Read Sean's Reckoning for Free Online Page B

what’s the rush?”
    “It’s a matter of principle.”
    “Is the principle worth more than your son’s happiness?”
    Deanna stared at his suddenly harsh expression. “What kind of question is that?” she demanded heatedly. “ Nothing is more important to me than Kevin’s happiness and well-being. And what right do you have to question that? You don’t even know me.”
    Despite her sharp response, he didn’t back down. “Maybe not, but I can see what’s staring me right in the face. Kevin needs his mom, not an extra few bucks for groceries.”
    “Maybe if you’d gone hungry you’d feel differently,” she snapped.
    “I have,” he said bluntly. His unflinching gaze clashed with hers. “And I’ve gone without a mother. I’m here to tell you that there’s no comparison. I would have gone hungry every night of my life, if it had meant seeing my mother again.”
    Deanna felt as if he’d landed a punch squarely in her gut. Even without details, that revelation explained a lot. No wonder he was taking her situation so personally.
    “I’m sorry,” she said at once, shaken by the raw pain in his voice. “What happened? Did she die?”
    “No,” he said tightly. “She and my dad walked out on me and my brothers. My brother Ryan was eight. I was six. And Mikey was four. As far as I know, they took the twins, who were only two, with them. We never saw them again.”
    “Oh, God, how awful,” she whispered, trying to imagine a six-year-old having his entire family tornapart. What could possibly have driven his parents to do such an awful thing? Hadn’t they understood the permanent emotional scars likely to be inflicted on the boys they’d left behind?
    Even when she’d been at the lowest point in her life, when Kevin had been screaming all through the night with colic, and she hadn’t known where their next meal was coming from, Deanna had never once considered walking away from him. He was the reason she’d had for going on. She wouldn’t have allowed anything to split them up.
    She started to reach out to touch the clenched muscle in Sean’s arm, but after one look at his shuttered gaze, she drew back before she could make contact. “I really am sorry.”
    “I don’t need your pity. I only told you that so you’d realize that I know what I’m talking about. Don’t shortchange your kid on what really matters.” He shoved the envelope back at her. “Keep the money until you really do have it to spare.”
    Years of stubborn pride told her to refuse to take it, but the look of despair in Sean’s eyes made her relent. She put the envelope back in her purse. At the same time, it took every bit of restraint Deanna possessed not to reach out and hug the man standing beside her. He looked as lost and vulnerable as if his mother had walked out days, rather than years, ago.
    “Just so you understand that Kevin’s situation is not the same as yours. I’m not abandoning him,” she said softly. “I would never in a million years walk out on my son.”
    “If he hardly ever sees you, it’s the same thing,” Sean insisted, clearly still drawing comparisons with his own background.
    “I love my son.”
    “I’m sure you do. I even believe my mother loved me. That doesn’t change the fact that she was gone.” He regarded her with sudden urgency. “Please think about what I’m saying. I was only a year older than Kevin when my folks walked out. It’s not something a kid ever gets over.”
    “I’ll keep it in mind,” she promised. “And I’m not just saying that. I really will.”
    Sean’s intense gaze held hers. Finally he gave a nod of satisfaction. “That’s good, then.” But, as if he feared he’d given away too much, his expression suddenly went blank. “We should probably try to catch up with Hank. I imagine he’s wondering what happened to us.”
    Deanna laughed at that. “I doubt he or Ruby even realize we’re missing.”
    Sean’s lips twitched, and then a slow grin spread