An Unlikely Daddy by Rachel Lee Read Free Book Online Page A

Indulging a grief that would never leave her didn’t seem to get her anywhere. One foot in front of the other. How many times had she reminded herself of that?
    Julie showed up again in the late afternoon, an unusual number of visits for one day. Apparently Julie was concerned about something. Her? Ryker’s presence?
    Anyway, it was a relief to see her cheerful face breeze into the house. Julie had apparently taken the bit between her teeth. While she gabbed humorously about her day with “those imps,” as she sometimes referred to her kindergarten class, she dove into the refrigerator and started pulling out food.
    â€œI didn’t want to eat alone,” she remarked. “You up to a chicken casserole?”
    â€œAbsolutely.” Marisa sat back, enjoying Julie’s minor whirlwind.
    â€œJust us, or will your new friend be here?”
    â€œI’m not expecting him.”
    Julie paused, package of skinless chicken breasts in hand. “Why not? Did he leave?”
    â€œI doubt it. He wants to rebuild my basement stairs.”
    â€œI love him already. Those things have been worrying me. So call him.”
    â€œCall him? Why?”
    â€œBecause in this case three might be company. I mean, sheesh, Marisa, the guy came to look you up because of Johnny. How rude do you want to be?”
    Marisa felt her stomach lurch. What was Julie doing? Was she being rude? She hadn’t asked Ryker to come visit; he’d just arrived without warning. She didn’t owe him a thing...or did she?
    â€œHe helped bring the crib upstairs,” she said slowly.
    â€œGood man. So you’re finally facing the inevitability. Great. And that means we can throw a baby shower for you. My gosh, girl, the presents have already been bought. We’ve just been waiting for you to agree. And if you don’t, you’re going to have the shower around your hospital bed. So don’t you think it’d be best to know what you already have before you start shopping?”
    Marisa felt an urge to giggle rising in the pit of her stomach. “You sound manic.”
    â€œComes from dealing with five-year-olds. Can’t keep their attention for long. Talking rapidly is necessary. You never noticed before?”
    â€œI guess not.”
    Julie rolled her eyes. “Call the man. He must be at the motel. Besides, I want to size him up. Protective urges also go with being a teacher.”
    And a friend, Marisa thought. But Julie had leavened her mood, and she decided she wouldn’t at all mind hearing Julie’s opinion of Ryker. Right now she herself couldn’t make up her mind about the man. He’d zoomed in from nowhere, and experience with Johnny had taught her that he’d zoom away again just as unexpectedly, and probably without any explanation except he had to return to work. She also wondered if Julie would sense the secretiveness in him, would also feel that Ryker was withholding important information.
    Because, honestly, she didn’t quite trust the man, whatever his association with Johnny.
    Julie left the food on the counter and got them both some coffee. Sitting at the table with her felt good and familiar. “Call him,” she said more gently. “A second opinion is good and, frankly, I’ve been wondering about him all day. Strangers make me uneasy. So let’s sort it out.”
    With an almost leaden hand, Marisa reached for the wall phone and called the motel. One click, and then a voice answered. “Ryker Tremaine.”
    â€œRyker, it’s Marisa. My friend Julie and I wondered if you want to join us at my house for dinner. Nothing fancy, just chicken casserole.”
    Julie grabbed the phone from her hand. “Hi, Ryker, this is Julie. Believe me, my chicken casserole is fancy. Say an hour? We can chat while it cooks. Thanks. Looking forward to it.”
    Then Julie hung up the phone.
    â€œWhy did you do that?” Marisa demanded. She may