The Story Between Us by Darlene Deluca

Author:Darlene Deluca [Deluca, Darlene]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Texas; single parent; ranch; family; strong heroine; Christmas. heartwarming
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Published: 2020-07-20T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fifteen

Reed’s cell phone buzzed inside the shallow drawer of his desk Monday afternoon. He hit Send on the email he’d just finished then checked the number on the phone. Not one he recognized. But scrolling through his missed calls, he realized he’d had three attempts from a different number. Who was— Heart racing, he looked again. Except for the last digit, the number matched the school’s.

Damn. He meant to call or send an email to Dylan’s teacher about the weekend’s accident and suggest no recess, but Monday at work demanded his attention and focus. He’d hit the ground running this morning and forgot. He pressed Redial and tapped his foot while he listened to the ring—and got no answer. Swearing under his breath again, Reed shoved his laptop into his bag. Five-fifteen was close enough.

Twenty minutes later, he pulled into the school’s parking lot and jogged to the after-care room just off the gymnasium. He was surprised to find Dylan’s teacher in the room, talking to a woman Reed didn’t recognize. Dylan sat at a table and didn’t get up the way he normally did when Reed arrived.

Instead, Dylan looked at Mrs. Baxter.

Was he asking permission? Frowning, Reed caught the slight shake of her head before she stepped toward him.

Dylan remained seated.

“Hey, buddy.” Reed turned raised brows to Dylan’s teacher.

“Mr. Armstrong. We’ve been attempting to reach you this afternoon.”

Reed braced a hand on his hip. “I’m sorry. I only saw the calls a few minutes ago. When I tried to call back, I didn’t get an answer. I didn’t recognize the num—”

“Mr. Armstrong.”

The other woman, older with piercing dark eyes, took a step forward.

“I’m Alice Johnson from Child Protective Services. If I could have a few minutes of your time?”

He shook his head. “I’m sorry. You’re who?”

“I’m with Child Protective Services. We received a call this morning concerning your nephew.”

Stunned, Reed held up a hand. “Whoa. Time out. You got a call from whom?”

The woman glanced at the floor before meeting Reed’s gaze. “The call came in as anonymous, but that’s not really important. We have an obligation to investigate every report we receive.”

“Report? What kind of report?” Blood pounded in his ears.

“The caller expressed concern about the nature of your nephew’s injuries.” She gestured toward Dylan.

White-hot anger ripped through Reed. Some busybody who didn’t know anything about him or Dylan or what happened at the ranch had called Child Services? Thought he was abusing Dylan? Using his nephew as a punching bag? The idea was so ludicrous, Reed gaped at the woman. “You have got to be kidding me.” He barely managed to speak. The woman, Alice whatever-the-hell-her-name-was, held up a hand.

“Before you get too upset, you should know we get hundreds of anonymous tips, many of which turn out to be completely unfounded. But as I said, our job is to follow up. We want to protect the children in our community. If we could visit for a few minutes, we might be able to clear up this whole issue.

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