Daddy, Unexpectedly

by Lee McKenzie

  Luke had glanced around the coffee shop, hoping no one overheard.

  “Just answer the question,” Norm said.

  “I’ve had my share.”

  “And you’ve felt this way about how many of them? All of them? Some of them? Say, half of them, maybe.”

  Luke didn’t know where Norm was going with this, but there was only one honest answer.

  “None of them.”

  “Huh. So she occupies every waking thought. Maybe even a dream or two, I’ll bet, since you’re sleeping okay. It’s not just about the sex, and she’s different from any other woman you’ve ever met. One of a kind.” Norm paused to polish off his coffee. “Did you see that lightbulb come on?” he asked.

  “Yeah, I did.” Bright as a beacon.

  “That, my friend, is love. Now the only question is, what are you going to do about it? Let it go because you’re afraid you can’t live up to your responsibilities? Or take a shot at being the luckiest man alive?”

  “I always liked the sound of lucky.”

  “Then do it. You’re going to make a great dad.”

  Luke still wasn’t sure about that. He was just getting used to the idea of being in love. “Why didn’t you ask me all these questions a couple of days ago?”

  “Figured you weren’t ready to answer them.”

  “What’s different today?”

  “Figured you were ready.”

  Damn. Norm was right, he was ready. He didn’t know how long it would have taken to reach that conclusion on his own but now that he had, he needed to find a way to convince Claire.

  “Any suggestions where to go from here?”

  Norm pulled out his wallet and paid for their coffees. “Sorry, kid. You’re on your own.”

  “I was afraid you were going to say that.” But even as he said it, the plan started to form. Now he needed to make it work.

  * * *

  IT TOOK HIM NEARLY A week to work out the details, but the plan had finally come together. He didn’t know if it was a good plan or if it was even going to work, but it was the only thing he could come up with. Now it was time to put it to the test.

  “Come on, Rex. We’re going for a ride.”

  He put the dog in the front seat with him, tossed the package on the dashboard and set off for Claire’s. He hadn’t seen her since the morning they’d met for coffee, but he’d finally figured out what she meant by in or out, all or nothing.

  Although he was still on leave, he’d been relieved to hear from Kate Bradshaw that Claire’s problems with Donald had been resolved. In exchange for not being charged for breaking into her home, he had signed an affidavit forfeiting any claim to Claire’s book. There was also a restraining order in effect, but because the condo was sold and the book was no longer an issue, they didn’t expect any more trouble. When questioned about his motive for wanting to steal the book, it had come out that he and his new girlfriend had been living the high life, and he was deep in debt to a couple of loan sharks. That was his problem, not Claire’s.

  Luke knew she’d be home because he had talked to her friends, Sam and Kristi, and they had helped him set this up. Claire thought they were dropping by to help with some decorating project. Instead she was getting him.

  She was on the veranda sanding an old piece of furniture, and she didn’t notice him pull up. Chloe sat in the bay window inside, not missing a trick.

  “Rex, stay,” he said as he got out. He grabbed the package off the dashboard, though, and tucked it under his arm.

  She looked up from her work and saw him when he got to the gate.

  He had hoped to see her smile, but she only looked surprised.

  “I really must have been concentrating on what I was doing. I didn’t hear your motorcycle pull up.”

  “I’m not on the bike.”

  “You have your truck?” She scanned the street for it.

  “No. I sold it.”

  “Is that—?” She pointed to the shiny new SUV with Rex sitting in the front seat. “Is that yours?”

  “It is.” He opened the gate and walked toward her.

  “You bought an SUV?” She set the sanding block on the top of an old dresser and came down the steps to meet him.

  “Traded the truck and the Ducati for it.”

  “You sold your bike? Luke, you love that bike.”

  “As it turns out, there’s something I love more.”

  “Is there? And what would that be?”

  “You.”

  Her mouth softened into a smile and it was all he could do to resist kissing her.

  “What made you change your mind?” she asked.

  “You have to remember I’m not as smart as you are, so it took me a while to figure out what it means to be all-in.”

  “And now you know?”

  “I do. Actually, I think I was close before. I really would have married you, supported you, if you’d let me. But I was missing a step.”

  “Which step was that?”

  “Saying I love you.”

  “Is that what you’re saying now?” Trust Claire to not make this easy.

  “I’m saying I love you, Claire DeAngelo.” There. He said it, and he meant it, and he would never forget the way she was looking at him right now.

  She took his hand and laced her fingers with his. “I love you, too, Luke Devlin. I think I always have.”

  Yep, Norm was right. He was the luckiest man alive.

  “There’s more,” he said.

  “More than loving me and wanting to... I’m sorry, why exactly did you buy an SUV?”

  “Because I’m all-in, Claire. I want to marry you and have a baby with you, and this has the highest safety rating of any vehicle on the market right now.”

  She laughed. “Usually when a guy asks a girl to marry him, he buys her a ring, not the safest SUV on the market.”

  “Oh, I’m not asking you to marry me right now. I just said I want to marry you. Besides, I thought we were taking things slow.”

  “Fair enough.”

  “I have something else for you, though.”

  “A pre-engagement present?”

  “Sure.” He gave her the package and watched her while she examined it.

  “It’s a book.”

  “I know what it is. Are you going to open it?”

  “Of course I am. I’m just savoring the moment.” She carefully unstuck the tape and removed the wrapping without a single rip.

  “The Tale of Benjamin Bunny.” The way she ran her hand over the cover was practically reverent. “And it’s a first edition. Luke, where did you find it?”

  “Online. I had it shipped by courier.” He’d been worried it wouldn’t arrive for him to give it to her today, but his luck had held. “When I helped you pack your books, you said you’d like to have a first edition someday.”

  “I can’t believe you remembered. Thank you.” She put her arms around his neck and kissed him, and he went from being the luckiest man alive to the happiest. “I love the book. And I love you.”

  He held her close, this incredible woman who had his child growing inside her, this amazing woman who knew all of his flaws and loved him anyway. He wanted this to last forever.

  “Let’s get Rex and go inside,” she said.

  Rex leapt out of the SUV and dashed through the gate, excited to see Claire, but when he caught sight of Chloe standing in the window, arched and hissing, the poor guy dropped to the ground and covered his nose.

  Claire knelt, blocking his view of the window. “Come on inside, Rex. Would you like a treat?”

  He bounded up the stairs to the front door.

  “I’m glad you brought him. Rex and Chloe need to work out their differences,” she said, standing and taking his hand again.

  “Like we did?”

  “Yes, like we did.” She gazed up at the house, then back at him. “Now that the two of you are here, this house will finally feel like home.”

  Home sweet home. The phrase finally
made sense to him. They climbed the front steps and went inside together. Someday he would carry her across this threshold, but for today this was enough.

  Epilogue

  Six months later...

  Claire carried the cake, decorated with soft pink rosebuds and ribbons of pale green icing, into the dining room and set it in the center of the table. Luke had put in all the leaves to extend the table to accommodate everyone, and they would all be here soon.

  “Now will you please sit down?” he asked. “Even if it’s just for five minutes.”

  “If I sit down, I may never get up again.” She had two months to go before the babies would be here, and her body had all the grace and proportions of a beached whale. But every day Luke told her that she was the most beautiful mother-to-be on the planet, and she was more than happy to have him as her mirror.

  He guided her into her favorite armchair in the living room. “Don’t move. I’ll be right back with a decaf latte.”

  And so she sat with nothing to do but admire the vases of pink roses and baby’s breath she’d scattered around the room. Today’s baby shower was for Sam and AJ and their new baby daughter, Rose. Kristi and Nate and their family were coming, too.

  Claire gently rubbed her bulging belly, feeling a foot here, an elbow there. Four months ago she and Luke had found out they were having twins, and while the surprise had worn off, the shock hadn’t. Kristi, who was raising twin stepdaughters, said it would probably last until they left for college.

  Luke, her devoted husband, set her cup on the side table.

  “Thank you. I keep thinking how nice it will be to have real coffee again.”

  “It won’t be long now.” He sat on the arm of her chair and his hand joined hers in an exploration of her belly and the protruding baby appendages.

  Car doors slammed outside, followed by the sound of voices and footsteps on the veranda. Claire got to her feet, excited to greet their friends, who were really their extended family at the door.

  “So much for you having a rest.”

  She kissed his cheek, then ran her hand over the light stubble on his jaw. “The doctor says I’m healthy and the babies are healthy. We’re all fine, and I can rest later.”

  She had wanted to throw this party for Sam, to celebrate the arrival of her new baby, but mostly she wanted to do it for herself. She had her dream home, complete with white picket fence, and the person who’d been the man of her dreams all her adult life shared it with her. And they would soon have the family she had always longed for. With so much love in one house, it would be a shame not to share it. She wasn’t sure if Luke agreed with her or just humored her, but either way she loved him for it.

  Luke helped her to her feet and together they greeted their friends.

  Kristi and Nate trooped in with their five-year-old twin daughters, Molly and Martha, bouncing ahead of them and their teenage daughter, Jenna, straggling behind and tapping out a text message on her iPhone.

  “Claire’s living room is a gadget-free zone,” Kristi reminded her.

  Jenna rolled her eyes, stuck her phone in her pocket and hugged Claire.

  “It’s Luke’s rule,” Claire whispered to her, eliciting a laugh.

  Behind them, Sam and AJ appeared in the doorway, with their four-year-old son, Will, between them and the baby carrier in AJ’s hand.

  “Oh, Sam. She’s beautiful.”

  Sam gave her a warm hug. “See what you have to look forward to?”

  “Times two,” Kristi said.

  “I can’t wait.”

  Everyone shed coats and jackets, and while the children dashed out to the backyard and Jenna retreated to the dining room with her phone, the grown-ups settled into the living room.

  Sam answered questions about how well the baby was sleeping and AJ told them about the last checkup with the pediatrician and how much weight she’d gained.

  Then it was Claire’s turn to share the news of her last prenatal exam and Luke told everyone he thought the doctor should have told her to take things easy.

  That made everyone laugh, and then Kristi took Nate’s hand. “While we’re on the subject of babies...”

  “Omigosh! You’re pregnant, too?” Sam hugged her. “Congratulations!”

  “More babies!” Claire said, clapping her hands together. “I’d hug you, too, but I can’t get up.”

  “A baby,” Nate said, grinning widely and accepting hearty handshakes from the other dads. “One set of twins is plenty.”

  One set of twins is perfect, Claire thought.

  “If the three of us plan to keep this up,” Sam said, “we’ll have to come up with a schedule so we’re not all on maternity leave at the same time.”

  Claire joined in the laughter as she gazed around the room at her friends, then up at her husband who sat next to her, one arm around her shoulder. She had to be the luckiest woman alive.

  “Ready Set Sold is in the business of creating homes for families,” she told them. “I’d say we’re managing just fine.”

  “Home sweet homes,” Luke said, seeking out her hand and giving it a squeeze. “That could be your company slogan.”

  She laced her fingers with his. “It’s perfect,” she said. Everything was perfect.

  * * * * *

  Keep reading for an excerpt from Cowboy for Keeps by Cathy McDavid

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  Chapter One

  The tie choked worse than a pair of hands around his neck.

  Conner Durham yanked at the knot, loosening the tie, and then ripped it off altogether. He flung the offensive garment onto the passenger seat beside him, where his rumpled suit jacket already lay. The interview, his third with this particular company, had been a complete and utter waste of time.

  He wasn’t getting the job; the hiring manager had said as much before dismissing him with the dreaded “Thanks, we’ll be in touch.”

  Turning his truck onto the long drive leading to Powell Ranch, Conner slowed his speed to the posted ten miles an hour. He’d have to find a different way to vent his frustration other than pressing his pedal to the metal.

  Maybe he’d take Dos Rojo out, work the young gelding in the arena. He and the mustang, named for his distinctive red coloring, were still ironing out the kinks in their relationship, deciding who was in charge. So far, they were even, with Dos Rojo coming out ahead some days, Conner on others.

  Driving past the main horse barn, he headed for his quarters, a four-hundred-square-foot efficiency apartment. Hard to believe a mere six months ago he’d owned a five-bedroom house and spent money as if it did indeed grow on trees.

  No more, and not again in the foreseeable future, unless his luck drastically changed.

  Luck, the lack of it, had to be the reason he couldn’t find a decent job. It certainly wasn’t his qualifications. According to the one-in-twenty prospective employers who’d bothered to contact him after receiving his résumé, he had qualifications coming out his ears. Usually more than the job required.

  Little did they know Conner was already downplaying his education and experience in order to make himself more hirable.

  Inside the apartment, he swapped the rest of his dress clothes for a well-worn work shirt and jeans. Threading his belt through t
he loops, he fastened the gold buckle. It was one of his most cherished possessions and proclaimed him Arizona State Champion in steer wrestling. He’d won the buckle in college, before abandoning his cowboy ways in order to earn double MBAs and make his mark in corporate America.

  Which he did, for six years, only to fall victim to a massive layoff and departmental downsizing. In the five minutes it took Human Resources to inform Conner that his good pal and fellow manager would take over his position and absorb the few remaining members left on Conner’s team, his entire life had changed.

  A knock sounding on the door provided a welcome distraction. Another minute and Conner might have started feeling sorry for himself.

  Yeah, right. Who was he kidding?

  “Door’s open,” he called, pulling on his boots and standing.

  “You decent?” Gavin Powell, Conner’s lifelong friend and current boss, barged inside. His glance went straight to the sleeping area, where Conner stood in front of the haphazardly made bed. “Good, you’re ready.”

  “You need something done?”

  Instead of answering, Gavin sniffed around the kitchen counter.

  “Hungry?”

  “I missed lunch. How’d the interview g—”

  “Don’t ask.” Conner strolled into the kitchen, adjusting his Stetson till it fit snugly on his head. “You live in a house full of people. Didn’t one of them fix you some food?”

  “Sage and the baby are taking a nap, since someone kept us up last night, crying. Dad’s down with the flu. Between laundry and helping the girls with their homework, the afternoon got away from me. Do you have any idea how many papers parents are expected to read and sign? Three, just for Isa to go on a field trip.”

  Last spring, Gavin and Sage had married, joining them and their two daughters, each from a previous relationship, into one big happy family. Now they had a two-month-old son, making their family even bigger and happier.

  “Never mind,” he complained. “I’ll grab some crackers in the office. Which, by the way, is where I need you to be in an hour.”