Chapter One

Shaking his head in disbelief, Dan Mangan remembered his past and thought how lucky he was to be gaining a son. After his parent’s deaths, he had fallen in with a New York City gang, only to be saved by his uncle, Bill Regan. A bitter and unhappy teen had gained the love and trust of his only living relative, and in the process had found the best group of friends anyone could ask for. A few other teens, living near each other on the outskirts of Sleepyside-on-Hudson had formed a semi-secret club, the Bob Whites of the Glen. To Dan’s amazement, they had accepted him as a member. He had grown, and learned, with their help. Eventually, he’d gone to college, and then become an officer with the New York City Police Department.

On his first real assignment as a detective, Dan had gone undercover with his former gang, The Cowhands, in order to capture an influential business man who was financing illegal activities and controlling many gangs. That assignment had introduced Dan to Ryan Leitch, a 10 year old boy who was small for his age, and in much the same predicament Dan had been as a boy. His father was unknown and when his mother had died, Ryan had joined the gangs for his own protection. Unlike Dan, however, Ryan had no other family. Dan had done his best to look out for Ryan while he had been undercover, and the two had formed a tentative friendship. During the mob scene that accompanied the arrest of Dan’s target, Ryan had been seriously injured. While he had been in the hospital healing, Dan had made arrangements to have Ryan as his foster son. As soon as possible - probably another six months or so - Dan intended to adopt Ryan and make the father-son relationship permanent. He had spent as much time as possible over the past two weeks with Ryan, sitting with him in his hospital room.

The thought of these arrangements also brought to Dan’s mind the social worker he’d been working with, Vicki James. Dan had first met her by changing a flat tire for her during a raging rainstorm. He’d thought then that she was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen. She was only 5'2" - very small next to his 5'10" of wiry muscle. The thought of her curves and nicely rounded rear brought a smile to Dan’s face. He liked the way her waist length, rich brown, hair flowed in a smooth, shining fall, and the way her bright hazel-green eyes blazed when she looked at him. Against his dark skin, dark hair and goatee, and almost black eyes, she seemed a bright star in the sea of night. They had yet to have their first date, but Dan was already falling in love with her.

Dan strode into Ryan’s room, a grin on his face. Ryan was waiting there, sitting up in bed, playing with He-Man and Battlecat figures that Dan had given him. Ryan looked up to see Dan’s grin, and a matching one filled his face.

“Dan! You’re here!”

Dan reached out to ruffle Ryan’s hair. “Of course I’m here, buddy. Where else would I be?”

Ryan shrugged. “I dunno. It’s just that it feels like I’ve been waiting here for you for hours.”

“Hours, huh?” Dan chuckled, looking at his watch. “It’s 8:30 in the morning, sport. You haven’t been awake for hours.”

A nurse came into the room, smiling at the two of them. “So, I hear I’m losing my best patient today.”

Dan winked at Ryan as he said, “Really? Is one of the other children going home too?”

“Mr. Mangan!” she laughed, then turned to Ryan. “Don’t you let him treat you like that, you hear? If he isn’t nice to you, you come on back here and I’ll take care of you.”

Ryan grinned at her. “I’ll remember that, Nurse Janice. Maybe that’ll make Dan behave.”

Nurse Janice gave Dan a mock glare, to which he responded with an unrepentant grin. She turned back to Ryan, mournfully shaking her head while a smile played around the corners of her mouth. “I doubt it, Ryan. This one seems like an incurable reprobate to me.”

“What’s a ‘reprobate’?” Ryan asked.

Dan laughed. “That means she thinks I’m a wicked, evil man. A complete bum.”

Ryan nodded, filing the information away for future use. “Oh. OK.”

“What, you aren’t even going to defend me?” Dan cried. “I’m hurt! Wounded! Nurse, call the doctor - I may need surgery!” Dan staggered around the room, holding his hands over his heart, before collapsing in the chair at the bedside, his eyes closed.

Ryan and Nurse Janice watched Dan’s antics, laughing. Finally Dan opened one eye and peeked at them. A low rumble started in his chest and rose until he was laughing as hard as the other two.

A doctor came in, eyeing the three of them like a specimen of a new virus. Nurse Janice struggled to control her chuckles, as Dan jumped to his feet, a grin still splitting his face.

“Sorry, Doctor,” Nurse Janice said when she could speak. “These boys are in such good spirits, it’s hard not to join in.”

The doctor nodded, a slow smile warming his face as well. “It’s good to see some happiness in this place.” He cleared his throat and put on a professional air as he looked at the sheets of paper on the clipboard in his hand. “Well, Ryan, let me take one last look at you, and then we’ll see how fast we can get you out of here.”

Ryan obediently laid back and allowed the doctor to lift his nightshirt and exam his chest. The smile on Dan’s face disappeared and his eyes turned bleak as he looked at the vivid scars along Ryan’s ribs.

Looking up at Dan, Ryan reached out for his hand. “It’s ok,” he said softly. “I’m fine, really.”

Dan gratefully squeezed the boy’s hand and forced one corner of his mouth up. “I know. It’s just ... I’m so sorry that any of this had to happen to you.”

Ryan smiled. “I’m not. I’ve got me a home because of it – and a new Dad.”

Dan blinked away the threatening tears and he rubbed Ryan’s hair with his free hand.

Finally, the doctor finished his exam and tweaked Ryan’s nightshirt back into place. “Well, Ryan, it looks like you’re healing just fine. I don’t want you running any races, or getting into any wrestles matches, yet, but I think you can go home.” He looked up at Dan with a smile. “He needs to take it easy for at least a couple more weeks, Mr. Mangan. I’ll have the nurse give you instructions on the antibiotics and pain meds, as well as when to bring him back for a checkup. Otherwise, you’re good to go.”

Dan reached out to shake the doctor’s hand warmly. “Thank you, doc. I can’t tell you what this means to me.”

“I’m just glad I could help,” the doctor answered.

Doctor and nurse left while Dan helped Ryan into his clothes. While Dan was encouraging Ryan to run a comb through his hair, a knock sounded at the door, followed by the entrance of another doctor. Dan grinned at the newcomer.

“Dr. Brian!” he exclaimed. The two clasped hands and drew close to thump each other’s shoulders.

Brian Belden, the oldest member of the Bob Whites of the Glen, smiled back. His brown eyes weren’t as dark as Dan’s, but they did match the twinkling grin. “Officer Dan!” he responded.

Ryan watched this display, the comb forgotten in his hand.

Pushing back from Brian, Dan grinned. “I’d heard you were starting your residency here. Is today your first day?”

“Yup,” Brian answered. “I’m glad I could catch you before you left. I couldn’t believe it when Regan told us you were getting a son.” Brian smiled over Dan’s shoulder at Ryan.

Dan quickly turned and drew Ryan forward. “Ryan, I want you to meet one of my very best friends. This is Dr. Brian Belden. Brian, this is Ryan.”

Brian held out his hand to Ryan, who tentatively grasped it in his own. Brian’s warm, generous smile quickly put Ryan at ease, and he shook hands firmly.

“Quite a grip you’ve got there, Ryan,” Brian said. He tilted his head toward Dan, asking, “Are you sure you’re up to taking care of this ruffian?”

“What’s a ‘ruffian’?” Ryan asked.

Dan laughed. “Pretty much the same as a reprobate, buddy.”

Ryan looked back at Brian. “Dan’s not a ruffian,” he said decidedly. Dan gently squeezed Ryan’s shoulder.

Brian smiled gently. “You’re right, Ryan. Dan’s a very good man. I was teasing.”

Ryan looked back and forth between the two, noting the comfortable smiles each was wearing. Then he nodded. “I guess that’s ok, then, since you’re such good friends.”

Before they continued, another knock came from the door and Nurse Janice came in.

Brian nodded at the nurse, then turned back to shake Ryan’s hand again. “I’m sure I’ll be seeing you again, Ryan. You just stay out of trouble, and try to keep Danny here out of trouble too.” He winked.

Ryan grinned. “I’ll try, Dr. Brian.”

Brian smiled back then turned to give Dan another quick hug. “Don’t be reluctant to call Moms if you have any questions,” he advised. “After all, she’s got plenty of experience with boys!”

“Thanks, I probably will,” Dan said as he returned the hug. “Don’t work too hard!”

Brian left with a final wave of his hand. Dan turned to the nurse and received instructions on caring for Ryan. An aide arrived with a wheelchair and finally, Dan and Ryan were on their way home.

Ryan felt a curious mixture of excitement and hesitancy as he walked in. This would be his first real home since his mother had died. Come to think of it, the run-down hotel where he’d lived with his prostitute, drug-addict mother hadn’t exactly been a real home either. Ryan had grown to like, and trust, Dan after meeting him on the streets, but this would be the real test. How would this former gang member turned police officer really treat him at home?

Dan was bursting with excitement as he showed Ryan around the apartment. The first room as they entered was large and opened to the left and right of the door. To the right, a fireplace was centered on the end wall, with a grouping of comfortable chairs and a sofa around it. A desk and bookshelves was on the far back wall, and a cabinet lined the wall with the door. To the left, a dining table and chairs stood in front of a snack bar with three bar stools. On the other side of the counter was a gleaming kitchen. On the walls of this large room were hung landscapes featuring woods, meadows and horses. Dan lead Ryan through an open archway into a hallway straight ahead in the far wall. A door on the left was the bathroom.

A little further down, on the right a door lead into a large bedroom, sparsely furnished with a bed and dresser. One area of the room had been set up with exercise equipment. A door in the corner of the room revealed a walk-in closet.

Dan lead Ryan back into the hallway, where across from them, next to the bathroom, another door lead into a slightly smaller bedroom. Ryan stopped in the doorway, gazing at it.

To Ryan’s right was a modern a bunk bed, with the bottom bunk placed at right angles to the top bunk. A warm maple a 5-drawer chest backed by three shelves holding up one end of the top bunk. A matching desk with three drawers held up the other end. A corkboard with brightly colored push pins was above the desk, a bright picture of cloud-studded blue sky across which soared a hawk was pinned to it. The desk had a wheeled chair placed in front of it, that Ryan could picture himself spinning on.

In the far left corner, a closet door opened invitingly. A nook behind the door of the bedroom held an overstuffed chair, perfect for curling up in and reading the latest Superman comic.

The back wall included two large windows, framed with dark blue curtains. Below them were two chests, finished to match the bed, with dark blue cushions on top.

On the right wall stood a dresser with six big drawers. The mirror above it was split vertically, one side being another corkboard. As Ryan walked into the room, he saw a note pinned there, that read in large letters, “Welcome home, Ryan!”

The center of the glowing wood floor was covered by a homey looking rag rug in shades of blue.

Slowly Ryan wandered around. Opening the dresser drawers, he found an assortment of underwear, T-shirts, shorts, and pajamas - more than he’d ever had in his life before. A brush and comb lay on top of the dresser. The closet contained a variety of shirts and pants, with shoes on the floor. Ryan climbed on one of the chests by the window to look outside, then turned to sit on the cushion, gazing around at the room again.

Dan watched as Ryan looked at everything, his eyes large and round. Finally he turned to Dan. “Is all this stuff for me?”

“All for you, buddy,” Dan assured him.

Ryan looked around again, stopping to stare at the bunks. “But there are two beds ...”

Dan grinned. “I know. I just couldn’t resist that set up, with the shelves, and drawers and desk. You can sleep in whichever bed you want - or switch around and sleep in a different one every other night. And, you can maybe invite a school friend over to spend the night sometimes.”

Ryan turned a slow circle in the middle of the room, taking it all in. The strangeness of it all, so different from anything he’d ever known, made the uncertainty well up inside him. His eyes filled with tears.

Dan quickly crossed the room to his side, kneeling to put himself more at Ryan’s eye level.

“What’s the matter, Ryan?” he asked gently.

Ryan slowly shook his head. “I don’t know ... I just ... I can’t ...” Finally, he stopped and took a deep breath. “Why? Why me? I don’t deserve all this!”

Dan’s heart felt like it was breaking for this poor, neglected child. Gently, Dan put his hands on Ryan’s shoulders and held him. “Ryan, look at me. I know you’ve had a really hard life up until now - and that’s what you didn’t deserve. You deserve to have what every other kid has - a safe, comfortable home, plenty of food, the chance to live without fear, to go to school, to have clean clothes that fit. You deserve to feel safe with your parents - safe, and loved.” Dan carefully tilted Ryan’s chin to look into his eyes. “That’s why I’m here, Ryan. I want to give you everything you need. I want to keep you safe.” Dan smiled and winked. “I’ll even buy you stuff you want, that’s absolutely unneeded, just for fun. Once in a while, anyway.” Dan looked into Ryan’s eyes, his face serious again. “You’re going to be my son.”

Dan watched as his words were considered. Ryan carefully studied Dan’s face, looking for traces of lies, and found only heartfelt sincerity.

Softly, Dan asked, “Will you give me a chance to show you how it feels to have a family, Ryan?”

Ryan nodded, the tears welling up to overflow down his cheeks. Dan carefully pulled Ryan into his arms and held the boy as he cried. Finally, the tears slowed, and Ryan hiccupped. Dan pulled back to smile at him.

“Let’s go check out the bathroom, shall we? We’ll wash your face, then maybe see about lunch.” Dan scowled playfully. “Then, young man, it’ll be time for you to lie down and rest.”

Ryan smiled. It was a small smile, but it was genuine. Then he nodded his head in agreement.

After Ryan’s post lunch nap, Dan took great pleasure in pulling a train set out of one of the chests in Ryan’s room. Together, they laughed at the small station master and the miniature cows. Ryan helped configure the track, and Dan put some oil in the engine and they watched as it belted out real smoke as it chugged around the track.

Later, Dan and Ryan were sitting at the counter, laughing over the remains of hot dogs and chips when someone knocked at the door. Waving at Ryan to stay where he was, Dan rose to walk over to the door. He glanced through the peep hole and smiled. Running his hands quickly through his hair, Dan unlocked the door and threw it open.

“Ms. James!” he said happily. “Won’t you come in?”

“Hello, Mr. Mangan,” Vicki said as she walked in. Dan thrilled at the low purr of her voice. She turned away from him as soon as she saw Ryan at the counter. “Hello, Ryan. What do you think of your new home?”

“Hello, Ms. James,” Ryan answered. “I don’t really know what to think yet – but ... I think I’m going to like it here. I think I’m going to like it a lot.”

Dan closed the door. “Ryan, would you like to show Ms. James your room?”

Ryan nodded. “Okay.” He climbed down from his stool, and headed for the hall, saying over his shoulder, “This way, Ms. James.”

Vicki followed the small boy into the room that Dan had tried so hard to turn into a child’s paradise. She watched as he pointed out all the toys and clothes and books, carefully listening for signs of trouble in his voice. Thankfully, there were none.

“It’s a very nice room, Ryan,” Vicki finally said, “but I’d like to talk to you for a moment.”

Ryan nodded and Vicki walked to Ryan’s desk. “I want you to know, Ryan, that you can talk to me. Anytime, about anything.” She gave him a small smile. “It is my job to check up on you, and to make sure everything is going well.” She took a card out of her pocket and pinned it to the corkboard above the desk. “That’s my number. I want you to call me if there is ever any trouble here, or trouble with Dan.” She knelt to peer into Ryan’s face. “Can you do that, Ryan?”

Ryan nodded, a small frown on his face.

Vicki smiled. “It’s alright, really. You can tell me whatever is bothering you.”

Ryan hesitated, his head down. He looked at Vicki through the corner of his eyes. “Ms. James .... is there some reason you don’t trust Dan?”

“No!” Vicki answered. “I like Dan, actually. But my job is to watch out for you. So, until we both get to know Dan better, I wanted you to know that there is someone you can turn to, just in case.”

“Okay,” said Ryan. He paused, then said, “Thank you.”

Vicki smiled at him and was standing up as Dan knocked briefly on the open door and came in.

“Well, Ms. James,” Dan said, “I trust everything is satisfactory?”

“So far, Mr. Mangan, everything appears just fine,” Vicki replied.

“Why do you do that?” Ryan asked. Vicki and Dan turned to him with startled expressions.

“Do what, buddy?” Dan wanted to know.

“You call each other ‘Ms. James’ and ‘Mr. Mangan,’ real nice and formal-like. But I know you like each other. Why don’t you use your first names?”

Dan and Vicki stared at Ryan, then slowly turned to look at each other. A corner of Dan’s mouth turned up, followed by a frank smile from Vicki. Soon, both were chuckling as Ryan watched with a confused frown.

“Out of the mouths of babes, wouldn’t you say ... Vicki?” Dan said.

Vicki nodded. “Indeed ... Dan.”

“What’s so funny?” Ryan asked. “And I’m not a babe.”

Dan reached out to squeeze Ryan’s shoulder. “I know you’re not, Ryan. That’s a saying, it means that young people often see things the way they really are, and will speak truths that older people won’t. And that’s what’s funny, that you would catch that Vicki and I were being a bit silly.” Gently turning Ryan toward the bed, Dan continued. “Now, it’s about time for you to go to bed.”

Ryan nodded and headed for his dresser to take out one of the new sets of pajamas he’d found. Dan and Vicki stepped out into the hallway, Dan pausing in the doorway to say, “Call me when you’re changed.”

Ryan nodded, and sat down on the lower bunk to take off his shoes. He quickly took off his clothes, and pulled on the Superman pajamas. Finally, he climbed the ladder to crawl onto the top bunk.

“Dan!” he called.

Dan quickly walked in. He chuckled as he said, “So I see you choose the top bunk for tonight.” Seeing Ryan’s discarded clothes laying in a heap on the floor, Dan frowned and picked them up. “From now on, I expect you to put your dirty clothes in the hamper in the closet, okay?”

“Okay, Dan,” Ryan said agreeably enough.

Dan quickly walked to the closet and deposited the clothes in the proper place. Then he walked to the door. “Good night, Ryan. Sleep well,” he said, his hand on the light switch.

“Dan?” Ryan asked. “Will you come tuck me in?”

Dan immediately crossed the room to the boy’s bedside. “Of course I will, son.”

Ryan had pushed the covers all the way down to the foot of the bed, to make it easier to lie down without lying on top of them. Dan now took hold of the blankets and drew them up to Ryan’s chin.

“There you go, buddy. All tucked in.” Dan ruffled Ryan’s hair and turned away. “Sleep well, Ryan.” Dan left the room, pulling the door almost closed behind him. He walked slowly down the hall, deep in thought.

“A penny for your thoughts,” Vicki asked gently as Dan emerged into the living room.

Dan looked up at her with half a grin. “I’m afraid they’re not worth a whole penny,” he told her. The smile disappeared as he continued. “I was just hoping - maybe praying a little - that I’ll be a good father for Ryan. The kind of father he needs.”

The last barrier of Vicki’s reserve broke and she reached out a hand to Dan’s face. “That’s worth a whole lot more than a penny,” she told him softly.

Embarrassed, Vicki quickly pulled her hand down and turned away.

“Vicki – ” Dan started, but Vicki shook her head and interrupted him.

“Please, don’t. I don’t know what’s gotten into me.” She turned back to face Dan again. “I shouldn’t have done that. I really need to go - I just came by to check on Ryan.”

Dan nodded. “Thanks for stopping by. I hope Ryan does turn to you, if he can’t talk to me.” He smiled tentatively. “Vicki ... I wanted to ask you ...” He hesitated, suddenly unsure of himself.

“Ask me what?”

Taking a steadying breath, he gave her his best boyish smile. “I wanted to ask you out.” He held his hands out to her, palms up. “Will you go out - on a date - with me?” He suddenly found that he was holding his breath.

Vicki studied Dan. Then a bright smile warmed her face. “I’d love to.” Dan found that he could breathe again.

A concerned look crossed Vicki’s face. “But what about Ryan?”

“Don’t worry - I’ve got some good friends. I’m sure one of them would stay with him.” He laughed. “In fact, my Uncle Bill would come in a heartbeat, if I asked.”

Word Count: 4192

This is the first chapter of this story - as I was writing, this one just kept growing and growing and ... you get the idea. I was encouraged by my editors to break it into more managable bits. Hopefully, I'll be posting the next chapter soon!

Speaking of my editors ... A huge thank you!!! Trish and Mal keep me in line. Any remaining errors are strictly mine.

If you're interested in Ryan's bedroom furniture, you can see it here. Also, being a bit of a geek, I drew up a floor plan for Dan's apartment. You can find it here!

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