His Secret Child (Slade Security Team Series Book 2) by Leslie North Read Free Book Online

“Unlike you. And Jason. So tell me about his condition—LLD?”
    “Leg-length discrepancy.” She let out a breath. “His left leg’s longer than his right. He was born with a condition. They call it Russell–Silver syndrome—RSS. His intrauterine growth wasn’t good, and then Tayra said he was a tough baby to feed. The doctors tried lifts in his shoes, but it’s been getting worse. They want to do surgery now. Either they’ll shorten the longer leg, or lengthen the shorter leg. We’ve been to two specialists, and, surprise surprise, each one has different ideas about what’s better.”
    Slade glanced into the front yard. From where they stood, they could see Jason on his knees in the dirt, running trucks over the ground and making engine sounds. “What are the other options? Seems like he’s already been through enough.”
    Bethany shook her head. She pushed off of the tree. “I’d give everything to save Jason from this. We put off any thought of surgery once Tayra got sick, but…well, I’m worried now. Jason saw his mom go into the hospital and not come out. That’s not a great thing for any kid to see and now he has to go into another hospital.”
    Slade touched a hand to her cheek, brushing at a freckle. “He’s a tough kid. Give him some credit. But this has been hard on you, too.”
    She tipped her head to one side. “You really do have a white knight complex, don’t you? Is that the reason for the help? You’re going to bring in an army of contractors, fix the house? Then an army of doctors to fix Jason? Next you’ll be fixing me? Is that the idea? And when you’re done, you can ride off into the sunset.”
    “Isn’t it cowboys who ride off? Knights hang around for the bar-be-queued dragon before they split.”
    Bethany shook her head. “Nice. Make a joke about it. But I’ve got your number, Slade. Your work is your life, and that means a little boy like Jason would get the best money could buy—but forget about giving him your time. That’s another reason for you to be on my side about me adopting him. I’ve structured my work, my life, for him. I’ve been there for him when Tayra wasn’t. I’m Jason’s stability.”
    Slade held up his hands. “Whoa, there, now who’s the cowboy? I’m not here to fight you.”
    “Really? Then what are you here for?”
    Slade pulled in a breath and let it out. He glanced at Bethany. She was staring up at him, her blue eyes bright. She was going to put two and two together, eventually. But he didn’t want to say anything. Not until he was certain. He shook his head and asked, “When’s Jason’s next doctor’s appointment? I’d like to be there to talk to the doc.”

Chapter 9
    Bethany knew when she was being brushed off. The fast change of topics made it clear—Slade didn’t want to talk about his reasons. She had no way to make him talk, so either she accepted the situation or she threw him out. “Harry’s the local handyman. His number’s by the phone. You can call him to help you with fixing things up, but I’m not looking for a rebuild, so no contractors.” She started for the house. On the porch, she turned back. “Jason’s next appointment is next Thursday.” She headed inside.
    She did what she usually did when she was upset—she lost herself in code. When she looked up, the house had gotten dark. She stretched. Her back popped. Shutting down the computer, she blinked. Usually, Jason came to break her out of her work—he knew to ask her if he was hungry or needed anything. She headed into the living room and found Slade sitting in front of a flats-screen TV hung on the wall. She blinked at it and at him, and then at the rest of the room.
    “What happened to the living room?”
    Slade had his bare feet up on a new coffee table made from varnished pine. The thick legs of the table—more pine—gave it a sturdy appeal. The old couch had been replaced by something in chocolate leather. A matching leather chair sat at a