A Husband in Time by MAGGIE SHAYNE Page B

work on it some more later.” Cody executed the save command, jumped out of his chair and rushed past Jane on his way to the bathroom down the hall. Zach got up, as well.
    â€œWait a minute,” Jane said. “We need to talk.”
    Zach’s brows rose, and he sat back down. Jane came into the room, glancing down the hall first, to be sure Cody was out of earshot. Then she took the seat her son had formerly occupied.
    â€œCody…he’s a special boy.”
    â€œI can see that.”
    â€œHis IQ is far above what’s considered normal,” she explained. “And from what I’ve read about you, I imagine yours is, too.”
    He shrugged, saying nothing.
    â€œZach, don’t get too close to him.”
    He looked confused.
    â€œLook, I don’t want to see him get hurt. We both know you have to go back to your own time, eventually. But he’s getting attached to you, I can see that already.”
    â€œAh… I see what you’re getting at. But, Jane, Ineed the boy’s help. With the use of this machine, I can—”
    â€œI don’t care about the machine, Zach. What I care about is my son.”
    â€œMe, too,” he said softly. And she felt a rush of guilt for objecting so strongly. Even more for what else was on her mind. She sighed, and lowered her head. “I know how important this is to you. I do. It’s just…he’s never had a father, Zach. And lately, all he’s talked about is wanting one.”
    â€œI understand that,” he said.
    â€œNo, you don’t. You can’t possibly. He’s—”
    â€œI understand, Jane.” He sighed, and placed a hand on her shoulder. “Benjamin and Cody have more in common than you know. My Ben…he’s never known a mother’s love, and since he’s been ill, it’s all he’s talked about. Wanting a mother. I understand everything you’re saying.”
    He did, she realized slowly. She swallowed hard, looking him in the eye. “I’m sorry…about your wife, I mean.”
    Zach lowered his head, but not before she saw the bitterness flash in his eyes. She frowned at him. But he shook his head, seemingly eager to change the subject. “This drug,” he said. “The one that can cure my son. Do you have any idea where I can obtain it?”
    She drew a breath, lifted her chin. “I’ve been wanting to talk to you about that. Zach…”
    â€œWe can’t get the medicine without a doctor helping us, can we, Mom?” They both turned to see Cody in the doorway, drying his small hands on a towel. “Don’t you need a prescription?”
    Zach’s eyes met hers, and they were worried. “Yes,” she said. “It’s a powerful antibiotic, and a controlled substance. You can’t buy it unless a doctor orders it.”
    â€œThen we’ll contact a doctor,” Zach said. “We’ll explain, and—”
    â€œAnd he’ll have us all tossed into a rubber room,” Jane said. It wasn’t a good solution, and maybe it wasn’t even a solution at all. More like a delaying tactic. When Zach only frowned, she explained, “He’ll think we’re nuts.”
    â€œThen we’ll find another way.” Zach’s eyes were intense.
    â€œWe can look it up on the computer,” Cody said. “Find out how to make the medicine, and—”
    Zach shook his head. “We’d have the same set of problems, though. We don’t have the supplies or equipment we’d need to create the drug. And if we didn’t get it exactly right, it might not work at all. I can’t risk failure.”
    Cody stood still, gnawing his lip. “Mom? You know how you said it was only okay to tell a lie when you really, really had to?”
    She looked at her son through narrowed eyes. “Yeah?”
    â€œWell, is it the same with, uh…with stealing?”
    â€œCody!