A Daddy for Jacoby(61)
Racy had managed to save a box full of old family photos she kept at her office, many of which she’d framed and scattered around her and Gage’s place, but he’d never thought to ask for any of them, not even the one of him and Racy with their mother taken shortly after Racy was born.
And in the month Jacoby had been with him, he’d never take a photograph of the boy.
“I have one.” Gina rose from the couch and went into the kitchen for a moment. She returned with several pieces of paper and her sequined purse.
“I thought you might like to see these. Justin hangs Jacoby’s artwork all over the fridge.” She placed the drawings in Richard’s outstretched hands. “As you can see, he’s quite an artist.”
Sitting back down, she reached into her purse and withdrew her cell phone. Justin watched as she flipped it open and brought up the image of Jacoby and Jack. His heart lodged in his throat, for a reason he couldn’t explain, as she handed the phone to Jacoby’s grandfather.
“This was taken just a few weeks ago,” Gina said.
The man eagerly took the phone and gazed at the picture. “He has my wife’s smile…Susan’s smile. Is this his dog?”
“That’s Jack, he belongs to my sister.” Justin shifted his attention to Gage for a moment. “That’s where Jacoby is, spending the night.”
Richard’s gaze flickered between Justin and Gina before he spoke. “Is he due home soon? I’d like to meet him.”
This time, it felt like his heart dropped to his feet before zooming back to its natural place. He fought against the urge to rub his fist against his chest in an attempt to lessen the erratic pounding. “Ah, that might not be a good idea—”
“He is my grandson,” Richard interrupted.
“And he’s my son.”
“Are you sure? Given my daughter’s behavior before she disappeared, you are probably one of many men she was involved with. From what I’ve read, you’ve only known about Jacoby for a month now.”
The man had every right to ask the question and Justin refused to react to the sudden anger that flashed through his veins. Gina leaned into him, offering support with her warmth and soft curves. Silence filled the room as Justin held the man’s gaze.
“Yes, I’m sure. I have the DNA results to prove it.” He sat a bit taller and squared his shoulders. “I understand the last couple of days have been very traumatic for you and your wife, Mr. Ellsworth, and I’m sorry about that, but I will be the one to tell Jacoby about his mother and his grandparents.”
Finally, Richard nodded. “It’s going to be a few days before her body is released. We’re holding services next weekend in Boulder. We would like for Jacoby—for the both of you—to be there.”
Twelve days and they were finally home.
Gina’s fingers tightened on the steering wheel as she headed for the cabin, remembering how Justin and Richard Ellsworth had exchanged phone numbers that Sunday morning in the cabin, then everyone left. She’d wanted to stick around, but Justin had already started to pull away from her, both physically and emotionally. When he’d asked for time alone, his voice so heartbreakingly sad and his goodbye kiss so tender, she’d gathered her things and drove home in Gage’s truck.
Two days later, Justin and Jacoby left for Boulder and except for one quick call, she hadn’t heard from them. He’d phoned Racy to let her know they’d arrived safely, except Gina had ended up intercepting his call because she’d been at her boss’s desk. She’d heard the surprise in Justin’s voice when she’d answered and he’d kept their conversation short. She’d asked about Jacoby and he’d said the boy was subdued but fine. When she asked him how he was doing, a long silence filled the air before he’d replied with the same answer and ended the call.
Now they were back.
Racy had handed her a take-out order when her shift ended, asking if she’d like to make a delivery. She’d glanced at the name. Justin.
Parking her car, she grabbed the bag and walked to the porch. She raised her hand to knock when the door swung open.
“I’m ready to go— Oh, hi, Gina!”
She looked down through the screen door at Jacoby dressed in his baseball uniform, the number two on the front of his jersey. “Hi, are you getting ready for a game?”
“Just practice. I’m waiting for Dustin’s mom to pick me up.” Jacoby pushed open the door. “You wanna come in?”