“You don’t have to, Holly. His father will help. If not, there are programs that—”
“Mitch?” Holly looked at her boyfriend for guidance.
“Let’s go, Holly. You found out what we needed to know. If we stay here, you’ll lose the kid. Is that what you want?”
“No, but I don’t want him sick, either.”
“I’m not staying in this town. Make up your mind; either stay here or go with me.”
“I don’t give a damn what either of you do, but that kid isn’t going anywhere,” Pastor Dean said, coming into the room.
Relief flooded Diamond, knowing that Pastor Dean would be able to prevent them leaving with Logan until Mitch drew a gun from the pocket of his jacket.
“Mitch, no!”
“I’m leaving, Holly. Let’s go; either take the kid or leave him, but you’re going with me.”
“I can’t leave Logan,” Holly said, crying. “Put the gun away, Mitch.”
“Then I guess we’re taking him.” Mitch turned the gun on Pastor Dean.
Diamond watched in stunned amazement as the Pastor moved forward, jerking Mitch’s gun hand upwards. Mitch struggled, trying to regain control when Pastor Dean’s other hand snapped out, hitting Mitch’s nose with enough force to snap the man’s head back, sending him crumpling to the floor.
As soon as Mitch was down, Diamond went to her desk where she picked up the phone to call the sheriff. Holly stood, crying and holding Logan close as she rocked him. Diamond talked briefly to the dispatcher before hanging up while Pastor Dean stood over Mitch, holding the gun while the groggy man began to regain consciousness.
“Don’t move.” Pastor Dean cocked the gun, pointing it at Mitch’s head as he lay back down, not moving.
“Diamond?” Holly screamed as the sheriff barreled into the room.
“Holly?” Logan cried, twining his arms around her neck.
“It’s okay, Logan. Holly, calm down. I’ll help you get this straightened out.”
Holly stared at her in hope. “I’m sorry I handled this so badly, I don’t deserve your help.”
“Holly, you might be my secretary, but you’re also my friend.”
“You’re going to let me keep my job?” Holly wasn’t alone in her surprise. Pastor Dean and the sheriff were taken aback by Diamond’s gesture as well.
“Of course, you didn’t commit any crime. Samantha hired you to take care of her child. That’s not against the law, and I gave you access to my office. You got in with the key I gave you, didn’t you?”
“Yes.” Holly’s lips trembled.
“Holly, you were only trying to do what you thought was in the best interest of Logan. I can’t fault you with that, neither can the law. Everything is going to be all right.”
Holly finally breathed a sigh of relief, loosening her hold on Logan who gradually quieted.
“Well, now that it’s settled that she didn’t commit a crime, how about that man lying on the floor with a gun pointed at his head?” The sheriff gestured toward Mitch.
“Him, you can arrest for attempted murder,” Pastor Dean spoke before Diamond could. He shouldn’t worry, Diamond thought, I’m going to make sure Mitch stays in prison for a long time.
Her eyes lifted to Pastor Dean. “You saw them through the window, didn’t you?
“Yes.”
Damn, he had seen Knox and her that afternoon that Knox had ignored her request to close the blinds. His amused expression didn’t try to hide the fact that he had gotten quite a show. She was buying curtains for the window the first chance she got. The man had gotten his last show of her and Knox.
* * *
Diamond answered Mrs. Langley’s door when the knock sounded. The Porters stood on the porch, white faced and nervous. The law didn’t faze them, but the prospect of a child frightened them to death.
“Come in.” Diamond opened the door wider, letting the family of four enter then closed the door behind them, motioning the Porters into the living room.
Holly sat on the couch with Logan as Mrs. Langley sat on his other side. Diamond had not been able to hold back her tears when Mrs. Langley had seen her great-grandson for the first time. Diamond again received all the reassurance she needed that she was doing the right thing when she saw the Porters’ reaction. Dustin took a hesitant step forward as his sister and brothers hung back, letting Dustin meet his son without their overwhelming the small boy.
“Are you sure he’s mine.” Dustin was trying not to embarrass himself, but unable to keep his eyes from watering.
“Pending a DNA test, we’re pretty sure,” Diamond reassured him. “I think the curly hair and the eyes are pretty good clues, but I think what she named him confirms it.”