answering machine on the counter under it. “That just doesn’t cut it.”
He powered up the new cell phone. “I’ve taken care of a three-year contract for this, and I’ve already got my cell number and the office number programmed into the favorites list as well as all of Jaci’s numbers and Rick’s number. I also put myself in as the in-case-of-emergency number, which I know is presumptuous, but I did it, anyway.”
He shrugged and grinned, and Kyndal’s heart felt so full, she thought it would burst. “I don’t know how I’ll repay you, Chance.”
He gave her hand a squeeze. “You’re having my baby.”
Her arms ached to hold him, but if she did, he would have to pry himself loose because she would never let him go on her own. She’d smother him until he couldn’t breathe, and they’d be back to where they were nine years ago, except with a baby on the way.
No, hugging was out. She searched for another way to show her gratitude. “Would you like to stay for supper?” It came out quickly, partly because it seemed like the least she could do considering his generosity. Mostly because she didn’t want him to leave.
His eyes widened in surprise. “I’d love to. I still have a lot to discuss with you about doctor’s appointments—I want to be included in them. The first trimester is the critical time to guard against birth defects…”
She nodded and smiled to herself as she listened to him quoting information from the internet she’d read hundreds of times already.
He stopped for a breath and gave a sheepish smile. “We can talk about this during supper. What’d you have in mind? Pizza?”
“Nope.” She pushed out of the chair and headed for the refrigerator. “I have a pan of leftover lasagna in here begging to be eaten.”
Their laughter blended, and for a split second, she saw—
or imagined she saw—something that went beyond desire in his dark eyes.
She wouldn’t fool herself into thinking they could have a future together, but she could rest easy knowing he’d be there for the baby.
* * *
BILL BRENNAN POKED his head in his son’s office the following Monday afternoon. “Got a minute?”
“Sure.” Chance leaned back and stretched his arms over his head. For two hours he’d been hunched over his desk, writing furiously. The break was welcomed—even if it had to be shared with his dad. “What’s on your mind?”
“Just wanted to talk with my son for a few minutes.” His dad took one of the seats in front of the desk.
His studiously casual posture caused a tightness to grow in the pit of Chance’s stomach. “About…?”
“About your Thanksgiving news.” His dad’s lips pressed together, forming a thin line where a mouth had been. “I overreacted.”
Chance shrugged. “I probably could’ve chosen a better time. I know it came as a shock.”
“Kyndal’s doing well? Feeling okay?”
Hearing Kyndal’s name and a concerned tone coming from his dad’s mouth was a unique experience, and it took Chance by surprise. “Fine…good. She’s doing great. Well, except for the sickness.”
“Glad to hear it.” Bill Brennan shifted back in his chair and crossed his legs. “Tell me more about this job she’s trying to get.”
Chance explained about the new magazine and how she’d sold some shots for the first issue, but was still waiting to hear about the final choice.
“And if she doesn’t get it, what then? She gonna stay on at that pet store?” He spat the last two words out as if they left him with a bad taste.
“She’ll have to find something else.” Chance could feel this conversation heading south. “But she’s confident she’ll get it.”
His dad grunted in reply, and then characteristically switched topics. “You been seeing anyone?”
“No.” Chance didn’t want to get into the subject of women. Until now, he’d refused to open the Kyndal subject up in front of his dad since Thanksgiving, but he hadn’t given up hope he might be able to break through her resistance to marriage.
“Good-looking guy like you needs to be out there.”
“I’m pretty busy.” Chance left it there, hoping his dad would take the hint and leave.
“So Rick Warren and Denise Macomb are an item now.” It wasn’t a question, so Chance merely nodded in agreement. “Lucky guy Rick. Denise is a real looker.”
Chance heard a bugle blasting in the back of his brain.
“Lots of beautiful women around. May be time for you to start thinking about settling down—find yourself a sharp woman with a good career and the right connections…”