“We didn’t know for sure. But we were determined to find out. The similarity was too great to be a random fluke.”
“Why didn’t you just ask me? If not right away, then later after you’d hired me?”
Josh gave him a sheepish look. “I’m sorry for the subterfuge, Will. I hope you can forgive me for that. I didn’t ask you questions because I didn’t know anything about your family situation. What if you thought your dad was your biological father? We didn’t want to blow up your homelife.” Josh shot him a humorless grin. “So much for that, huh?”
“Yeah, no joke. It’s been kind of hard on my mom. She’s been frazzled since Maggie came by that night. But my dad... We’re not very close. He came along when I was six, and I’ve always known he wasn’t my biological father. Since the divorce we don’t see much of each other.”
“I’m sorry about that.”
“I don’t think I lived up to his expectations, you know? We don’t have much in common. He’s kind of disappointed in how I turned out or something.” Will averted his eyes as he blinked back tears.
Josh’s heart went out to the kid. “Believe it or not, I know what that’s like. We’ll have a talk about that sometime.” He wrapped his arm around Will’s shoulders. “For what it’s worth, Will, I think you turned out pretty awesome.”
Will’s gaze slid hopefully to Josh. “Yeah?”
“Yeah, I really do.” He pulled Will into a hug, some part of him still dazed that this amazing young man was his kid.
When Will latched on, Josh let out a sigh. His throat closed up at this unexpected blessing. He stared heavenward as his eyes filled.
Thank You.
When they parted, Josh squeezed Will’s shoulder. “You know, it turns out I did end up sterile and the cryobank lost my... Well, we won’t go there again.”
Will gave a strangled laugh.
“The point is, I’d given up hope of ever having a child of my own.” Josh’s eyes filled with tears. “This is pretty much the best gift I ever got.”
Will’s lips trembled. “Thanks, man.” He blotted his eyes with the heels of his hands. “Hey, you can’t tell the crew I blubbered like a baby.”
Josh chuckled as he dried his own eyes. “Right back atcha, kid.”
Chapter 49
After Maggie returned to Fayetteville, she picked up Zoey from her friend’s house and took her to the neighborhood park. As she pushed Zoey on the swing, the humidity beaded on Maggie’s skin. The day was blistering hot, but she’d promised Zoey a trip to the park upon her return.
“Higher, Mommy!”
“If we go any higher, you’ll have to become an astronaut.”
“Astronauts have rockets and special suits and helmets.”
“Then we’d better not go any higher.”
“You’re silly.” Zoey kicked her feet out, then tucked them under her.
“Look, Mommy, there’s Jada! Stop the swing. Please.”
Maggie did as her daughter asked and the minute the swing stopped, Zoey hopped off and ran toward her preschool friend on the jungle gym. Maggie waved at Jada’s parents but opted for a spot in the shade. She settled on a bench at the perimeter of the playground, where she could keep an eye on Zoey from the shadow of a live oak.
As Zoey and Jada got reacquainted, Maggie’s mind went back to Robyn’s house. To the revelation that her husband had not been unfaithful. Once again profound relief poured through her. On thattwo-hour drive home, she’d mentally apologized to Ethan a hundred times. How would she ever forgive herself for suspecting him of cheating?
Despite the emotional roller coaster she’d been on this summer, she couldn’t bring herself to regret the journey because it had led them to Josh’s son.
Josh’s son.
The wonder of it stung her eyes. She was so very happy for him. He might have missed out on the boy’s childhood, but he would be a great father to Will as the boy stretched his wings and came into his own. She hoped Will would be open to a relationship with him. It sounded as if he would.
She was so hopeful that Josh would have a constant, steadysomeonein his life. Not long ago she had dreamed of being that person. But just because Ethan hadn’t cheated didn’t mean Josh had changed. He was still that fickle guy who flittered from relationship to relationship. He might never settle down with one woman, and her heart couldn’t bear another loss.
