Not that McKenna’s mother would bother to call if McKenna showed up in Kansas City anyway. Aunt Willa stopped speaking to Skye and the rest of their extended family a long time ago. The familiar regret over their long-standing feud made Skye’s heart ache.
“And her baby?”
Gage’s question pulled her back to the present. Her scalp prickled with uncertainty. “Before I say more about Connor, I’d like to know why you’re asking. Who are you?”
“McKenna’s boyfriend, Ryan, is—was—my best friend.” Gage reached inside his jacket pocket and then slid a photograph across the table. “We were stationed in San Diego with the navy, and that’s where he met McKenna.”
“Oh.” Skye examined the picture of Gage and a blond-haired, blue-eyed man standing on the beach, wearing shorts and T-shirts and grinning at the camera, with the ocean in the background. Ryan. Skye didn’t know much about the guy with Gage, other than McKenna claimed he was Connor’s father. McKenna’s stories had always seemed a bit convoluted, though. It was reassuring to meet someone who could fill in some of the gaps, especially anything about Connor’s father.
“I’m not sure what happened after San Diego,” Gage said. “Ryan couldn’t stop talking about her, but then we got our orders to transfer to Florida and he asked her to move there.”
“She didn’t, did she?”
Gage shook his head. “Ryan said he talked to her all the time and tried to convince her to change her mind, even offered her money to help cover the expenses. Then she told him she was pregnant, and he...” Gage looked away, and a muscle in his jaw knotted.
“He what?”
Gage dragged his gaze to meet hers. “He died before he could see her again or meet Connor.”
“Oh no.” Skye’s stomach plummeted. “I’m so sorry. I—I had no idea. She never told me that part.” No wonder Connor’s father hadn’t come forward to help. Questions pinged in her brain, and she wanted to ask more, but the sheen in Gage’s eyes made her keep quiet.
“When did she come back to Merritt’s Crossing?” His voice was shaky as he tucked the photo away.
“First she showed up at my apartment in Denver right before Thanksgiving, with Connor in his car seat, a backpack and five dollars to her name.” Skye shivered at the memory. “I still don’t know how she got to Denver from California with a newborn. Frankly, I was afraid to ask.”
“So she and Connor lived with you?”
“I let them stay with me for a couple of days because I knew she didn’t have anywhere else to go. We’d both lost so much, and it was nice to have family around, you know?” She clamped her mouth closed before she revealed details about her family’s struggles. What was it about him that made her want to share information so freely?
“Where is Connor now?”
“My mom let McKenna and Connor move in with her in November. He’s been staying with my mother and me since McKenna left in January, although my mom is recovering from knee-replacement surgery, and I’m trying to keep the furniture store open...” She trailed off. Again with too much information. Stop.
Gage studied her. “Sounds like a lot for one person to handle.”
“I’ve managed so far, although it’s been really hectic. As long as Connor doesn’t get kicked out of the church’s child care program, then it’s all good.” And given the program director’s recent warning about Connor’s behavior, that was definitely a possibility. She forced a wobbly smile. “I hope.”
“Here’s the thing. I made a promise to Ryan before he died.” He worked his jaw before continuing.
A niggling in Skye’s chest forced her to stiffen. “What kind of promise?”
“I told Ryan that I’d take care of his child, and I intend to keep my word.”
What did he mean—take care of his child? She clenched her fists in her lap. “I don’t understand. What are you—”
He held up his palm to silence her. “This sounds ridiculous, I’m sure, and I don’t blame you for being skeptical, but—”
“Skeptical doesn’t even begin to describe how I’m feeling.” Skye linked her arms across her chest. “Why would I believe anything you tell me?”
Irritation flashed in his eyes. “Because Ryan was like a brother to me. I can assure you he had every intention of being involved in Connor’s life.”
Skye’s throat tightened at the raw emotion in his voice.
“I—I want to do for Connor what Ryan can’t.” He cleared his throat. “I’d like to see him on a regular basis.”
This was crazy. She didn’t know this man, and he wasn’t even related to Connor. Did she really look that gullible? “I’m afraid that’s out of the question.”
* * *
Gage was not giving up. He’d come so close to finding Connor, only to encounter an unexpected obstacle—Skye Tomlinson. She was not only determined, but incredibly attractive. Her pink cheeks, long dark curls and pale blue eyes fringed with dark lashes all conspired against him and threatened to distract him from his critical mission.
Focus.
He couldn’t afford to blow his one chance and based on the way she was glaring at him, he estimated she was about three seconds from getting up and leaving.
“I’m sorry I’ve upset you.” He softened his tone. “Is there anything I can say to change your mind?”
Something unreadable flickered in her gaze and vanished.
“Why are you here? I—I heard what you said about the promise to your friend, but do you really expect me to believe that you came all the way from Florida to find the baby he’d never met?”
The doubt in her voice pricked at him. What was wrong with a man keeping his word? Gage sipped his coffee and weighed his response. To be perfectly honest, he’d do anything to assuage the guilt he carried from watching helplessly while Ryan succumbed to the flames, knowing he could’ve saved him if only he’d followed the correct protocol.
No. Not now. He squeezed his eyes shut and battled back the mental images from that horrific day. Tomorrow was the one-year anniversary of the accident that killed his best friend, and he still had nightmares.
Setting his mug down, he met Skye’s gaze again. “After eight years in the navy, I decided to not reenlist. I’m almost finished with my online certification to become a wind energy technician, and the program’s director told me he places most new graduates with companies in eastern Colorado or Wyoming.”
“Ah.” Skye nodded. “Alta Vista Energy just opened a new wind farm not far from here.”
“I start my on-the-job training with them on Friday.”
“Did you move to Merritt’s Crossing hoping you’d find McKenna? Seems like a huge risk.”
“I moved here because it offers the best chance at starting my second career, and the only time McKenna and I communicated, she mentioned she was trying to move back home. While your cousin sounds unpredictable, she shared a lot on social media up until a couple months ago. All of her recent posts were from this part of Colorado, so I assumed this was home.”
Skye’s gaze narrowed. “When did you talk to McKenna?”
“Just after Ryan’s funeral. She wasn’t there, and I was worried, so I sent her a text.”
“But you’ve never heard from her again?”
“No.” Gage leaned back in his chair. “She’s ignored all my messages. I started looking for her as soon as I moved here, though. My first stop was a diner on the interstate near Limon because McKenna had posted that she worked there.”
Skye scrunched up her nose in a way Gage found incredibly adorable. “Yeah, that job didn’t last long. McKenna’s not meant to be a waitress.”
“That’s what the owner told me. She also mentioned your family’s furniture business here, and that someone might have more info if I stopped by the store. Honestly, I thought it was better to reach out online first. In case you didn’t—�
��
Skye’s phone buzzed on the table between them, interrupting his explanation. Her gaze toggled between him and the phone.
“Do you want to get that?” he asked.
“It’s just a text. I’ll read it later.”
Six more notifications chimed in quick succession. He felt his mouth twitch but suppressed his smile. “Are you sure?”
“I’d better look. My babysitter is the only one who sends blasts of texts like that.”
He waited while she studied the screen.
“Oh no.” The appealing shade of pink on her cheeks faded to a pale white. “I can’t believe this.”
“Everything okay?”
She set the phone down. “Connor’s babysitter just gave her notice. Her husband is being transferred to Phoenix, and she leaves on Saturday to look for a house there.”
“I thought you said Connor was in day care at a church?”
Her hand trembled as she massaged her brow with well-manicured fingertips. “He is, but just two mornings a week because he’s having issues.”
“What kind of issues?”
“Biting.” Skye heaved a sigh. “It’s happened twice. Once more and they’ll ask him to leave. That’s why I hired a sitter for the other three days, hoping that if he wasn’t around other kids quite so much, he’d get the one-on-one attention he seems to need.”
“What will you do without a regular babysitter?”
“I—I don’t know.” She stared out the window.
A possible solution formed in his head. He hesitated. Given her earlier reaction, how would she respond if he mentioned he had a flexible afternoon schedule since most of his training could be completed in the mornings?
“I’m already on thin ice with the church’s child care director. She thinks I shouldn’t be Connor’s guardian, that he’d be better off in a two-parent home. Anyway, if he bites another child again, I’m worried she’ll use it as an excuse to call social services.”
Not on his watch. Gage’s heart fisted. “No.” He wouldn’t let that happen.
Skye flinched.
The single word came out more forceful than he’d intended. “I—I’m sorry.” He held up both palms in surrender. “Please, don’t let it come to that.”
Skye’s voice lowered to a whisper. “People talk. Look at how you found out about me from someone in Limon. Word will get out that I’m not able to care for him well enough and—”
“Skye.” Gage’s hand shot out and blanketed hers. “Let me help you. Please.”
Her eyes widened, and she stiffened at his touch. Startled by the warmth that zinged up his arm, he scrambled to form a coherent thought. “I have afternoons free. Maybe some mornings, too. I can watch Connor as much or as little as you need.”
The words tumbled out before he could stop them.
She stared at him. An awkward silence filled the space between them, and he suddenly regretted his bold offer. What if he scared her off?
Finally, the rumble of the espresso machine broke through the quiet, and she tugged her hand free. “I can’t ask you to do that.”
“You didn’t ask. I offered.”
She frowned. “Do you have any experience with babies?”
“I can learn.” It was a weak argument. She’d probably say no for sure now. He held his breath. Please say yes. Please say yes.
“I—I don’t know. I can’t afford to risk Connor’s safety with someone who lacks experience.”
His gut cinched tighter and he leaned forward, fighting to keep his tone even. “And I can’t go back on my word to my best friend. Give me two hours with Connor and let me prove to you that I can handle taking care of him.”
She sighed and shrugged into her coat. “Come over for dinner tomorrow. I’ll introduce you to my mother and Connor. We’ll see how it goes.”
Seriously? Relief washed over him. “What time?”
“Five thirty. I’ll message you our address.” She stood and reached for her purse. “See you then.”
“Yeah. Great.” His shock limited him to monosyllabic responses. “See you then,” he called over his shoulder as her boots click-click-clicked across the hardwood floor behind him.
He’d done it. Somehow he’d convinced Skye to let him meet Connor. A smile tugged at his mouth and he pumped the air with his fist.
Through the window, he watched Skye jog toward her car as thick wet snowflakes fell from a gray sky. She was intense. And beautiful. He purged the observation from his thoughts. Nope. Not going there. He had one mission right now, and it didn’t include flirting with a pretty brunette. Besides, he wasn’t “relationship material.” The last woman he’d dated in Florida had solidified that when she’d called him emotionally unavailable.
Gage gritted his teeth. He had his binge-drinking mother and absentee father to thank for that. And he knew firsthand how tough some foster homes could be. Maybe that was why he found Skye’s loyalty to her own family both intriguing and intimidating.
He reached for his phone to check McKenna’s social media for an update.
Still nothing. Gage sighed and revisited her older posts, landing on an image of McKenna holding Connor on her lap.
Man, Ryan would be so proud of his son. He hated that Ryan never had a chance to meet the baby before the accident.
“I’m going to look out for him. I won’t let you down. I promise,” Gage whispered, swallowing against the tightness in his throat. He didn’t know yet how he would fulfill that promise specifically—looking out for an almost one-year-old—but it didn’t lessen his resolve. He knew all too well the heartache of growing up without a dad, and he couldn’t rest until he was certain Connor was safe. Loved. Being a part of Connor’s life was about so much more than keeping a promise to Ryan. When Gage was a child, other adults had enabled his mother’s reckless behavior. He never wanted Connor to experience the pain and hopelessness of that kind of betrayal from the very people who were supposed to protect him. And he’d do whatever it took to make that happen.
Copyright © 2019 by Heidi Blankenship
ISBN-13: 9781488042904
The Texan’s Secret Daughter
Copyright © 2019 by Jolene Navarro
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