Daycare Dad
WhenLizetteWinters'twinbrothers beg her to hire their friend at her daycare, she reluctantly agrees.The only catch is that Shomari Marsh’s life is in disarray.On the plus side, his offer to prepare a proposal she urgently needs to expand her facility is a blessing she didn’t see coming.What Lizette does see, no matter how hard she tries to look away, is the spark of something magical between them.
Reeling from a painful loss and desperate to rebuild after losing everything, Shomari is focused on being the steady, loving father his little girl deserves.But just when he believes he might be worthy of a woman as extraordinary as Lizette, a heartbreaking revelation unravels everything.
As holiday lights glow and second chances beckon, can Shomari trust in the love that’s taken him by surprise, or let the shadows of the past keep him from embracing the future they can have together?Perfect for fans of sweet romance and heartwarming holiday reads, Daycare Dad shows how life changes when we find the courage to move beyond heartache and love again.
Chapter 1
Ashriekandapoketo the back woke Shomari.
“You can’t stay here,” a commanding voice ordered.
He rolled over, forgetting he was in a hammock, and crashed to the floorboards.The red-eye flight hadn’t done him any justice, and he arrived too late, or rather, too early in the new day to disturb his hosts.The hammock had been an inviting temptation he couldn’t ignore, so he’d planned to crash there until morning or when someone showed up—whichever happened first.
He stumbled to his feet, yawning and clearing the sleep from his eyes.“I’m sorry.”
The woman holding the offending umbrella that stuck him resembled the Winters twins, but was much smaller.She’d twisted her plaited hair together into a ponytail at the top of her head.Now, her plump lips pulled into a pucker.The umbrella wavered, as if she wasn’t sure whether she’d need it to prod him again.He’d be wary, too, if he found a stranger occupying space at any of his relatives’ homes.All his senses went on high alert when she raised her arm.
“Lizette?”Her name erupted from his lips in a low rush.
Eyes narrowed, she raised her chin.“Why do you know my name?”
The mixture of fear and slight contempt in her tone irritated him.Didn’t she know he was supposed to be here?Then again, considering Zack’s absentmindedness when he was deep in a project, maybe not.
She angled her head sideways, peering at him.Then her eyes widened.
“Zack.”
They said his name simultaneously.
“I’m sorry.”Shomari ran one hand over his hair and stepped back, knowing his size—compared with hers—might account for the anxiety flowing off her.“I should have arrived yesterday afternoon, but my flight was delayed.”
Dawn hadn’t yet made an appearance, so he wondered why Lizette had arrived this early.As if she read his mind, she said, “I thought you were coming on Friday.”
He rubbed his jaw and held in a sigh.So much had changed in his world during the past weeks, but now wasn’t the time to think about how and why he was in this situation,notof his own making.
Shrugging, he offered, “Change in plans.But itisThursday.”
“And I was supposed to get this place ready for you.Lord, this isn’t good.”Lizette reached for the tiny leather bag slanted across her body, then stopped with one hand halfway inside.“How do I know you’re who you say you are?”
He chuckled and folded both arms.“I don’t recall telling you who I am.”
After whipping out a phone, swiping the screen, and peering at it, Lizette thrust it in his face.“This is good enough for me.Shomari.”
Instinctively, he retreated, but gripped her wrist to see the screen.Either Zack or Eli had sent her a photo of the three of them together.He remembered the shot from last summer’s meet-up.Here he was, struggling a year later.
A slight tug forced his gaze to settle on Lizette.Her eyes had popped wide again, and a flush darkened her smooth skin.When she bit her bottom lip, he released his hold and sucked in a breath.“Sorry about that.I didn’t mean to manhandle you.”
She nodded and tried to get past him, but he shifted in the same direction.Then they moved to the other side.When they slid to the right in tandem the third time, Lizette rolled her eyes.
“Let me get out of your way,” he said and eased out of reach.
Lizette was uncomfortable with him touching her, and he didn’t want to make the situation worse, especially since he stood between her and the house where he was supposed to be staying.
Once more, she dipped into the bag.This time, she pulled out a set of keys.Pointing to his luggage, she said, “You can bring everything inside.”
The moment she unlocked the door, a sudden urge to empty his bladder overtook Shomari, and he asked, “Uh, may I use the bathroom?”
