Accidental Homecoming

by Sabrina York

  Danny’s world—just newly formed—suddenly shattered. “What does that mean, she’s sick?”

  Lizzie cleared her throat. “It all started about a year ago. She started bruising, badly. And then she got sick. Real sick. A cold developed into pneumonia within days. I—I thought I was going to lose her.” Lizzie’s eyes glistened with tears, and she swiped at them. Danny’s heart ached for her. He should have been there for her. He could have...

  Impulsively, he covered her hand with his. “What was the diagnosis?”

  “It’s a thing called aplastic anemia. I’d never heard of it. Basically, it’s...sort of a bone-marrow failure.”

  His heart lurched. “Cancer?”

  Lizzie shook her head. “No. I’m not explaining it well.” She took a deep breath. “Her bone marrow doesn’t make enough white blood cells, so she can’t fight infections. She’s tired a lot because she doesn’t make enough red blood cells. She can’t form platelets to stop excessive bleeding...”

  “Can’t they give her blood transfusions?”

  Lizzie huffed a cynical laugh. “We’ve tried that. They have to give her drugs to suppress her immune system when they do, so she gets even sicker. We’ve tried almost everything.” She sighed. “Nothing has worked.”

  “What do you need from me?”

  She turned to him and held his gaze. “She needs a bone-marrow transplant. Stem cells, preferably. I’m incompatible. I was hoping you would...”

  “Give her bone marrow?” He’d heard about that. He’d heard it hurt. A lot. He had no idea why he immediately ignored that consideration. “Of course.”

  “It’s not that easy. You have to be tested first to see if you’re a match...” She hesitated. “You might not be.”

  He didn’t like that prospect in the least. “Why not? I’m her father.”

  “I thought the same thing at first. But I’m her mother, and I’m not a match. The doctors say related donors are the best. They suggested I reach out to you because, Danny, you might be her last hope for a related donor.”

  Wow. That comment hit him hard. Panic and fear swirled in his chest, but he tried to push them away. Panic and fear never solved anything.

  All that mattered now was Emma.

  Damn. He never expected caring about someone else—someone he’d never met—could hurt this much.

  But it did hurt. He was, in a word, eviscerated.

  How could this be? How could he feel such desperation over a child whose existence had been unknown to him just a few minutes ago?

  If this was parenting, it was gut-wrenching.

  Resolve formed in his chest. Damn it, he would be the best dad he could be. No matter how terrible his own parents had been, he would not fail Emma.

  He stood, took both Lizzie’s hands and pulled her to her feet. “Listen. We’re going to figure this out. And I’m going to be here, right by your side, okay?”

  She peered up at him through the tears, and said, in a tiny voice, “Okay.”

  “Whatever it takes, whatever Emma needs, we’ll make it happen. Do you hear me?”

  “Yes.”

  “You’re not alone anymore, Lizzie. I’m in this with you. All the way.”

  He had no idea where these words were coming from. He’d never uttered anything like this before. But he’d never felt this way before, either.

  As frightening as all this was, he was determined to come through for his child. And for Lizzie.

  And when she wrapped her arms around him and whispered, “Thank you, Danny,” he knew he’d done the right thing.

  Chapter Four

  As she retook her seat across from him, Lizzie struggled to collect herself. She’d been prepared to defend her decision to keep Emma from him...but it hadn’t been necessary at all.

  He’d straight up accepted the fact that he was Emma’s father—albeit through a veil of shock—and then he’d agreed immediately to do whatever was necessary. He’d pledged to be with her, by her side. She wouldn’t have to face this alone anymore—a prospect that had overwhelmed her with emotion.

  What more could she have asked? Had she really agonized over this, certain that facing Danny would only make things worse?

  She peeked at him from beneath her lashes. His expression was determined, his chin was hard, his jaw clenched, and it hit her.

  This was a man. Not a boy. Not a feckless kid. A man.

  He had grown up.

  She swallowed heavily as a whisper of trepidation trickled through her veins. She’d been head over heels in love with Danny five years ago, even though she was well aware of his faults and foibles. How on earth was she going to protect her heart against him now? Knowing her arguments against him were slipping away? Knowing that he was willing to stay by her side? At least until Emma was better.

  Crystal chose this moment to appear at their booth, delivering Lizzie’s drink. She grinned at them both. “I see you found each other.”

  Egads. What a statement. In fact, it was so surreal, Lizzie chuckled. Somehow, that broke the tension between them and Danny grinned, as well.

  A shiver skittered up Lizzie’s spine. How she’d missed that smile. With that explosion of dimples, his cheek should be registered as a lethal weapon.

  “We did,” he said. The fact that he reached across the table and covered her hand with his sent a delicious warmth coursing through her.

  She tamped down the feeling. This was no time for lust.

  “Have you decided what you want?” Crystal asked.

  It took a second for Lizzie to realize she was talking about food, because her mind immediately whipped to a picture of her and Danny and Emma, together. That was what she wanted. It was what she’d always wanted, even if she’d told herself otherwise. It was a foolish thought, but maybe she was a fool.

  “Um, the chicken salad, I think.” In truth, she wasn’t hungry anymore, but knew if she didn’t eat something, she’d regret it later tonight.

  “Right away.” Crystal turned to Danny. “Can I get you anything else?”

  He blew out a breath. “I could use another beer.”

  Lizzie blinked. He’d never been much of a beer man. “Not something stronger?”

  There was humor in his eyes when he responded. “I don’t think that would be wise, given the circumstances.” And then, when she sent him a curious glance, he added, “We need to have a serious discussion.”

  Right. Of course.

  Crystal nodded and headed off, and Danny released Lizzie’s hand. She missed his warmth immediately. “Where, uh, where shall we start?” she asked.

  He picked up his beer, swirled the dregs and shrugged. “How about, where did you go?”

  It was a simple question, but she felt a hint of pain and fury behind it, although he was trying to keep it in check.

  “Seattle.”

  His lids flickered, but he didn’t respond, leaving a silent abyss between them.

  “My sister, Nan, she took me in. Helped me get a job with a good firm. Everything was...fine, until Emma got sick last year.”

  Then it had become the worst time of her life.

  “And it didn’t occur to you to contact me even then?”

  She dropped her gaze. “No.”

  Again, he didn’t respond. He didn’t move until she looked up again. “Why?” The question, a simple word, seemed squeezed up from the core of his soul. The agony in his tone made tears prick at her lids. “Did you hate me so much?” he asked tightly.

  “I never hated you.” It was true. She’d been angry and hurt and totally confused, but there had never been hate for him in her heart. “I just...”

  “What?” He stared at her with eyes so like Emma’s, it was painful to hold his gaze.

  “I was sure you would...” Ah, how to say it without crushing him?

  “
I would refuse to accept her?”

  She sighed and mangled her napkin. “There was that fear, yes.”

  He sat back, his eyes wreathed in those sinfully thick lashes, his brows furrowed. “Is that what you think of me?” He tossed back his beer, only to realize it was empty.

  “I didn’t know how you would react. You’ve never been shy about your aversion to parenthood.”

  He was silent for a minute, then he cleared his throat and said, “Well, that’s all behind us now, isn’t it?”

  She shook her head, struggling to make this quantum shift with him. “Is it?”

  “Yes.” He met her gaze. His was calm, cool and determined. “Emma is what’s important here. Her health. Her safety. She’s all that matters.”

  Oh, dear God.

  Relief, unlike any she’d ever known, sluiced through her. Relief and...elation. Knowing that they were united, that this would not be a fight, was a sweet respite from the unspoken worry that had been torturing her since she’d made the decision to find him. That and the tacit forgiveness for keeping this secret from him. That worry had tormented her, as well.

  There were no words to adequately express her gratitude. A simple, heartfelt “Thank you, Danny,” would have to do.

  He nodded, and they eased into silence as Crystal appeared with her salad and another beer for Danny. He waited until Lizzie had eaten a bit before he said, “So, what do we do now?”

  Oh, dear. She hadn’t thought that far ahead. Not really. What did they do now? Head back to Seattle for a family reunion?

  Even though he’d been wonderful about this, a part of her was still nervous over how Emma might react to meeting her father, the man heretofore referred to as the sperm donor. Emma deserved to meet him, certainly. She deserved to know him, and he deserved the same, but Lizzie was oddly hesitant to rush things.

  She shrugged. “Get you tested.”

  “I mean about Emma.”

  Oh. Yes. “Take things slow, I guess.”

  He set his chin in a stubborn gesture she knew by heart. “I want to meet her.”

  “What about your business here in Butterscotch Ridge?”

  His eyebrows lowered. “I think my daughter’s health is more important.” The vehemence in his voice warmed her heart. It was what she’d been hoping he would say, because it was what she would have said. But then he added, “I can always meet my family later.”

  She gaped at him. “Your...what?”

  “Oh.” He shook his head. “Yeah. Apparently I’m the bastard grandson of a local rancher. Just met my brother, if you can believe that.” She couldn’t help noticing the flush on his cheeks, the restlessness of his fingers, his general discomfort.

  “That must have been a shock.”

  He caught her gaze and blew out a breath, then gave her a hint of a smile. “This has been some kind of day.”

  The enormity of it overwhelmed even her. To discover you had not only a child, but also an entire family...

  “To be honest, I’m ready to go see Emma now.” Lizzie’s gut clenched. He must have noticed her expression grow pale because he leaned in. “What?”

  She forced a smile. “What?”

  He leaned back and blew out a breath. “Come on, Lizzie. I know you too well. Do you not want me to meet her?”

  Yes. Somehow he’d managed to hit the nail on the head. Well, not precisely on the head, but thereabouts. “It’s just that...”

  He waited for her to finish, and when she delayed too long, he drummed his fingers on the tabletop. “Well?”

  Oh, God. She prayed for strength. “It’s just that... I need time. To prepare her.”

  To his credit, he didn’t respond with anger, as she expected. It had been five years, after all. She’d had five years to prepare Emma for this moment. But she hadn’t done it. She hadn’t done anything.

  He folded his hands and stared at them as though they held the secrets of the universe. “Okay,” he said finally. “How much time do you need?”

  She swallowed heavily. How much time? She had no idea. “Don’t you have business here?”

  “It’s just the reading of a will—”

  “And meeting your family. Isn’t that what you said?”

  Danny grimaced. “I think I made my opinion about all that pretty clear. Nothing matters besides Emma.”

  “All right. Would you give me a couple days? Please?”

  The muscle in his jaw worked as he considered the offer, and then he nodded.

  She nearly collapsed in relief. “If I leave tomorrow, I can make arrangements for you to come on, say, Tuesday?”

  He clearly didn’t want to wait until Tuesday, but he agreed. Then, his stark expression melted into something else. “I can’t wait to meet her,” he said softly, a light shining in his eyes.

  She had to smile back. “You’ll adore her.”

  “I know,” he said, giving her hand a squeeze. “I already do.”

  * * *

  After dinner, Danny and Lizzie walked together back to the hotel where they were both staying. It almost felt like a date. Neither wanted to turn in, so they sat together in the lounge that doubled as a breakfast bar and talked late into the night, just catching up. Just getting to know each other again. And of course, talking about Emma.

  They made plans to meet for breakfast before she left for Seattle and then he walked her to her room and waited in the hall until her door closed to make sure she was safe. Then he returned to his room just down the hall.

  He wouldn’t be sleeping. He knew he wouldn’t be. How could he, with Lizzie just a couple rooms away? How could he, with all the thoughts rumbling through his mind?

  He must have slept, though, because the next morning, far too early, Danny was awakened by a call from the lawyer’s secretary letting him know that Watney was back in town, and would see him this morning at 8:00 a.m. sharp.

  Danny had no idea why this summons gave him a stomachache, but it did. His first thought was to tell Lizzie, so he headed straight for her room. And damn, he woke her up. She looked cute when she was all disheveled.

  “What are you smiling at?” she muttered, pushing her hair out of her eyes.

  “Good morning.”

  “Is it?”

  “I just got a call from the lawyer.”

  She stilled. Her eyes widened.

  “He wants to meet with me at eight o’clock. What time were you planning to leave?”

  “Right after breakfast. Just to try and avoid the weekend traffic heading back to the city.”

  “Would you...?” Dang. How to ask? “Would you be willing to wait until after this meeting?” He wasn’t sure it was fair to ask her to stay so he would have someone to discuss all this with, but he really needed her. More than he ever had. “I know it’s a big imposition, but since I have literally no idea what’s going to happen, I’d really appreciate having someone I know nearby. Hopefully it’ll just be an extra hour or so. We can have lunch instead of breakfast. If that’s okay.”

  He was relieved beyond words when she said yes. “Thank you, Lizzie,” he said. “Thank you so much.”

  She nodded and then, as he turned to go, she caught his hand and brought him back for a quick hug. “Good luck,” she said.

  “Thanks.” And yeah, though he appreciated it, that hug was way too short.

  Danny grabbed a muffin from the breakfast bar as he headed out of the hotel. It was stale, but did the job of filling his stomach, which was churning a bit. His steps lagged as he made his way down Main Street. And not just because he was walking away from a disheveled Lizzie. His mind lagged, as well. He wasn’t ready for this, whatever it was going to be. The last thing he wanted was to have to deal with disgruntled siblings. Not with worries about Emma and hopes about Lizzie crowding his mind.

  It surprised him, the relief that fl
ooded him as he saw Mark hop out of his truck in front of Watney’s offices. Ah. A familiar face. “Good morning,” he called with a friendly wave.

  “I take it you got a call from Watney, too?” he asked.

  “Yup.” Mark clapped him on the shoulder. “Are you ready for this?”

  “No,” Danny said on a huffed breath.

  Mark chuckled as he stepped up on Watney’s porch and opened the door to a rather grand-looking establishment. As Danny stepped into the lobby it struck him that the offices resembled an old-timey bordello, decorated with thickly upholstered gilt furniture and red velvet wall coverings. All the wood gleamed and the scent of beeswax hovered in the air.

  An older woman with too much lipstick and a beehive hairdo sat at an ornately scrolled cherrywood desk that blocked the entrance—apparently, it was meant to be a bastion against intruders.

  Mark greeted her with a noisy kiss to her powdered cheek. “Well, good morning, Gladys,” he said in a warm voice.

  “Mark Stirling,” she gushed. “You’re such a lady killer, just like your pa.”

  “Gladys. Look who I found,” Mark said, pulling Danny forward. “Danny, this is Gladys Henry. She makes some of the best lemonade in town. Brings it to every July Fourth picnic.”

  Gladys stilled as she gazed at Danny. Her eyes widened and her mouth dropped open as she looked him over. And then she picked up her phone, pressed the intercom button and gushed, “He’s here, Mr. Watney! He’s here.” Then she slammed down the receiver and fanned herself.

  “Amazing, isn’t it?” Mark asked, leaning a hip against the desk.

  Gladys renewed her avid perusal of his person. “Astounding. Absolutely astounding. It’s like stepping back in time.” She fluttered her lashes at Danny. “I always had such a hankering for Daniel Junior, you know.”

  No. He hadn’t known. And frankly, it was a little uncomfortable to hear, since he’d never known a thing about his father until yesterday...except that the man hadn’t given a damn about him his entire life.

  Gladys’s open stare was a little uncomfortable, too.

  The awkward tableau was shattered when a rotund bear of a man, with an imposing handlebar mustache and actual muttonchops, burst into the waiting room from the offices in the back. “Who’s here, Gladys? For pity sake. Couldn’t you be more...?”