His First Choice Read Online Free Page A

bruising weeks ago.
    A broken arm could indicate escalating injury. She wasn’t frightened, just cautious by nature.
    â€œMy office received a phone call,” she started slowly, softly, as she heard sounds coming from a room in the back of the house. A utensil dropping on a table or counter?
    â€œIs your son here?”
    â€œOf course he’s here. He lives here.”
    â€œMay I see him?”
    Frowning, the man studied her. “I need to see some picture identification. Anyone can have cards printed up.”
    Reaching into her black strapped leather satchel, she pulled out her badge and handed it to him.
    Apparently he was cautious by nature, too.
    Or stalling while he tried to figure out what to do?
    Nodding, he handed the card back to her. “You said you had a phone call.”
    Someone was tapping a rhythm— thump, thump, thump .
    She nodded, taking a step toward the sound. “May I see your son?”
    â€œOf course you can. But I’d like to know why first.”
    â€œClap along...nah nah nah nah das what you wanna do...” The faint sound of the childish voice interrupted them from the distance and Lacey stared in the direction her feet wanted her to go.
    â€œPharrell Williams,” she said. The song “Happy” was one she played full blast in her car on those days when her job seemed heavier than she was.
    The tapping continued, not at all in rhythm with the words. The tune wasn’t bad, though.
    â€œHe’s a little off beat,” Jeremiah Bridges said. “And he’s supposed to be eating, so I need to get back to him before I have spaghetti sauce splattered on the walls in line with those beats.”
    The sounds continued. And Lacey’s suspicious mind wondered if Mr. Bridges had somehow triggered his son’s impromptu performance for her benefit. Except that he’d have had no way to do so. He hadn’t known she was coming. No one outside the logbook in the office had.
    Of course, the boy could be programmed to begin the performance anytime the doorbell rang...
    A far-fetched thought even for her.
    â€œDon’t let me stop you from getting back to him,” Lacey said. “I’m here to check on his well-being.”
    â€œHis being will be well until I return to him,” the man said with a confidence that could have been endearing if it didn’t make her wonder just what made a grown man so certain that a little boy would stay at the table. “It’s the walls I’m worried about.”
    â€œHe’s confined, then?” she asked. Strapped in a booster? Or...heaven forbid, did the man keep a four-year-old in a high chair?
    She’d seen it before. A mother who’d lost a toddler, not letting her second baby grow up. One of the saddest situations she’d had to oversee. Because in the end, she’d had to take the woman’s second baby from her, too.
    â€œNo.”
    â€œThen how do you know he’ll be okay?” She was being difficult. She knew it even before she said the words. But the man was...bothering her.
    â€œBecause he gave me his word he wouldn’t get down from the table.”
    Impressive? Or oppressive?
    â€œNow.” Mr. Bridges’s arms were crossed again. “I want to know why child protective services is in my home checking up on my son. What’s this phone call you mentioned?”
    â€œSomeone is concerned about Levi’s welfare.”
    â€œNuh nuh nuh...” came from the distance.
    â€œSomeone.”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œWho?”
    â€œI’m not at liberty to tell you that, Mr. Bridges.”
    â€œI’m his father. I have a right to know if someone thinks that another person is hurting my son.”
    â€œNot while the investigation is ongoing.”
    â€œThe investigation...” His eyes narrowed and then widened. “Wait a minute. You think I hurt my son? I’m the one being investigated?” He sounded as