His Best Mistake

Leah wondered if Kevin would ask to see his child. If so, maybe she should change Carly into something more appropriate than the yellow, hand-me-down sleeper. Another silly idea. Carly was an infant, for goodness sake, and she wasn’t required to impress her father. If Kevin couldn’t see past his daughter’s apparel to the blessing beneath, then Macy was right—he didn’t deserve to be in Carly’s life. As if he really wanted to be involved with his baby, something she genuinely doubted.

After drawing in a deep breath, Leah walked into the tiny living room to discover Kevin seated on the floral chintz sofa, looking somewhat weary. He also looked incredibly handsome in an expensive navy silk suit with a white tailored shirt, sans tie. She hated the flutter of awareness, the remembrance of a time when she would have greeted him with a kiss. Hated that he could still move her so easily into those memories, those feelings that were best left unfelt.

“A phone call might have been nice,” she said on the heels of her exasperation. “But then you were always full of surprises, Kevin.” Some very nice surprises, and some not so nice.

He came to his feet, his gaze fixed on hers. “I had an appointment downtown this morning. Since I was so close, I decided to stop by.”

That explained his business apparel, even if it didn’t provide all the answers Leah required. “How did you find us?”

“Your address was on the envelope you gave me, remember?”

Actually, she hadn’t remembered. “Did you have a business meeting?”

“I met with my accountant.” He pulled an envelope from the inside of his jacket pocket. “This is the outline of the trust fund I’m setting up for Carly. The actual documents haven’t been drawn up yet because I want you to look over this first and make any changes. You’ll have complete access to the funds and if you need more, you only have to tell me.”

After a brief hesitation, she took the envelope from him. “As I’ve said before, I don’t expect you to be financially responsible for Carly if—”

“I know what you said, but she is my responsibility, and I want to provide for her.”

Leah wondered if a monetary obligation was the only tie he planned to have with his baby. Still, she’d gladly accept anything that would give her child a better life, at least until she had all the student loans paid off and her private practice up and running. “I’ll take a look at it and get back with you. Anything else?”

“I’d like to see her.”

At least that answered one of Leah’s questions, and prompted some concerns. But now that she’d involved Kevin in the situation, she had no good reason to deny him, particularly when he seemed so sincere. “She was sleeping when I left her a few minutes ago, but I guess you could take a peek.”

Leah led Kevin into her bedroom that also served as the nursery. When she moved to the bassinet, she discovered her daughter wasn’t sleeping at all. Instead, Carly was intently focused on the multicolored mobile dangling above her.

Leah sent a quick glance over her shoulder to see Kevin standing near the door, as if uncertain what he should do next. “She’s awake, so you can come closer.”

He took his place beside Leah and stared down on Carly, who favored him with a smile, as if she somehow sensed he was a special guest.

“She’s started smiling a lot in the past month,” Leah said.

Kevin didn’t respond, but the awe in his eyes spoke volumes. “She’s beautiful.”

Leah couldn’t agree more. “She’s a good baby, as long as she’s fed and dry. But she does have an occasional bout of mild colic and a little bit of a temper that comes out when she doesn’t get what she wants right away.”

He remained quiet for a time before asking, “May I hold her?”

Leah certainly hadn’t prepared for the question, even though that would be a logical request from a first-time father. Regardless, she gestured toward the rocker next to the crib. “Have a seat and I’ll hand her to you.”

After Kevin complied, Leah lifted the baby from the bed and laid her in the crook of his arm. Carly smiled at him again and Kevin smiled back. “Hey, kiddo. I’m your dad,” he said, his voice soft, almost reverent.

Leah couldn’t count the times she’d envisioned this scene, under very different circumstances. She’d often engaged in the happy-family fantasy of three. A pipe dream that would never come to pass, even now. But she couldn’t refute how natural he looked holding his daughter. Couldn’t discard the surge of emotions, the threat of tears as Kevin closed his eyes and pressed his lips against Carly’s forehead as he held her close to his heart.

This beautiful man, who had never mentioned wanting children, looked as if he, too, was battling his own emotions over seeing his child. But Leah had to remember this was only one special moment. Possibly a goodbye moment.

A brief time later, Kevin slowly stood and laid the baby back in the bassinet. When he faced Leah again, he pulled another envelope from his pocket. “I stayed up most of the night thinking about these papers.” He opened the flap and withdrew the document. “And here’s what I really think about them.”

After setting the envelope on the rocker, he turned, systematically shredded the paper and tossed the remains into the nearby trash bin. “She’s my daughter, Leah, and I want to be a part of her life. I need her in my life.”

When Leah was able to speak around her shock, she asked, “You’re absolutely sure about this?”

“Yes, and I want to prove it.”

Leah hugged her arms tightly to her midriff. “How do you propose to do that?”

“By taking care of her while you’re working.”

And Leah had just thought she couldn’t be more astounded. “That’s not necessary. I have her enrolled in a good day care.”

“And I have a flexible schedule—I can devote my time to her.”

This proposition was almost more than she could digest. “Do you understand what that entails, Kevin? All the feedings and changing and bouts of endless crying?”

“I understand that completely, and I’ll handle it. And now that I’m here, there’s something else I want to address.” He looked around the area, focusing on the double bed crammed into the corner. “Does Carly have her own room?”

“It’s only a two-bedroom apartment, and I have a roommate, which is why Carly’s in here with me.”

He sent her a sly grin. “Oh, yeah. Your roommate. The one who looked like she wanted to castrate me before she left.”

At least Macy hadn’t delivered the groin kick. “She’s nice when you get to know her.”

He gave her a Yeah, right, look before surveying the room again. “I don’t know a lot about babies, but isn’t Carly going to outgrow that bed soon? And it seems to me you don’t have room for a bigger one.”

That ruffled her maternal feathers. “This apartment is all I can afford right now, Kevin, and I promise you that she’ll have a full-size crib when the time comes, even if I have to sleep on the floor.”

He looked altogether cynical. “That’s a great idea, Leah, sleeping on the floor. I’m sure that’s going to provide you with a lot of rest before you have to make life-or-death medical decisions.”

Leah recognized he had a point, and she had another suggestion. “Then I’ll sleep on the sofa.”

He cracked another crooked smile. “The one with the flat cushions? That’s going to be great for your back, which if I remember correctly, bothers you if the bed’s too firm.”

When exasperation began to surface, Leah bordered on demanding his departure. “Again, I’ll make do for the next two months. Carly won’t suffer in any way, shape or form.”

“I’m thinking there’s a better solution that will prevent any suffering or sacrifice for either of you.”

Leah was almost afraid to ask. “What would that be?”

“A new place to live. A better place.”

“I’ve told you I can’t afford—”

“At my expense.”

She mulled that over for a moment, greatly tempted by the offer. Kevin was a financial wizard with a portfolio that rivaled any corporate CEO’s. Many times he’d given her fiscal advice and ways to plan for her future after her fellowship. He had the funds to finance a bigger apartment. A place where Carly could have her own nursery, allowing Leah to sleep in her own bed. “You’re really serious about paying my rent for a bigger apartment?”

“Not an apartment. A house.”

Maybe even in a neighborhood with a park where Leah could take the baby on her days off. The deal was getting sweeter by the moment. “A house would be great, but all the homes near the hospital are incredibly expensive.”

“I was thinking more along the lines of a newer subdivision about fifteen minutes out. A great house in a great neighborhood. Four bedrooms, four baths, almost four thousand square feet. Gourmet kitchen and a big backyard with a pool.”

Leah laughed. “That’s a little bit of overkill for two people, don’t you think?”

“Three people.”

Leah swallowed hard. “I’m not sure what you’re getting at, Kevin.” In reality, she knew exactly what he was getting at.

And he confirmed her suspicions when he smiled and said, “I’m talking about my house, Leah. I want you and Carly to move in with me.”

CHAPTER THREE

“ARE YOU serious?”

Kevin wasn’t at all surprised by Leah’s reaction, even if he was surprised by his own spontaneous offer. But come to think of it, the whole idea made perfect sense. “I’m dead serious.”

She sent him a champion scowl. “You’ve lost your mind, Kevin.”

Possibly for thinking she’d actually agree to it. But he wasn’t willing to give up…yet. “It’s a good arrangement, Leah. You can go to work in the mornings without having to drop Carly off anywhere. I can take care of her during the day and you can take over when you come home at night if you’re not too tired. Hell, I can even have dinner waiting for you.”

Her skepticism showed in her expression. “You don’t cook.”

“Not true. I made you dinner one night at my apartment.”

She smiled. “You heated up a dinner that your sister-in-law was kind enough to prepare for us.”

Kevin returned her smile, mostly from remembrance of one of many great evenings they’d shared. “You didn’t complain. In fact, I don’t remember you issuing any complaints the entire night.” Or in the morning, when he’d made love to her again for the second time. Or maybe it had been a third time…

Leah cleared her throat, jerking Kevin back into the present. “Lack of cooking skills aside, exactly what do you know about taking care of a baby?” she asked.

Not much. “I have several nieces and nephews that I’ve taken care of a time or two.” Under direct supervision from their parents during family get-togethers, a detail he’d rather not reveal at the moment in light of Leah’s cynical look.

When Carly whimpered, Leah scooped the baby up in her arms and laid her on the bed. “Hand me a diaper and the wipes,” she said as she began to undo a maze of snaps down the legs of Carly’s footed pajamas.

Kevin looked around a few moments before Leah added, “The box is in the corner and the wipes are on the dresser.”

He retrieved a disposable diaper and a plastic container clearly indicating baby wipes. After handing the items to Leah, he sat on the edge of the mattress next to his daughter.

“Do you want to do this?” Leah asked, looking expectant.

If he even made an attempt, then he’d prove just how little he did know. “Since we’ve only recently been introduced, I’ll watch while you change her.”

“You haven’t done it, have you?”

She was too damn intuitive for her own good. For his own good. “No.”

“That’s what I thought,” she muttered as she untaped the diaper, slipped it from beneath Carly, rolled it up and tossed it into the nearby pail.

Kevin tried to concentrate on the rediapering task, but he was distracted by the baby noises Carly began to make. “Did you hear that?” He sounded as if his daughter had just recited the preamble to the Constitution.

“She started the cooing phase a week ago,” she said as she refastened all the snaps with the skill of a baby-changing artist.

When Carly smiled at him again, Kevin said, “She sure is a happy girl.”

Leah picked up the baby and held her against her shoulder. “She’s not going to be happy for long since it’s past time for her nap.”

That was his cue to leave. He stood and said, “Fine. I’ll go so she can take her nap. I’ll call you later to discuss the move.”

“I didn’t say I was going to move in with you, Kevin.”

At least she hadn’t said she wouldn’t, which meant he still had a shot at pleading his case. “Just think about how convenient it would be if we lived together.”

She laid the baby back in the bassinet then turned and sent him a wry smile. “It’s not the convenience that worries me.”

He knew exactly what was worrying her—the possible fallout from their proximity. “Listen, I have two master suites, one on each end of the house, with two bedrooms in between. One of those rooms would be Carly’s. And you’d have your own private bath, with a whirlpool tub.” Hell, now he sounded like a real-estate salesman.

“I’m sure it’s nice, Kevin, but I’m not interested.”

“Aren’t you even the least bit tempted?” He brought out the big guns—a wink.

Leah rolled her eyes, indicating he’d lost his ability to entice her. “Temptation got us into this situation in the first place.”

He couldn’t argue that point. He did intend to argue his case for cohabitation. “You wouldn’t have to be around me unless it involved Carly. In fact, you’ll be gone most of the day, which leaves only a few hours at night when you’d have to tolerate my presence.”

“True, but frankly, I’m not sure I trust you even for five minutes.”

He battled a bite of anger, even knowing he’d done nothing to earn her trust to this point. “Look, Leah, you’re going to be moving in August. That gives me less than two months to get to know my baby before you take her out of state. I can’t do that when she’s in a day care all day.”

“You can still see her before I leave and after I move to Mississippi, provided that’s what you want.”

“You mean every other weekend? Maybe a holiday or two? That’s not a hell of a lot of time for us to build a relationship.”

She sighed. “We’ll work it out later. Right now your daughter needs to sleep.”

Your daughter. That alone fueled Kevin’s determination. He’d give Leah some space and in the meantime, he’d prepare for the best-case scenario—having Leah and Carly in his home—even though he wouldn’t be stunned if she refused him. “Okay,” he said as he backed toward the bedroom door. “I’ll be in touch in a few days. Call me if you change your mind before then.”

“I’m not going to change my mind, Kevin.”

THE MINUTE her roommate breezed through the front door, Leah could no longer maintain her silence. “You’re not going to believe what Kevin did.”

Macy laid a hand across her forehead with all the polish of a practiced drama queen. “With a baby on the premises? Has he no shame?”

Leah blew out a frustrated breath. “He asked me to move in with him.”

Macy dropped down on the sofa and leaned her head back against the cushion. “Please tell me you didn’t agree, Leah.”

“Of course not.” Although admittedly, she’d thought of nothing else but Kevin’s proposition for most of the day.

“Good. For a minute there, I thought you’d lost your mind,” Macy said as she toed out of her clogs.

Leah took the chair opposite Macy and propped her heels on the coffee table. “He says it would only be temporary. Just until I move back to Mississippi in August.”

Macy frowned. “If you’re not going to do it, then why are you telling me this?”

Leah didn’t understand why revealing the details to Macy seemed so important, but it did. “I only want you to realize that it’s not what you think. Kevin wants to get to know Carly, and I can’t very well keep him from her now that I’ve involved him in her life.”

“Her life,” Macy added. “Those are the key words. That doesn’t mean you have to shack up with him. He can have her for a few hours during the weekend.”

That sounded logical, yet Leah acknowledged why that might not seem adequate to Kevin. “He also offered to watch her during the day while I’m at work.”

Macy smirked. “You must not think too highly of your kid, leaving her in the hands of a monument to bad influence.”

Leah regretted telling her roommate all the unflattering details of Kevin’s past. “He’s not an ogre, Macy.”

“No, he’s a player who probably has a revolving door in his bachelor boudoir.”

Leah fell silent a few moments before she continued. “He owns a house with four bedrooms, four baths and a pool.”

Macy perked up like a puppy awaiting a treat. “A pool? Wading or in-ground?”

“In-ground. With a waterfall and a hot tub.”

“Well, heck, you stay here with the baby and I’ll move in with him.”

Leah was astounded at the sudden spear of jealousy hurling through her over that thought. “He’s not your type, Macy.”

“Yeah, I know. He’s much too pretty for me. I prefer a less refined guy. Someone who’s good with his hands.”

“Kevin’s definitely good with his hands.” Among other things.

Macy leaned forward and nailed Leah with a serious stare. “I honestly believe you’re considering his proposition.”

“Absolutely not.” Realizing the sheer defensiveness in her voice, Leah tempered her tone. “You’re right. Pool or no pool, it wouldn’t work.”

Macy tugged the band from her hair, sending a blond crop of curls cascading down her shoulders. “Maybe you’re worried it would work. Maybe you’re afraid you’ll get reeled in again. But hey, nothing wrong with convenience sex, as long as you don’t let all that emotional garbage enter into it. And as long as you double up on the condoms.”

“I’m not in the mood for any kind of sex.” Not exactly a lie. She hadn’t even thought about sex for months…much. “Besides, I’ve told him I’m seeing someone.”

Macy’s mouth hung open a few moments before she snapped it shut. “When do you have time to see anyone?”

“I don’t and I’m not. I only want him to believe that I’m off the market.”

“What are you going to tell him if he asks for details about this mystery man?” Macy asked.

“I’ve already covered that. I’ll pretend my new lover is J.W., my friend from Mississippi.”

Macy snorted. “You mean that mechanic who called here one night and told me he had a really big toolbox then asked if I wanted to check it out?”

Good old J.W. “Yes, but don’t worry about him. He’s all hat and no cattle.”

“Huh?”

“He’s all talk and no action.”

“I’ll take your word for it.” Macy slapped her hands against her thighs and stood. “I have to hit the shower now because I am in the mood for a little lovin’. I have a date with some prime beef tonight and he’s picking me up in less than an hour.”

Leah experienced some unwarranted and unwanted envy. “I’ll vacuum so he doesn’t injure his knuckles when they drag the floor.”

Macy rolled her eyes. “You do that, Leah. And just one more question. Did you make it clear to Kevin that you’re not interested in playing the happy-family game with him?”

“I tried, but knowing Kevin, he’s not going to let it go easily.” In fact, Leah wouldn’t put anything past him.

“I NEED to borrow one of your kids.”

After the declaration spewed out of Kevin’s mouth, he’d give a month’s pay for a camera to capture the confused look on his brother-in-law’s face.

“What in the hell are you talking about, Kevin?”

“If you’ll let me in the house, Whit, I’ll tell you.” He didn’t relish the thought of explaining the situation to his sister, Mallory, but desperation had sent him across Houston during rush-hour traffic for some much-needed assistance.

After a moment’s hesitation, Whit held open the door and muttered, “Come in.”

Kevin entered the living room to find Mallory seated on the edge of the sofa wearing a pink silk robe. A bottle of champagne and two glasses were set out on a hideous, hairy rug covering the hardwood floor. A cozy scene indicating an intimate celebration. His timing royally sucked.

“Is something wrong with your cell phone, Kevin?” his sister asked, her tone less than amicable.

He shoved his hands in his pockets and tried to look contrite. “Sorry. I just assumed that since it’s six o’clock on a Monday, I wouldn’t interrupt anything but dinner.”

“It’s almost seven.” Whit dropped down next to Mallory and rested a hand on her thigh. “If you’d shown up five minutes later, I wouldn’t have answered the door.”

Kevin eyed the spread on the floor. “Is it your anniversary?”

“No.” Mallory tightened the robe’s sash and moved closer to her husband. “Whit found out today he’s going to design a multimillion-dollar home for a prominent corporate CEO. We’re celebrating.”

Kevin offered his hand to his brother-in-law for a shake. “Congratulations.”

Whit smiled with pride. “Thanks. I beat out a dozen other architects, so I’m pretty happy about it. I’ll begin working on the design in a few weeks.”

“Sounds like a good deal,” Kevin said. “Who is this tycoon, anyway?”

Mallory sighed. “Let’s cut the chitchat, you two. And Kevin, what are you doing here?”

“He wants to borrow one of the girls,” Whit said before Kevin could respond.

Mallory scowled. “What for?”

Now came the nitty-gritty. The explanation that might take a while. With that in mind, Kevin selected the club chair across from the sofa and prepared to confess. “I’ll try to be brief.”

“Good idea,” Whit said. “We have to get back to the celebration and you’re not invited to watch.”

Kevin launched into the details of his reunion with Leah, learning about Carly and his most recent proposition. He concluded by saying, “She hasn’t agreed to move in with me yet, but even if she doesn’t, I still want to learn how to take care of the baby. That’s why I’m here.”

As soon as the astonishment left Mallory’s expression, she leaned forward and folded her hands in her lap. “Does this mean the two of you could possibly get back together?”

Obviously he’d been born into a family of frustrated matchmakers. “No, it doesn’t. She’s not interested.”

“Even after you told her about your illness?” she asked.

“I haven’t told her, and I don’t intend to.”

Whit shook his head. “You’re making a huge mistake, bud.”

Maybe so, but Kevin didn’t intend to complicate matters any more than they already were. “I have my reasons for keeping the information to myself.”

“I can’t imagine what they might be,” Mallory said. “If she knew why you broke it off with her, then I’m sure she would be willing to give you another chance.”

Kevin was too mentally stressed to get into his motives now, especially since he’d already hashed them out with Kieran that morning. “Take my word for it, telling her wouldn’t matter. But I still want to do right by my daughter, and that’s where the twins come in.”

Mallory folded her arms across her middle. “First of all, as much as I’d like to loan you a child, Lucy and Maddie are with Mom and Dad for the night. Secondly, they’re potty-trained, off the bottle, on solid foods and out of a crib. In fact, they’re going on three, not three months. I kind of doubt they’ll be of any help, unless you need all the particulars about the latest and greatest cartoon characters.”

Damn. He hadn’t considered that his nieces were beyond the infant stage. “That just goes to show how much I know about kids.”

Mallory came to her feet and waved a hand at him. “Come with me. I have an idea.”

Whit groaned as Kevin followed his sister out of the den and into the hall. They traveled several feet before reaching a bedroom decorated in shades of yellow and green, twin beds—not cribs—set out on opposing walls. Mallory crossed the room, picked up a doll and two miniature diapers from a shelf, turned and offered them to him. “You can practice with Sally Sweetness, who happens to be anatomically correct. If you’d like, I can give you one of her play bottles. Fill it up with water, stick it in her mouth, and in a matter of minutes, she’ll wet her diaper and you can change it.”