Just a Kiss in the Moonlight: Georgia Moon Romance Book 2 (23 page)

“I’m not doin’ it on purpose.”

He sighed as he turned onto her driveway, bringing the car to a stop. “I’m sorry, Taylin. You don’t need to explain yourself.” He scrubbed his hands over his face. “I’m winging this too.”

Taylin was so torn. She wanted to reach out and hug him while at the same time run inside her house to hide. A group of teenagers dressed up for Halloween ran up to the front door of her house. A second later, her mama answered the door.

“What should I tell my parents?” she asked, knowing she had to say something. Her mama was already secretly planning her wedding. Plus, Luke was invited over for Thanksgiving dinner. Depending on how things went with the DNA test, he might be bringing his son with him. Hopefully he wouldn’t bring his ex-wife.

“The truth.” He watched her closely, his gray eyes sad. “And don’t forget I was still married when Vivian got pregnant.”

Guilt briefly overshadowed her grief. Luke had been married and had been hoping to stay married. It’s not like he’d had a one-night stand with someone that resulted in an unwanted pregnancy, even though that’s exactly what it felt like. Baby Crew had been very much wanted by his father.

“I know.” Unable to help herself, she reached across to take his hand. “I love you, Luke.”

He gripped her hand so tightly it ached. “I love you too.” He tugged on her hand, bringing her close enough to kiss. It was amazing how her body responded to this man. Despite the despair, sadness and frustration, a sense of well being wrapped around her as his lips moved over hers. In this moment, Taylin believed everything would work out.

Headlights lit up the inside of the car and they drew apart as Grayson’s car pulled alongside Luke’s. “I better let you explain things to Ashlee and your parents,” Luke said.

“Text me when you get settled at Miss Iris’s.” Taylin hoped that was still the plan.

“I will. I’ll give her a call on my way home.” His thumb circled the top of her hand. “I can’t imagine she’d say no, but if it doesn’t work out, I’ll get a hotel.”

Taylin wanted to tell him that she trusted him and not to worry about it, but she didn’t trust Vivian. “Okay.” She leaned over and brushed his mouth with hers before getting out of the car.

Luke lifted his hand to wave at her as he backed out of the driveway. As soon as his taillights vanished, Ashlee got out of Grayson’s car. “You look like you need a hug,” Ashlee said, wrapping her arms around Taylin.

“I do,” Taylin said, loving that her best friend was also her sister. She saw Grayson’s car back out. “Your date is leaving?” Taylin pulled back to frown at her sister. “I’m sorry I ruined your night.”

“Hush up.” Ashlee hooked her arm through Taylin’s. “He wanted to give us time to talk, but I promised to text him later on with an explanation.”

“Girls?” their mama called from the porch. “What’re y’all doin’ home so early?”

“Is Daddy still awake?” Taylin asked as she and her sister approached the front door. “I’d like to talk to everyone at the same time.”

“I’m awake.” Charles Nichols stood next to his wife, his brow furrowed with worry lines. “What happened, darlin’? Do I need to hunt down that Montana boy for something he did to you?”

Her daddy’s protective side made Taylin smile a little. Unfortunately what Luke did wasn’t an offense he should be held accountable for. She needed to remember that when she told her family about Luke’s little boy. She just hoped she could remind herself about that fact in the coming days.

A
fter spending
a restless night in Iris’s guest bedroom, Luke finally got up a little after six and quickly made the bed. He intended to go home and take a quick shower before heading to the hospital to get the paternity test done. But as soon as he stepped out into the hallway, the smell of bacon and eggs beckoned him toward the kitchen where he found Mrs. Bradford standing at the stove.

“Good morning, Luke,” she said, looking more chipper than he felt.

“Morning, Mrs. Bradford.”

She wrinkled her brow and held up her spatula. “Since you’re my guest, I reckon it’s perfectly proper for you to call me Iris.”

He smiled. “Okay. Good morning, Iris.”

“That’s better.” She used the spatula to flip over one of the eggs. “Sit down and eat something before you head on home.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Luke figured he better listen to her, since she’d taken on the roll of his protective mother. Last night, she’d stayed up late, offering him solace and words of wisdom. She knew he planned on going in as early as possible to get the DNA test completed, and then later spend the day with Vivian and Crew. He also wanted to see Taylin again. He just didn’t know how to go about that with his ex-wife in house.

“Did you call your mother yet?” Iris asked as she presented him with a plate full of bacon and fried eggs.

“Not yet. It’s only four-thirty in the morning back home.”

“I forget about the time change.” Iris lifted a coffee pot. “Coffee?”

“No, thanks. I’m not much of a coffee drinker, but I’ll take milk if you have it.”

“Sure thing, sweetie.” Iris poured him a glass of milk and handed it to him before taking a seat at the table. “Sleep okay?”

“Not really.” He picked up his fork and offered her a smile. “But it wasn’t because of the bed. It was very comfortable. Thank you.”

She waved her hand. “I know your poor night’s rest has nothing to do with the accommodations.”

Luke’s phone dinged an incoming text, and he quickly looked at the screen, hoping it was from Taylin. It was, but her message wasn’t what he wanted to read.

Got called in to cover a sick call. I’ll text you when I have a break.

It was probably a good thing she was working today, since he had no idea how to operate with his ex-wife living at his house. But it bothered him how generic her message was. There were no words of love, or the mushy emojis she typically liked to use.

He quickly sent her a reply.

Sorry you have to work. I love you and hope you have a good day
.

He stared at the screen, waiting to see those three little dots that meant she was typing in a reply, but nothing happened.

“Nana?” a little voice hollered out. “I can’t find my candy.”

Iris sighed heavily as she got up from the table. “You’d think they’d sleep in a little after spending the night running around the neighborhood.”

“Sorry.” Luke smiled. “But good call on hiding the candy. I’ve seen what sugar does to those two.”

Iris laughed. “Heaven help the poor schoolteachers today. All the kids will be so hyped up on sugar they won’t get anything done.”

Luke finished his breakfast while Iris got the twins in the bathtub. He rinsed off his plate and loaded it in the dishwasher. Iris poked her head in the kitchen just as he was about to leave.

“Good luck today, Luke, and let me know if you need anything, okay?”

“I will.” Luke waved goodbye and opened the door.

The morning air, heavy with moisture, smelled of grass and lake water as Luke crossed the yard to his house. Patches of fog hovered around the lakeshore and he longed to take his boat out for an early morning fishing trip.

Luke opened the door, entering his house as quietly as possible. He hoped to shower and leave for the hospital before confronting Vivian for the day. His house was quiet, but the can of formula and the empty bottle sitting on the kitchen countertop reminded him he wasn’t alone.

It felt so strange to know his ex-wife was sleeping in the room next to his. Even stranger was the possibility that his son also slumbered nearby. He was tempted to sneak a peak at the little boy, but dismissed the idea as soon as it popped into his head. Even though Vivian had acted completely normal the night before, he wouldn’t be surprised if she returned to her usual, controlling and selfish ways today. The sooner he could put off talking with her, the better.

After a quick shower, he checked his weather app and saw it was going to be another beautiful day with the highs in the low seventies. He donned a pair of jeans and a cotton tee before exiting his room

“Morning,” Vivian said, startling Luke.

“You’re up early,” he said, ignoring her bedtime attire that consisted of a tee and skimpy shorts. “Where’s the baby?” Luke asked.

“Still sleeping.” Vivian’s eyes slid over him, and she smiled. “I heard you showering and decided I should try to shower before Crew wakes up.” She walked toward him. “What shower should I use?”

Luke narrowed his gaze, noticing the suggestive lilt to her voice. Early in their marriage, Vivian would often join him in the shower. From the look in her eyes, she seemed to be recalling the same thing.

“There are clean towels in the main bathroom you used last night.” He walked around the bar, opposite of where Vivian stood. “I’m heading to the hospital and will be back in a couple of hours.”

“You have to work today?” she said with obvious irritation.

“No, I’m going to the lab for the paternity test.” He snagged the keys from the bowl next to the fridge, but Vivian moved in front of him, blocking his exit.

“We need to go with you.”

“Why?” Luke asked, even though now that she mentioned it, he knew the lab would need a sample from Crew in order to compare their DNA.

“They’ll need to swab the inside of Crew’s mouth too.”

Clenching his back teeth down hard, Luke took a step backward. He didn’t want to show up at the hospital together, but it seemed irrational to make her drive separately. “Fine. I’ll be down by the dock. Call me when you’re ready to go.”

He turned to leave, but Vivian stopped him by placing her hand on his arm. “Could you please listen for Crew while I shower?”

His muscles went rigid and his molars ached. If Vivian sensed his tension, she didn’t show it. She just smiled up at him, like this was a normal part of their routine.

“Sure.” Luke jerked his arm away from her.

“Crew will want a bottle if he wakes up,” she said as she sauntered by him. Her arm brushed against his and he knew it wasn’t by accident.

“Knock it off, Vivian,” he said in a low voice.

She pivoted around and lifted an eyebrow. “Knock what off?”

“Acting like you like me.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about, Luke,” she said with wide eyes. “I just want us to be friends. For Crew’s sake.”

Luke barely held back an eye roll. She was coming onto him, probably just to see if she could still manipulate him. She was wasting her time.

Without saying anything else, he turned away, tossed his keys back into the basket and opened the fridge. He could feel her watching him, but he wasn’t going to give her the satisfaction of looking back over his shoulder.

Grabbing a bottle of orange juice, he pulled it out, unscrewed the lid, and drank from the bottle. His mother would scold him, but he lived alone and could drink from the bottle if he wanted to.

He lowered it from his mouth and relaxed his shoulders when he heard the snick of the bathroom door closing. Returning the bottle to the fridge, he waited until he heard the shower going before he gave into his earlier wish.

Opening the door to the guest room, he walked over to the portable crib and felt his heart grow at the sight of the sleeping child. Crew lay on his back, his long lashes brushing against his cheeks as he periodically sucked on a pacifier.

He studied the cherubic face, looking for any trace of himself. What if this was really his little boy? He’d already missed the first eight months of his life. How could he be separated any longer if he was Crew’s father? Vivian would never move to Georgia, especially if he married Taylin. But if he and Taylin eventually married, would she move to Montana?

The baby squirmed on his back and sucked on the pacifier harder. Then his eyes opened up and he stared at Luke without blinking.

“Good morning, little guy,” he said softly.

Crew continued to suck on his pacifier and blinked once.

“Can I hold you?” Luke asked, holding out his arms.

To his amazement, the little boy lifted up his arms. Luke crouched down and picked him up, bringing the blanket with him. He instantly felt the sagging diaper. Thankfully it hadn’t leaked through yet.

“Let’s get you a new diaper.” Luke glanced around the room until he spotted the diaper bag. He hesitated looking through Vivian’s stuff, but didn’t know what else to do. He crossed the room and spied a clean diaper and a package of diaper wipes sitting on top of the bed.

Grabbing both items, he vacated the bedroom. He had a feeling if he were still in there when Vivian got out of the shower, she wouldn’t hesitate getting dressed in front of him. Crew remained quiet during the entire diaper changing procedure. Luke knew enough about kids to guess this was the kid’s usual MO. God must have known Vivian needed a mellow baby in order for her to be a decent mother.

“I’ll bet you’re hungry,” Luke said, carrying the baby over to the sink. Crew’s pacifier popped out of his mouth the second Luke picked up the bottle. He reached for the bottle and babbled something that sounded like a demand. “Give me a second, little man.”

He was grateful Crew didn’t start crying. Luke handed the baby the nipple and turned on the water. Crew rolled the lid to the bottle in his little hands and then stuck it in his mouth. Luke smiled when he heard the air being sucked through the nipple hole.

The water felt just right and Luke quickly made the bottle. Crew was reluctant to give up the nipple, but Luke wiggled it out of his mouth. He screwed on the lid and shook the bottle as he walked over to the couch.

Crew held onto the bottle, his eyes zeroed in on Luke as he eagerly sucked down the formula. With the tip of his finger, Luke traced the skin above the child’s dark eyebrows, following the curve of his cheek. Next he touched the baby’s hair, marveling at the softness. Crew stopped sucking, but kept the nipple in his mouth, allowing the air to decompress.

“You’re pretty good at that, aren’t you?” Luke said, tickling the baby under his chin.

Around the nipple, Crew’s lips curved up into a smile, revealing two bottom teeth. Luke felt like his chest was going to explode. A smile from this little boy was a pretty amazing feeling.

By the time the bottle was empty, Luke had fallen in love with the baby boy. Remembering the way Taylin had burped the infant in the ER, Luke sat Crew up. He didn’t even have to pat the kid’s back before he let out a belch that made Luke laugh.

“Nice one,” Luke said.

The baby’s face split into another grin, and then he giggled. The laughter lit Luke up inside and he wanted to hear more. He leaned over and blew a raspberry against the child’s cheek, making the kid giggle again. The sound made Luke laugh, which only increased Crew’s giggles.

How could he love someone this much in such a short amount of time? A little voice in the back of Luke’s head urged him to be cautious. He pushed it away. He knew the consequences of allowing himself to love the baby before he knew if he was the child’s father, but he guessed it was already too late.

“He likes you,” Vivian said.

The baby saw his mother and held out his hands, his laughter dissolving into more babbling, as if he was asking her to take him. Luke glanced over and shouldn’t have been surprised to find Vivian standing there with only a towel wrapped around her.

Irritated with her lack of modesty, he stood up. “Go get dressed, Vivian.”

“I will,” she said with a laugh. “Besides, it’s not like you haven’t seen anything I have before.”

His anger boiled to the surface so quickly he would’ve shouted if not for the baby he held in his arms. “I don’t think your boyfriend would appreciate you running around my house with only a towel on.”

“Neil and I aren’t together right now.”

That bit of news didn’t surprise him. Frankly, he’d been shocked she’d stayed with the guy for as long as she had. “I really don’t care if you have a boyfriend or not, but if you’re staying here until the test results come back, then you need to get dressed because I do have a girlfriend.”

“Worried you’ll be tempted?” she asked with a half smile.

“Not for what you’re implying.” Heaven knows Vivian had tested his temper too many times to count, but he would never hit a woman no matter how vexing she was. He did, however, have the urge to use words he seldom used. Again, the baby in his arms helped curb the impulse to lash out verbally.

She narrowed her eyes, the smile fading. “Are you threatening me?”

Apprehension gripped him around the middle, squeezing his chest. He could easily see her using Crew against him. The law usually sided with mothers, and he knew she could make it so he never saw the baby again, even if he proved to be the father.

“No, but I am asking you to respect my wishes, which means no more running around in towels.”

That half smile was back, and he knew she sensed his earlier fear. She was like a shark, detecting the tiniest drop of blood in the ocean. “Of course.” She walked over and snatched Crew out of his arms. “We’ll be ready to leave as soon as we’re both dressed.”

She slammed the bedroom door shut, and Luke pressed his lips together to keep from yelling out one of the many insults begging to be released. Turning away, he ran a hand through his hair and drew in a deep breath. He needed to get a grip and not let Vivian provoke him so much.

Wishing he could talk to Taylin, he pulled his phone from his pocket and was disappointed she hadn’t sent him another text. Opening his email app, he scrolled through the messages. Aside from a reminder about a mandatory staff meeting next week, most of the mail was spam.

His phone dinged with a message from his mother. She was up, probably making breakfast for his dad while he was out doing morning chores. He tapped on the message and felt his eyes burn at the simple text.