Two of a Kind (Fool's Gold #11)(51)

* * *

“HE’S NOT HAPPY to see me,” Carter said when she returned to the table.

Felicia wondered if this was one of those moments where it was better to lie. She hadn’t expected to have to make parenting decisions so unexpectedly. With a newborn, she would work her way to the more difficult conversations. Now she was thrust in the middle of a situation for which she had no training and minimal instincts.

“He’s adjusting,” she said. “Your father went through a lot. He was held prisoner for a couple of years.”

Carter’s dark eyes widened. “No way.”

She thought about the scars on Gideon’s honed body. “He’s still adjusting. It’s why he lives out here. So he can be alone.”

Carter swallowed. “I shouldn’t have come.”

“He’s your father. You need to be here. But it’s going to take a while for the two of you to find your way.”

“Are you dating?”

Felicia smiled. “Yes, we’re dating.” She wasn’t going to explain that she’d made a deal with Gideon. “I’m going to stay here for a while. Until you and your father are settled with each other.”

Carter stared at Gideon’s untouched plate. “That could take a while.”

“I have time.” She took another bite and chewed. “I’ve signed you up for a summer camp.”

Carter groaned. “I’m too old for camp.”

“It’s called End Zone for Kids. Raoul owns it. You said you like him.”

Carter smiled. “He was cool.”

“Good. Then the camp should be, too. You’ll be with teens your age. Making friends is the quickest way for you to feel safe and comfortable in Fool’s Gold. You need a peer group.”

“Another one of those rites of passage?” he asked, his voice teasing.

“Yes. Plus being in camp will fill your day. You’ll have less time to brood.”

“I’m a guy. I don’t admit I have emotions.”

“Already?”

Carter grinned. “Gotta start young if you want to get the cute chicks.”

She tried to conceal her horror. “You’re not dating yet, are you?”

“No. I’m thirteen.”

“You seem mature. I’m going to have to find mothers in town and speak to them about this.”

Carter looked panicked. “You’re kidding, right?”

“No. I’m very serious. I have no experience with teenage boys. Gideon was one once, but I’m not sure he’s comfortable with those memories.”

“You’re different from other adults I’ve talked to.”

Felicia nodded, accepting that even children knew she was a freak. No wonder Denise Hendrix hadn’t wanted her to apply to date her sons. “I’ve heard that before.”

“It’s okay. I like how you talk. You don’t lie.”

“How can you know that?”

He shrugged and collected another piece of lasagna. “I just know. Want to watch a movie after dinner?”

Felicia felt an unexpected warmth in her chest. Acceptance was always gratifying. “I’d like that very much.”

* * *

FELICIA WAS UP before dawn. She hadn’t slept much and by four had realized Gideon wasn’t going to join her in the large bed in his room. She’d showered and dressed. After checking on Carter, she started coffee, then made her way downstairs to the media room.

Gideon sat on the black sofa, the news on. When she walked into the room, he acknowledged her with a nod.

“Did you sleep at all?” she asked.

“No.”

“I’m going to take Carter to camp, then you and I need to go shopping.”

“For what?”

“Everything Carter’s going to need. A desk, clothes, toys.” She drew in a breath. “He says he’s too old for toys, but I looked online and there are several interesting options. There’s a kit to build a solar power collector. I’d like that.”

Gideon finally turned to her. “You want to build something with him?”

“Why not? It will be fun.”

His dark eyes were unreadable. She sensed he was afraid but knew he wouldn’t want to talk about that, wouldn’t want to acknowledge his feelings. Having her around would be enough of an invasion, but a child was so much more. She knew there was damage from his imprisonment but had no way of knowing how much was permanent.

Carter was his son. Would Gideon be able to face that?

“We should drive to Sacramento,” he said. “There’ll be more selection.”

“You’ll go with me?”

“Sure. He’s not your responsibility.”

“I’ll make a list,” she told him and started to leave.

He called her back.

“Thanks for staying,” he said, his gaze intense.

“I like Carter.” She liked Gideon, as well, but knew he wouldn’t accept the words as support or hear them as a good thing. Her feelings would be one more way he was trapped.

As she went upstairs, she wondered what he’d been like before he’d been captured. Given that he was a sniper and made his living killing people, she knew he would have been intense. But there must have been something lighter about him. Ellie had dated him, maybe loved him. In the picture, she’d been happy and affectionate.