“I picked out a bedroom that overlooks your house, Adam,” Billie said, fishing her ball out of her pocket and starting toward the front door.“Maybe we could set up walkie-talkies, you know, like a secret club.”She glanced at her mother.“No girls allowed.”
When Billie threw the ball to him, he half turned as if he was going to toss it to Jane next.He caught himself and returned the pitch to Billie.
Jane thought about pointing out to Billie that shewasa girl, but knew better.“Honey, I don’t think Adam is interested in your ‘boys only’ club.He has a business to run and a life that doesn’t have room for your wild ideas.And you’re a little young to be calling him by his first name.”
“He said I could.”
“I said she could.”
They spoke together.
Jane stared at the tall man and the short little girl.Their feet braced against the thick grass.Fists pressed into hips in identical stances of defiance.Billie had turned her cap backward so that the bill stuck out behind her and the band mashed her bangs against her forehead.Wide brown eyes, the color of thick mud—the color of Adam’s—stared back at her.
Like father, like daughter.
He hadn’t guessed.She’d have to tell him…eventually.But what was she going to say?It had been almost nine years since she’d left Orchard and Adam.Nine years in which they’d never spoken or corresponded.The control she’d always hated had been polished to perfection.He’d barely shown a flicker of emotion when she’d walked up to him.But that was about to change.She was done hiding.As soon as they were settled and she was sure the time was right, she’d share her guilty secret: he was Billie’s father.
Chapter Two
“Fine.”Jane raised her hands in defeat.“If Adam doesn’t mind, then call him what you want.”She glanced at him.“I’m giving you fair warning, when Billie decides she likes someone, his life ceases to be his own.”
Adam looked down at the young girl standing next to him.He shouldn’t indulge her on general principle; she was her mother’s daughter.But he couldn’t find it in himself to turn away from her engaging grin.
“All right!”Billie said, holding up her free hand.“Gimme five.”
He hit her palm with his own, then walked up the stairs onto the porch.“The phone is this way.”
“Wow!A swing!I’ve never seen one like that.”Billie dashed across the porch to the old-fashioned swing hanging from the rafters.The worn chains groaned in protest when she threw herself on the seat.One forceful push against the wooden floor set the seat in motion.“This is totally cool.Mom, can we get one?”
“Maybe in a few months.”
“Come try it.”
“I’ve been on a swing before.”Jane stared at the ground, looking at neither Billie nor Adam.
He understood her reluctance.The anger threatened again, slicing and hacking at his wall of self-control.That swing.That damn swing.He should have taken it down years ago.From the corner of his eye, he saw Jane glance at him.The quick darting look, the worry darkening her eyes and drawing the color from her skin, pleased him.If she hadn’t—
But she had.And he’d stopped caring a long time ago.
“This way,” he said, holding open the front door.Jane walked past him.A subtle fragrance licked against him.Elegant, yet welcoming, it left the taste of longing on his tongue.He wasn’t as immune as he’d like to be, but he would never let on.
Billie slid off the swing and followed.“Can I come over and use it?”
“Sure.Anytime.”
“Great.”She stepped into the foyer and whistled.“This is some place.Wow!Stairs!Can I slide down the banister?”
She darted across the hall.Jane moved after her.By the time she reached Billie, the girl had one foot on the first stair.
“No you don’t,” she said, holding her firmly by the arm.“No playing on banisters, no softballs in the house.You know the rules.”She plucked the ball from her daughter’s hand and tossed him an apologetic smile.“We grow them wild out West.”
“I think I can handle it.”He stuffed his hands into his pockets.“How about lemonade and chocolate cake?”
Billie shrugged out of her mother’s grasp and walked sedately to his side.“I’m always hungry.”
“Why doesn’t that surprise me?”He motioned to the study.“The phone’s in there.On the desk.We’ll be in the kitchen.You still remember where that is, don’t you?”
“Yes.”She glanced at her daughter.“Don’t get into trouble.”
