She could deny it.She could tell him he was crazy—but he wasn’t.
“I’m early in the pregnancy.I would have told you…eventually.”Was that really true?No, she wouldn’t have told him anything, and the look on his face said he knew that.
“You’realmostconvincing.You weren’t going to tell me anything, so let’s stop with the games.You may never want to see me again, you may think I’m a worthless bum, but you arenotgoing to keep me from my child.”
Katie found the nearest chair, sank into it.Oh goodness.What a mess.What a horrible mess.She closed her eyes, rubbed her temples, and wished he would disappear.
“You might as well open your eyes because I’m still here.Not going away either.”
She blinked her eyes open, spotted him sitting in the recliner near her chair.It was the same recliner where they’d snuggled…kissed and talked…
Touched…
Shared…
Made love…
She cleared her throat, fought the queasiness inching to her throat, swirling in her belly.“Can you honestly tell me you want to be a father?”
That blue gaze burned her.“Yes, I can honestly tell you that.”
How many guys said that when they first learned they were going to be a father?Some even married the woman.All of them promised so much and delivered so little.It would be disastrous to depend on him…to care…to believe he could be different.“What do you want from me?”
He rubbed his jaw, his voice cold, determined.“I want to be a part of this baby’s life.I want to know about the doctor’s appointments, the ultrasounds, everything.The birthing classes, too.”
“You can’t be serious?”She’d planned to turn to the women in town to help her through all of this.
“Oh, but I am serious.Very.”He pulled his phone out of his pocket, glanced at her.“When’s the next doctor’s appointment?Do you have a schedule yet?I want to know about the ultrasounds as well, and anything else baby-related.Just let me know when and where.”
“Aren’t you going to Luxembourg or somewhere?”Somewhere far away, so I can pretend you don’t exist?The man could travel to the other end of the world, stay away for years, but there was no pretending he didn’t exist—or that she could forget him.And if she didn’t try very hard to keep the anger fueled, she might actually forgive him, and she couldnotdo that.
“Change of plans.I’ve got more important things going on.”
“How do you plan on doing this from California?”Hewasheading back, wasn’t he?He couldnotstay here where she would have to see him.
“Like I said, change of plans.Didn’t you know that people work remotely all the time?Max Ruhland has some projects he wants me to work on.He’s just a car ride away if we need to meet in person.No big deal.”
Katie slumped in the chair, blew out a long sigh.The man wasnotgoing away.“How many children have you been around?Do you have any idea what’s involved?The sleepless nights?The crying, the diapers?And when they’re older?You love cars and engines, but can you imagine your child driving one?”
“I think we’d have a few years to get used to the idea.”
He was serious!Katie tried again.“I’m giving you an out.You should take it.”
“Wow.Thanks for the vote of confidence.”
Disgust covered his too-handsome face.The trimmed beard highlighted his strong jaw, the new haircut landed a few inches above his shoulders.Very attractive.Too appealing.Too…
Katie cleared her throat, tried to make him understand that being a father was a lot more than simply claiming the title.“Do you have any idea how many requirements will be placed on you?”He would never want that sort of commitment.No way.
“Do you?Unless I’ve missed something, you’ve never had a child, and while you might have helped raise your sister, it’s not the same.Isn’t it all a learning process that requires commitment and a willingness to do whatever you have to for the child?Isn’t it more about that?”
Why was he talking as though he understood and was willing to accept the role of a parent?“Yes, but can you actually say this is what you want?”
His expression remained unreadable, his lips pinched, voice cold.“Is this whatI want?”He took a deep breath, let out a harsh laugh.“No, it’s not what I want.I never imagined finding out I was going to be a father from someone other than the mother of my child.”The left side of his jaw twitched, his voice turned colder.“I certainly didn’t think I’d be told I didn’t want to be a parent, implying I wouldn’t be a decent one.And what about the questionable relationship between the baby’s mother and me?Thatis yet to be determined.”
Yet to be determined?Katie sipped air, concentrated on what she had to say.“Exactly.You don’t want to be tied down, and that’s why I didn’t tell you.”
“Seriously?”He cursed under his breath, glared at her.“Are you really going to play the martyr?You were trying to save me from diaper duty and spit up, andthat’swhy you weren’t going to tell me?Don’t pretend you would have at some point because we both know that was never in your plans.You wanted me to disappear, and then you found out you were pregnant…” He dragged a hand through his hair, rubbed his temples.“It took Jack Finnegan’s phone call to tell me what was going on.Imagine that?I always thought the man could barely tolerate me, and yet he’s the only one who did the right thing.”
