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I reach out and ring that bell. Within seconds, a beautiful woman answers. “Hello. Can I help you?” she asks, fluffing her hair.
“Yes. I am looking for Phillip Turner.” I see sadness flit across her eyes, and just as quick as it comes, it is gone.
“I’m sorry darling. Phillip is currently deployed.” The shock on my face must show because she chuckles and nods her head. “I know. Men his age are usually retired but my husband is a career man. May I ask what you are looking for him about?”
“Yes, of course. I was wondering if maybe he donated… right before he enlisted.” She looks at me quizzically before smiling and nodding her head knowingly.
“Ah, I see. Well, darling, unfortunately, my husband is sterile. He found out long before he met me. Some genetic thing or another. We tried everything, but in the end, no babies. It is just him and I. Well, when he is home.” Well, now I feel horrible.
“I am so sorry to have bothered you,” I say before grabbing Junie and walking back to the car.
“Mom what’s ster..stera?” I almost giggle at her attempt to say sterile but I am more concerned about her mentioning it in front of Josh.
“Nothing for you to worry about right now, baby. Just…”
“I know. Don't say anything in front of Josh.” She cuts me off like I am being ridiculous, and for a moment, I feel like she cut me off and threw my words back at me.
We get back to the car and I can see the question lingering on his tongue, among other things, but I ignore his inquisitive gaze, especially since it reminds me of Junie’s when she is like that. “Alright baby girl. Are you ready to go see great grandpa?” I ask, hyping her up.
“Yes!” she says, squealing. Starting up the car, I begin driving when Junie speaks. “Mom, I want my playlist.” Shit. Looking at Joshua, I squint my eyes and give him a pitiful face.
“I apologize,” I say before I hit play, and “Let It Go” blares through my car radio. I watch out of the corner of my eye when his hand goes to his mouth so he can hide his laugh, which makes me smile.
“Mommy, aren’t you going to sing it with me?” This damn girl.
“Double sorry,” I tell him before I start screaming about how the cold doesn’t bother me anyway. This goes on for about an hour when I realize she fell asleep somewhere between Moana and Trolls. Thank God.
Josh looks in the backseat for a second too long, and I allow myself the thought that maybe he knows, but then I squash that. I mean, how could he? especially given what he said to me at the door. “So, are you going to tell me what is with all of the stops?” he asks, turning down the music I turned on to get her playlist out of my head.
“No,” I answer simply. “As a matter of fact, is there somewhere I can drop you on our way to my grandfathers?” Is it crazy that a part of me wants him to say yes, but the rest of me wants him with me on this journey, even though I am not willing to share it with him right now?
“Nice try, Peaches. I am going nowhere until we talk. Like really talk.” Dang it. Yay! See what I mean? I can’t decide.
“Well, a girl has to give it a shot, right?” I ask, shrugging my shoulders. I am so smirking on the inside only because I know how much he hates it when I tell him no. Well, get used to it, buddy. God, we can’t get out of this car fast enough.
CHAPTER EIGHT
JOSHUA
We get to Wyoming and the sprawling ranch is about an hour in. Junie jumps out of the truck as soon as March comes to a complete stop. The front door of the ranch house opens, and an old man steps out onto the porch. Junie is up in his arms so damn fast you’d think she was getting a gold medal.
“Hey, Gramps,” March says, giving him a hug once he lets Junie go. Junie has run into the house and is already on the couch watching the big screen TV.
“Hi, baby. How is the daddy search going?” he asks, and that gives me pause. She doesn’t know who the daddy is? Is that what she’s doing? Going to random men’s houses and asking them if they are the father? “Is this him?” He points at me. What the fucking fuck is going on? My mind can’t deal with the thought of there being so many baby daddy options that she has no idea who it is.
“Gramps, please,” she says, turning red. Is he asking if I’m Junie’s daddy? “Don’t start. Here’s Junie’s bag. I’ll put her booster seat in your truck. I’ll be back in a few weeks.” She sets Junie’s bag down inside the door and kisses his cheek. “I love you.”
“I love you too, girlie. Are you going to introduce me?”
“No,” she says, sullenly. God, why is she so fucking sexy when she pouts? Ah, fuck it, she’s sexy when she breathes.
“I’m Joshua Kingsley, sir.”
“Robert Graham.” We shake hands.
“I should go.”
“Are you sure I can’t tempt you two with some chili? I’ve been making it all day.”
