Carolina Christmas by Sherryl Woods

Author:Sherryl Woods
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: MIRA Books
Published: 2006-12-07T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 6

Nick knew he’d been too abrupt and sharp with Amy. He’d immediately recognized the hurt in her eyes when he’d dismissed her well-meaning questions, but what other choice had he had? How could he explain to her that he’d just seen the mother of a child who’d died while he was supposed to be rescuing him? Not only was it something he could barely stand to remember, but it would be the worst possible testimonial to his skills as a police officer. Amy would be justified in demanding that someone else take over the search for her son.

For reasons he didn’t care to examine too closely, Nick didn’t want that to happen. As he’d told his sister, he wanted to see this through. Not only did he want to spend more time with Amy, but he needed redemption and this seemed like fate’s way of giving him a chance for it. He needed to prove to himself that he could find this boy and return him safely to his mother, that the tragedy with Tyler Hamilton hadn’t destroyed him. Otherwise he’d never be able to go back on active duty on the force. And if he wasn’t a cop, who the hell was he?

Okay, so his motives were partly selfish. He admitted that without shame. He didn’t want his career going up in flames. He knew in his gut he was still one of the best cops in the department. All modesty aside, his skills were superior. He had the citations and job performance reviews to prove it. He just had to tamp down his anger and get his confidence back. The shrink was right about that much. But finding Josh—not endless hours baring his soul—was the answer.

Although he believed wearing this hot and bulky Santa outfit would work to their advantage eventually, he had to admit that right this second he would have preferred being in street clothes so he could blend in and move more quickly. Then, again, the costume may have been the only thing that had kept Tyler Hamilton’s mom from recognizing him and for that he was grateful. A confrontation with Mitzi Hamilton was the last thing he needed. He still had nightmares about the bleak expression on her face when he’d had to tell her that Tyler was dead.

“Nick?”

He gazed down into Amy’s troubled eyes. “What?”

“Are you okay?”

He forced a reassuring smile. “Fine. Let’s get back to work.”

Once again, she looked disappointed by his response, as if she’d been expecting—or hoping for—something more. Unfortunately, until they found Josh, he was fresh out of revelations he could make without having her doubt him and scaring her to death.

* * *

Amy reevaluated her earlier dismay over Nick’s reticence. It was evident he was genuinely troubled by something, something more than their unproductive search. Maybe she should force the issue, no matter how reluctant he seemed. Maybe it would do them both good to think about something other than her son. Whatever those demons were that Nick had mentioned, maybe she could help him deal with them.

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