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And then they were alone, except for the dozen or so other people in the park. He shifted his weight from one foot to the other, not sure what to say. Still, he couldn’t stand here all day. Even the dog agreed as he sat down in front of them and stared up as though asking what they were going to do now.
Ric told himself to make a clean break. He once again reminded himself that her problems weren’t his problems. But he knew what it was like to wonder about a missing parent. The only problem was he didn’t have a clue who his father might be. Unlike Gia, his mother didn’t have a clue. When he’d asked her, she’d told him that his father was a nobody and that she didn’t recall his name. Who didn’t recall the name of someone they procreated with? Every time he thought of her casual response, his blood pressure shot up at least twenty points.
When he glanced around, he noticed people were pointing in his direction. Oh, no. It appeared Gia’s new friend wasn’t the only one to recognize him. He inwardly groaned.
“We should go,” Ric said.
“Back to your uncle’s place?” Hope shone in her eyes.
“You really believe he’s your father, don’t you?”
She lifted her shoulder before letting it fall back in place. “If he isn’t, I have to believe there’s some sort of link in the house.”
“And if I refuse you access?”
Her pointed star
e met his. “I will find out the truth. With or without your help.”
He knew she meant it. And he respected her determination. He just hoped it’d be enough for her to find the answers she so desperately needed.
Ric checked the time. It was past lunch, and with his business dinner canceled, he had no pressing appointments. “Why don’t you come back to the apartment? Maybe tomorrow I could help you with your search.”
Why in the world had he gone and offered to help? To clear his uncle’s name, sure. But when she turned to him with excitement and appreciation gleaming in her eyes, he knew there was no way he could take it back.
And yet the smile that followed sent his heart racing. And then without thinking, he smiled back. Once he realized the affect she had over him, he glanced away.
He cleared his suddenly dry throat. “Shall we go?”
“Yes.”
As they walked to his car, he assured himself that her stay would be brief. He’d make sure of it—even if he had to spend every waking moment disproving her claim.
CHAPTER SIX
RIC TURNED OUT to be a surprisingly good host.
They’d even gone on a shopping spree at a pet store after leaving the park. Gia told herself accepting his invitation to stay at his apartment was the simplest solution as far as the puppy was concerned. And there was Ric’s sincerity when he’d said he would help her search for her father. How could she turn him down?
After all, she didn’t have any leads other than the address of his uncle’s island villa. There had to be a reason her mother held on to that address. And Gia had to hope it had something to do with her conception. Because if it didn’t, she might never find the answers she so desperately needed.
And so the next day, Gia stood behind Ric as he unlocked the massive door to the villa. The puppy continually barked, pulling on the leash to get away. What was up with that? Usually he was quiet—well, as quiet as a puppy could get.
Gia gently pulled on the leash. “Gin, enough.”
“Gin?”
She glanced at Ric wearing an amused look. “I couldn’t keep calling him puppy, could I? What kind of name is that? And he is a ginger. So I shortened it to Gin.” She glanced down at the puppy. “You like your name, huh?”
Gin looked up at her as though trying to tell her something.
“Do you need a little walk?” She turned to Ric. “We’ll be right back.”
She let Gin lead her to the patch of grass, but instead of stopping to do his business, he pulled hard on the leash trying to get to the backyard. Gia knew the dangerous mess that awaited them back there. Gin barked repeatedly.
“No. We’re not going back there.” Not in the mood to fight with the dog, she leaned down and picked him up.
Her action startled Gin into silence. As she headed back up the steps to where Ric was waiting for them, Gin licked her cheek. All was well in the world once more. Well, sort of. At least where the puppy was concerned.
