WHOSE CHILD?

by Susan Gable

  "David?"

  "Hmm?"

  "David."

  Her voice seemed louder, clearer. He opened his eyes to find her standing over him.

  "I brought you an ice pack. For your face." She held out a white object.

  "Oh." He took the chilled rectangle from her. "Thanks. But are you sure you don't want to pop me on the other cheek, instead?"

  "Don't tempt me." The light streaming in from outside silhouetted her, accentuating the tuck of her waist, the curve of her hips.

  Tempt her? He was the one feeling tempted. By his friend's little sister.

  "What were you thinking?"

  "Uh … I wasn't?" And still not, apparently.

  "That much is obvious. Don't you ever try to manhandle her like that again. She's a person, David, not some little thing for you to boss around and subjugate. Not a blank computer to be programmed." Her lips pressed together and she wagged her finger at him.

  "So how do you get her to do what you want if she doesn't want to cooperate? I'm betting spanking is out, huh?"

  "Damn straight! Don't you ever raise a hand to her!"

  "Don't swear." He suppressed a grin, knowing she'd get even more ticked if she knew he was tweaking her for fun. "And I was just kidding. Spanking. Not on the list of parenting tools I'd like to have."

  "Good. Because she's never been spanked. She's a great kid, David."

  No, he hadn't figured Lexie had ever felt it necessary to physically discipline Sarah. She was a natural mother. While he … wasn't a natural. He shifted the ice pack on his cheek and sighed. "I really blew it, didn't I?" He draped his arm carefully over his eyes, keeping the pack in place.

  "Yes, stupid man, you did."

  "Don't hold back, tell me what you really think."

  "I think you've been spending too much time with computers lately. Your interpersonal skills aren't as good as I remember." The bed shifted as she sat down.

  "Computers are so much easier to … fix when something goes wrong." Through the monitor, he heard Sarah shift and giggle in her sleep. A tight band encircled his lungs, making it difficult to breathe. The giant was back, squeezing him again, just as he had when the P.I. had shown him the pictures of his daughter for the first time. "I don't just want her to need me, Lex. I want her to…"

  He let the comment dangle. Silence filled the room.

  "Oh, David." Her fingers found his hand. Warmth passed into his arm as she intertwined her hand with his. "You want her to love you."

  Love him? Well … yeah, he did. The love of a child wasn't the same thing as the love of a woman. That kind of love he could handle. He already loved Sarah so much it scared him silly.

  But that didn't even come close to the terror he felt when he contemplated loving another woman.

  "How—" he cleared his throat "—how do I do that?"

  "You treat her like a person, silly. Even though she's only little, she's also a female. Woo her."

  "Woo her? How do you woo a four-year-old?" Hell, he didn't understand the adult version of a female, let alone a miniature one.

  "You were on the right track tonight. You listen to her, and tell her stories and do things with her. Learn to play Barbies."

  He removed his arm and the ice pack from his face, then looked at her. "Barbies?"

  "Yes, Barbies. David, think about it this way. How would you have felt if your stepfather, when you'd first met him, tried something like you did with her tonight?"

  "First of all, I was a lot older than Sarah when my stepfather came onto the scene. And second, I'm not her stepfather. I'm her real father."

  "You're still a stranger to her." She released his fingers, stroked his cheek tenderly. "Be more patient."

  He couldn't think with her touching him. "I have been patient. I planned on being back in Erie already."

  She flinched and withdrew her hand. Taking a deep breath, she straightened her back. The corners of her mouth drooped, and he cursed himself for inflicting more pain on her. "Lex—"

  "I'm grateful that you didn't just grab her and take her away. I … I always knew that you'd be a good dad. That's why I … wanted to give you a child."

  "Do you still think I'll make a good dad?"

  "Yes," she whispered, closing her eyes and nodding. "You will." Her teeth gnawed on her bottom lip.

  A bottom lip lush, full and lovely; one he wanted to nibble on himself.

  "Barbies, huh?" He heaved an exaggerated sigh, desperate to lighten the mood again. "I suppose if I have to, I have to. Can't she play with G.I. Joes, instead? How about if Barbie gets kidnapped, and we get Sarah some G.I. Joes and they can be the…"

  Her eyes opened. A thin sheen of moisture glimmered in them. She offered him a tiny chuckle and placed her fingers over his lips, shaking her head. "Barbies."

  His mouth went dry, as if someone had used canned air to remove every trace of moisture. "Lexie," he managed to croak against her hand.

  "What?"

  "There's something I need to do. It's crazy, but earlier today, it was under duress. I need to know. I have to do this."

  "Do what?"

  He reached up, cupping the back of her neck. "This."

  Applying gentle pressure, he urged her forward and down. Her muscles tightened, resisting him. Then they relaxed, and she let him guide her closer, bracing her palms against his pecs. Her eyes closed, signaling she understood his intent.

  The faintest wisp of cinnamon reached him, further addling his senses. His heart hammered faster. She was warmth and home and … forbidden. Which made the desire even sharper.

  "Sweet Lexie," he whispered, easing his grip on her nape. He wouldn't make the same mistake twice in one night. Let her come to him. "Kiss me."

  She hovered, just out of his reach for a moment, then finished closing the gap between them, brushing her lips against his ever so faintly, as though she feared he'd vanish in a puff of smoke if she touched him too hard.

  "Like you mean it, Lex," he murmured against her mouth. "Don't be afraid."

  Her tentative caress grew bolder, firmer. Short, nibbling kisses changed to a long, smoldering exchange. When she stroked his lower lip with her tongue, heat rushed over him. Unable to contain himself, he took the lead, following her retreating tongue.

  A delicious ache of need stoked through his entire body.

  When he reached the point where he absolutely had to release her or drag her down onto the bed and do something about relieving that ache, he backed off, letting his head slump into the down pillow. He inhaled deeply, catching another whiff of cinnamon. He held his breath, struggling to control his runaway pulse.

  Lexie appeared frozen.

  He understood completely. Once again, he hadn't been thinking. At least, not with the head he should have been.

  This was Lexie.

  And he was sporting a hard-on for her. Which was insane. The concept didn't compute, didn't make sense at all. He wrestled to find a logical explanation for it.

  It had been a long time since Angela. There'd been no one since. And Lexie was kind and compassionate. She'd saved his daughter's life. He'd always liked her.

  She was cute and spunky and smart and … sexy…

  Oh, hell. "Lex?"

  Her eyes fluttered open. "Hmm?"

  Again, smug satisfaction thrummed at her dazed expression. "You okay?"

  She nodded slowly. "Did you learn what you wanted to?"

  "Oh, yeah. You're a far better jolt than coffee, and twice as addictive."

  A sliver of panic chased through her eyes. She shook her head. "Oh, no. Not addictive. That was…"

  "Please don't say stupid—"

  "Stupid. And it won't be happening again." She rose from the bed and rushed toward the door.

  At least one of them had some common sense. But he couldn't resist teasing her about it. "Not even to make your neighbors believe that we really are Sarah's parents? And made her in the regular way?"

  His blood pressure shot up again at the concep
t of making love to Lexie. How different would their lives have been if he'd seen her as more than his best friend's kid sister all those years ago?

  But then Sarah wouldn't exist. And no matter what, he couldn't regret the path his life had taken.

  She paused in the doorway. She raised her shoulders, then let them drop.

  He wanted her to turn back around. To smile at him before she left. "Marc and Kenny would kick my ass, you know that, right?"

  She still didn't move.

  "It would be worth it, Lex."

  She risked a quick glance over her shoulder.

  He shot her a wide grin in return.

  She blew out an exasperated sigh. "Good night, David." She pulled the door shut on her way out.

  David laced his fingers together and cradled his head. Closing his eyes, he willed the throbbing hard-on she'd left behind to subside.

  In the back of his mind, the tiny seed of an idea prodded him.

  Could that be the solution to all their problems?

  Maybe. And just maybe it explained the way he couldn't keep his mind off her curves, her mouth…

  The concept definitely bore further exploration.

  * * *

  Chapter 8

  « ^ »

  "No, no, not pink shoes with a red dress." Sarah snatched the Barbie from David's hand while Lexie fought not to chuckle. She turned to gather dinner plates from the cabinet. The tantalizing smell of roast beef filled the kitchen and a pot of potatoes burbled away on the stove.

  "Why not?"

  "Momma says so."

  "Oh, of course," he muttered. "What was I thinking?"

  Almost a full week had passed since their shared kiss in the darkness of David's room. And while he hadn't kissed her again, Lexie wondered if he thought about it.

  God knew she had.

  The draw between them was something she hadn't expected. At least, not on his part.

  But he'd been making slow and steady progress with Sarah, which scared the heck out of her. Her "discard date" loomed closer and closer.

  Lexie set the stack of plates on the table. "Sorry, guys, but you're going to have to take the dolls and stuff upstairs now. I need to get the table ready for dinner."

  "Oh, darn," David said. "Already? Gee, and just when I was getting the hang of this."

  Sarah cocked her head and offered him a pitying glance. "No, you're not. You made Barbie crash the car."

  "Women drivers." He shrugged. "I forgot, this is fantasy. Sorry."

  Lexie pressed her lips together and glared at him.

  "What?"

  "Try harder," she mouthed over Sarah's head.

  David shoved the doll into the pink duffel bag that housed Sarah's "play-with" collection of Barbies and accessories. The bridal doll David had brought her wasn't included—that was still in its box on a shelf in her bedroom. "I'll do better next time, Sarah. Promise. No more car crashes."

  As they cleaned up all the little pieces—the shoes, the minuscule purses, the outfits—Lexie rummaged in the silverware drawer.

  A quick rap sounded on the back door, then it opened, admitting a cool gust of air—and Kegan.

  He waved a manila envelope. "Sorry to interrupt. I know it's almost dinnertime. But I just got these and I didn't think you'd want to wait until tomorrow. Besides, tomorrow's Saturday, and I have the day off. Hopefully."

  Lexie's heart crawled into her throat. He'd told David at least two weeks. It wasn't two weeks until Monday. She was supposed to have more time. She struggled to speak. "Uh … Sarah. Take those things upstairs and put them away, please."

  "But, Momma—"

  "Now, Sarah."

  The child stomped her foot and folded her arms across her chest, giving first Lexie, then David, a sullen look. "I need to stay."

  "You need to obey your momma, squirt," Pappy said, entering the room. "Do like she says."

  Sullen gave way to sad. Sarah's bottom lip jutted out and she ran to Lexie, throwing her arms around Lexie's right leg. "But—but, I need to stay."

  Lexie lifted her off the ground and enfolded her in a bear hug. Knowing the little girl already sensed the tension in the room, she did her best to hold back the turmoil of emotions inside her. "This is important grown-up stuff, baby. I need you to go upstairs. Please."

  Sarah wiggled in Lexie's embrace, freeing her arms. She cupped Lexie's face in her hands. "Momma?"

  "Yes, baby?"

  "I changed my mind. I don't want a daddy for my birfday."

  David shifted in his seat. Despite her own overwhelming pain, she felt sorry for him, for how that remark had to cut. Was he as nervous as she was? "Go, baby. We'll talk all about daddies later, okay?"

  "Come on, shortcake. You take that stuff upstairs, then meet me in the library and we'll read a book together, okay? You can pick." Pappy gestured toward the kitchen staircase.

  "'kay." Sarah kissed Lexie's nose. "Love you, Momma."

  Lexie closed her eyes and placed two quick kisses on both of the little cheeks. Barely able to find her voice, she said, "Love you, too. Now scoot."

  She waited until she heard the door close behind Sarah to open her eyes, then quickly ran her hand over them, hoping no one else would notice. Pappy's footsteps retreated down the hallway. The chair scraped the linoleum floor as she dragged it away from the table. She dropped into it, gesturing to the one across from her. "Sit, Kegan. Sorry for the lack of hospitality, but could we just get this over with?"

  "Sure." After settling down, he unclasped the metal clips on the envelope and pulled out a small stack of papers. "Just to refresh your memory, the way this works is—"

  "Get on with it, Doc," David said.

  Lexie nodded. "Just tell us."

  "Okay." His deep blue eyes softened as he looked at her. He cleared his throat. "Lexie, you were excluded for genetic relation to Sarah. You're not her mother."

  Not her mother.

  She thought she'd been prepared to hear that, since there really was no way she could have been. But to hear it spoken so plainly…

  Not her mother.

  Reality sucked. What she wouldn't give for a good fantasy right now.

  Lexie forced a trembling smile. "No surprise there, right?" Silently she begged Kegan, God, anyone who was listening, to have some surprise here. But she knew from his apologetic expression as he shifted to look at David that the truth was as she'd always known.

  "David, you were statistically included above ninety-nine percent. She's your daughter."

  He blew out a long breath and a relieved grin filled his face.

  Lexie turned away, staring at the steam rising from the pot of potatoes on the stove.

  "No real surprise there, either." David reached for the papers. "Are these the test results? Because I need to fax them to my lawyer for the birth certificate."

  Lexie clenched her hand into a ball, the nails digging into her palms. Kegan pushed the pile across the table.

  "Oh, and while I'm thinking of it, I'll also need a copy of Sarah's medical and vaccination records. Seems the day-care center won't let her be enrolled without them. I'll need them right away, so if I could pick them up Monday morning, that would be great."

  "Day-care center?" She hadn't meant to speak the words aloud.

  "Well, yeah, Lexie. I have to do something with her while I'm at work, right? I can't exactly leave her home alone, can I?"

  Blinking back tears, she shook her head and pushed her chair away, moving toward the stove. Vaguely she heard Kegan assure David he'd take care of the paperwork as she stuck the potatoes with a fork, checking their doneness.

  Her baby—despite what Kegan had said, Sarah was still her baby, always would be in her heart—staying in a day-care center. Being cared for by strangers.

  "I'll call her plastic surgeon and get those records, too," Kegan said. "I'm sure her new one in Erie will want them."

  The overpowering scent of the roast beef as she pulled it out of the oven made her stomach protest. Lexi
e slammed the door, threw the mitts onto the counter and turned the knob off. "I need some air."

  She plucked a fleece jacket from a peg. "The roast is done," she told David. "Mash the potatoes and feed—" the words stuck in her throat "—feed your daughter, okay?" She bolted for the door.

  "Lexie, wait, we have to talk—"

  She held up a hand, shaking her head. "Not now. I can't. I just … can't."

  The porch door squeaked behind her. David watched her dash from the house. Dr. Riley stood. "I'll catch up with her, make sure she's all right."

  David offered his hand. "Thanks for everything, Doc."

  "This isn't how I hoped it would work out."

  "I understand. She's part of this community now, and so's Sarah. I'm an outsider." David marveled at the quiet strength in the healer's handshake.

  "If you need anything while you're here, call. If she—" he jerked his head in the direction Lexie had fled "—needs anything, call. I hope you figure out how to work this out so no one gets hurt any more than they already have." Kegan paused on the porch. "'Night."

  Part of David wanted to dance with joy. The papers verifying his paternity, proving Sarah was his, lay on the kitchen table. His daughter. And now he had what he needed to get her birth certificate changed. To replace "Father Unknown" with David Edward Mitchell.

  So why did the other part of him feel like hell?

  Lexie.

  The urge to run into the nippy Montana twilight after her was overwhelming. He, not Kegan Riley, should be the one comforting her.

  But she'd given him a direct assignment that involved Sarah. Granted, most of the work was already done, accomplished by Lexie. He wasn't going to let her or Sarah down.

  He'd search Lexie out later. And they'd talk. He'd used the threat of the day-care center to get to her, and judging from her reaction, it had worked. Now maybe she'd be more receptive to his plan when he spoke to her about it.

  In the meantime… He glanced at all the drawers in the white cabinets. Where did she keep the potato masher?

  "Lexie?" David rapped lightly on her bedroom door. "It's almost time for Sarah to go to bed, and she wants you. I didn't even attempt a bath or anything."

  He stood in the hallway for several long minutes, getting no response. He returned to Sarah's room, where the child studied the bookcase. She looked up expectantly as he entered the room, then her face fell as she realized Lexie hadn't come with him.