Sean's Reckoning - By Sherryl Woods Page 0,28

responsible. They look out for their kid brothers all the time.”

“It’s okay with us,” one of the boys replied.

“Please, Mom?” Kevin begged.

She grinned at his eagerness to abandon the adults—even his beloved Sean—in favor of playing catch with some older boys. “If Sean thinks it’s okay and the boys don’t mind, it’s fine with me.”

“All right!” Kevin said, racing after the others as they loped back to their game.

Deanna stood looking after him. He was growing up so fast, and she was missing so much of it, thanks to her work schedule. In that instant she could see as plainly as she ever had that she was shortchanging not only Kevin but herself. Unfortunately, she couldn’t see any way around it, not unless the courts managed to track down the errant Frankie and extract all the child-support payments he’d missed over the years.

“You don’t need to worry about Kevin. Davey and Mark live right downstairs from me. Their mom keeps an eye on them out her window, and you’ll be able to see them from my kitchen window, too.”

Deanna forced a smile. “I’m being silly and overprotective, aren’t I?”

“No, of course not. You can never be too careful in this day and age, but this neighborhood is as safe as any in town. I wouldn’t have suggested letting Kevin play if it weren’t. And there’s always a parent within earshot.”

Deanna studied him closely, realizing with a sense of amazement that he took the safety of all these children as personally as if they were his own. “Something tells me you keep a close eye on things when you’re around, as well.”

He shrugged. “I do what I can. Now let’s get out of here before we cramp their style.” Reaching for her hand, he led her inside and up the narrow stairs.

“The kitchen’s this way,” he said as soon as they’d walked into his apartment.

Deanna wondered at his eagerness to keep her from looking around. “Did you forget to straighten up this morning?” she asked, deliberately lagging behind him.

Sean stopped and stared at her, evidently bewildered by the teasing question. “What?”

“You seem to be in a rush to get me into the kitchen. I figure that’s because you left your underwear scattered all over or something.”

“Hey, I’m no slob,” he protested with feigned indignation. “I thought you’d be in a hurry to look outside and check on Kevin, make sure you could keep an eye on him.”

“You told me he’d be safe,” she reminded him.

“And you trust my judgment?”

“When it comes to my son, yes,” she said, surprised to realize that it was true. If there was one thing she believed with all her heart, it was that Sean would never deliberately put her child—any child—at risk. She was surprised by the expression that washed over his face. Relief, maybe. Even a hint of wonder.

“Just like that?” he asked.

“Not just like that,” she countered, astounded that he would doubt her faith in his reliability. “I’ve seen you with Kevin several times now. I saw how those boys outside look up to you. And I’ve talked to you myself. You’re a good guy, Sean, especially when it comes to kids.”

“Thanks. It means a lot to hear you say that.”

“Why? You have to know you’re great with kids.”

“I don’t know about that,” he said.

“Of course you are,” she insisted. “You know what surprises me, though?”

“What?”

“As much as you obviously love children, I can’t believe you don’t have some of your own.”

His expression promptly shut down. “Not going to happen,” he said tightly.

“Why on earth not?”

“You know why,” he said. “What the hell does a man with my background know about raising a family?”

Deanna met his tormented gaze directly. “It seems to me if anyone knows what not to do when it comes to raising kids, it’s you,” she said, gently but with complete conviction.

He seemed startled by her statement. “Doesn’t mean I could stick it out, any more than my folks could.”

“You’re not giving yourself much credit,” she accused.

“For good reason. Those are the genes I’ve got running through me.”

“You said you’ve been in touch with one brother recently. Does he feel the same way?”

“Pretty much,” he said, then hesitated. “Or at least he did.”

“What changed his mind?”

“He met someone, fell in love.”

“And got married?” Deanna guessed.

Sean nodded.

“And he’s braver than you are? I doubt that,” she scoffed.

“It’s not about being brave,” he retorted.

“Sure it is. Every marriage requires a leap of faith, even for people who don’t have lousy examples all around