Chapter Three

      Apparently, Julie’s efforts to wear a mask and keep a low profile at the Autumn Gala had worked even better than she’d hoped. Adam had no idea that he’d seen her on Saturday night or that they’d danced together. But she’d seen his face clearly enough.

      Just minutes ago, when she’d spotted him in the Kidville office, her heart had taken a flying leap, making it difficult to stay on track, to remember the words of the silly song she’d been singing to the kids. Fortunately, she’d recovered quickly. And now here she was, walking along with one of Wexler PD’s finest. And no doubt one of their hottest.

      Too bad he was off-limits. She made a point of avoiding men who had high-stress, dangerous jobs. She’d seen firsthand the effect that could have on a man. And the experience had been so painful that she’d broken up with her college boyfriend when he told her he planned to join the military.

      Still, she found herself attracted to Adam. And intrigued by him.

      “Jim was telling me that you were the one who found the kids,” Julie said.

      “They’d broken into my buddy’s truck and stolen a bag of food he’d left on the seat. But I can’t blame them. Brady Thatcher, the guy who was supposed to be looking out for them, was a real loser. He didn’t give a damn about them, and the poor kids were starving.”

      “They’re pretty thin,” Julie said. “I’m no pediatrician, but they appear to be malnourished.”

      “I’m sure you’re right. Who knows when they last saw a doctor or dentist?”

      “Did you go to their house?”

      Adam nodded, as they walked back to the admin office. “Once Eddie opened up and gave me enough details to find the house, which was just as neglected as the kids, I arrested Brady for child abuse, as well as a parole violation for possession of a controlled substance.”

      “How long will he be in jail?”

      “Quite a while. He had several convictions for assault, as well as a drunk and disorderly.”

      “I take it that means he’ll have to relinquish custody.”

      “Turns out that he never had it in the first place. When their mom disappeared, the kids ended up with him.”

      “That’s too bad.”

      “It sure is.”

      As they walked slowly, Julie’s shoulder brushed against Adam’s, warming her and setting off a tingly sensation. Yet he continued as if he hadn’t felt anything at all.

      She stole a glance at him, wishing she didn’t find him so attractive. And so honorable. Clearly, he still didn’t recognize her because she’d worn a mask on Saturday night, but he’d removed his before leaving the gala.

      A smile tickled her lips. Even if he hadn’t revealed his face, she had a feeling she would have recognized him anyway—those expressive brown eyes, that dazzling smile. He also had a distinctive voice laced with a slight accent, making it smooth, masculine and alluring.

      On top of that, there was something about the way he walked, the way he carried himself. He had a swagger that would be difficult for another man to imitate. And one a woman couldn’t ignore.

      As they approached the office, Adam shared some of what Eddie had told him on Saturday night. “He said his mom was nice when she wasn’t drinking, but she drank a lot after Brady moved in with them. I did a background check before going to the house and learned he had a mean streak, even when he was sober. And he’d had a tendency to strike anyone who crossed him.”

      “Did Eddie say what happened to his mom?”

      “One day, probably while school was out for the summer, Eddie heard them fighting in the bedroom, and when they came out, his mom had a bloody nose. She claimed that she fell while getting out of the bathtub. Then she told him to watch Cassie while she and Brady went out for a little while.”

      “He’s way too young to be babysitting now, let alone a year ago.”

      “I know. But apparently, he’s been looking after Cassie for a long time. Anyway, Brady came back alone that night. He told Eddie that his mom was going to be a famous movie star. Supposedly she met a Hollywood big shot at the Rusty Wagon.”

      “What’s that?” Julie asked.

      “It’s a seedy bar where they used to hang out. According to what Brady told Eddie, the guy thought his mom was pretty and took her to California.”

      It sounded bogus to Julie. “Do you believe any of that story?”

      “Hell no.” Adam scoffed. “It’s my job to sniff out lies, and that one stunk to high heaven.”

      “I can be a Pollyanna at times,” Julie admitted, “but I have to agree with you. Hollywood producers don’t hang out in seedy Texas bars.”

      “Exactly.” Adam slowed his already casual pace, then he stopped altogether in front of the Kidville newspaper office. “On Saturday night, when I told the kids I had to go home and was leaving them with the Hoffmans, they both begged me to stay.”

      “That’s not surprising. You’re their hero, the man who saved them.”

      Adam shrugged off the praise. “I did what any other law enforcement officer would’ve done. But their teary eyes and quivering lips damn near turned me inside out.”

      “It would have done the same to me.”

      “Yeah, well, I don’t usually allow myself to get sucked into emotional quagmires like that, but for some reason, Eddie and Cassie got to me. And come hell or high water, I’m going to find out what actually happened to their mother.”

      Julie didn’t mean to pepper him with so many questions, but there was a lot she wanted to know. She’d taken an interest in the kids this morning, when her songs had drawn shy smiles.

      “Did you tell them you were going to look for their mom?” she asked.

      “Yes, and I filed a missing person report. But I hate to give the kids any false hope. I don’t have a good feeling about her disappearance.”

      “What about their father?” she asked, feeling a bit like a Kidville star reporter. “Where is he?”

      “Eddie told me he died when Cassie was a tiny baby.”

      “That’s so sad. Do they have grandparents or another relative?”

      “Looking for family members is on my to-do list. If there’s someone out there who’s willing to take them, they won’t have to remain wards of the state.” Adam leaned against the wooden porch railing and blew out a sigh. “I could have called protective services that night, but I knew Kidville would be a better place for them than the receiving home.”

      “I wondered why you left so quickly.”

      At that, Adam zeroed in on her, his brow slightly furrowed. “Were you at the gala?”

      He’d just given her the perfect opportunity to set him straight. “I work for the caterer and was serving that night.”

      His gaze roamed over her. “Well, I’ll be damned. You were the blonde in that space avenger costume. I noticed the similarities, but I’d been told