Desperately Seeking Dad by Marta Perry Read Free Book Online Page B

child.
    They stood staring at each other, the bag trappedbetween them. Then his lips twitched slightly. “Something tells me that’s your favorite saying.”
    â€œThere’s nothing wrong with being independent.” She’d had to be, even when she was a child, even when she’d been married. She didn’t know any other way to behave.
    You can’t do it all yourself, child. Helen’s voice echoed in her mind. Sometimes you have to let go and let God help.
    â€œYou can be independent and still let me carry your bag upstairs.”
    She held on for another moment, then released the handle. With a half smile, he hoisted the bag, then grabbed a second one with his other hand.
    Typical cop, she thought, following with an armload of her own. Give him an inch and he’d take a mile.
    Unloading the car took only a few minutes with Mitch helping. She glanced around the same sitting room they’d had before, amazed as always at the amount of gear required by one small baby. Mitch set the stroller behind a bentwood coat rack.
    â€œLooks like that’s it.”
    She nodded. Maybe this was the chance she needed to set some ground rules for this visit. He had to understand that she wasn’t going to be a passive bystander to any investigation he planned.
    â€œWe need to talk. Have you found out anything more about Tina’s stay here?”
    His eyebrows lifted. “It’s only been a day.”
    â€œI don’t have much time, if you’ll recall. The hearing is in less than a month, and the results—”
    The sentence came to an abrupt halt when Kate, holding the baby, stuck her head in the door. “Getting settled?”
    Anne managed a nod, her heart thumping. In another instant she’d have said something about DNA testing, and Kate would have heard. She’d have to be more careful.
    Mitch gestured toward the stroller. “Why don’t we take Emilie out for a walk? I’m sure she’s tired of being cooped up in the car.”
    Now that was exactly what she didn’t want: to have the whole town see them together and speculate about them. “I don’t think so. I need to put things away.”
    But Kate was already handing the baby to Mitch. “Good idea.” She beamed. “This little one could use some fresh air, and the sunshine won’t last that much longer. I’ll help you put things away later, if you want.”
    Mitch bounced Emilie, who responded with a delighted squeal. She patted his face with her open palms. He looked at Anne, eyebrows raised, and she knew exactly what he was thinking. If she wanted to talk to him, they might have more privacy on a walk.
    With a strong sense of having been outmaneuvered, Anne reached for the stroller.
    When they reached the sidewalk in front of thehouse, Mitch bent to slide Emilie into her seat. His big hands cradled her, protecting her head as she wiggled. Anne’s heart gave an unexpected lurch at the sight. His gentleness dissolved some of the irritation she’d been holding on to, and she tried to retrieve it.
    â€œI understand you live right across the street.” And you should have mentioned that.
    Mitch straightened, nodding. “I bought the house a year ago.” He shrugged. “Got tired of living in rented places. I wanted something of my own, where I could decide on the color of the walls and pound a nail in if I wanted to.”
    The cottage, with its peaked roof and shutters, pristine front door and neatly trimmed hedges, proclaimed its owner’s pride.
    â€œIt’s charming.” The house was an unexpected insight into the man. She’d have expected him to live in a furnished apartment, something closer to spartan barracks. “Convenient to the station, too, I guess.”
    â€œJust a couple of blocks.” He shrugged. “But nothing in Bedford Creek is very far away, as long as you don’t mind walking uphill.” He smiled.