more than a store. It was what her mother had worked to build, and Carolyn was convinced it was her future as well.
“We’re not interested,” she said, “and I speak for my mother and sister as well when I say that.” She walked from the office. Zach’s hand touched the small of her back, giving her wordless support. He’d said little to Drew, but his reassuring presence was enough.
Out on the sidewalk, he guided her to the car. “I don’t think we learned anything new,” she said as she buckled her seat belt.
“No, but I think we eliminated Castle Jewels from our list of suspects. I think he’s what he appears to be: an opportunist. He sees that you might be struggling, and he’s willing to take advantage—but I don’t think he’s the type to cause problems.”
“I think you’re right. No help from that quarter, but no harm either,” she concluded. “What’s next?”
“Let’s pick up Austin,” Zach said, “and wait for your IT company to get back to you. Their findings might give us a lead to pursue.”
She didn’t need to direct him as they drove to her mother’s house to get Austin. It was the house Carolyn had grown up in, so Zach knew it well.
“I can just run in and get him,” Carolyn offered when they pulled into the driveway.
“I’d like to see your mother,” Zach said, which was exactly what Carolyn feared. Her mother had been pestering her for details ever since Carolyn had admitted Zach was spending time with Austin, and she made no secret of the fact that she hoped Carolyn would give Zach another chance.
“Sure,” Carolyn said with little enthusiasm as she got out of the car. She entered by the side door, pausing to listen. When there was only silence, she guessed they were in the backyard. Zach stayed with her as she headed to the French doors that opened onto a deck. Her mom was pushing Austin in the toddler swing she’d just had installed for her only grandchild.
“Look who’s here,” Faith said, slowing the swing and lifting Austin out. “Mama and Dada.”
Great. Carolyn hadn’t wanted Austin to think of Zach as his daddy, in case it didn’t work out. She supposed kids at that age didn’t really know what a father was, but she was still cautious, unwilling to let her son be hurt by an unreliable father as she had been hurt by her own father.
Austin toddled toward them across the grass. The smallest bumps in the lawn could make him fall, but he was adept at getting back on his feet. To her surprise, Austin went straight to Zach, raising his arms to signal he wanted to be picked up. Zach swung him up, giving the boy a kiss on the cheek before holding him against his chest.
Uh-oh, she thought, when Austin waved at her from the safety of Zach’s arms. Her son was growing attached to his father, which wasn’t a bad thing in itself—Austin should know his father—but a part of her worried. What if Zach grew bored with mundane family life? He was used to a different existence, full of missions and specialized training. He worked for a security company now, where he could still use some of his skills, but he’d been unwilling to give up his exciting military life for her once before. Would he capture their son’s heart only to break it when a better opportunity came along? God, she hoped not.
“Zach.” Faith gave him a one-armed hug. “It’s good to see you.”
“Same goes for you, Faith.”
“Carolyn says you’ve retired from the SEALs,” her mother said. “I guess that means you’ll be sticking around.”
“Mom, Zach’s just getting used to civilian life,” Carolyn interrupted, trying to preempt her mother’s gushing. Faith had told her from the beginning that Zach was a keeper. Carolyn suspected that her mother had been upset with her for letting him go, but as Carolyn saw it, she’d had no choice. She hadn’t been able to live with the uncertainty any longer. Faith had repeatedly expressed her disappointment in Zach when he failed to acknowledge his son.
But, it seemed, he was forgiven after Carolyn explained that he genuinely hadn’t known about the pregnancy. Carolyn wasn’t willing to trust quite that easily herself. She’d wait. If things continued as they were and Zach remained interested in being with Austin, she’d let her guard down a bit. She already had, she admitted to herself. She was wearing the ring he’d given her,