Instant Daddy. Carol Voss
should have known Jessie’s dad wouldn’t accept a superficial answer. Buying time, he laid out vials, small packages of swabs and labels while he sorted through thoughts he’d been struggling with about what to do regarding his son.
Bottom line? No way could he let Jake grow up without a father, like Peter had. “Jake needs to know his father. I can’t let him grow up thinking he doesn’t matter to me.”
“Fair enough. But think long and hard about how best to accomplish that. As long as you remember what’s best for him, we’ll get along just fine.”
In other words, as long as he remembered Jessie was best for Jake, everything would go smoothly. A not-too-veiled threat if Peter ever heard one. But he admired Jessie’s father for laying it on the line.
Max looked at Peter, obviously waiting for him to be just as straightforward about what he wanted.
Peter’s thoughts began to gain clarity. He wanted more than just to know his son and his son to know him. He wanted the kind of relationship with Jake that Jessie and her dad had.
And if that was what he wanted, he needed to step up to the plate. “Jessie’s fortunate to have you, Max. You’re here when she needs you, and you’re not afraid to go to bat for her. I don’t want to be anything less for my son.”
“What?” Jessie’s eyes went wide. “You want to be a father like my dad? But you have to get back to your lab, remember?”
She was right. He’d been in a hurry to get the DNA swabs so he could get on the road. Slight change of plans. If he was going to be a real father, he needed to get to know his son a little better. “I’ve decided to stay in town the rest of the weekend.”
Unfortunately, the shock on Jessie’s face wasn’t the least bit encouraging.
In the steamy little bathroom, Jake’s shampoo mingled with the subtle spice of Peter Sheridan’s aftershave.
“Make bubbos,” Jake squealed, slapping the water in the tub with both hands.
Jessie rocked back on her haunches to duck a spray of soapy water, a jab in her hip making her wince.
On his knees beside her, Peter took the splash at full force. Laughing, he swiped his hand over his wet face, his arm bumping Jessie’s.
He turned to her, his laughing brown eyes concerned. “Sorry. You okay?”
She nodded vigorously, his presence seeming to fill the room.
His gaze softened. “I tend to throw myself into things, I’m afraid.”
She squinted. Too warm, she scooched over to allow him more space.
“Pedo. Chug.”
With an apologetic little smile, Peter turned to Jake and went back to making chugging noises and pushing a plastic tugboat in circles while Jake laughed and clapped and wildly slapped the water.
Grateful that Peter’s focus was back on Jake, Jessie gave her head a little shake. What was her problem? Did she need to remind herself of Peter’s declaration in the backyard this afternoon? He seemed to think he could pull Dad’s qualities out of thin air. Ha.
She had to make him see reality. That’s why she’d invited him to help with Jake’s bath and bedtime ritual—to give him a glimpse of real-life, behind-the-scenes parenting. If he understood being a parent was time-consuming, sometimes heart-wrenching and a lot of hard work, he’d have to understand he lacked the time and the skills to care for Jake.
At first, Peter sat back and watched her play quietly with her son to calm him down before bed. But it hadn’t taken him long to roll up his sleeves and take charge. Now, the front of his white dress shirt was soaked, and his black suit pants weren’t faring much better. But he seemed oblivious to everything except Jake and how much fun they were having.
But right before bed? Not a good idea. The more tired Jake got, the more wound up he became, and the harder it would be to get him to settle down for the night.
Of course, it would give Peter a good dose of one of the challenges of parenting. He needed to get a complete picture. And as much as she didn’t want Jake having a hard time settling down, maybe it would be worth it if Peter could see he wasn’t up to the job. Struggling to her feet, she grabbed a dry towel and glanced pointedly at her watch. “Jake’s bedtime has come and gone.”
“Hear that, Jake? Time for bed.”
Jake splashed, water flying. “Pedo chug.”
Diversion worked better than going the direct route, but Peter would find that out soon enough. She gave him the towel.
“Thanks. Come on Jake, let’s get you dried off.”
Jake stuck out his bottom lip in his mutiny pose.
Peter looked up at her, amusement crinkling his rich brown eyes. To his credit, he didn’t laugh even if Jake’s pout was the cutest thing in the entire world.
Jake slapped the water, sending it flying everywhere again. “Chug, Pedo.”
Peter turned back to Jake, a broad grin on his lips, as if that would help. He held the towel at the ready like he expected Jake to walk right into it. “See? Jessie gave me a big, fluffy towel to dry you off.”
Jake pointed to Jessie. “Mama.”
She smiled.
“Mama,” Peter conceded.
“Chug, Pedo.” Jake grasped the tugboat and jammed it at Peter.
Peter shook his head. “No more chugging. The tugboat’s tired. It needs to go to bed.”
Nice try.
But Jake was beyond listening. He flipped onto his tummy in the water, pushing the tugboat and making his motor sound.
Peter turned to Jessie. “Feel free to step in any time.”
“But you’re doing so well.”
“You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?”
“Of course not,” she fibbed.
“Any suggestions?”
“Well…” Maybe she should give him a crumb. “You could offer him his bedtime snack.”
He gave an aha nod and turned to Jake. “How about a snack, Jake?”
Jake kept pushing the boat and making the chugging noise, totally absorbed in his imaginary world.
“Hey, Jake. What do you like for your snack?” Peter tried again. When Jake ignored him again, Peter turned back to Jessie. “Now what?”
“He’s zoned. You’ll have to pick him up and take him out.”
“Will he cry?” he asked softly, probably so Jake wouldn’t hear.
“Count on it.”
“He’s used to you. Maybe you should do it.”
She gave him a lifted eyebrow. “He’ll cry for me, too. Just make it clean and fast.”
Peter put the towel down. Broad shoulders hunched, he leaned over the tub, poised to snatch the boy and lift him out of the water in his large, masculine hands. Strong and gentle, nails clean and neatly cut.
Neil’s hands had been strong and gentle, too. Sometimes, they’d been cracked and stained from hard farm work even though he used the special soaps she’d given him. Her heart twisted at the memory of her ex-fiancé. “Okay. Go ahead,” she encouraged.
Peter made his move.
With a shriek, Jake’s chubby legs flailed, his slippery body squirming and twisting to get free.
“Whoa, there,” Peter grunted, no doubt surprised by the power one little boy could unleash. He tried to set Jake on his feet on the