“What happened, Leo?”
“I supported her through the pregnancy. Made sure she scheduled all her doctor appointments when I didn’t have a road trip, so I could be there.”
“That’s how you know so much about morning sickness and pregnancy.”
“Yeah.”
“Sorry. Didn’t mean to interrupt. Go on,” she urged.
“It was a textbook pregnancy and birth. I was there when Chad was born and over the moon in love with that baby boy. My son. I was a hands-on dad. Changed diapers, did nighttime feedings. Walked the floor with him when he was teething. I did all of it and loved everything. I was a good dad. Even Nancy—”
“Who?”
“My wife—ex-wife. She used to joke that I was a better mother than her.” He sighed. “When I had to be away for road games, I missed him like crazy. Worried that he was all right. Hated that I might not hear his first word, see him take his first steps. All the milestones I wanted to be there for.”
Leo remembered holding that tiny body right after he was born. He couldn’t even put into words the power of the feelings that had rocked him to the core. Love, protectiveness, wanting to teach him everything. He was privileged to shape a little life and be a better dad than he’d had growing up.
“You said you thought he was your son. He’s not?”
“For two and a half years I believed he was my child. She let me fall more in love with him every day.” He met her gaze and wasn’t sure why the pity in hers made him angrier. “When I broke my ankle in a Stanley Cup playoff game, I was almost happy. It ended my career but that meant I didn’t have to be away from my son. I’d get an act two making a living but I’d never get back the moments in his life I missed.”
“How did you find out he’s not yours?”
“She told me.”
“What?” Tess looked shocked. “Why after all that time would she?”
He shook his head. “She was leaving me because she was having an affair. Seeing the guy when I was on the road, playing hockey. That was bad enough, but she admitted he was Chad’s biological father. They were broken up and we were dating when she found out she was pregnant. I was the rebound guy who proposed faster than the speed of light and who made pretty good money in pro hockey. She knew she’d be well taken care of. Finally she told me the truth, said she had to be honest.”
“Took her long enough. Two and a half years? The lying bitch.” Tess was furious.
Somehow that made him feel a little better and he smiled at her fierceness. But it was gone in a heartbeat. “I couldn’t stop her leaving and taking Chad with her. But she couldn’t stop me loving him.”
“What happened?”
“I hired an attorney and tried to get visitation with him. The problem is, I don’t share his DNA so I have no legal rights at all. She took it one step further and got the court to order me to stay away from him.”
“Oh, God, Leo. So you got the double whammy—your career was over and your family was gone.” She moved to the sofa and sat close enough to put her arms around him. “And today is his birthday.”
“A yearly reminder that I lost everything.”
“I don’t know how you survived that.”
“Not well. It may come as a surprise to you, but this isn’t the first time I’ve been drunk over what happened.” The effects of the scotch were wearing off but the feel of her holding him was taking over for the liquor. “Your grandfather was the one who pulled me out of it.”
She looked at him. “Really?”
“I lost myself for a while but he talked me back.” He smiled a little, remembering Pat teasing him about getting a plaque with Leo’s name on it for the chair he always sat in. “I was a regular. And it was like a therapy session. I talked about my problems and he told me how he felt about his daughter abandoning her child.”
“It couldn’t have been easy for him. Becoming responsible for a six-year-old girl.” She looked a little guilty about it.
“What happened wasn’t your fault, Tess.”
“I know, but—”
“Hey, don’t go there. I’ve got dibs on being the star of this pity party.”
“Okay.” She didn’t look convinced.
“For what it’s worth, he told me that raising you, having you in his life, was the best thing that ever happened.”
“He was just saying that.”
Leo shook his head. Still a big mistake. “No. He said you kept him young and he loved you so much. He told me he was sad for his daughter, your mom, because she was missing the joy of watching you grow up. To him, you were a gift.”
“Sounds like him.” She smiled a little, gave him a quick hug and then slid away. “He was a good man.”
“The best.”
“And so are you,” she insisted.
“I don’t think I’m even in his league.” Leo missed her warmth. Missed it too much. “I’m not sure I would have gotten through all that without him.”
“Fortunately you didn’t have to. It’s good he was there for you when you needed someone.”
He’d needed someone tonight, too, and she was there. Just like her grandfather. Well, not exactly. Pat had never hugged him. But there was something in the Morrow DNA that was good and caring. He wasn’t sure he’d have gotten through this painful anniversary without her. And that bothered him more than a little. He didn’t want to need anyone.
* * *
The next morning Tess was awake early, or maybe she hadn’t slept much. It was impossible to get out of her mind the complete misery on Leo’s face from the sad anniversary he’d told her about. She was still trying to process what he’d gone through. Not in a million years did she think she’d feel sorry for cocky, confident Leo Wallace, but there was no way not to.
That witch had used him, then basically said, “Just kidding, you really have no right to love this child after all. It’s time to stop now.”
That was selfish and cruel, and he didn’t deserve it. He’d done what he thought was right and married her, against his better judgment and negative feelings about tying the knot.
He hadn’t offered to marry Tess and she actually was carrying his baby. Not that she wanted to get married but still... In his shoes, she would do the same thing—wait for conclusive DNA before becoming emotionally involved with the baby.
Speaking of shoes, she heard him coming down the stairs. A man as big as him just couldn’t move silently like a cat burglar. He walked into the kitchen and his hair was still damp from a shower. His eyes were bloodshot and he hadn’t shaved this morning. The stubble was pretty darn sexy and he looked a little dangerous. If anything it added to his appeal, and her heart skipped a beat.
“Morning,” she said. “How do you feel?”
He winced and sat on one of the barstools lined up at the granite-covered island. “Is it necessary to shout?”
“Sorry.”
“It’s okay.”
“Do you want coffee?” she practically whispered.
“Yes.”
“Are you hungry?” She gave him a sympathetic look. “I got wasted in college just once. Now that I think about it, the next day was a lot like having morning sickness. Do you feel like eating?”
He held out his hand and rocked it back and forth. “Probably just coffee.”
“I know what you need.” She opened the pantry and got out a box, then set it in front of him.
He pulled out one of the packages of square soda crackers and gave her a wry look. “You probably think this is funny.”
“No. And this is not a joke. It might help. Just sit tight. I’ve got you covered.” She brought him coffee and a sports drink, since he always kept some in the refrigerator. Beside that she put two Tylenol on the counter. “Your electrolytes are out of whack, so this will help replenish them and flush the impurities out of yo
ur system. The crackers are bland and will go down easily.”
“Okay.” He took a square and bit into it with very little enthusiasm.
“I’ll make you some eggs and toast, too. You need something light. Get calories into your body to reset your system.”
While talking she quickly prepared some food and set a plate in front of him, then walked around the island and sat on the stool next to his. She watched him pick at the eggs and eat a triangle of the toast she’d cut diagonally. It must have helped because after that his plate was empty pretty fast. Now he was working on the sports drink.
“Can I get you more toast? Eggs?” she asked.
He shook his head and winced a little. “No, thanks. Maybe in a little while. Need to see how that settles first.”
“Okay.”
He studied her through narrowed eyes that were a little less bloodshot. “Why are you being so nice to me? Obviously you don’t approve of my dating style. I thought you’d be gloating. Thinking I got exactly what was coming to me. Poetic justice.”
“So you do remember telling me about it.” She hadn’t been sure, although he’d been pretty articulate. Even with his voice slurred by the scotch. The day after a bender some people had no recollection of what they’d said. “I wasn’t sure you did.”
“Yeah, I remember.” The dark look he’d worn last night was back.
“I can’t believe you assume I’m the kind of person who would think what that woman did to you was okay under any circumstances. She lied to you and her child. That little boy thought you were his father. He bonded with you. And you with him.” She shook her head at the injustice, disgusted by the deception. “There’s no excuse for what she did. How confused that child must have been.”
“Yeah. It wasn’t a hallelujah moment for me either.”
“Of course not. At least on some level you understood what was happening. But he was young. That’s a blessing in a way. He probably won’t remember.” She stared at him. “There’s less chance of that awful situation messing him up.”
“Can’t say the same for me. I remember it all.” He wasn’t drunk now, but the bitter, angry expression was still there in his eyes, on his face.
“What she did was despicable. Unconscionable. She deceived you in the cruelest possible way. On top of that she cheated on you...” Tess was momentarily at a loss for words that were bad enough to describe what happened to him. “I honestly don’t understand how she could do something like that.”
One of his eyebrows arched. “I was gullible. A sap. A fool.”
“No.” She was adamant. “Did you make the decision to date a woman who was a liar? If the answer to that question is no, which I’m sure it is, why in the world would you question whether or not you were the father of her baby?”
“I had no clue she wouldn’t know the truth if it walked up and shook her hand.”
“Then you’re not a fool.”
He looked surprised. “Don’t look now but I think you just defended my honor.”
“Guess I did.” And didn’t she feel just the tiniest bit sheepish and guilty. “I can see based on our recent history why it would come as a shock.”
“Just a little.”
“Well, brace yourself for another one. I understand why you’re so determined to have a DNA test done when the baby is born. After going through that awful experience, I can’t blame you at all.”
“If that had never happened to me...” He cradled the mug of black coffee between his big hands and then met her gaze. “But it did, and here I am again. Trust is hard.”
“I know.” She nodded emphatically. “And we’ll have to wait for proof. But for what it’s worth, I can assure you that before my grandfather’s memorial, I hadn’t slept with anyone for a really long time. Over a year. Probably more. It’s been so long, I can’t even remember when I last had sex...”
Tess realized what she was saying, the intimate information she was revealing, and felt her cheeks burn with embarrassment. If only the earth would open up and swallow her right this minute. She couldn’t even look at him.
“You’re blushing,” he pointed out.
“Thanks for stating the obvious.”
“It’s cute.”
“Not if you’re me. I don’t suppose you’d like to share how long it had been since you’d had sex, before that night?” She met his gaze but he didn’t respond. He simply looked amused. “I didn’t think so. But I bet the women you go out with don’t blush.”
“So, we’re back to that. I’m sorry you think so little of me.” He sighed. “Full disclosure. Most of them are using me.”
“Like Nancy?” Tess’s gaze lifted to his. “And you’re okay with that?”
“Not like her. No one is lying. Everyone’s motives are right out on the table. They’re mostly models and actresses looking for publicity to further their careers. I’m a bachelor who used to be in sports. I do endorsements, and a lot of people know who I am. When I’m photographed with a woman on my arm, the rumors and gossip go crazy. Inquiring minds want to know if this is the one who finally caught Leo Wallace. It gets her name out there. When they need a public-relations shot of adrenaline, the publicist calls with a heads-up that I’m ‘dumping’ them.”
“And you’re okay with being the bad guy?” she asked.
“Sure.” He shrugged. “They always say nice things about me. Bottom line is that there’s never anything serious. No one is hurt; no broken hearts. It’s just words and if someone’s career gets a bump out of it, I’m good with that.”
Tess felt petty and small. “That’s actually really nice of you.”
“I keep telling you I’m a sweetheart of a guy.”
Obviously her grandfather thought so or he wouldn’t have wanted him to buy into the business and be her partner. Now Tess felt kind of awful. She’d been downright unfriendly to him based on what she’d read about him in magazines. In reality he was doing those women a favor. Since their guards were down at the moment, this might be a good time to explain her hostility.
“I was wrong about you.” She met his gaze. “You may have noticed that my attitude toward you was a little cool.”
“Really? That was you? I thought we were on the brink of another ice age.” For the first time since he’d walked into the kitchen, there was a twinkle in his eyes.
It might be that he was feeling relief at unburdening himself. Or he was enjoying the prospect of her eating crow. Or both. Either way she was glad he seemed to be snapping out of the despondent mood of last night. If she had to grovel a little, that was okay with her. But it was important that he understand why she’d jumped to conclusions about him.
“In college I had a boyfriend.”
“Only one? I would think a girl as pretty as you would have guys lined up.”
The compliment made her feel warm and gooey inside, and then the painful memories threw a bucket of ice water on her amusement.
“There was a line all right, but not for me. He was an athlete, a star, and women couldn’t seem to help throwing themselves at him.”
“I’m guessing he didn’t throw them back.” His eyebrows drew together in a frown.
“I thought he did. At first. Then I caught him cheating and confronted him.”
“So you cut him loose,” he guessed.
“Not then. I gave him a second chance. And a third. Each time he told me it wouldn’t happen again. He loved me and begged me to forgive him. I was in love so I believed him.” She looked up and wondered what the expression in his eyes meant. “So I’m the gullible one. The sap. The fool who was drawn to the aura of the athlete and got squeezed out in the crush of adoring women.”
“That explains why the first time we met you gave me a look that could laser the paint off a car.”
It was her turn to wince. “I apologize for that. It was very unfair
of me.”
“Don’t worry about it. Now I understand why. Guess we both have baggage.” He put his big hand over hers. “But I want you to know that not all athletes are jackasses.”
“Point taken,” she said. “And not all women are lying bitches.”
“Understood.”
His warm hand felt so good holding hers. Every time he touched her, she felt breathless and weak in the knees. Sometimes he didn’t even have to touch her. One look could render her tongue-tied and out of breath. In fact the look he was giving her right now, a combination of teasing and tender, was making her want to crawl into his lap and put her arms around him. That made it so much harder to say what she had to because it couldn’t happen.
“We do have baggage,” she repeated. “Trust is hard for me, too. My biological father abandoned my mother. Then she left me, too. And I took a chance anyway and ended up getting hurt. And you’ve made it clear you don’t want a commitment.” She slid her hand out from underneath his. “Clearly neither one of us wants to get personally involved.”
“I couldn’t agree more,” he said. “Our partnership is business, not pleasure.”
“Exactly.” She nodded and smiled. “And when the baby is born and the DNA is done, we’ll work out a parenting agreement fair to both of us.”
“That sounds good.”
It didn’t feel good to her, though. They were staking out positions to clarify there would be nothing romantic between them. They were flat out saying that trust was an issue. Except that after what he told her about his past, Tess wasn’t simply attracted to a handsome, sexy man. She found out he was someone she could like and really respect. How odd that she felt closer to him.
And still so very far away.
Chapter Nine
Josh was at the house for his tutoring session. The two of them were sitting at the kitchen table, and she was keeping him company while he took a mock quiz in preparation for his last exam on the Shakespeare play Romeo and Juliet. Leo was out doing whatever it was he did all day. Business stuff that kept him busy until dinnertime. She’d thought he worked a lot in his home office, but not since she moved in here. Was he avoiding her? It was a riddle for another time, and she wouldn’t let the answer matter one way or the other.
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