you have a computer, Scotty?”

“No, but my mom does down at the bookstore. Sometimes she brings it home with her. We could go down and get it.”

“No, forget it. I just thought I’d pass some time chatting with a couple friends on the Internet.”

“Sometimes when I’m at the bookstore Mom lets me play a game on the Internet, but that’s all. She said there are naughty pictures and per…”

“Perverts,” Kurt said.

Scotty nodded. “She said these perverts lurk on the Internet trying to se…ah…”

“Seduce?” Kurt asked.

“Yeah, that’s the word. They hurt young kids.” He frowned. “How can they do that, Kurt, if they don’t even live here?”

This was as bad as trying to explain the birds and the bees to the kid. “They pretend to be your friend to find out where you live. If you’re too young to come to them, they’ll come to you.”

“I guess I don’t have to worry ’cause I don’t have a computer. You can watch television if you like.” He walked over and turned on a small set on the corner of a desk.

Kurt picked up the remote, sat down on the edge of the bed and began to channel surf. The choices were limited.

“My mom had a chip put on the channels I shouldn’t watch.”

“Can’t get away with anything today, can you?”

He hit a news channel and was about to move on when the newscaster mentioned the world-wide spread of criminal organ harvesting. Recalling what he had observed while in Colombia, Kurt listened to the discussion between the panel of three men and a woman. He was surprised to see that one of the panelists was Dr. Escobar, the doctor in charge of the hospital in Colombia.

According to the panelists, organ donations were needed all over the world but the demand was so much greater than the supply that in many countries innocent victims were being attacked and would wake up missing vital organs.

“Kurt, what’s organ harvesting?” Scotty asked.

Kurt switched off the tube. “Prior to dying, Scotty, many people indicate that they want their organs donated to others who are in need of them.”

“Like what?” Scotty asked.

“There’s a multitude of things, pal. Hearts, lungs, kidneys, livers. All sorts of things. Even skin.”

“Wow! You mean you can take something from someone’s body and put it in somebody else’s?”

“Well, it’s a pretty tricky procedure but yes, you can and it saves thousands of people’s lives.”

“Kids’ lives, too.”

“Sure. Babies born with damaged heart valves and things like that. It’s amazing. Of course, there has to be a lot of things in play to make it successful. The donor would have to have been in good health—most likely died from an accident. Then the organ has to be removed when the donor is legally brain dead, but still has a functioning heart and lungs. In other words, the organs would be useless if removed after there ceased to be oxygen being transported to those areas.”

Scotty frowned. “If a person’s dead, how can that happen?”

“Machines, Scotty. A person’s brain can be mush, but machines can keep them alive to remove these organs and such in time. And a person doesn’t have to be dead to donate an organ. Many people legally donate organs to family members and others in need in order to save their lives. Kidneys and bone marrow are good examples of what a healthy person can donate without dying to do so.”

“What about arms and legs. If a person was dying could you donate them, too?”

“I don’t think so, Scotty. At least I’ve never heard of it. I’ve heard of reattaching fingers and hands, but they were the victim’s to begin with.”

“Maybe someday the doctors will figure out how to do that, too, then no one would have to use a wheelchair or a pro…”

“Prosthesis,” Kurt said. He tousled the young boy’s hair. “Yeah, maybe someday.”

He liked this kid. He had never had much to do with children before, but it was almost as if he and Scotty had bonded on sight.

Unfortunately the same could not be said about him and Maddie. The woman seemed to dislike him on sight. So maybe he was a bit on the wild side when they were in school. How long can she carry a grudge? That was ten years ago—so let it go, lady!

Later Kurt sat down to have dinner with the Bennetts. He couldn’t remember sitting down as a family with anyone since he was young. Sure he and the squad had eaten countless meals together, but this was the first time it was a regular family meal with women and a child. Mike and Dave had only gotten married within the last year, and the rest of the guys were single.

He had to say he enjoyed it. Homemade fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, fresh Wisconsin corn on the cob. It all tasted different than in a restaurant. Either these two women were the best cooks in the world, or it just felt good to be a normal guy sitting around at a dinner table.

Besides, the company was great. Aunt Beth was a charming conversationalist, Maddie was quiet but good to look at, and the kid was a joy. It made Kurt begin to think about what he’d been missing all these years.

“Mom,” Scotty suddenly asked, “if I would have died this morning, would you have donated my organs to kids who need them?”

The startling question clearly caught her off guard, and Maddie’s fork clunked against the plate as it slipped through her fingers. “What?”

“I’ve decided that when I die I want my organs donated to help other kids who need them.”

Still startled, Maddie asked, “Scotty, where did you get such an idea?”

“Kurt and I were watching the television and they were talking about it.”

Oh, oh, Kurt thought, hang on to your head, Bolen, I think the ax is about to fall.

“Scotty, I’ve told you it’s disrespectful for a child to address an adult by a first name.”

Kurt came to the boy’s defense. “It’s my fault, Maddie, I told him he could.”

She turned a disapproving gaze on him. “That may be so, Mr. Bolen, but my son knows my wishes on the subject.”

“I personally have no objection to it.”

“And I’m also very selective about Scotty’s television viewing, Mr. Bolen.”

For God’s sake! The woman was chastising him as if he were a two-year-old. “It was a news channel, Maddie.”

“Good gracious, Maddie, I’m sure no harm was done,” Beth said. “And I think Scotty’s consideration for those less fortunate is very admirable.”

“That’s not the point, Aunt Beth. It’s a very unpleasant subject and I doubt Scotty understands it.”

“I do, too,” Scotty said. “Kurt explained it to me. Mom, do you know that in some countries there are bad guys who steal the organs from innocent people? And in China they remove organs from executed bad guys and then sell them.”

Maddie paled, but forced a smile. “I think we should change the subject. And in the future, Scotty, if you have any questions about organs and such bring them to me and don’t bother our guests with them.”

“Yes, Mom,” Scotty said, hanging his head.

Kurt was pissed. If Maddie was so hung up on what was proper and improper, why lecture the poor kid in front of a stranger, instead of waiting until she and Scotty were alone? But he bit his tongue to keep from saying what was on his mind. There was no sense in expressing his opinion to this uptight female. She only made him aware that he didn’t really belong.

Which was true. So what in hell was he doing here anyway?

Kurt stood up. “Ladies, thank you for dinner. It was delicious, and I can’t remember the last time I had a home-cooked meal. But I think it’ll be best if I leave now.”

“Oh, Kurt, I wish you would spend the night,” Beth said. “You should rest that leg, and it’s a long drive back to Milwaukee.”

“I’ve imposed on your hospitality enough. Thank you for everything.”

Scotty pushed back his chair and ran sobbing up the stairs.

Hell, now he would have to face the kid to get his pack out of the bedroom. What a mess!

“Would you care for coffee and dessert before you leave?” Beth asked.

“No, thank you. I think I should get going before it gets too late.”

Beth got up and began to carry dishes into the kitchen.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Bolen,” Maddie said.

“Feel free to call me Kurt. I think you’re old enough.”

“I guess I deserve that. Do you mind stepping outside? I’d like to talk to you for a few minutes.”

They moved outside and sat down on a swing on the front porch. “I know you think I’m very rude, and I apologize,” she said. “When I heard about Scotty’s accident I fell apart, and however I may appear to you, I want you to know I’m deeply grateful. I shall always be.”

This was worse than an award ceremony with some stuffy navy commander pinning a purple heart or silver star on him.

“Look, Maddie, it’s over. Let it go. I did what any guy would have done.”

“I don’t want you to leave with the impression I’m ungrateful.”

“Fine. I believe you. So I’ll be going—”

“You think I’m wrong, don’t you?” she suddenly blurted out.

“Chill out, lady. I’m leaving.” His unexpected response caught her off guard and once again those green eyes widened with surprise.

“You don’t understand,” she said.

“You’ve got that right. You always this uptight?”

She drew a deep quivering breath as if it were her last one. “It’s just that all this has been very upsetting to me.”

“Well, like I said, it’s over. Scotty’s fine. So let it go. There’ll be other things you’ll have to deal with while he’s growing up. You can’t protect him from everything in life. There’s no way you can keep him from stumbling and falling sometimes. Just hope it’s not into another quarry,” he said, in an attempt to lighten the conversation.

“So you don’t agree with the way I’m raising Scotty.”

“Doesn’t matter what I think.”

“Would you believe me if I told you it does.”

“Frankly no, Maddie. So don’t try to tell me you give a good goddamn what someone like me thinks.”

She looked him straight in the eye. “You’re wrong. You have no idea how wrong you are.”

Kurt stood up to leave. “I’m not into this kind of scene, so I’ll get my pack and get out of here.”

“Kurt, you don’t understand. I’m not trying to be sarcastic. Your opinion is important to me.”

He looked at her a moment then flopped down again, jarring the swing. “Lady, you asked. In the short time I’ve been here, I have the impression you’re an uptight female too set in your ways. You’re smothering the kid. Once in a while it wouldn’t hurt to let Scotty make some of his own choices. Chips on his television, so he won’t watch what you don’t want him to. Ever think of trusting the kid? Putting him on his honor? Let him make the choice of the path he’ll take?”

“He’s only nine years old. I don’t believe he’s old enough to make the right choices.”

“You’ll never know until you let him try.”

She appeared to be struggling with her thoughts and he knew he had no right to express his opinions. But dammit, she had rubbed him wrong with her officious attitude at dinner.

“Maddie, I know I was pretty wild as a kid, so I’m a poor example to be giving lectures on child rearing, but maybe Scotty and I have the same problem. Neither of us had a father figure to emulate. My dad was the town drunk and I was embarrassed and ashamed of his actions. Scotty’s being raised by two women in a manless household. He needs some positive masculine influence in his life the same way that I did. How much contact does he have with his father?”

“None.”

“What? His dad lives right here in Vandergriff and Scotty has no contact with him! Is that your idea or his father’s?”

“Who told you Scotty’s father lives here?”

“Beth mentioned it earlier.”

“Well, it’s not true. Beth doesn’t know who Scotty’s father is. Nobody does but me.” She drew a deep breath. “I’ve never married nor told anyone the name of the man who fathered him.”

You sure have been blindsided, Bolen! Want to try that pass again?

Chapter 4

Never married! The last thing Kurt expected to hear. He’d figured Maddie merely used her maiden name professionally like a lot of women did today.

A thought popped into his head. Had the guy she was waiting for last night on Poorman’s Peak fathered Scotty? Some bastard who had knocked her up then went home to his wife, kids and happy home? That could be why she was still single. She’d probably been having a running affair with the guy for the past ten years. He felt the rise of anger. And who ultimately pays the price—the kid!

Not your problem, Bolen, so move on.

He threw up his hands in defeat. “I’ve really heard more than I care to. This is none of my business.”

He figured that was as good an exit line as any. So it was time to exit stage right. “Nice seeing you again, Maddie. Take care of Scotty. He’s a great kid.”

Maddie had struggled with how she should handle the issue of Kurt Bolen. Her initial knee-jerk reaction when he had suddenly appeared in Vandergriff had been one of panic—the possibility that he would disrupt her world. She had gone as far as demonizing him to justify this fear. And then this same man had saved Scotty’s life.

For the past nine years she’d been justified in raising Scotty without revealing the identity of his father—she’d had no idea whether Kurt Bolen was alive or dead. But now that he was here, even though he had no intention of remaining, was it fair to let him leave without telling him he had a son?

And if God had brought Kurt back for a reason, she had to face that reality and consider Scotty’s needs—not her own, not Kurt Bolen’s—but Scotty’s.

She’d be blind if she didn’t see how much her son worshipped this man already. Was it jealousy on her part to even struggle with the issue? Fear that she no longer would be the center of Scotty’s devotion. Of course not. Scotty worshipped Aunt Beth, too. And besides, Scotty had so much love in his young heart, it was only natural for him to reach out to Kurt.

If only she knew more about Kurt. What he’d been up to in the past ten years. Married? Divorced? Other children?

There she was at it again. She wasn’t the omnipotent being in the issue. It wasn’t her decision. A power much greater than she had made the decision—and she had to have the faith to trust the outcome.

“Kurt, wait. Are you religious at all?”

“Enough to believe that whatever choices you make along the way will not change your destiny, whether you die young from an infected hangnail or in old age from senility.”

She looked at him a moment then sighed. “Before you leave there’s something I must tell you.”

“Maddie, I don’t want to know. I’ve heard all I want to hear. I’m just an ex-schoolmate passing through town. I’m not interested in hearing your family secrets, much less where the bodies are buried.”

Maddie hesitated. He was giving her the excuse to ease her conscience if she let him leave without telling him. Then, once again, she reminded herself that this wasn’t about her interests or Kurt’s; this was about what was good for Scotty.

Maddie took a deep breath. “I think you might be interested in what I have to say. Kurt, you’re Scotty’s father.”

Too stunned to speak, Kurt stared at her until he found his voice. “What in hell are you trying to pull, lady? Is this some kind of con to put a squeeze on me?”

“No, it’s not. I just thought you should know. Please feel free to leave.”

“You’re damn right I’m leaving.”

Kurt spun on his heel and headed back inside to get his pack. He got as far as the third step, then hesitated and came back.

“Why me? That story might have worked with other men, but I’ve never laid a hand on you, so why try it with me?”

“Kurt, I said you were free to leave. I struggled with telling you the truth from the time you showed up here. Now that I have, my conscience is clear and if you don’t choose to believe me, at least I did put it out on the table.”

“That must have been one hell of a struggle since it took you ten years to tell me.”

“And how would I have done so sooner, when I had no idea where to find you?”

“I don’t know why I’m even pursuing this argument. But for a starter, when I left town Joey knew I headed to Milwaukee to enlist in the navy.”

“By the time I realized I was pregnant, Joey had left here himself. I didn’t tell anyone the name of Scotty’s father.”

“You still could have tracked me down through the government. I wasn’t in hiding.”

Her eyes flashed angrily. “And if I had nothing better to do with my excessive wealth, I suppose I could have run a personal ad in every newspaper in the country, too—Kurt Bolen, all is forgiven. Come home and meet your son.”

“You’ve got a good sell there, lady, but I’m not buying.”

“Well, thank you again, for saving my son. I’m indebted to you for giving him to me ten years ago—and again today. Now, if you’ll excuse me.” She started to pass him, but his hand on her arm prevented her.

“Oh, you’re good, baby. You’re good! If I didn’t know better, I’d start believing you myself. Why would you even try such a ridiculous scheme, when we both know nothing ever happened?”

“It happened,” she said, and brushed aside his hand and opened the screen door.

“Like when? The world’s already had one immaculate conception and I don’t frequent sperm banks.”

She turned her head, and her look was withering. “Try ten years ago, Kurt, on the night of our graduation.”

The screen door slammed behind her.

Kurt followed her into the house. “What about the night of graduation?”

Maddie cast a stricken look at Beth. “I’ve said all I prefer to on the subject.”

“Is that right? Well tough, lady. You don’t drop a bombshell like this and then walk away. I want answers.”

“It appears the two of you have an issue to resolve, so if you don’t mind finishing the dishes, Maddie, I’ll go to my room,” Beth said. “Thank you again, Kurt, for what you did this morning, and if I don’t see you again, good luck in the future.”

“I’m not going anywhere,” he said.

“You said you were leaving,” Maddie accused.

For a long moment their determined gazes clashed, then Kurt looked at Beth. “That is if you have no objection, Beth.”

“Of course not. I’ll break the good news to Scotty.” She hurried away.

“I knew it would be a mistake to tell you about Scotty,” Maddie said, and began to put away the dishes.

“What do you expect? You opened this can of worms. Why wouldn’t I want answers?”

“What difference does it make now? It happened ten years ago.”

“If I’m to believe you, the difference is upstairs in his bedroom.”

Frustrated, Maddie dropped a glass and it splintered. She bent down to pick up the pieces and in her haste she cut her finger. It began to bleed.

Kurt rushed over and turned on the faucet. “Get your finger under this cold water. Where’s the disinfectant?”

“In the cabinet in the powder room.”

“Keep your finger under that cold water until I get back.”

He returned shortly with the tin of bandages and a bottle of disinfectant. “Let me take a look.”

His hand was warm and incredibly gentle as he patted the finger dry with tissue and checked the cut. His nearness and the warmth of his touch gave an incredible sense of comfort—and an unexpected excitement.

It had been ten years since Maddie had been this aware of a man’s touch—especially a man she’d been physically attracted to. And Lord knows, Kurt Bolen was physically attractive. Now, more than ever. She could well imagine the trail of broken hearts that followed him.

Don’t even go there, Maddie.

She felt foolish as he sprayed on disinfectant. “I’m fine.”

“Just the same, let’s get a bandage on it to keep it clean.”

He has beautiful hands, she thought as he pressed the gauze strip around the cut. Gentle, yet firm and comforting. His fingers were long and tan, the nails clipped and clean.

And his nearness still generated the same excitement she’d always felt around him. So close she could feel the heat of his body—yet so out of reach as if miles separated them.

Lord, Maddie, the man is a threat to life as you know it, so get over schoolgirl romanticizing.

He moved instinctively to the closet and came back with a broom and dustpan in hand. Within minutes he’d disposed of the shattered glass.

At least the accident had dissolved her anger and appeared to have done the same to his.

“Do you suppose we can sit down and discuss this situation like two sensible adults, Maddie?”

She chuckled. “If we’d done that ten years ago, we wouldn’t be having this conversation. There’s still some coffee left, are you interested?”

Kurt shook his head. “I could use a beer.”

“Sorry, we don’t have any.”

He shoved back his chair and stood up. “Then how about a ride? I’m beginning to feel the walls closing in on me.”

There was no traffic on the road, and the soft hum of the car and occasional chatter of starlings were the only sounds that invaded the quiet summer night.

Her life had become ludicrous. Nothing was normal anymore. How could she be sitting beside Kurt Bolen in the intimacy of a car, driving down the same road as if there hadn’t been a lapse of ten years?

“How’s your leg feeling?” she finally asked, breaking the silence between them.

“Fine. The pills killed the pain.”

“Are you bothered often?”

“No. The leg rarely bothers me anymore.”

“I didn’t mean your leg. I meant your edginess, the feeling of being confined, the walls closing in on you that you spoke of earlier.”

“Is this your 101 Shrink class, Professor?”

“You’re right. It’s none of my business.”

He drew a deep breath. “I’m sorry. Truth is I wouldn’t last a week in a 9 to 5 office job if that’s what you mean.”

Whether by intention or not, they’d ended up at Poorman’s Peak. He parked and turned off the engine.

“Aunt Beth said you told her you work for the government. What bureau?” she asked.

“I’m not here to talk about myself, Maddie. I want to know why you accused me of fathering Scotty.”

“Kurt, let me make myself clear from the start. As far as Scotty goes, I’m not asking anything from you regarding responsibility or child support. I only told you what I did to clear my conscience.”

“Drop all the bull and tell me why you accuse me of being Scotty’s father when I never laid a hand on you.”

It was obvious he was fighting to quell his irritation, so she took a deep breath and for the second time in as many evenings, Maddie relived the events of that long ago evening, avoiding only the embarrassing confession of the secret feelings she’d had for him at the time.

As she spoke, Kurt watched the changing expressions on her face. She was either the world’s best actress or was telling him the truth—because he believed her. This was the nagging thing he hadn’t been able to remember about her earlier. Fleeting images began to flicker in and out of his mind.

“I remember waking up the next morning in front of my shanty. So you drove me home that night.”

“It was either that or leave you up here all night. You’d passed out and could have been charged with a DUI.”

“So here’s where Scotty was conceived.” He glanced below at Stoneville. “Thank God you got him out of there, Maddie.”

Kurt turned on the car and pulled out. He had a lot to think about—a lot of decisions to make. Maddie must have realized this, and was quiet on the ride back.

“I have to go back to the hospital tomorrow to get checked out, but then I’m coming back to work out some arrangement with you,” Kurt said when they reached the house.

Don’t panic. Stay calm, she warned herself. “Kurt, I meant what I said. I don’t need or want your help. I’ve gotten along thus far without it. If you simply keep me informed of an address where you can be reached in the event of an emergency, there would be no reason for you to remain.”

“I think that’s not entirely your decision to make. Since I’ve just discovered I have a son, I’d like to spend some time with him. Maybe you should pass that question by Scotty, and see what he thinks.”

So this was the start of his interference—the very reason she had hesitated to tell him. “I beg you, Kurt, please don’t tell Scotty the truth until we work this out. He’s the one who can be hurt by it all.”

“What did you tell him about his father?”

“I told him his father left before he even knew I was going to have a baby.”

“Well, thank you for that. At least you didn’t make me sound like a child deserter.”

“I did it so that Scotty would never think his father left because of him. I understand children often do so when their parents split up.”

Maddie got out of the car and went into the house. As soon as Kurt locked the door behind them, she said goodnight and headed up the stairs.

“And, Maddie,” Kurt said behind her, “I think Scotty should call me Kurt—unless you prefer Dad.”

Chapter 5

Kurt followed Maddie up the stairs a short time later, but sleep was out of the question for him. A man doesn’t find out he has a son and simply lie down and go to sleep. He stared at the sleeping boy in the other bed, and his heart swelled with tenderness. Scotty was a great kid, and he deserved a better father than Kurt could ever be. But he sure as hell was going to try and make up for a lot of lost years.

He had no idea how Scotty would react when they told the boy Kurt was his father. Trouble was, it was clear Maddie would bode no interference on his part, so who was going to be the biggest problem—the mother or the son?

He figured he’d go back to Milwaukee in the morning, get his final checkup, and then come back and spend the rest of his leave in Vandergriff. Dave Cassidy was a lawyer, and once Kurt and Maddie settled on an arrangement, he’d have Dave draw up a new will. In the event the squad had to go on another mission, he wanted to be certain Scotty and Maddie were his beneficiaries.

It was three o’clock by the time Kurt finally fell asleep. Scotty’s cries awoke him a short time later. The boy was sitting up in bed crying. Kurt jumped to his feet and ran over to him. Trembling with fright, Scotty clutched at him.

“Hey, buddy, what’s wrong?” Kurt murmured, embracing him.

“Don’t let go of me,” Scotty sobbed.

Kurt tightened his arms around him. “I won’t, pal. Did you have a bad dream?”

“I was in this big pool of black water, and…and I was choking and couldn’t breathe.”

“You were reliving your accident, Scotty. You’re fine, there’s nothing to be afraid of.”

“Will you stay with me, Mr. Bolen?”

“Sure will. I won’t let anything happen to you. And you can call me Kurt. Your mother said it was okay.”

The boy looked up at him, tears streaking his cheeks. “Promise?”

“Promise, buddy. And you never break a promise to a buddy.”

Scotty stopped crying and wiped his eyes with a balled fist. “Am I really your buddy?”

“If you want to be.”

“I sure want to be. I bet you’re the best buddy a fella could have.”

“Hey, I was thinking the same thing about you.”

“Do you have other buddies?”

“Only older ones,” Kurt said. “The guys in my…guys I work with. What about you?”

“I’ve got a couple friends at school, but I don’t have a real buddy.”

“Well, you’ve got one now. Tell you what, tomorrow I have to go into Milwaukee to get my leg checked, then I’ll come back and we’ll pal around together until I have to go back to work. Would you like that?”

“Really! Oh, boy, wait until I tell Mom!”

“Can you swim, Scotty?”

He hung his head. “Not very good. I’m kind of afraid of the water.”

“I bet I could teach you how to swim so good that you’d never be afraid of water again.”

“Could you really?”

“Yeah, I’m a pretty good swimmer.”

Scotty leaned forward. “Do you think you could teach my mom?” he asked in a half whisper. “She’s afraid of water, too.”

“If she’ll let me.” So, like mother, like son. “Now, how about you going back to sleep. Do you want a drink of water?”

Scotty giggled. “No, sir. I drank all the water today I want to.” Scotty slipped his hand into Kurt’s. “Will you stay with me until I fall asleep?”

“I promise, buddy.”

“And a buddy never breaks a promise to a buddy,” Scotty said. Smiling, he lay back and closed his eyes. “It’s sure gonna be nice having a buddy like you.”

Kurt sat on the edge of the bed, holding his son’s hand until Scotty fell asleep.

As soon as she heard Scotty cry out, Maddie bolted from her bed and rushed to his bedroom. She paused in the doorway when she saw him sitting up and clutching Kurt. For some inexplicable reason she chose to remain silent and not intrude on the scene.

As she listened to them, she could see how much Scotty missed and needed to have an adult male in his life. She had concentrated so hard on making a life for him that she had neglected the one thing he needed the most—a father to comfort him, to teach him the things a boy learns from just being around a man—especially around a father.

And it was obvious that he and Kurt had bonded from the beginning. Even just now, no matter how frightened Scotty had been, not once had he cried out for her.

She struggled with the reality that at this stage of his life Scotty needed Kurt more than he did her. She thought her heart would break, and turned away and went back to her room.

Unable to fall back to sleep, Maddie got up and went downstairs to have a cup of tea. To her surprise, Beth had already brewed a pot and filled two mugs.

“I was just coming upstairs to your room. I thought it’s time we had a talk,” Beth said.

“Aunt Beth, it’s almost four o’clock.”

“And neither of us are ready to go to sleep, so this is as good a time as any.”

Maddie was too emotionally drained to put up an argument. She sat down and took a sip of the hot brew.

“Kurt is Scotty’s father, isn’t he?” Beth said.

Maddie took another sip of the tea. She needed something to fortify her for this conversation. “When did you realize it?”

“I suspected it by your bizarre reaction to him at the diner. This morning at the quarry my suspicions were confirmed when I had a better opportunity to see them together. The resemblance is obvious.”

Beth reached over and grasped Maddie’s hand. “Honey, if ever two people belonged together it’s your son and his father. How can you deny it any longer?”

Maddie drew a shuddering breath. “I can’t. I realize that now. Aunt Beth, believe me, I didn’t deliberately keep them apart. I had no idea where to find Kurt when I discovered I was pregnant. But I didn’t try to find him, for which I now must bear the guilt. And then with my folks and Joey getting killed, there was just too much coming at me at the same time, so I gave up any thought of finding Kurt.”

“So why are you trying to drive him away now?”

“Because he’s a threat to me. After all this time, he suddenly appears and threatens the life I’ve worked so hard to achieve.”

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