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      For Joe

      Chapter One

      Grandmother Harris’s backyard was a perfect place for a little boy and his dog to play. AJ Harris walked out onto the deck, coffee in hand, in time to see his son romp across the lawn with their chocolate-colored Labradoodle puppy in hot pursuit, both under the watchful eye of his nanny, Annie Dobson. He left the door ajar so he could hear the doorbell when it rang and went down the steps to join them.

      “Taking a break, Mr. Harris?” Annie asked. She was sitting in one of the old Adirondacks that had been in this yard for as long as he could remember, steam rising from her teacup into the cool morning air.

      “That’s one of the best things about working at home. I can take a break whenever I want.” The best part, though, was being his own boss instead of one of his father’s employees.

      “Daddy! I playing with Hawshey!”

      “I am playing with Hershey,” he said.

      “Sam-I-am!” His son shouted the name from his favorite book, then stopped running and flung himself on the grass, laughing and shrieking when the puppy pounced on him.

      “William! Don’t let that creature lick your face.” Annie’s reprimand was firm but gentle. “You’ve seen what else he licks. For goodness’ sake, think of the germs!”

      AJ sat in the chair next to hers and set his cup on the arm. The boy and his dog were up and running again and the sound of Will’s laughter lightened AJ’s mood in a way nothing else could.

      “I appreciate you bringing them out here to play,” he said. “I would have taken them to the park like I usually do, but the real estate people will be here any minute.”

      “A little fresh air never hurt an old lady like me, either, and it’s a nice day for late November.” Annie sipped her tea. “I’ll miss this old place.”

      So would he. His earliest and certainly happiest memories were of times spent here. He hated having to sell the house, but it was the best option. Hell, it was his only option. Grandmother Harris was gone, his only other family ties in Seattle were his parents, and they hadn’t spoken to him since the day he’d brought his son home from the hospital. And for the past three years he’d felt as though he was holding his breath and hoping his past didn’t catch up to him.

      He was looking forward to a fresh start, and for that he needed the money from this inheritance. He and his son would build a new life in Idaho, in a community where being “a Harris” meant nothing. Where there was no possibility of running into his family, and no possibility of a chance encounter with the woman who had selfishly abandoned their son.

      His main reason for leaving the city, though, was William. The little boy had recently taken an interest in mothers from a story they’d read. In a few years he would start asking about his mother, maybe even wanting to see her. Best to leave now, before Will was old enough to wonder about the woman who had brought him into the world, before his early childhood in Seattle became fixed in his memory. When he finally did ask, AJ had no idea what he would tell him, but that day was a long way off. At least he hoped it was. He swore it would be the only time he would ever lie to his son, but he would have to. No child needed to know that his own mother hadn’t wanted him.

      He