Accidental Daddy

by Stephanie Brother

“Good morning, sir,” I called through the door. I should have asked his name last night. “I was wondering if you’d like to have some breakfast, if you’re feeling all right?”

  I waited. There was no reply. I didn’t see much point in wasting time, so I unlocked the door with the spare key. The moment the door was open, I wrinkled my nose and took a step outside, coughing a little. I covered my mouth and walked further in, and sighed.

  He’d gotten sick last night. There was vomit on the side of the bed, and even partly on the beddings. The whole room stank, and I wondered how he could have slept in all of that.

  “Dammit,” I growled, heading for the window and pushing it open.

  With how he’d fallen asleep, on his stomach with his face half buried in his pillow…it was better than if he’d slept on his back, but he might have suffocated himself. I was berating myself for not checking on him last night.

  “Just give me a minute,” I murmured, more to myself than him, because he was obviously not awake.

  I rushed out of the room to get some cleaning supplies. I put a mask over my face. I could deal with the mess, but if I had to smell and see it, it would upset my own stomach. Suddenly, though, I was so grateful I’d held back on my own breakfast before making sure all my guests were fed.

  Once I had everything cleaned up on the floor, I turned my attention to the bed. I needed to change the sheets and wash the dirty ones. But I should probably get to the guest first.

  “Excuse me, sir?” I murmured, shaking on his shoulder, trying not to jostle him too much in case his stomach wasn’t completely settled. “I’m going to need you to wake up, please?”

  He grumbled, squeezing his lids before they pulled back and he was looking up at me.

  “Hey,” he murmured, face still pressed against his pillow. “You’re the girl from last night.”

  I sighed again. “Can you get out of bed? I need to remove your sheets. And your clothes…”

  I’d probably have to throw those in the wash, too. I needed spare clothes to put him into. I glanced over to his suitcase, but hesitated. While there was a huge chance that he had clothes in there, I was worried about looking through it myself. If he happened to have something valuable, and it got lost, it wasn’t just me who would take the blame, but the hotel.

  I could have just left him to look after himself…but I was moving before I’d even consciously made the decision. Because there was no way I could just leave him as he was. Even with the smell of bleach covering most of his spill from last night, it would only be more work for me if he caught the smell and fell sick again.

  There were some clothes that would be perfect for him, or close enough. My brother left some stuff of his behind before he went and joined the Navy. My brother was maybe a bit taller and broader around the shoulders, but the clothes should be fine.

  When I got back, he’d at least pulled himself off the bed. He was standing beside it, looking a bit drowsy as he undid the buttons of his shirt.

  “Let me help you out,” I said quickly, rushing over.

  I tossed the spare clothes onto a clean patch of the bed, and helped him with his shirt, making sure to avoid the mess. I left him to take off his own pants, feeling it would be too awkward if I helped with that. I went to the bathroom and put a cloth under the tap to get it wet. Then, I walked back over to him. My eyes dropped down his body for a second before I forced them up. I wiped up around his face and neck, and his hands. Then, I helped him get dressed.

  “You don’t have to do this much, you know,” he murmured as I was pulling the t-shirt down over his head. Our eyes met, and I paused. “I can take care of myself just fine now.”

  I pursed my lips. “That may be so, but there’s nothing wrong with me being here, is there?”

  He didn’t argue, his eyes looking away from mine as I continued with my work, helping him shape up a little. I was tempted to sit him down to work on his beard and his hair, but decided that would be a little much. Instead, I had him stand to the side as I stripped the bed, dumping the sheets on the floor after balling them up.

  “All right,” I murmured with a nod to myself. Then I turned to the guest. “First of all, I would really like your name. I think we’ve gotten way too close and I don’t even know that much about you. My name’s Scarlett,” I held my hand out for a shake. Only to wrinkle my nose and pull it back, sending him an apologetic look.

  “Sorry about that.” I pulled off the glove, and held my hand out again.

  He just stared at me for a moment, then huffed out a laugh as he slid his hand into mine. Only, he didn’t shake it, just held it.

  “I’m Dan,” he said with a smile on his face.

  Dan still didn’t let go of my hand.

  “Well, Dan,” I said, taking in a deep breath. “Technically, you’ve missed breakfast. And I’m a little worried about what you can keep down. But if you think you’re up for it, you could come down for a glass of water, or tea. I don’t really have much experience with hangovers, so if you need anything, like painkillers…”

  Like my mentioning it suddenly reminded him he should be in pain, he winced and raised his other hand to his head.

  “Now that you mention it,” he murmured. “I could use some water. We’ll see about… anything else. I would really like to brush my teeth, though…”

  I nodded. “I left your stuff for you over there,” I pointed behind him, and he turned to see where I’d left his suitcase. “But if you don’t have a toothbrush, there’s one, along with toothpaste, in the bathroom you can use. I’ll take your sheets to laundry, so when you’re ready, just come downstairs to the dining room. When you’re on the first floor, just go to your left, you can't miss it.”

  I shot him a smile and went to turn, so I could pick up the sheets and leave him with some privacy. But I’d sort of forgotten he was still holding onto my hand, and he tugged me back. I turned back to him, looking up at him. Slowly, his hand slid out of mine.

  “Do you mind if I ask, Scarlett, why are you doing all this for me?”

  I blinked. There were so many responses I could have given him. He was a guest, and I was the only employee around. Even though I hadn't given anyone else quite this treatment. I opened my mouth to answer him, and accidentally told him the truth.

  “You just…look as if you could do with some help, I guess,” I murmured.

  I could feel my face start to warm, and I turned around quickly, picked up the soiled sheets, and left.

  Chapter Six

  Scarlett

  I started making dinner in the evening, as usual. As I was serving up the food in the dining room, I realized it was roughly the time Dan had showed up the previous day. I hadn't seen him after the scene in his room this morning, though presumably, he got himself some food and some water. I was suddenly feeling self-conscious, I’d spent some time away from the dining room hoping to not meet him. I’d gone back to find an empty room and cleaned up. Then, I went took clean sheets to his room, only to knock on the door and leave them on the floor before running away.

  If he’d opened the door to see me running…

  I shook my head and put it out of my mind. The guests were arriving for dinner, and I made sure everyone was served.

  Dan was a little late, and the room had cleared out and I was thinking of cleaning up. But he did come down for dinner. When I saw him, my breath caught, and for a moment, I almost didn’t recognize him. Because he’d shaved the beard and combed his hair back from his face. He’d also changed into some of his own clothes, and he looked like a whole new man. I only realized it was him, because he smiled right at me.

  Well, that, and there really weren’t that many people staying at the hotel. I knew all the guests by face, so there was no one else it could be.

  “Hey, Scarlett,” he said casually. “Can I get something to eat? Or is it too late?”

  I found myself distracted as I couldn't get over how hot he was looking at the moment. It was as if he’d transformed hi
mself in the last few minutes. It was a little unfair that my heart was starting to beat harder, my breathing coming a little faster because of him, especially when he’d been such a mess earlier.

  “Um,” I murmured. “No, I can fix you up something. If you don’t like what’s already on selection…”

  The few other guests we had must have gone back to their rooms already. No one really stayed out late, if they left, they were back for dinner and off to their rooms afterwards. There were no other employees right then. It was off season, so there wasn’t too much work around, and Dad usually kept this in mind, so he didn’t have any full time employees, besides me and himself. Of course, he was taking advantage of it himself to go off and visit his girlfriend. He hadn't said anything to me, besides that he would be away for a few days, but it wasn’t like I didn’t know he was seeing someone.

  That kinda pisses me off, I grumbled internally. Even my dad has a life. Why am I the one that gets left here while he’s off visiting his lover…

  When was the last time I even went on a date with a guy? I wasn’t a virgin, by any means, but I was single as fuck and had been for way too many years, or so it seemed to me. And here Dan was, unfairly attractive and more than likely single.

  If not carrying a bit of baggage, I reminded myself, and that helped me calm down a bit.

  “I’m pretty sure I like everything on the menu,” Dan was saying. Then he grinned at me, and my heart thumped hard in my chest. “Although, I wouldn’t mind if you could keep me company while I ate?”

  I cleared my throat and looked around. Only, there really wasn’t anything else for me to do around. There was no one else, and I’d already cleared up the tables.

  “Why don’t you take a seat and I’ll bring the food to you,” I finally relented, sighing.

  His grin widened. “Excellent. Don’t take too long,” he teased, turning his back and picking a table with two seats.

  I watched him go, then prepared a plate for him. He hadn't specified what he wanted, but I picked what would be easy on his stomach anyway, just in case he still wasn’t okay from earlier. I hesitated, before deciding I might as well, and I served a plate for myself before I went and joined him.

  “Sorry if I took too long,” I murmured as I set the plates down, then sat across from him.

  “Not at all. I’m being a pain,” he said with a sheepish laugh at himself.

  “Of course not,” I said automatically, even though in a lot of ways, it was certainly true. “You don’t need to worry about it,” I added. “I was happy to help. Though… I am a little curious at what had you so messed up. Most people know not to drink and drive, especially when they’re in unfamiliar areas…?”

  It was probably rude of me to ask. But, I figured after everything, I couldn’t just treat him like any other guest, and that wasn’t just the attraction talking.

  Again, just like last night, his expression was part nostalgic, part sad. I was a little too curious for my own good, just what had him making an expression like that.

  “I guess you haven’t really seen me in my best, huh?” he said with an embarrassed laugh, looking down and not meeting my eyes.

  He pursed his lips and picked up his fork, stabbing at his food before trying a bite of it. He hummed, eyes widening in surprise.

  “This is really good,” he complimented as the food quickly descended from the fork into his mouth before he refilled it again.

  It wasn’t the first compliment I’d ever received, his brought a warm flush to my cheeks, and I ducked my head down, chiding myself for reading too much into it.

  “Thanks,” I mumbled, taking a bite myself. “Why?” I asked quickly, taking the attention off myself. “If it isn’t too personal a question, of course. I just don't understand why you would risk your life, driving so far and so drunk." I knew that I was being personal and his hesitation in replying told me that the next thing he'd do is tell me that it's none of my business and he'd be right about that.

  "You don’t have to tell me anything,” I sighed embarrassed about asking him in the first place.

  He shrugged and met my eyes. “I don’t really mind...I don't have an answer for you."

  He shifted uncomfortably.

  "I kind of owe you after all the shit you’ve put up with thanks to me,” he quickly changed the subject.

  I wanted to tell him he didn’t owe me anything. Really, he didn’t. I might have gone above and beyond the callings of my job, but there was no way I could have left him to just fend for himself. But a strong part of me really wanted to hear this, so when I opened my mouth, I stuffed it with food and got busy chewing, staring intently at Dan.

  He was back to not meeting my eyes. “The truth is…my wife left me.”

  I almost choked on my mouthful of food because of his words. He looked up at me, still sad, but somewhat amused by whatever expression I had on.

  “You’re surprised, right?” he said, lifting his hands and showing them to me. No ring. “It was a while ago, and I should probably be over it by now, but… I just don’t think I can be. I mean, we were together for a while, and she just ups and leaves without informing me. It was such a fucking shock. I… haven’t really gotten over it yet. But I’m trying.”

  I had a feeling he might not appreciate it if I said it out loud, but in that moment, I felt so sorry for him, even if I didn't know the other side of the story. I felt angry at this woman that would leave a man like him. Sure, I hadn't seen the best of him so far, but I’d seen enough to be able to tell it would probably be really great.

  “Would you like dessert?” I asked.

  Dan looked up, surprised at me at the sudden outburst.

  “We’re in the middle of a meal, though…”

  “I know, but would you? If you think your stomach can handle it…?”

  He looked down at the food he’d barely started on. I knew I’d probably just stick all the leftovers in the fridge, and either eat it myself, or give it to someone else that would like to have it. I was doing a very stupid thing, but I didn’t care.

  “Well,” he said after a moment. “If you don’t mind, then I guess I can't say no.” He shrugged.

  I beamed at him. “Great! And, I promise you won’t regret it. Or, hope you won’t, anyway.”

  I got up, picking up both plates and waiting on him to follow, before I made my way to the kitchen. I set the plates down on the counter, deciding I could clear up the dining room later, before I went to sleep.

  “Out of curiosity, what are you making?”

  Glancing at him over my shoulder, I shot him a wink. Damn, where is all this confidence even coming from, I thought, feeling slightly awed at my own behavior.

  “It’ll be a surprise. I figured, I want to make you feel better, and the best way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.”

  Dan laughed. There were plenty of stools and seats around the room, even where he could see me clearly, but instead of taking any of them, he moved to lean against the counter next to where I stationed myself, assembling ingredients.

  “Maybe you’re right,” he murmured.

  I walked around him to get to a different cabinet. I found what I was looking for, and I turned back, only to bump into Dan’s chest, because he’d gotten in the way. I looked up to tell him to step aside and give me some room, only for the words to get caught in my throat. He was staring at me too intently, and my whole body felt like it was lit up. He took the bag of sugar from my hands, dropping it on the counter without looking.

  “You don’t have to try so hard, Scarlett,” he murmured. His hands cupped my face, and I could feel my breath going ragged. “You could say I’m easier than most men.”

  He ducked his head down, and I didn’t stop him as he pressed his mouth to mine in a soft kiss. Instead, I wrapped my arms around his neck, going on tip toe, to kiss him back.

  Chapter Seven

  Scarlett

  The next morning, the few guests we had at the hotel were all ready to
leave. All, that is, expect Dan. I was sitting in the lounge after checking them out, and when he came downstairs, he found me there.

  “Morning,” he said brightly, grinning.

  I blinked, surprised because it was pretty early and he looked pretty fresh and ready for the day, while I felt exhausted.

  “Hey, there,” I mumbled, waving a hand at him.

  He tilted his head at me curiously. “Why do you seem so dead beat? Did something happen?”

  I sighed. “I guess there was no way for you to find out. The other guests are gone. So, now it’s really just you and me.” I shrugged.

  Dan was silent for a moment. Then, he moved to sit next to me. Because I was relaxing, I’d taken my shoes off and had them up on the seat. I didn’t feel the need to be formal with Dan, so I wasn’t hurrying to right myself, like if it had been a different guest. But it still made me jump when he suddenly lifted my feet as he sat down, setting them on his lap. He didn’t do anything afterwards, just turned to look at me, so I calmed down almost immediately.

  “That means you don’t have anything to do, right? Wait, did I miss breakfast?”

  I shook my head. “No to both. You didn’t miss breakfast; I just sent the other guests off with complimentary gift baskets filled with some food. I have some in the kitchen if you’d like.”

  My legs tensed as I was ready to jump up and go get the food. I was more relaxed with him, but he was still a paying guest. But then his hands were on my ankles, keeping me in place, and I went still. His hands were large and warm, and the touch sent shivers through my body that I hoped he didn’t notice.

  “That’s fine,” he said, waving a dismissive hand. “First of all, tell me what there is to do around here, something interesting. Let’s do that today.”

  My heart jumped, because he wanted to spend time with me. Almost immediately I was reprimanding myself for reading too much into it.

  There was that kiss from yesterday…

  But you don’t know what that meant, either!

  Trying to clear my mind, I shrugged my shoulders, making the move very casual.