Midnight Caller - By Diane Burke Page 0,33

rearview mirror. He had to get out of here. He had to go someplace where he could think straight—and pray.

EIGHT

Jack wrapped his arms around Tony’s legs. An instant rush of affection for the boy seized his heart.

“My bike’s the greatest. I can ride it all by myself. But Mom won’t let me take it outside.”

“I will let you take it outside,” Erin corrected as she came down the hall and met Tony in the foyer. “Tomorrow morning.”

“But I want Tony to see me ride now.”

Tony slipped past the child’s walker. “Your mom’s right, partner. It’s going to be dark out there soon.”

“Oh-kay. But watch me ride to the kitchen.” Jack hurried over to his bike.

“As you can see,” Erin said, “your gift is the highlight of his day. But his birthday isn’t for another three weeks. Today is Amy’s birthday. Don’t you think it a little confusing to be giving him his gift so soon? And on Amy’s birthday?”

“I gave Amy a big wheel. She’ll think I gave Jack the bike so they can ride together and, in a way, that’s true. Besides,” Tony said, “I remember how upset Jack was about not being able to ride bikes with his school friends.” Tony nodded toward the bike. “When one of the guys at work told me about this bike, I couldn’t resist taking a look. It’s built with three wheels for stability and has a back and straps for extra support for children with his muscle problems. I know it’s not a two-wheeler, but he’ll be able to ride in the cul-de-sac now with his friends. I thought it important to give it to him before the school year ends so he won’t continue to feel excluded.”

“Thank you.” Erin stood on tiptoe and pressed her lips softly against his. Electricity shot through every nerve ending in his body. He held his breath so tightly his lungs threatened to burst as her fingers caressed the side of his face. He had to muster all the masculine control in his power not to crush her to him and kiss her with the passion and desire he held at bay.

Erin made him feel things he didn’t want to feel. She made him think about the possibilities of commitment and family. Even though he’d never had anyone to teach him how, maybe he could learn to be a good dad. His job taught him what not to do. Maybe if he did the opposite it would be okay.

Tony gazed into the green depths of her eyes. Maybe he wasn’t destined to live alone, to be married to his job. He had never entertained these thoughts before and wasn’t sure he wanted to think about them now, but lately they cropped up in his consciousness with regularity. Erin made him feel—hope.

“Beep. Beep. Me, too. Vroom. Vroom.”

Tony side-stepped just in time to keep his feet from being flattened by a tiny, blond-haired girl speeding past on a Big Wheel.

“That’s Amy. What can I say? Your gift was a hit with her, too. Enter at your own risk, Mr. Detective.” Erin laughed and the deep, throaty sound made him smile. “Things are pretty wild here today. If you can make it to the kitchen in one piece, the adults are hiding out in there.”

Tony hung his jacket on a hook by the door and followed Erin’s lead. The aroma of roast beef and fresh coffee teased his nostrils and reminded his empty, rumbling stomach just how hungry he was.

“There’s the lad,” Tess announced and cleared a spot for him. “What’s your poison?”

“How can I resist your Irish coffee, Tess? No one makes a better brew.” He sat and nodded a greeting to both Patrick and Carol.

“Hello, Mr. Fitzgerald. Nice to meet you again.”

“I don’t call meeting during that horrible incident two nights ago a real introduction. You can call me Pat or Fitz. Just don’t call me late for dinner.” The man’s grip was stronger than Tony expected. The old man’s gaze followed Tess about the room. Tony knew there was more afoot here than just being a neighbor.

“Hello, Carol.”

“Nice to see you again, Tony. The way we met is a memory I plan to keep for a long time. It isn’t every day I get to witness my best friend mortified.”

Tony laughed. He found her friendliness and honesty refreshing and took an instant liking to her.

“Thank you for the gift for Amy. That was generous and unexpected,” Carol said.

As if on cue, Amy slammed her Big