Run, Hide - By Carol Ericson Page 0,50
she felt that Cade needed his son now, needed that connection.
“Maybe we should wait for all this to settle down.”
She chewed her lip and clasped her hands between her knees. “Do you want to make sure you can be his father in more than name only?”
“Something like that.”
She laughed, and he jerked his head toward her. “Do you want to take that fatherhood class first? Buy a few dad clothes? Prepare for fireside chats?”
His forehead creased. “Something wrong with that?”
“Ask any parent—there’s not much preparation you can do. You’re his father, Cade, and it’s high time he knows it.”
She folded her arms. “Unless you’re scared.”
He snorted. “I’m not afraid.”
She slid a glance at his hands gripping the steering wheel. “Not even an owner’s manual for children would’ve changed Kevin. He did the best he could, but ultimately he had skewed priorities.”
His eyes darted to the rearview mirror. “Yeah, priorities.”
By late afternoon, they’d put a few hundred miles between themselves and Kevin’s killers. Had Zendaris’s men even known Cade was in Albuquerque? Maybe that’s why they murdered Kevin. Maybe in the end Kevin wouldn’t give them any information about his son and grandson.
Of course, Cade had never thought of that. It wouldn’t occur to him now that he was busy distancing himself from his father and the hope of some sort of reconciliation.
They pulled into a small town somewhere near the Colorado border. How could anyone find them here? Of course, she’d never believed she’d be discovered in Lovett Peak.
“How does that look?” Cade pointed a finger over the steering wheel, at a cozy roadside motel.
“Looks like Mr. Cramer may not even have to use his credit card for this place. They’re probably just as happy to accept cash.”
“Are you implying it’s a dump?”
“If it has a shower, a bed and some food nearby, it’s heaven.”
“Are we home now, Mommy?”
Jenna reached into the backseat and squeezed one of Gavin’s bouncing knees. “We’re on our way to a new home, honey bunny.”
“With him?” He reached out both hands toward Cade and wiggled his fingers.
“We’re going to talk about that.” Jenna winked. Gavin’s comment was the perfect opening.
Cade squealed to a stop next to the motel office. “But now we’re going to check into our motel.”
Jenna shot Cade a look through narrowed eyes. Dodged that one. Cade had been all in her face a few days ago about giving Gavin the big news. Funny how confronting your past could change things.
Cade registered at the front desk and dangled the key from his finger as he led the way outside. “Number fifteen, garden view.”
“Do we need to move the car?”
“There’s no parking on that side. The woman at the front desk said we’re good here.”
Their room faced a small courtyard with shrubbery, potted plants and hanging baskets of flowers.
She sniffed the air for their fragrance. “This isn’t half bad.”
“Not as nice as that suite in Albuquerque.”
“Eh, suites are overrated.”
He reached past her to push open the door and brushed her arm. “I’ll never forget that suite.”
She met his dark gaze and knew he wasn’t talking about the flat-screen TV. She wanted to kiss him right then and there, kiss away his pain, his disappointment and his fear that he’d be the same kind of dad that Kevin was to him.
But Gavin had scampered into the room ahead of them, and she didn’t want to confuse him with any displays of affection toward Cade until they’d had a chance to talk to him.
Gavin had never seen her with a man. Even though she hadn’t been with Cade in three years, she’d taken her marriage vows seriously. Heck, no man could compare to Cade, anyway. It had been love at first sight on her end. She’d never believed in that before, but she’d lived it.
Gavin darted around the room and said, “Where’s the little bar?”
Cade laughed. “The little bar?”
“He means the minibar, don’t you, Gavin?” She dug her fists into her hips. “Looks like someone else will never forget that suite. You’ve corrupted him with a five-dollar chocolate bar.”
“Doesn’t look like there are any minibars in here.” Cade scooped up Gavin and hoisted him in the air. “But I saw a park on the way, and I’ll bet you could use some exercise.”
“Ball?” Gavin’s brown eyes sparkled and he kicked his feet.
“Sure, we can get a ball. Do you know how to swim?”
“Swimming pool!”
Cade looked at Jenna over the top of Gavin’s head. “Does he?”
“He took some lessons at the YMCA in Lovett Peak. I wouldn’t