ol’ boy. Prosecutors never see him coming. He looks like a bumbling fool, but he’s sharper than a prick on the tip of the Space Needle.”
“Enough.” Cade fisted his eyes. “Just get me out of here.”
“Sure thing, BD.” Ronaldo glanced at his watch. “Got a meeting. Later, dude.”
“Later.” Ass. But then, Ass was his only friend. “Appreciate it, man.”
Cade bit his tongue and hung up the handset. What a mess he’d made of his life. As one of his foster mothers used to say, Trouble always comes home to roost.
Chapter Three
“ W hen’s Roxanne coming for her baby?” Andie’s mother asked for the hundredth time the next morning. “If she doesn’t show up by tomorrow, I might have to call Child Protective Services.”
“No, you can’t.” Andie reached for the baby as they settled in the kitchen. “It’ll kill Cade for his son to go into foster care.”
As much as she wanted to go home and see her dad, she couldn’t stand the thought of not leaving Bret in good hands.
Andie’s mother handed Bret to her. “You’re admitting Bret is Cade’s son?”
“Not admitting anything without another DNA test,” Andie said, patting her dog, Gollie. “Cade already has fatherly feelings for Bret and since he used to be a foster child, he would never want to see Bret go into the system.”
The dogs, Red and Gollie, milled around them in the kitchen, waiting to be fed. Last night, when Cade had been arrested, they’d barked themselves hoarse. Gollie was her golden retriever and collie mix, whereas Red was Cade’s champion Irish setter. They’d been fast friends ever since they met, and Andie hated the thought of splitting them up.
“I see.” Andie’s mother poured dried dog food in the dog dishes and filled the water bowl. “Another day has gone by, and we’re still here. We also need someone to take care of Cade’s dog.”
“How about the dog walker? Are we shipping Gollie home?” Andie sorted through the mail as she waited for the formula to warm. “We should do another DNA test. I’m going to fill out the forms.”
Why was her brain so scattered? She should stick to clearing Cade from the charges, not worrying about dogs, babies, and DNA.
“Shouldn’t Cade have a lawyer contact us about his dog and baby?” Her mother patted the dogs. “I’d like to buy the airline tickets soon.”
Andie hugged Bret and cuddled him. “I can’t see myself leaving Bret to foster parents. It’s not his fault he has flaky Roxanne for a mom.”
The microwave dinged, signaling Bret’s formula was done. Her mother tested it and handed it to her, sighing. “He’s such a sweet little thing, but we can’t stay indefinitely.”
“Maybe I’ll stay.” Andie offered the bottle to Bret who latched on, his eyes gazing at her adorably. “Even though Cade told me to leave, he’s still a friend in need. I can’t leave him without speaking to him at least.”
Besides, no matter what notoriety Cade brought her, including the indecent images, he himself had treated her well. If he’d lied about Bret, he must have had a good reason.
“He’s lucky to have you.” Her mother opened the refrigerator. “But I’m worried about you. What exactly do you want to do with your life?”
Andie gazed deep into Bret’s baby blue eyes and sniffed his powdery baby scent. A flood of contentment and love comforted her. “I don’t know, but right now, Cade needs me. So do Bret and the dogs.”
“If you’re staying, you should find a job.” Her mother set a frying pan on the stove. “Don’t be like me. I lost all interest in a career when I met your father. Followed him all over the world and forgot my dreams.”
“Do you regret it?” Andie set the bottle down and turned Bret over her shoulder to burp him.
“No, not at all.” She opened the refrigerator. “Taking care of you and seeing the world, listening to you and your father discuss his archaeological finds and being a part of it. It’s