One Daddy Too Many by Debra Salonen Read Free Book Online Page B

the world. No one was going to swoop in and steal their find.
    Rob’s find, she silently corrected. Rob’s gift to his father and Haley. Rob. The man she had no business liking so much. None at all.

Chapter Five
    “Welcome thebride and groom,” someone shouted from one of the fabulously decorated tables behind where Rob was standing.
    The two weeks leading up to this moment had been a couple of the most hectic in his life, but Rob was satisfied that his father—and Haley Hunt-Brighten, Adam’s new bride—were more than pleased with the results.
    “Lights, action, cameras,” he mumbled under his breath as he stepped aside to make room for the onslaught of photographers following the wedding party into Romantique. Others were cruising the ranks, snapping shots of the beautiful people lined up to congratulate the newlyweds.
    His father was tall and distinguished in his Armani suit. Haley’s dress probably cost more than Rob’s car, but she looked damn gorgeous in it.
    Rob and his dad had golfed the day before. Snippets of wedding talk had filtered into their usual nonmeaningful conversation. Yes, she was Rob’s age. No, neither of them gave a damn. They were in love.
    Rob believed it. His father had never looked happier.
    “She’s restoredmy faith in humanity,” Adam had told Rob while teeing off on the fourteenth hole. “She’s so much more than a beautiful face. Her soul is pure, her heart adventurous.”
    “I’m really happy for you, Dad.”
    “She wants to start a family. Right away.”
    The last had caused Rob to send his ball into the rough, but he’d managed to keep his opinion to himself. Adam wasn’t a bad father, but Rob had never gotten the impression his father was really into kids—his own or anyone else’s. Why he’d want to go through parenthood a second time, Rob couldn’t imagine.
    Ten minutes later, his father slipped away from the crowd to join Rob near the bar, where Rob was helping to make sure the champagne flowed. “You did it, son. I’m really impressed,” Adam exclaimed. “This place is fabulous, even if it is a bit out of the way.”
    Rob shrugged. “That’s what limos and taxicabs are for. You’ll never find better food. Or more privacy.” He said the last tongue-in-cheek, since one corner of the parking lot had been roped off for members of the press.
    “Yes, your Kate is a marvel. That lobster in endive!” He made a kissing motion with his fingers. “Thought I’d died and gone to heaven.”
    “Which is a distinct possibility if you eat too much of it,” a woman said.
    Rob and Adam turned to find Jo watching them. She stepped closer. Her tall chef’s hat barely cleared the top of the men’s shoulders. Rob hadn’t seen her or Kate since the limos arrived. Kate’s sisters, Liz and Alex, were handling the hostess duties. “Yetta is home with Maya,” Alex had informed Rob when he asked.
    Rob huggedhis mother. “Everything is perfect so far, Mom. How are you and Kate holding up?”
    “Great. She’s a genius. I think your son should marry her,” she told Adam.
    Rob blinked in surprise. “Marry? Me?”
    Adam looked equally shocked. “I didn’t even know they were dating. He didn’t say a word. Even though we played eighteen holes yesterday.”
    Rob made a time-out sign. “Nope. Stop. Off-topic. Kate and I are not dating.”
    “He lent her his truck,” Jo confided. “You know how particular he is with his truck. It presently has a child booster seat in it.”
    Rob groaned when he saw his father’s brows arch. He knew that look. “Mother,” he said sharply. “My private life is not open for discussion. I never poked into yours or dad’s. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I think I’d better check on that ice sculpture. Is it just the light or does Cupid have an erection?”
    His parents both turned to look at the buffet table.
    “Oh, damn,” Jo muttered. “That’s downright naughty. I’ll go find an ice pick.”
    Rob and his dad looked at each