Jacqueline Diamond – The Surprise Holiday Dad (страница 4)

Harper and Stacy had been close friends with Adrienne’s younger sister since junior high. Both nurses, they’d done their best to steer Vicki into treatment for her bipolar disorder and her drinking, and since her death had pitched in to babysit Reggie when his regular sitter wasn’t available. They’d also become Adrienne’s allies and mutual support system.

Harper, who’d volunteered to take pictures today, snapped the two children as they chased a butterfly. “You seem on edge. Is everything okay?”

“I’ve noticed that, too,” said Stacy, bringing a bowl of teddy-bear graham crackers from the kitchen. “What’s going on?”

With guests due to arrive any minute, Adrienne hesitated to spill the news she’d kept to herself all week. But it had to come out sometime. “It’s about the adoption. Reggie’s birth father is contesting it.”

“What?” Harper stared at her in dismay. “That lowlife?”

Stacy smacked the bowl onto the table. “Where does he get the nerve?”

“And if he takes my little boy away, I don’t know what I’ll...” Adrienne broke off.

“He can’t!” Stacy protested.

“Unthinkable,” Harper added. “If you need money for a lawyer, we’ll help.”

“So will we.”

“Thank you.” Adrienne struggled to regain her composure. “I already have an attorney. Unfortunately, he believes Wade has a case.”

“What kind of case?” Harper’s eyes narrowed.

“It turns out Vicki didn’t tell the whole story.” Adrienne explained about the checks and gifts.

“Sending money isn’t the same as being a father.” Stacy’s hand dropped to her abdomen, visibly enlarged with triplets due in four months. “I don’t know how I’d get through this pregnancy without Cole.”

“A real dad does whatever it takes to protect his kids,” Harper said. “Look how far Peter was willing to go to have children.”

A widow with a young daughter, she’d donated eggs so that Peter—himself widowed—could have a child by a surrogate. Unexpectedly, the two had fallen in love and were now due to be parents next June. They’d been overjoyed to learn that the surrogate was carrying twin boys.

Adrienne glanced toward the interior of the house, expecting to hear the bell, which she’d turned on high for today. No one had arrived yet, though, giving her a few more minutes. “I haven’t even told Reggie his father might be here next week.”

“When are you planning to break the news?” asked Peter.

“As soon as Wade actually shows up. He’s driving down from Northern California.” Adrienne wanted Reggie to enjoy his party without stewing about his father.

“Good plan,” Stacy said. “Considering he’s been the invisible man until now.”

Harper folded her arms. “Maybe he’ll conveniently get lost on the way.”

That would be a welcome break, Adrienne thought. “Just as long as he signs that legal waiver.”

The bell jangled. “The happy hordes descend,” Stacy murmured.

Through the window, Cole waved. “I’ll get it.” Wearing a checkered apron and a dab of chocolate icing on his cheek, he didn’t look like a world-famous men’s fertility expert.

“Thanks,” Adrienne called.

She might as well relax and enjoy the party. No sense dwelling on what next week would bring.

* * *

WADE SUPPOSED HE shouldn’t be surprised to find a man playing host at the front door. Yet the lawyer hadn’t mentioned that Adrienne had a husband or fiancé.

Patty’s family had already gone inside, followed by several other groups. The mild-looking fellow kept the door open for Wade, announcing, “Hi. I’m Cole.”

“Wade Hunter.” No sign of recognition crossed the man’s face as they shook hands.

Cole’s forehead wrinkled. “You were, uh, invited, right?”

“Do lots of little boys have stray men crashing their parties with gifts?” Wade wasn’t sure why he felt cranky toward this guy, except that he’d stolen the father’s place today.

“Sorry. It’s just that we haven’t met.” Despite the apologetic tone, Cole remained blocking the entrance.

“You know all Dr. Cavill’s friends?”

“Not exactly,” the man conceded. “My wife probably does. Stacy. She’s a surgical nurse at the hospital. Do you know her?”

Way to act like an idiot, Wade. “Afraid not.” He decided to cut to the point. “I’m Reggie’s father.”

Still looking puzzled, Cole moved aside. “I didn’t realize... Come on in. The party’s in back.”

The scents of chocolate and cinnamon reached Wade the instant he stepped into the foyer. Quite a charming change from his father’s place, as were the bouncy music and cheerful voices drifting from the depths of the house. His mood lifting, he followed Cole.

Glancing into the living and dining rooms that opened off the hall, he saw comfortable, well-maintained furniture, with bouquets of flowers that he guessed came from the yard. Everything appeared tidy and fresh.

With a twist of longing, Wade recalled the house where he’d lived before his mother left. More modest than this one but just as inviting, it had smelled of lemon oil and baking. He’d hurried in after school each day, eager to eat his snack and spill the day’s events to Mom.

Not that last year, though. Once he entered adolescence, Wade recalled with embarrassment, he’d become surly and quick to rush off with his friends. No wonder his mother hadn’t believed he’d needed her any longer.

Now, passing the staircase, he entered the family room. Judging by the view through the bay window, most of the action was on the patio. “I’d better go check on the food,” Cole said. “Nice to meet you.”

“My pleasure.” Wade stayed where he was, not quite ready to plunge into the mix of people outside.

He was alone in the den except for two school-age girls who stood near the window. They seemed to be debating whether to take their stuffed animals outside and risk getting them dirty. Boys would never argue over something like that, Wade thought in amusement.

“Mischief wants to run around,” said the shorter of the pair, a little charmer with elfin features. “He’s restless.”

“He should follow Roar’s example.” Her taller companion, a graceful African-American girl, cradled her lion. “He’d rather watch the others and write about them later.”

“I guess that’s okay.” The first girl clutched her well-worn bear. “Mischief, we can play later, okay?”

The girls set their little pals in the bay window facing the yard and darted out through the kitchen. Following, Wade spotted Cole hovering near the oven.

“I’d forgotten that boys this age still have girls as friends,” Wade remarked.

“Berry and Kimmie are stepsisters,” Cole said, as if answering an unasked question. “Took them a while to warm up to each other, but now they’re best pals.” A timer rang. “Excuse me. That’s the gluten-free cupcakes.”

“Gluten-free cupcakes?”

“Some of the kids and parents have allergies.”

Wade wondered how people kept track of such things. He’d have bought a cake at the store and been done with it.

Moving through the sunny kitchen, he stopped by an open slider window to take in the scene. A handful of adults gathered on the patio while children galloped on the grass and walkways. Among the three or four little boys, he couldn’t tell which was Reggie.

He ought to recognize his own son. Thanks to Vicki, he couldn’t.

Behind them a vegetable garden still flourished in October. Wade identified squash, peppers and a stubborn tomato plant. Nice touch. His mom used to raise herbs and vegetables, too.

Returning his attention to the patio, he noted a gift table. Should have wrapped this thing, he reflected. At least he’d attached a card.

After setting the box on the pile, he tried to pick out Reggie’s aunt among her guests. Definitely the pretty blonde woman with her hair pulled back, although those coveralls didn’t fit his image of a starchy professional. Why was she hiding in such a shapeless garment? It failed to disguise her attractive figure, however, just as the no-frills hairstyle didn’t detract—much—from her lively face, intelligent light green eyes and full mouth.

Wade registered the instant she recognized him. Disbelief flashed across her face, then disapproval, yielding at last to a painful attempt at a smile. Well, if she’d invited him, she wouldn’t have received such a shock.

As she started in his direction, a tall woman with long brown hair followed her gaze, then said something and indicated the children. Adrienne nodded, and her friend—corralling a couple other parents, including Patty—began distributing yo-yos in the yard.

With the others occupied, Adrienne approached Wade, her expression wary. “I wasn’t expecting you today.” Her warm, low voice stated that as a fact, not a challenge.

Wade decided to try a diplomatic approach. As a police officer, he’d learned that a courteous tone often defused potential violence, not that he expected anyone to start throwing punches around here. “You’ve put together a great party. I didn’t mean to crash, but I was in the neighborhood.”

She raised an eyebrow.

“On purpose,” he admitted. “I was impatient to meet my son. Only I didn’t expect all these people.”

Adrienne swallowed. “I thought it would be better for you to meet him next week, just the three of us.”