"But someday you'll stay, right?"
"That might send the wrong message to Maddie."
"What message? That I care for you and I want to make love to you? It's not like I'm going to lay you on her twin bed while she sleeps. We can be discreet."
"Discreet just sounds like a dirty little secret. I've had enough of those in my life."
His sigh came out a half breath and half growl. "I'm going to change your mind about men, about me, and about staying the night." He lifted from the sofa and retrieved his key from the entry table. "Take my SUV. I don't want you walking home alone."
She took the keys from his hand and moved to the door where he kissed her once more.
"Just so you know, I want to stay, but I know I shouldn't."
He walked her to his car and opened the door. "I know you shouldn't, but I want you to stay too. Next date, Maddie will have a sleepover, and so can we. No pressure, just think about it."
She adjusted the seat and mirrors and backed out of his driveway. All the way home, she couldn't think about anything else.
Chapter Fourteen
When morning came, Alex flopped onto his back and stared at the ceiling. He tossed and turned all night, thinking about Mercy and her kisses, and he was exhausted. If one of her kisses touched his soul, then what would making love to her be like?
The lack of sleep made his limbs heavy, and he climbed out of his bed and slogged toward the shower. His jeans, which he'd discarded in the corner of the room last night, caught his attention. Or the letter peeking out of his back pocket did. How could he forget the test?
He bent over and swiped the envelope, turning it over and over while his stomach churned. What if Maddie wasn't his? What if she indeed was?
He moved into the bathroom and set the envelope on the counter. Whatever was in it could wait until he was fully awake, and the only thing that brought him out of the fog of slumber, restless or not, was water, steam, and soap, followed by coffee.
The letter sat heavily in his consciousness while he moved through his morning routine. Up until now, things had been easy. He had Mercy watch Maddie, and all he was responsible for was hanging out a few hours with her at night and playing a song for her at bedtime. The hard stuff was in Mercy's hands. She was the one who entertained Maddie during the day. She fed her lunch and dinner and often bathed her before he picked her up. She made lists of things for him to purchase, like books and educational toys.
He had so many deliveries, the UPS man knew him by name and vice versa. Alex's house was his first and sometimes only stop in Aspen Cove. Thank the heavens for Prime shipping.
Yep, he had it easy.
Once out of the shower, he dried, dressed, and picked up the envelope. Passing Maddie's room, he found her playing with her dolls and leaned against the doorframe to watch.
Watching her play gave him great insight into her childhood. Had he been so easy to read while playing with his action figures? Did he lay them down and pretend he couldn't wake them up?
"But, Mommy, I'm hungry." Maddie shook her doll—the crazy American Girl doll that looked just like her. It wasn't something Mercy suggested he buy, but when he did a search for dolls every young girl wanted, he came up with the brand, and once he saw Samantha, he knew he needed to buy it. Not only was that his boss's name, but the lifelike doll looked insanely similar to his daughter. He was even able to customize the eyes, so they were blue-green hazel.
He stepped forward.
"Go away, Maddie, I'm tired."
He paused to see how this would play out.
"But, Mommy."
"Later, there are Pop-Tarts in the cupboard."
That nearly broke his heart. If this was a reenactment of her life, then history had repeated itself for his daughter. He lived off of toaster pastries and peanut butter sandwiches for years. That's why he learned how to cook.
Not wanting to startle her, he stepped back and knocked on the doorframe. "Hey, Mads, are you hungry?"
She spun around to face him. Her somber expression faded, and a smile lifted the corners of her lips.
"Yes."
"Do you want cereal here or pancakes at Maisey's?"
"Oatmeal. I want oatmeal."
He scrunched his nose. "Really?" What kid willingly ate oatmeal?
"Oatmeal, it is. Do you need help picking out your clothes, or do you want to dress on your own?"
"Dress myself." She ran over to the chest of drawers and dug through them to find what she wanted.
"Don't forget to brush your teeth. Meet me in the living room in five minutes, and I'll do your hair."
He watched no less than a dozen YouTube videos on braiding hair, and while he couldn't figure out the french one, he got pretty good at a simple braid.
He stuck a K cup in the maker, and while it brewed, he slid a finger under the flap to open the test results.
Maddie raced into the kitchen, wearing an interesting combination of plaid and florals and a glob of toothpaste on her lower lip.
"I weddy."
The pot stuttered to a finish, and he grabbed his mug. It seemed as if the universe was dead set against him reading the results, so he tucked the envelope into his pocket once again.
If he were lucky, he'd have time for a few sips of coffee while he fixed her hair.
He led her into the living room, where she sat on his lap while he perfected his coifing skills. When he finished, he admired his work. Today, he managed to get them even.
"Let's go, princess." Since Mercy
