Homecoming Day by Holly Jacobs Page A

into the house.
    â€œIt’s just stew,” he said. “I work tonight and wanted to be sure you were fed. I remember when my mother brought home my youngest sister. We were all adopted, so Mom hadn’t given birth… She said those late-nightfeedings did her in. All us older kids pitched in and helped. I wanted to do the same for you.”
    He was certain Laura would protest that she could manage on her own, but all she said was, “Thank you. I think I’m going to put Jamie down in his bedroom.”
    â€œWait till you see what JT did.” He saw her delight as she studied JT’s wall.
    â€œLook how she managed the bubble tree. She’s right, it’s so much harder than an apple tree. It’s beautiful.” She seemed deep in thought, then asked, “When did you let JT in?”
    â€œThis morning. She called about nine and said since there was no school, she wanted to get the mural done.”
    â€œShe lied.”
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œThere was school today,” Laura explained. “I called in last night and my sub took over for me.”
    â€œShe lied,” he repeated. It hadn’t occurred to him that JT would do it to his face. He felt stupid. He knew enough people in the school district now that he should have called and checked out her story.
    He was still processing the information as Laura put the sleeping baby down in the crib and covered him. “Welcome home, Jamie.”
    Seth was mesmerized by the sight. There were no thoughts of his past, of his what-might-have-beens. His world had narrowed to Laura gazing at the baby. He couldn’t tear himself away.
    Laura grabbed the baby monitor and led him from the room.
    â€œSo what are we going to do about JT?” Seth asked,returning to full-on cop mode, which was a far more comfortable feeling than whatever it was he’d felt watching Laura with Jamie.
    â€œWell, skipping school will definitely mean more detention,” she said as she walked into the living room. “I’ll talk to the principal next week. I know it’s out of the ordinary, but I’m hoping that he’ll let her do her detention here at home with me, at least for a few weeks, until I’m comfortable taking Jamie out. Then I can meet her at school after classes.”
    â€œSo you’re still going to work with her?”
    She nodded, then sank back into the couch, curling up on herself. “I’m going to try.”
    She looked tired. Which was no wonder. She gave birth a day ago. Seth got up, pulled an afghan from the back of the couch and covered her up.
    She smiled. “Thanks.”
    â€œYou’re sure you can manage JT and the baby?”
    â€œI might not know much about this motherhood thing yet, but I suspect that as much as I love Jamie, I’m going to need more than his company to keep me busy.” She yawned.
    â€œSpeaking of company. I know the guys from Jay’s group plan to stop in. Thought I’d give you the heads-up.”
    â€œThey won’t give up, those guys.”
    â€œJay was well liked. I didn’t know him really, but everyone on his group speaks highly of him.” She didn’t say anything, but he could see the tears welling up in her eyes and wanted to change topics.
    â€œCan I do anything else?” he asked.
    â€œNo, Jamie and I are fine. Sometimes I get sowrapped up in missing Jay that I forget that other people are missing him, too. I’ll remember when they come over next time. And you’ve done more than I had a right to expect. I want to thank you for taking me to the hospital and staying. I don’t know what I’d have done without you. I thought I could do it on my own, but…” She blinked her eyes hard, as if to fight back tears.
    Seth thought most of the time he pulled off the tough-guy routine, but the sight of a woman’s tears could destroy the facade in an instant—especially if it was Laura