“Yes, please. Thanks, Mark.”
“You’re welcome, Phoebe. Without preamble, Archer is Lincoln’s father. There is a ninety-nine point nine percent probability of paternity, which is conclusive. I’m sure that doesn’t surprise you, though.”
I chuckle. “No, it doesn’t surprise me. The test was for Archer’s peace of mind. Thank you again for getting it done so quickly. I’m amazed at how fast you could do it, actually.”
I hear a snicker on the other end of the line.“I must admit, that was mostly for my own selfish reasons. I’m tired of playing basketball at my gym with all the prepubescent teens and old men that hang around there. Doing this test for Archer means I’m back in with him and the other guys, so I’ll finally have some competition.”
I laugh. “Well, glad I could help, I guess. But seriously, thank you. I’m sure you didn’t have to do it this quickly just to play basketball with them.”
“No, you’re probably right. But I figured it would be nice for both of you to get this sorted before Christmas. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to call Archer and tell him the good news.”
“Thanks again, Mark.”
“Oh, and Phoebe?”
“Yeah?”
“Archer is a good guy. Give him a chance.”
“Oh, it’s not like that.”
“I wouldn’t be so sure about that. I saw how he was looking at you today. Anyway, I have some stuff to take care of before I get out of here. Have a merry Christmas, Phoebe. Bye.”
“Wait, how was he looking at—” I pull my phone away from my ear and look at the screen. “He hung up on me. Unbelievable.”
Oh well, at least it was a quick call. I should still have a few minutes for a little catnap. I stretch on the couch and snuggle my body into the cushions.
But, of course, as soon as I start to drift off, a little cry comes from the baby monitor on the end table beside my head.
“Shiiiiit,” I groan as I force myself up and off the couch. “Looks like I’ll be relying on coffee for another day after all.”
Chapter 16
That Sneaky Santa
Phoebe
“Myfriend,Carol,toldme it happened to her daughter’s friend. The man took his child for a visit and then forgot him at the carnival. How do you know this Archer character won’t do something like that? You know nothing about him. You didn’t even know his name until a few days ago.”
“Mom, you’re being paranoid. I’m sure he’s not like that.” I honestly don’t think anyone is like that, at least not without some warning that they’re totally absentminded. Plus, Archer doesn’t seem like the sort of man who would even go to a carnival, let alone forget his kid at one. “You know I want Lincoln to know his father.”
I hear a heavy sigh through the phone. “Honey. Promise me you’re not letting your feelings about your father get in the way of making smart choices. Are you going to let this man take Lincoln for a visit? Alone? How do you know you can trust him?”
Shit.
In a way, she’s right. Not that I enjoy admitting that.
“I guess I wanted so badly for Lincoln to know his father that I didn’t fully consider how this would all work. You’re right, Mom. How do I know I can trust him? What do I do?”
“Maybe you can ask him to get a criminal records check? If he’s a decent man, he shouldn’t object to that, right?”
Wait a minute, what was that Devon was saying last time I was at Bump & Grind visiting Charlie? He was going to see what he could find out, and that was before he knew Archer’s name. I wonder how much deeper he can dig with a name. Or maybe I can ask Xena to get me in touch with her brother? A cop would have access to the kinds of information I could only dream of.
“Yes! Mom, you’re brilliant. I have to go. I need to go see Charlie at work. I love you. You’re still coming for Christmas Eve for dinner, right?”
“Of course we’re coming, sweetheart. We’ve already booked our hotel room. It’s Lincoln’s first Christmas. We wouldn’t miss that.”
“Right, okay. See you then. Bye, Mom.” I hang up without waiting for her to say bye, too caught up in my idea to worry about it. I’ll hear about it later, I’m sure, but I can’t bring myself to care. Not after she got me all worried, then gave me the solution to my problems in the same breath.
