“I’ll bet the hospital automatically put you on there since you two were married then. Like I said, it would give you rights because it’s assumed you’re the father.” Sandra decided to be blunt. “It’s obvious you were looking forward to being one, and it wounded you when Paige stole that from you. I don’t trust her not to hurt you again by showing up and claiming another man is the father.”
Eb’s face blanched, and Sandra could tell she’d hit the mark. He held the child closer.
“I’m really sorry. This sweet little girl deserves a stable home. Youcouldbe her biological father, but you should be prepared to prove it. It’ll give you a stronger legal claim for custody.” Sandra pulled out her phone. “Besides, it could be important someday for her to know her father’s medical history.”
“Makes sense.”
“Do you live in a house or a condo?” Sandra asked, already typing out a list on her phone.
“A condo. It has two bedrooms, but one is a home office.” His brows knit in alarm. “There’s no bed in it.”
“It’s okay.” Sandra patted his arm. “It’s a start. You’ll have to give up your office or get a bigger place. Can you afford it?”
“Yes. I make a good salary, and I have few expenses.” Eb appeared less dazed and more determined. “I’ll do whatever I have to, so I can make a home for her.”
“That’s the attitude.” Sandra gave him the most approving smile she could and then flipped through her phone. “It’s late to go shopping today. Your couch doesn’t happen to be a sleeper sofa, does it?”
“It’s a futon. You don’t think Paige left enough clothes in the suitcase?”
“Look at how new Rue’s coat is. I’ll bet her mother just bought it for her. Somehow, I doubt she spent much on a new wardrobe for a child she was about to get rid of. I’ll bet your daughter will need winter clothes.”
“Of course. Like I said. I’m off my game.”
“Don’t worry. We’ll figure this out.”
Sandra flushed at her presumption. What was she thinking to take on a problem which wasn’t her own? Yet, as she watched the stirring child and the adoring expression on Eb’s face, she knew. More than anything in the world, she’d love to be a parent.
It must be why she felt so protective of him and his rights. She could only imagine the crushing blow he’d received when Paige had told him the baby wasn’t his. What a piece of work she was to pull something like that on him. But now he had a chance with his daughter again, and Sandra would do everything she could to help him.
Rue woke then, her eyes opening slowly. She rubbed them and then looked around in confusion.
“Jeanie!” Rue began to cry.
“It’s me. Your daddy.” Eb patted her back. “Remember? Your mommy dropped you at my office.”
The words stopped the little girl’s crying, and she stared at him for a second, her sleepiness gone.
“Daddy.” With trembling lips, she threw her arms around his neck.
“Who’s Jeanie?” he asked.
“My nanny. I miss her.” Rue buried her face in his neck again.
Eb met Sandra’s gaze over the child’s head, his jaw set, eyes narrowed. Not once that day had Rue said anything about missing her mother, yet she was crying over her nanny. What kind of parent had Paige been?
Sandra’s phone rang, and she jumped to her feet as she answered it. “Hang on a second, Walt.” To Eb she said, “Excuse me for a sec.”
She moved from the bench but kept the pair in view. He glanced up and met her gaze, making her pulse kick up a notch, her face heating. Never would she have expected Eb Grinchly to suddenly go from nerdy loner to nerdy hot dad in the matter of an hour.
CHAPTERTHREE
Even with the sound of Sandra’s low voice in the distance and Rue’s soft cuddling of his neck, Eb still couldn’t get his head around everything that had happened to him. He slid a finger into the palm of the small hand, amazed as his daughter curled her fingers around it just like she had as a newborn.
His daughter.Hisdaughter. And Paige had lied to him about it, stolen these four years he could have spent with Rue. What had he ever done to deserve such treatment? All he’d wanted was whatever would make Paige happy. If she dared to show her face again—
At the adrenaline rush which made his body shake, Eb took a deep breath. He had to accept his part in this whole thing, first for getting involved with the woman in the first place but then for not going after Rue when Paige had taken her. What a fool he’d been to let his hurt keep him from his child. But he wouldn’t let her mother get away with it again. Not without a fight.
Sandra shifted, drawing his attention. What would he have done today if she hadn’t come early to their appointment? She’d breezed in, assessed his need for help, and immediately put Rue at ease. Eb had meant it when he’d told her he needed a friend.
