The SEAL's Surprise Son (The Admiral's Seals, #1) - Leslie North Page 0,13

to worsen before taking action.

5

“Peek-a-boo,” Zach said for the umpteenth time, sending Austin into peals of laughter.

Zach lay on the living room floor with his son on his chest. He’d visited Carolyn’s house every day for the past five, and he was loving each minute he spent with Austin. He’d had some nervous moments, worrying about what kind of father he’d be. His own parents were no example he wanted to follow. The Admiral had known how to love, but Zach and his brothers had been teenagers by the time they had moved in with him.

Being a dad to a young toddler was different, but Zach was managing. It was easy when the kid was awesome. Happy, carefree, and apparently unhurt by the robbery. Zach had been surprised when Carolyn had invited him to join her at an appointment at the pediatrician’s office, where the doctor verified the boy was fine and would likely not remember the hostage situation.

Zach hid his face again, but his son tugged at his hands, trying to remove them. Zach liked the feel of Austin against him, which made him sad he’d missed the baby phase. This was great, but now that he had a sense of what he’d missed out on, he was sorrier than ever. Had there really been no way she could have reached him all those months?

The child’s weight suddenly disappeared from his chest, making Zach open his eyes. Carolyn stood over him with Austin in her arms. They were beautiful together. She’d always been beautiful, more than he’d thought he deserved. And maybe she had been. Admitting that didn’t change his attraction to her. Since the first time he saw her, she’d been the one for him. He’d been astonished when he’d won her heart…and crushed when he’d lost it.

“Time for bed for you, little man,” she said, blowing raspberries against Austin’s tummy and making him giggle.

“Can I help?” Zach had asked other evenings, but she’d told him no. She was protective of Austin. He couldn’t blame her for that, but he’d already missed so much. He supposed Austin was too little to realize he’d had no father, but Zach still feared the boy had suffered from it somehow.

“I…sure,” she relented. “Do you want to dress Mr. Squirmy in his pajamas?”

She’d taught Zach how to change a diaper, what Austin liked to eat, and even how to play with him. He was quickly learning how to care for his son. The bedtime ritual was another step toward being the father he wanted to be.

“Come on upstairs. I’ll show you the ropes.” She climbed ahead of him, her curvy figure at eye level. He almost tripped when his mind shot to how it had felt to run his hands over those curves.

“Thanks,” he said, yanking his thoughts back to his purpose as he followed her into a room at the rear of the house, the one he’d guessed was Austin’s. He’d located the windows on the exterior during his nightly checks on the house. He’d been keeping vigil in his car ever since that first night, and though he’d seen nothing to raise concern, he’d continue to watch over them.

“Take him while I get everything ready,” she said. As they passed Austin between them, their bodies brushed together, making him hyperaware of the attraction he still felt for her.

She turned away, giving him no indication that she felt anything for him. That uncertainty had kept him from giving her a good-night kiss the other evenings when she’d walked him to the door. Even though she’d hurt him with her ultimatum and rejection, he wasn’t over her. It hadn’t taken him long to recognize that fact. If there was a chance for them…

“You’ll need to change his diaper and get him in this.” She held up a one-piece sleeper. “It zips down the front.” She tapped an item attached to the crib. “He likes the soother to be on—and the little lamp in the corner.”

“Are you leaving?” Was she going to trust him?

“I’ll go start dinner while you take care of him.” She leaned over Austin on the changing table and kissed his forehead. “Mama loves you, baby.” After she straightened, she glanced at Zach. He caught the slight hesitation in her expression before she spoke. “Would you like to join me? It won’t be anything fancy.”

“Love to,” he answered quickly, pleased she’d asked him. He could pretend to himself he just wanted a home-cooked meal, but he wanted to stay with