From Duty to Daddy by Sue MacKay Read Free Book Online Page B

froze, unable to make the move. Unable to share her daughter with this man. Their daughter, remember? Looking over the top of Aimee’s head, her gaze clashed with Marshall’s intent one. Was this when he ran screaming from the house, never to be seen again? Admittedly he’d handled himself well so far but it had only been a few minutes since the truth had dawned on him.
    His face softened from shock to awe. ‘Charlie Lang, a mother. It suits you.’ Then his gaze shifted infinitesimally, slowly cruised over Aimee. Looking for?
    She said, ‘She’s got your eyes.’
    ‘Yeah.’
    ‘You want to hold her?’
    His hands jammed into his pockets as he took a backward step.
    Okay. Too soon. Shuffling sideways with her heavy bundle, she flicked the kettle on. ‘I’ll make that coffee I promised. How do you take it?’ Her stomach would probably heave if she drank any but she had to do something other than hold Aimee, who’d gone very quiet and still. Twisting her neck, she saw Aimee studying the man in their kitchen.
    ‘Black and strong.’ Marshall was suddenly avoiding looking at either of them, apparently finding the view out the window far more interesting.
    Aimee wriggled to be put down. Placing her carefully on her feet, Charlie watched as she tottered over to Marshall and stood staring up at this stranger. An important stranger, if all went well. Rubbing her hands up and down her arms, she wondered what to do if Marshall decided he didn’t want anything to do with Aimee. Even if her health didn’t let her down, every child was entitled to two parents.
    The need to explain things gripped Charlie and she began talking fast. ‘From the moment I found out I was pregnant I wanted you to have the opportunity to decide what role you’d have in your child’s life.’
    He turned back to face her, saying absolutely nothing. Thankfully his steady gaze didn’t condemn her.
    So she continued. ‘I’ve spent a lot of time looking for you in between having Aimee and learning to be a good mum. I checked every known social network on the net. Then I started phoning M Hunters in various states.’
    His eyes widened as he gave a grim smile. ‘Truly?’
    ‘You wouldn’t believe how many there are in the US.’ Too many. Her phone bills were horrendous some months. ‘Marshall, I don’t want anything from you. Not for me. Certainly nothing like money or other handouts. Because of an inheritance from my mother I’m comfortably off and can easily provide whatever my child needs as she grows up. But I do want you to know her. Aimee needs her father to be in her life in some capacity.’ Her mouth was getting drier by the word, her tongue beginning to stick to the roof of her mouth.
    Marshall’s steady gaze unsettled her. What was going on in that head of his? If only he’d say something. Like what? I’m thrilled to learn I’ve got a child. Let’s play happy families and see how that goes. We know nothing about each other but our child will solve all the differences.
    Sounding good so far? Absolutely wonderful. If it wasn’t completely fictitious.
    * * *
    Marshall watched the emotions scudding across Charlie’s fragile-looking face as she babbled at him. He could read her like a neon sign. She was filled with the need to explain, to be fair and honest, and yet she was afraid he was going to skew everything for her and her little girl. That really stung despite knowing she was right on that score. But not in the way she imagined. She knew nothing about him. Had no idea he would make the worst father imaginable because of the upbringing he’d had. His fingers zipped across his head. What if he’d inherited his father’s genes? No way was he going to find out. The stakes were too high for all of them.
    Clearing his throat, he hurried to put her at ease. ‘Charlie, whatever happens, however I decide to play this...’ Play was the wrong word. He shrugged, temporarily out of the right words, then carried on. ‘I will never