Changed by His Son's Smile by Robin Gianna Read Free Book Online Page B

look of anguish on his face. “Cookie yucky!”
    Chase didn’t want Drew to think they were laughing at his distress, and tried to keep his face from showing how hilarious the poor kid’s expression was. “Sorry, buddy. That’s not a cookie. Guess we should have made that clearer.”
    “Poor Drew. Have a drink to wash it down.” Dani handed him a water bottle and wiped up the food. Apparently she wasn’t too worried about Drew being offended, as a laugh bubbled from her lips, and the sound of her amusement stole Chase’s breath. He looked at the curve of her sexy lips and the sparkle in her beautiful eyes, beyond relieved that she was finally more relaxed and happy.
    He’d always loved her laugh, her smile, her sense of humor. Kissing that laughing mouth was almost as high on his agenda as telling Drew that he was his father, but he reminded himself he had to go slowly.
    But not too slowly. Who knew when his next assignment would come through? The thought of having to leave before Dani believed in their relationship again scared the hell out of him.
    After they’d eaten, Chase grasped Dani’s hand to let her know the time had come to tell Drew, together. Instantly, a grim expression replaced the soft happiness on her face of just a moment ago, and he shoved down the disappointment he felt at the transformation. What had he ever done to make her look at him like that?
    “Andrew.” The child stopped banging a stick against the rock and looked up at him expectantly. Chase figured he should take the lead in this, as he had a feeling Dani would be as tongue-tied as she’d been earlier if he left it all up to her. “This morning your mom was telling you she brought you to Africa for two reasons. Besides helping kids here, she wanted you to meet me. And I really wanted to meet you.”
    He looked at her and the worry—damn it, he’d even call it torment—in her eyes made him pause. Did she need to be the one to say it?
    “Yes, Drew.” Her voice sounded strained and her grip on his hand tightened. “I’m so happy because, believe it or not, you finally get to meet your daddy. Dr. Chase is your daddy. Isn’t that great?”
    To Chase’s shock, her lips quivered and fat tears filled her eyes and spilled over. She quickly swiped them away, but not before they hit him hard in the gut.
    Dani wasn’t an over-emotional woman, crying over any little thing. That she was moved to tears now showed him what he hadn’t even thought about. How hard all this had been on her, no doubt from the beginning. Being pregnant with Drew, alone. Giving birth to him, alone. Raising him, alone.
    Painful guilt swamped him. No, he hadn’t known about Drew. But he should have been more intuitive when she’d proposed to him, damn it. And it had been his words that had driven her to secrecy.
    He wrapped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her close, kissing her salty cheek and giving her a smile he hoped would show her that her solitary hardship was over. That, even when she was in the States while he worked elsewhere, she would never be truly alone.
    He looked at Drew, whose head was tipped to one side, his big brown eyes studying Chase. “Your mom told me you’re the best boy in the whole world, and I’m incredibly lucky to be your dad. I’m really happy to get to spend time with you now.”
    Drew looked at his mother then jumped off the rock to start banging the stick on it again. “I thought maybe Mr. Matt was gonna be my daddy.”
    Mr. Matt? Chase stiffened and his arm dropped from Dani’s shoulder. Was Dani involved with someone? His brain froze. Why hadn’t he even thought to wonder? Or ask?
    A short, uncomfortable laugh left Dani’s lips. “Mr. Matt is just a friend. Dr. Chase is your daddy, and I think he’d like it if you called him that.”
    “Yes, I’d like that, Drew.” He only half heard himself speak. What the hell was he going to do if Dani was in love with someone else? A strange sensation gripped his