Caleb stuck to her side and said, “Are you sure you don’t want to stay and talk to Melanie, and make sure she’s fine?”
Renny shook her head. “There’s too many people”—she inclined her head to the human contingent—“for us to really talk. She seems okay now, so I’m just going to take Luke home.”
“Let me walk you to your car.”
“You don’t have—”
Caleb held up hand. “Don’t even start. Melanie just went missing. We don’t know why. Her boys and Luke claim they saw something. Now is not the time to let your dislike of me prevent you from doing the right thing.”
“I can protect Mommy from the dinosaur.”
They both looked down at Luke, who, despite his brave words, looked pale.
A sigh escaped Renny. “Fine. You can walk with us, but I warn you, I’m parked at the back of the lot. Fashionably late means terrible parking.”
“I know. I’m by the dumpster.” Caleb shuddered. “I forgot to hold my breath when I got out of the truck.”
Luke giggled.
They both peeked down, and Caleb saw Luke staring at him. “You’re funny,” the little boy said. No mistaking the shine of hero worship.
It didn’t take a genius for Caleb to understand the scowl Renny sent his way. He shrugged. It wasn’t as if he’d done it on purpose to make his son like him.
And he damn sure wouldn’t take it back.
As Luke skipped only a few paces ahead, confident in the fact that he had someone watching his back, Caleb muttered in a low tone, “Why so pissed?”
“You’re on the scene like, what, twenty minutes, and he’s looking at you like you’re some kind of demi-god.”
“The boy isn’t doing this to hurt your feelings.”
“I know that, but it doesn’t mean it’s fair, or not hurtful. I do everything for him and have to fight for even a smile these days. He hands it to you for doing nothing but existing and telling a dumb joke.” Her lower lip jutted.
“So you’re mad because our son likes me?”
Judging by the scowl she turned his way, yes.
“Do you know I am not even allowed to kiss him on the cheek anymore when I drop him off at school?” She clamped her lips as Luke skipped back and tucked his hand into Caleb’s.
“There’s our car,” the boy announced.
Which meant there wasn’t much time left.
Caleb couldn’t just let her drive off. Could he? So many things crowded the air between them, and perhaps she sensed it because she handed Luke her car keys. “Bug, can you do Mommy a favor and open the windows so we don’t die of the heat?”
With a high-pitched, “Yes,” his son zipped off, keys jangling in his fist.
“He seems so small,” Caleb noted in the sudden silence.
“Funny, because to me he seems so big now. He’s healthy and just the right size for his age.”
“You’ve done a good job, Renny. He seems like a great kid.”
A heavy sigh left her. “I know. He’s the best, but he is missing one thing in his life. Something I can’t give him.”
“What? Tell me and I’ll get it.”
“Can you?” She stopped walking and turned to give him a serious expression. “Because what Luke really needs most of all is a father.”
“I thought you wanted me to stay away.” Not that he thought he could. Now that Caleb had met his son, he was more determined than ever to stick around.
“Apparently, my brilliant plan to hold off on telling Luke about his father was doomed to failure. Even though I haven’t said a thing, anyone can see he’s drawn to you.”
Like knew like.
“So what does that mean?” He didn’t dare make any assumptions.
“It means I wish I was a big bad B-word. Because only a big B would keep a son from his father.”
He couldn’t help but grin. “Is this your cute way of saying bitch?”
She cringed. “You didn’t have to say it aloud.”
“Sorry, baby.”
“And stop with the baby thing, Caleb. We’re not a couple anymore. Just because I think you should spend time with Luke—”
“You do?”
“Yes, I do. But that decision doesn’t mean I’ve forgiven you or that things are okay between us.”
Yet.
But I’m going to change that, baby.
This was one mission he wouldn’t fail.
Arriving at her car, Caleb frowned. While the body was in decent shape, anyone could tell the car was worn. The tires didn’t match, and the tread left on them wasn’t deep enough to provide real traction. “Please don’t tell me you actually drive this thing?”
“I’ll have you know this thing gets me where I need to go. Most of the time,” she added under her breath.
“It’s got roll down windows.” Incredulity colored his tone.
“And no air conditioning. Something about no more freezer thingy stuff in the lines. But it’s not a big deal.”
“You’ve got duct tape on the seats.”
“With pretty little duckies on it. Are you done insulting my car now?”
“No.” A smile split Caleb’s lips. “But I can save some for later.”