Catching Serenity (28 page)

Jackson pointed to the figure of a child wearing pants.
“This is you?” Behind the figures were wavy lines colored in blue. “And you’re standing by the ocean?”

Again, the boy nodded. One figur
e—a taller man in pants—stood to the side of the other figures.

“
Who is this? Is this your father?”

“
Nope.” He shook his head. “That’s my grandpa.”

Jackson swallowed hard, his head spinning.
Keep the conversation flowing
. As much as he wanted to face Mrs. Johnson to gauge her reaction, he kept his focus trained on the drawing. In the span of only a few minutes, they were making more headway than in any of the previous sessions combined. He bit his tongue not to ask Justin where his father was. The fact he wasn’t depicted in the boy’s drawing was significant enough.

“
What’s this over here?” Jackson pointed to a brown, rectangular design near the bottom right corner of the drawing.

“
Oh, that’s a sand castle. See,” he said, pointing to another smaller object on the beach in his drawing, “that’s the sand pail and scooper thing.” When Justin leaned close, Jackson caught a whiff of a sweet-smelling perfume lingering in his T-shirt, probably from when he’d been hugged by his grandmother. Something about it jogged Jackson’s brain. One of his teachers used to wear the same scent. Some flower that used to grow in the summer near the house where he grew up.

“
Have you been to the beach much since you’ve been here in Croisette Shores?” Jackson forced himself to ask. He needed to garner as much information as he could before Mrs. Johnson cut him off. She’d done it both times before, so why should this session be any different? With this woman, it was only a matter of time. To her credit, she kept coming back with Justin, but she made it clear she also wanted to be in control of the discussion. He could live with it as long as she understood it would take longer to help the boy if she stifled his answers and repeatedly cut their sessions short.

“
We go to the beach on Friday mornings,” Justin said.

“
Do you play with any of the other children?”

Mrs. Johnson coughed
. Was that a signal to discontinue his current line of questioning? If it was, how was he supposed to know? He’d keep going until she cut him off again.

“
Sometimes.”

“
There’s a little girl named Maya that’s about your age that goes to the beach with her grandfather a lot,” Jackson said. “Dark brown curly hair and green eyes. Have you met her?”

Justin shook hi
s head. “No. I don’t think so.”

Sneaking a glance at Mrs. Johnson, Jackson saw her twisting her hands in her lap. For whatever reason, that particular question struck a nerve.
Clutching her purse to her chest with both hands, her fingers turned white.

“
Tell me more about your mother. What else can you tell me?”

“
I don’t know.”

That answer came as a shock.
“What do you mean you don’t know?”

“
He doesn’t know because he hasn’t met her yet,” Mrs. Johnson said, her words clipped.

“
Never?” His jaw went slack, and it took him a moment before he could continue. Justin swung his legs and waited. Patience was one of the boy’s many virtues, especially in one so young.

“
You’re here in Croisette Shores to meet your mother for the first time?” Jackson finally managed. Was Justin adopted? Given up at birth?

Justin
nodded and his brown eyes looked so sad, Jackson longed to hug him. If the boy’s forbidding grandmother wasn’t sitting in the same room, glaring at him, he’d probably do it.

“
I know one thing,” Justin said finally.

“
What’s that?” If Jackson wasn’t mistaken, Mrs. Johnson strained forward to hear the boy’s words. She was probably afraid of what he’d say, but at least she didn’t jump to her feet, abruptly end the session and haul the child away.

“
She’s a princess.”

“
A
real
princess?” His thoughts immediately went to Serenity.

“
Nana calls her that sometimes.”

Jackson
’s head pounded with the suspicions forming in his mind. “Do you know your mommy’s name?”

“
No names, please. Not yet,” Mrs. Johnson said from across the room. “Justin, remember what we talked about.”

Jackson sat back in the chair, rubbing a hand over his brow.
Inside, he seethed at the fact this woman wouldn’t permit the boy to answer without imposition. “Tell me this. Is there anyone else you’re here in town to meet?”

Justin glanced at Mrs. Johnson and then back at him again.
He nodded as if in slow motion.

Leaning his arms on his thighs,
Jackson leaned closer. Inches away, he looked him directly in the eye. “Tell me, Justin. Besides your mommy, who else are you looking forward to meeting for the first time?”

“
Grandma says my gr—”

“
Your grandpa, right? The one from your drawing?”

“
That’s enough for today.” Mrs. Johnson rose to her feet. She gave Jackson a pointed glance. “We’ll see you again next week, Dr. Ross.”

Jackson closed his eyes for a
few seconds, trying to maintain his calm. He couldn’t lash out at her in front of the child. Why was she dragging out this process? He’d never been a fan of the Big Reveal, as he’d termed it. Too much mystery and for what purpose? In some ways, it was more harmful to bring Justin and then slow everything to a snail’s pace. If he demanded answers, it’d be the kiss of death with these sessions if not his entire practice, at least here in Croisette Shores.

Lord, grant me patience
.

Justin went out to the waiting room to speak with his
newly-hired assistant and receptionist, Audra Toomey. Rising from his chair, Jackson was surprised when Mrs. Johnson paused in the doorway. “I know you’re upset with me for interrupting. Perhaps that was wrong, but I have my reasons for the timing of the introductions to Justin’s relatives. Everything I’ve done is for his own protection and for that purpose alone.” She blew out a sigh.

“
So you’ve said before. I believe you.”

She nodded.
“I appreciate that.”

“
Tell me this. Did you adopt him?” Standing in front of her, he kept his voice low.

Her mouth downturned.
“No, not exactly.”

What kind of answer is that?
Her latest version of evasion, apparently. This was becoming increasingly maddening with every new session. The concept of one step forward and three back certainly applied to this situation. Jackson’s frown matched hers as he stared her down. Tired of the guessing games, he needed some solid answers.

“
Dr. Ross, I guarantee you’ve never heard a story like ours.”

“
One I hope to hear sooner than later.” That sounded rude, but it was honest. “I understand your concern for Justin and wanting to take things slow. My observation is that he’s fine, but I’m beginning to wonder if
you’re
the one who’s worried about what may happen.”

“We’ll see you again next week.” Mrs. Johnson turned to go, but not before she squared her shoulders and tensed. Just like he’d seen Serenity do when she was bothered yet determined. When the woman lifted her chin, he almost gasped.

Lord, what
’s happening here?

“
Bye, Doc Jack!” With a small wave, Justin skipped beside his grandmother as they departed.

Twenty minutes
later, Jackson sat at his desk, staring into space. A hundred different thoughts swirled in his mind, warring for precedence in his cluttered brain. He hadn’t even been able to formulate his thoughts for his report yet.

“
Dr. Ross?”

He pushed the intercom.
“Yes, Audra?”

“
Your brother’s on Line 1.”

“
Kyle or Chad?”

“
Kyle.”

Good.
“I’ll pick up. Thanks.” He reached for the receiver and swung around in his chair, staring at the cross on the wall. “What’s the good word, little brother?”

“
I got that report you wanted. You want me to send it email or fax?”

“
Email. Same address as before.”

“
Sure thing. Will do in a sec. Hey, you okay, Jax? You sound a little strange.”

Jackson forced a laugh
, knowing full well Kyle wouldn’t buy it. “No more than usual, I’m sure. Thanks for getting the report, bro. I owe you one.”

“
Don’t think I won’t make good on that offer. I’d hide that medal if I were you.”

“
Talk to you later. Send me that report before you get too busy and forget about it.”

“
You know me too well. Patience, big brother. I just clicked the
send
button.”

Jackson swung
back around to the computer and clicked on his email account. “Got it. Thanks, Kyle. Talk to you later.”

Disconnecting the call, he clicked
on the message and quickly scanned the attached report. As he suspected, there wasn’t much to go on, but his eyes widened when he saw the last known address for Elise McClaren.
Long Island, New York.
Fingers shaking, heart pounding, he opened his drawer and grabbed the paper where he’d written the social security number Serenity gave him. Sure enough, the numbers matched. Something else that might be significant? He stared at her middle name displayed on the screen.

Rose.

He
’d never had a reason to ask Serenity about it, never thought to ask. If what he knew in his heart was true, then Justin’s given first name was…

“
Liam,” he said under his breath, lowering his head to his hands for a few seconds.

“
This can’t be happening.” Jackson closed out of the email and turned off the computer. Swinging out of his chair, he rushed for the door, not bothering to close it behind him. He should stop and pray, but he couldn’t. His one-track mind took over and nothing—not even the Almighty—was going to stop him.

Sorry, Lord, but I
’ve got to get some answers. Now.

~
CHAPTER 30~

Dropping
by the house to check on her dad during her lunch hour, Serenity was surprised to see a book by a well-known, popular Christian author and speaker sitting on the table beside Clinton’s recliner. She picked it up and glanced at the photo of the author—a handsome, dark-haired man in jeans and a white shirt, perched atop a stool—then thumbed through the book. She’d seen his name and those deep smile lines gracing the cover of a magazine or two at McHenry’s Market. Based on the chapter names, the primary emphasis centered on becoming a Godly husband and father. Why would her father read a book like this?

Clinton
carried an open container of yogurt with a spoon and a pear as he came around the corner from the kitchen. He grinned when he caught her smile. “Yeah, I’m eating this stuff, and not because you’re here to see me do it, either. It’s not too bad.” Thank goodness, he seemed to be taking the advice of Dr. Saunders to heart. The whole healthy living plan might actually be carrying over into other aspects of his life. For one thing, he no longer lounged around the house in his undershirts and shorts. Lately, he’d taken to wearing decent shorts and shirts. Nothing that pulled over his head, though. Only shirts with buttons, the way he’d always preferred.

Serenity held up the book.
“I’m curious. Where’d you get this book?”

“
Your friend Dr. Ross gave it to me.”

“
When did you see Jackson last?” Although she kept her tone casual, she wasn’t fooling her dad. Leafing through it a few more seconds, her mind worked overtime. All kinds of changes were taking place with her dad.
Good
changes.

“
He comes around sometimes.” He shrugged. “Earlier in the week. Monday, I think.”

She
looked up at him, startled. “Jackson just...drops by the house? To chat?”

“
Sure. Here, sometimes the coffee shop, the park. He’s a good man. We talk.” Settling in his chair, he pretended to watch the game show. Some things never changed.

Serenity sat in Mama
’s chair, still holding the book. “This book is about being a better man, husband and father. You’re aware of that, right?”

Watching her,
Clinton spooned mixed berry yogurt into his mouth before answering. Licking his lips, he appeared to be formulating an answer. “Yeah, I’m aware. Don’t look so shocked. That book has good advice. Like you said, tips for how to be a better father.” He darted a glance at her before returning his focus to the television. “Might be a little late, but you’d probably be all for that, wouldn’t you, girl?”

“
Did I ever complain? You could try not calling me ‘girl,’ though.
That’s
annoying.” Why was she so defensive? He’d never been much of a reader and she was more surprised by that than anything else. A
Christian
book, no less. Mama was the one who’d always devoured every new thriller within a day or two of its release. She’d never understood how Mama could love medical thrillers when she worked around life and death every day. Much like she couldn’t understand how a man who’d fought fires for a living had ever smoked cigarettes.

“
Well, thanks for telling me after fifteen plus years,” Clinton muttered with a scowl, shoving another spoonful of yogurt in his mouth. “Old habits die hard.”

“
I know, and it doesn’t bother me that much. Does Jackson talk with you about God?”

An ad came on
the television, and Clinton surveyed her with lowered lids. “Why don’t you ask what you really want to know?”

“
I really want to know if Jackson talks with you about God.”

“
You’re holding the book. What do
you
think?” When he laughed, she was surprised how white his teeth appeared. Had he had some cosmetic whitening done?
Impossible.
Something was definitely afoot. Had Karen Gorham finally convinced him to take her on a date?
Surely not.
That thought brought a frown. After seeing how Spencer’s dad had moved on, she’d wished her father could do the same. Still, there was a difference. Spencer’s mom had died. Even if they found out Mama was gone forever, she doubted her dad would entertain the notion of dating another woman. Now, his loyalty pleased her.
How fickle am I?

Serenity snapped out of her
reverie. “Have you learned anything from this book or your talks with Jackson?”

Although he shifted in his chair, Clinton didn
’t appear uncomfortable with her continued questions. “A few things, yeah. But I also learned more about Jackson’s family and growing up in Illinois. Guess he got full of himself when he was in college. I pegged him for an athlete, and I was right.” He shot her another grin. Two in the span of five minutes? “Bet you didn’t know your boyfriend got drafted into the NFL straight out of college.”

The book
slipped out of her hands and fell to the floor. “Jackson’s not my boyfriend, but he what?” Her question came out somewhat garbled. “He
what
?”

“
Yep. Went through the training camp, passed it with flying colors and was all ready to suit up. But then he turned them down and walked away. Chose another life. Stunned the spit out of his family and the Bears. They thought he was crazy. Patriotic, but still nuts. You’ve gotta admire a man who sticks up for his beliefs.”

She gulped.
“The Bears? The
Chicago
Bears?”

Clinton chuckled.
“No, the Bad News Bears. Yes, girl, the NFL team.”

Flabbergasted, she sputtered,
“I had no idea.” When Jackson told her about his family, he said nothing about a professional football career. Not even a hint. Then again, he really didn’t reveal much about his life other than his relationship with and issues with his family. That’s all she’d asked about, and it seemed the man wouldn’t freely offer information. He needed to be asked. Dazed, she shook her head. For one thing, an athletic career would put his attention to physical fitness in perspective and might explain the on-and-off pain in his knee.

“
What do you mean he chose another
life
?” He’d better not make an open-ended statement like that and then clam up on her.

The television program came back on and her father returned his attention to the screen.
“That’s a question you should ask Jackson. Better if you hear it from him.” Catching her chastising look, Clinton blew out a breath. “Look, it’s all fine. Nothing to worry about. Like I said, he’s a good man. With a mighty interesting story.”

“
I’ll be sure and do that.” Rising from the chair, Serenity retrieved the book from the floor and put it back on the table before hurrying through a few chores
—
dusting in the living room and folding laundry before putting a casserole in the oven for his dinner. The whole time she worked, questions ran through her mind. She couldn’t wait until she talked again with Jackson, but she’d have to be careful and not pummel him with questions. The man was humble, yes, but this was ridiculous. Not that it would change anything about their relationship, but why hadn’t he told her?

“
I need to run,” she called to him, retrieving her purse in the kitchen. “I’ll talk with you later.”

“
Serenity?”

She turned
in the doorway to the family room. “Yes?”

“
I hope you know that man loves you.”

Tears filled her eyes even as she shook her head.
“I hardly know him.” That was a bald-faced lie. She already knew Jackson better than she’d known Danny, a man she’d grown up with and played with in the sandbox. He’d dribbled sand in her hair when she was in kindergarten and thrown spit wads on her head in the auditorium during an assembly in grade school.

“
You’re preaching to the choir on that one.” The smile she used to adore as a little girl stretched across her daddy’s face. How she’d missed it.

Telling
Clinton good-bye and closing the front door behind her, Serenity leaned against it and deep-breathed. Maybe there was hope for them, after all.

Mrs. Toomey
opened the front door of the office and called after him. “Dr. Ross!”

Swallowing his mounting frustration,
Jackson turned and forced calm into his tone. “Yes, Audra?”

“
Don’t forget you have that meeting with the Town Council at nine on Thursday morning to sign the contracts for the playground. I need to RSVP for you.”

“
It’s on my calendar. Oh, and please call Serenity McClaren and remind her. Thanks, and I’ll see you tomorrow.” With a quick wave, he ducked inside the car and heard her call to him that breakfast pastries would be served. Bless her heart, the motherly receptionist always made sure he was fed. If she kept up her daily ritual of bringing him something sweet, he’d need to step up his workouts to counteract the extra calories.

Jackson walked through the open doorway of the Vital Records Office
in Town Hall less than ten minutes later. A clerk sat at a desk across the room, clicking away on her computer keyboard. When he cleared his throat, she jumped.

“
Oh, mercy me. I didn’t know anyone had come in.” She pushed away from the desk and hurried over to where he stood by the counter. Tall and thin, this woman reminded him of his socialite mother—perfectly-groomed hair and clothing—although she appeared more accommodating with strangers. “I’m Jillian Montgomery. What can I do for you, handsome stranger?” Brushing aside a stray strand of dark hair from her otherwise stylish haircut, she gave him a warm smile.

“
I’d like to look up a birth and death record, if that’s possible.”

“
Well, you’ve come to the right place. Let’s start by getting some information. I’ll need the person’s name and either the year of their birth or death, if you know them.” She picked up a pen and poised it above a legal pad on the counter.

“
Actually, it’s an infant. From what I know, he was born at Croisette Shores Hospital but died either the same day or the next day.” He was determined not to give her a name unless she pushed.

“
Well, now, that’s awful sad,” she said, dropping the pen and crossing her arms on the counter. “Enough to break my heart. I moved here from Beaufort and took over when Luellen Mays retired last year. I don’t remember hearing anything about a baby. How long ago are we talking?” She drummed a slow march on the legal pad with her pink fingernails.

“
About five years ago, right around this time of year.”

Jillian
stopped midway to the computer. “Ah, hon, I’m afraid that information’s probably not available yet. Records that recent are still closed to the public.” She shrugged. “Rules, you know. Luellen said they used to wait five years, but for whatever reason, they wait seven years now.”

“
I see.” Jackson swallowed his disappointment. “I appreciate your help.”

“
If you ever need any more information, you call on me. I’ll be happy to help.”

“
I’ll keep that in mind, Jillian. I’m Jackson Ross, by the way. Nice to meet you.”