“Adam, I think you have less scenarios to worry about than you think. I think she’s your daughter. She looks just like you.”
“You think so?” He didn’t look disappointed.
“I do. I noticed right off when I saw you two in the kitchen together. Sometimes things get shaken up and you just have to trust the journey. It might feel like the worst thing in the world, but it could be a good change, more wonderful than you could have ever imagined.” She knew that was easier advice to give than take.
“I think that’s something people say to friends when things go wonky in their lives…to make them feel better.”
“Yeah, probably is, but in this case, it’s true.” She’d thought going through the divorce with Kevin was the worst-possible thing that could happen to her—selling the house, splitting up belongings, the embarrassment that went along with it all—but now she could see that it was a necessary change in her life. And here on the other side of it, things were bright and promising. If he knew what she’d been through, he’d understand. “I need to tell you something,” Merry Anna said.
“What is it?”
“I—” She stopped as he stepped in closer to her. She wanted to tell him everything about her past—the divorce, her job—but she couldn’t bring herself to do it. Lies of omission were lies, and she was so far into the mess now. What was he going to think when he found out the truth about her? “I know you’ll make the right decision. Quit thinking so much. Pray about it, and trust it’s all going to be okay.”
“You’re the best.” He hugged her with one arm. “I almost believe you. And I should, because you are the most honest person I’ve ever met. How has no one ever snatched you up?”
Wonderful. Everything you love about me is a big fat lie.
20
Adam had missed a callon his cell phone while Merry Anna was in the store. He played the message. The doctor’s office said the paternity results were in, and they wanted him to call back.
He lowered himself into the chair, slack-jawed. He’d been waiting for this call for days, but now that it was here, he wasn’t sure what he hoped for. Before he returned the call, he walked back out to Zan’s Cinderella fort.
“This has been a fun day,” Zan said.
“I’m glad. We’re going to leave in a little while, so you need to start putting your crayons back in the box and cleaning up, okay?”
“Okay!” She ran over and picked up the empty box of crayons and started sliding one in after the other.
He walked back to the counter. “Hey, Jim, can you just keep an eye on her for a minute? I need to make a call.”
“Sure.”
Adam went into the office and closed the door. After he punched in each number, his mouth went dry. The phone rang twice before someone answered. “Hi. This is Adam Locklear. I had a message that the doctor called. I have some test results.”
He was put on hold. His knee bounced. He leaned back in the chair, then forward. It seemed like he was waiting a long time, when finally the doctor picked up. “Adam, I’m not sure what you were hoping for, but you are indeed that little girl’s father. You can pick up the report. I’ll leave it in an envelope at the counter for you, but I wanted to let you know as soon as I got the results.”
Adam let out a breath. “Okay.”
“Are you all right?”
“Yes sir. Thank you. I don’t know what exams she’s had or anything. I’ll see if I can get Zan’s records. I guess I’ll be bringing her in for a checkup, and wow. Okay.”
“Well, I always like to think people with livestock make the best parents. They know how to keep stuff alive because they pay attention to the little things, and that’s half the battle. Our office is here to help however we can. At least you’re skipping the diaper phase. I never was good at that myself.”
“Yeah. That’s definitely a plus.” He hung up the phone.
I’m a father.
There was no sense wasting time. He called Carly’s mother to tell her the news and find out how to get in touch with Carly.
Mrs. Fowler’s voice quaked a bit. “Honey, I know this must be such a surprise for you, but it’s really not for us. We’ve always considered you her father. Carly was sure Zan was yours. You’ll be a good father.”
“I’ll have to be. I need to tell Carly. How can I get ahold of her?”
A heavy sigh came over the line. “She’s really struggling, Adam. The doctor seems to think this has been getting worse over time. We thought she was just being irresponsible, but that wasn’t it. Mentally, she was in way more trouble than anyof us realized. I know you were worried about the argument you had before her wreck. Don’t be. I really think in her heart she believed that leaving Zan with you was the right thing to do for everyone, and she intended to take the easy way out.”
“You think she wrecked her car on purpose?” Adam couldn’t imagine someone doing that. Especially someone so full of life, the way he’d known her to be.
