An Unlikely Daddy (16 page)

A tired laugh escaped her. “How can anyone tell that this soon?”

“It shows.” He winked.

She drank him in, thinking she'd never seen him look more rumpled. He looked like he'd gone through a worse time than she had. Maybe so.

A nurse bustled in, throwing Ryker out for a few minutes. “I need to examine her,” she explained.

Afterward, the nurse assured her everything was fine, and she'd be moved to a proper room in the next few minutes.

“And my baby?”

“Right behind you,” the nurse promised.

Ryker followed her down the hallway to the regular room and then was evicted once again. “Go home, rest, clean up,” the woman said. “Marisa needs her rest. Come back in the morning.”

Marisa wanted to protest, but Ryker nodded, promised to return first thing in the morning and departed meekly enough.

Marisa watched him walk away and thought that didn't seem fair at all. Mostly, she already missed him.

* * *

In the morning, Marisa chose to sit up in a comfortable chair while she nursed Jonni. She was hungry and eager, and Marisa watched her continuously, hardly removing her eyes from the little girl.

Her friends showed up one after another, oohing and aahing and agreeing that Jonni was one of the most beautiful babies they'd ever seen. Marisa accepted their judgment with delight, even though she knew they'd all said the same things about their friends' babies.

But no Ryker. After the girls left, she sat alone with her baby in her arms and felt oddly bereft. He must have left. Certainly he'd been made to feel like an outsider.

But just as she was about to rise and put her baby in the bassinet again, she heard his voice.

“Good morning.”

She looked up and saw him standing there smiling, a bouquet in his hand. He added the flowers to the ones the girls had left, then edged closer. “Can I see her? You're looking great.”

“I look like a hag.” She lifted one hand to try to comb her hair back.

“No, you look beautiful.” He stepped closer, and she pulled the receiving blanket back, revealing a small, sleeping face. “Awesome,” he said quietly. “Just awesome.”

A nurse bustled in—Mary, a woman she knew. The former sheriff's daughter. “So this is the guy who's been looking after you? Nice to meet you.” They shook hands and exchanged names. Then she reached into the cabinet beside the bed and tossed him a folded blue square. “You need to put a gown on before you hold her. We try to send them home healthy.” She grinned at Marisa. “It works.”

After she buzzed out, Ryker hesitated. He gazed longingly at the baby, but she could tell he didn't want to overstep. And the truth was, letting anyone else hold the child had been impossible so far. Not even her girlfriends.

But something deep within her shifted. “Put on the gown and sit down, Ryker.”

He quickly tugged it on so it covered his front and sat in the other chair. Then Marisa rose and carried Jonni to him. Surprisingly, she didn't have to show him how to hold the infant.

Then she returned to her chair and simply watched as a miracle seemed to happen. Ryker's face changed, softening more than she had ever seen it. It was instant love, and she knew it.

She sighed, closing her eyes, and realized she'd just leaped a hurdle. It was okay. Johnny's baby in Ryker's arms. It was as if a circle had been completed.

“Are you tired?” he asked.

She opened her eyes. “A little. But mostly I'm delirious with joy. Come home with us, Ryker. Will you?”

“I never thought of doing anything else.”

* * *

Three weeks later, life had settled into a comfortable routine. When Jonni woke for her nighttime feedings, Ryker hopped out of bed and brought her to Marisa. Then he'd sit beside them and watch as she nursed. Afterward, he changed the diapers and walked with the baby on his shoulder, gently burping.

“How did you learn how to do all of this?” she finally asked him.

He smiled over Jonni's downy head. “My sister. I was ten when she was born. I have to admit I resented being pushed to take care of her, but I learned a lot even though I tried to avoid it.”

“Are you resenting this?” she asked.

“I'm loving it.”

The answer warmed her to her toes. During the days he often went out for a while, always returning with some tidbit of food. He took down the Christmas tree without her help while she sat rocking the baby, then spent a couple of hours outside in the cold taking down the lights. Everything was carefully stowed in her basement.

But as settled as he seemed, she worried this was transitory. A man like him couldn't be content with such a bucolic life, she was sure. Like Johnny, before long he'd be running off on his next adventure, never mind what he'd said about resigning from the agency. She didn't really believe that, although she believed he'd meant it when he said it.

Then late one afternoon, Julie popped over unannounced. “I'm babysitting,” she announced. “You two need to get out for a while. Take her to dinner, Ryker.”

Ryker smiled. “Sounds good to me. Marisa?”

She still hadn't completely regained her shape, and even with the exercises she performed religiously she wondered if she ever would. But she managed to find a pair of slacks with a stretchy waistband and a sweater that covered her worst sins. She liked the way Ryker's eyes devoured her with approval, but she hated knowing this was only temporary. Soon it would be just her and her daughter, and maybe an occasional Skype from some place far away.

Life could be so unfair in some ways, but even as the feeling dampened her mood, she thought of Jonni. Life could also bring amazing joy.

It would be all right, she promised herself. She had a new life to build with her daughter.

The weather was about to turn bad again, and when they arrived at Maude's the place was only half full, a rarity.

She was ravenous these days, and even though her doctor had warned her to be careful, that, yes, she needed more food but not that much, she ordered a steak sandwich and fries. Ryker did the same.

They talked about Jonni for a little while, but then Ryker shifted the conversation.

“I need to go back to DC,” he said.

Marisa's heart plummeted. “I thought you must need to,” she answered, although she'd been dreading this moment more than she could say...or dared to say. She had no claim on this man. He had come only because Johnny asked him to, and for no other reason. He had a life elsewhere.

“Only long enough to resign,” he said firmly.

“Then what?” she asked. “Did you find something?”

“Actually, yes. That cursed ski resort they keep trying to build?”

“The one in the mountains here?” Her heart began to hammer nervously. He was coming back here?

“They're working on it again. But they've decided they want to lead backcountry hikes during the summer. I've been hired.”

Now her mouth started to grow dry. “Really? Will you be happy with that?”

“What I'll be happy with is being with you on weekends all summer, and then every day in the winter.”

She felt her jaw drop a little. “Ryker?”

He looked down at his plate. “You know, there can't be any place less romantic than this. There's a storm brewing outside and a baby and Julie waiting at home. So, please, excuse me if the atmosphere is lacking, but what I'm trying to say is, if you'll have me, I love you and want to marry you.”

She couldn't find her voice. Her heart had climbed into her throat, where it nearly suffocated her. She hardly dared believe what she was hearing.

His expression turned rueful. “Guess this doesn't make you happy.”

She fought for a breath, knowing it was now or never. This man would vanish as soon as he took her home if she let him believe that.

“No,” she burst out.

His face sagged a little. “Sorry if I made you uncomfortable.”

“Ryker, no. That's not...not what I meant.” She dragged in another lungful of air. “God, I'd been so afraid that you'd leave me. I love you!”

Watching his expression change was one of the most beautiful things she'd ever seen. A smile was born on that harsh face, and every line lifted.

“To hell with it,” he said.

The next thing she knew he'd slipped out of the booth and was kneeling beside her, heedless of gawkers or the sudden complete silence in the diner.

“Marisa Hayes, will you, please, marry me?”

“Yes,” she breathed. Then she threw her arms around his neck. “Yes, yes, yes!”

She hardly heard the applause from those around them. She felt nothing except a heart full to bursting with a dream come true. He loved her. He was going to stay.

All she had ever wanted had just swept into her life and carried her away to the joy she had never thought she would feel again.

Thank you, Johnny
, she thought. He'd given her a child, and now he'd sent her love. A legacy and a gift.

The tears that rolled down her face now were purely happy, and Ryker's arms around her were a promise for a brighter future.

Epilogue

T
hey were married on
Valentine's Day. Julie and her friends had taken over completely, and Marisa,
wearing a simple white gown, walked down the aisle in Good Shepherd Church,
surrounded by what seemed like half the people in town. Ryker's father escorted
her, to stand in for her own long-gone father.

Ryker awaited her along with the pastor. Julie wore a red
bridesmaid dress and held a tiny Jonni, who was also swaddled in red. Beside
Ryker, Hank stood as groomsman.

Snow fell outside the tall windows, but it fell gently,
purifying the world. Inside, no shadows reached any corner. As Marisa passed the
front row, Ryker's mother suddenly stood and leaned over to kiss her cheek.

“Welcome to the family,” the woman said warmly.

Marisa smiled at her, her heart so filled with joy she was
certain it must encompass the whole world.

I love you, Johnny
, she thought.
I will always miss you. Thank you for Ryker.

She could almost feel him on her other side, as if he too
walked her down the aisle. Then she reached Ryker, and every other thought fled
as magic touched her once again.

Full circle. Life and love had returned.

* * * * *

Look for the next book in
New York
Times
bestselling author Rachel Lee's
CONARD
COUNTY: THE NEXT GENERATION
miniseries, coming in 2017 from Harlequin
Special Edition.

And don't miss out on previous
CONARD
COUNTY: THE NEXT GENERATION
books from Special Edition:

A COWBOY FOR CHRISTMAS

THE LAWMAN LASSOES A FAMILY

A CONARD COUNTY BABY

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HIS BADGE, HER BABY...THEIR
FAMILY?
by Stella Bagwell

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