Adopted: Family in a Million. Barbara McMahon
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to decide on what to do about the future, but there was no rush. He had time.
Danny jumped up and down, his face shining with excitement. “Let’s go, Mommy. Let’s go!”
“In a minute, sweetie. I need to get some bottled water and a snack for us. You know you always get hungry at the park.” Susan smiled at her son as she headed to the kitchen to gather what she needed. Yesterday’s scare had faded to the background, but hadn’t totally disappeared. She sometimes didn’t know if she was going to make it as a single mother. Danny was a handful. Somehow she had to get him over chasing after strangers thinking they were Tom.
Yesterday’s trauma had been a strain but everything was fine—for now. Danny loved going to the park. Actually he loved going anywhere—to the store, preschool, visiting Mrs. Jordan, her neighbor who watched Danny when Susan had to work.
Susan put some dried fruit and two water bottles in the small backpack, checked to make sure the sunscreen was there and the wet-wipes. Picking up her dark glasses, she was ready. This spring had proved balmy and warm for New York City. She took advantage of the nearby park every chance she got. The grassy area gave plenty of running room for Danny and the playground section provided slides and swings and other equipment that he loved. It was a great way for him to burn off some of that energy he had.
Their apartment was tiny. It was all she could afford with her salary and the expense of preschool and Edith’s pay. The neighborhood wasn’t the best, but it was the best she could afford and be close enough to work that she didn’t spend hours commuting. She’d rather spend the time with Danny.
Passing through the crowded living room she glanced at Tom’s picture out of habit. She still missed him with an ache that never seemed to go away despite the two years that had passed since his death. They’d taken Danny for walks together before he died, but Danny had been in the stroller then. Wouldn’t Tom have loved watching Danny at the park playing with the other children—running around, yelling in sheer joy?
“Okay, I’m ready.” She smiled at her son, her heart swelling with love. He was such a darling boy. She wished Tom had lived to see Danny grow up. He’d been as excited as she when Danny had come into their lives. They’d made such plans for the future—family vacations, maybe buying a house one day with a yard so Danny could have a dog. Tom had wanted him to attend NYU. Sighing softly for what was not to be, she helped her son put his jacket on. It was up to her to make sure Tom’s dreams came true.
“Yay!” Danny ran to the front door and waited impatiently while his mother unlocked it and opened it. He was off like a shot to the elevator. “I can push the button,” Danny said proudly and pressed the down arrow.
Susan locked her door and hurried to follow her son. She wouldn’t put it past him to jump into the elevator without her in his excitement to get to the park.
Danny raced out of the elevator when it reached the lobby.
“Danny, wait!” She hurried after him and took his hand before he reached the large glass door that led outside.
Danny did not move slowly. She laughed as they raced the light at the corner. In only moments they reached the grassy expanse. Releasing Danny’s hand, she followed as he headed directly to the playground area. Several children she recognized were already running around, swinging, sliding down the slides and having a great time. Danny joined in with no hesitation.
Susan glanced around at the benches, looking for an empty seat. She spotted the man she’d met briefly yesterday, Zack Morgan. Did he live in the neighborhood? She didn’t remember seeing him before. And he was someone she would have remembered. Slowly she walked over. He looked up when she drew near and nodded in greeting.
“Good morning,” he said.
His voice was amazing, deep and husky. She remembered how tall he was. Even sitting, he gave the impression of strength and size. His hair was almost black. A dark tan gave him a healthy look, while faint lines around his eyes proved he squinted in bright sunshine. Spring had been nice, but not that nice. Was he a skier? That would explain the tan so early in the season. He was broad in the shoulders, muscular without appearing to be a bodybuilder. He looked totally out of place in the park. She glanced back at Danny. Seeing the man had her thinking of wide-open spaces and endless vistas. A man used to doing, not sitting. Why was he in the park today? Did he live nearby? Had he been a regular she’d overlooked before meeting him?
For an instant she had the insane urge to make sure her hair was tidy and she still wore lipstick.
She looked back and smiled politely. After a second’s hesitation, she sat beside him.
“I’m sorry I didn’t thank you properly yesterday,” she said.
“I didn’t find your child. The teacher did.”
“Just being willing to help was a good thing. I appreciate it. And the fact that you looked. Many people would have been too busy.”
“I’m glad he was safe,” Zack said, glancing over at the children. The folded newspaper at his side indicated he’d been there for some time. Did he have a child playing with the others?
“I’m Susan Johnson.” She reached out to shake his hand. His palm was hard, callused. His grip was firm without being too hard. The tingling sensation that ran up her arm surprised her and she pulled back quickly, more aware of the man than she ought to have been.
“We met yesterday. You were a bit flustered, though. No lasting aftereffects after your scare?”
“Just a constant worry of that child of mine making me gray way before my time,” she replied, sitting back and relaxing, her gaze on Danny. She was not taking the chance he’d run after some other man today.
After a few moments of silence, she glanced at Zack and was surprised to find him watching the children play. Somehow he didn’t seem like a man who spent a lot of time with children.
He noted her look and returned her gaze. “I haven’t seen kids play like this in a long time. I’ve been on assignment overseas for the last five years.”
“Are you in the military?” she asked, curious.
“No, construction. We’ve been building bridges and dams and housing projects in the Middle East. When I had leave, I toured Europe. I’m on leave right now—enforced unfortunately. Got too close to a land mine.”
“Oh my gosh,” she said. “I’m sorry. Are you all right?”
“Things will work out. I’m back on my feet and everything is functioning. But it’ll take a little while until I’m one hundred percent again. I’ve been gone overseas so long, I feel like a stranger in my own country.”
“You’ll get used to things quickly, I bet. Are you from New York?”
“No. Originally from Chicago. But I haven’t lived there in fifteen years. I’m thinking of subletting an apartment close to the hospital where I’m getting physical therapy until I decide where to settle.”
“You picked a great place to recuperate. I love New York. I’m from here originally and can’t imagine living anywhere else.”
“Hard place to raise a kid, though, isn’t it? Don’t you wish for a backyard where he could play safely by himself? Maybe get a dog? A safer neighborhood?” Zack asked.
Susan took a breath, startled that he captured the ideal Tom had often voiced. Was it a universal male thing? Her defenses rose when he mentioned a safer neighborhood. It was something she thought about a lot. The few blocks surrounding their apartment were not the best in the city, but it was the best she could afford. It wasn’t too much of a problem while Danny was still little. She worried about when he got older. What if he fell in with the wrong crowd. Even a gang. She would like a better home, but her talents were limited and she earned more where she was than a teacher would. Which was the only other thing she had trained for. But she wasn’t sharing that with a stranger, no matter how much he interested her.
“He’s