by Deb Kastner
Her gaze locked with his. He was silently pleading with her through his soulful brown eyes. He knew what he was asking, and he was asking it anyway.
“It’ll give us a chance to let all our neighbors know that Riley is my son,” he noted, tilting his head and giving her his most persuasive smile. “It makes sense, Delia. Everyone will be there.”
She sighed. He was right on that count. Practically everyone in town attended services at the community chapel. There wouldn’t be a better opportunity to break the news than in church.
People were bound to find out sooner or later. It would be better for Riley if both Zach and Delia were present when they made the announcement so he didn’t feel overwhelmed by the well wishes of the good people of Serendipity.
“All right,” she agreed reluctantly, “but only with the understanding that this one occasion is the exception, Zach, not the rule.”
He met her gaze, his brow furrowing as he shook his head. “I don’t get it,” he said softly. “There was a time when—”
She cut him off. “The past is the past. I just don’t want people to get the wrong impression about us. Let’s just keep our focus on Riley, where it belongs. He’s who is important here.”
Zach frowned but he nodded nonetheless.
“We’d best be going,” Delia suggested. She didn’t want to talk about church—or God—anymore tonight.
“Not just yet. I’ve got a present for Riley to open before he leaves.”
Riley had definitely been listening to their conversation, because he perked up immediately upon hearing his name. “Really?” He glanced toward the tree and looked confused when he didn’t see a gift underneath.
“Well, it’s not actually wrapped,” Zach explained with a laugh. “It’s waiting for you out in the garage.”
Zach and Riley whooped and headed outside, but Delia hung back a little bit, giving them a little more room to bond. She heard Riley exclaiming in a high, excited pitch even before she got to the garage door.
“Mom! Mom!” Riley hollered. “I can’t believe it. Come see what Coach got me!”
Delia stepped into the garage. Riley was pointing to an enormous box with a simple red stick-on bow on the top.
Zach was standing to the side with his arms folded, a satisfied grin on his face.
“What is it?” she asked as she approached. As far as she could see, there was no picture on the box to indicate its contents.
“It’s a basketball hoop for me to put up at Grandma’s house,” Riley explained, sounding a little bit impatient. “Coach said he’d help me install it this weekend.”
“Whenever’s convenient for you,” Zach added hastily.
“I’m sure we can set it up a time that will work for all of us,” she conceded. “But we’ll have to ask your grandparents first, to make sure it’s okay with them if we put a hoop up at their place.”
“If they’d rather you didn’t install it in their driveway, we can always set it up here at my house,” Zach offered thoughtfully. “Actually, now that I’m thinking about it, maybe we should go ahead and keep it here. I have a large driveway with plenty of room to play, and that way Riley can come over whenever he wants.”
“That might be better,” Delia said. Playing basketball together would be a great way for Zach and Riley to get to know one another.
“Yes,” Zach exclaimed. “What do you say we go out and put your hoop together now? I have floodlights installed on the driveway so we’ll be able to see. We should be able to sink a few baskets before you have to leave.”
“I can use my new ball,” Riley exclaimed.
“You got it, champ. Let’s do it.”
Delia started to chuckle at their combined enthusiasm, and thought to maybe point out the lateness of the hour, but then her heart clenched and her throat tightened so painfully that it burned to breathe. She had never imagined in a million years that she would ever see Zach and Riley together this way: a father affectionately draping his arm around his son’s shoulder as they talked about where it would be best to set up the hoop.
It was the first time since she’d arrived in Serendipity that she felt complete peace about the move. Finally she knew for sure that this was the right thing to do. It had to be. Zach had matured. He would be there for his child. Riley was safe.
Happy, even.
He knew who his father was, and Zach clearly loved him. With time, Riley would learn to love Zach, too. What more could she possibly ask for?
Chapter Twelve
In Serendipity, everyone dressed up for church. Even transitory ranch hands whose clothes had seen better days presented themselves in their Sunday best with their hair slicked back and their sleeves buttoned at the wrist.
The Sunday service was always one of the highlights of Zach’s busy week, but today it was the highlight—maybe of his whole life. Just the thought of walking into the sanctuary with Riley at his side put a smile on his face.
He really didn’t care to make a fuss over his wardrobe, and, in any case, he didn’t have much to choose from that would do in church. He grabbed the black slacks he wore at weddings and funerals and the newest white Western shirt that he had, took a brush to his hat and boots and gave himself a clean, close shave. As a finishing touch, he put a little gel into his hair to tame the wild peaks.
When he looked in the mirror, he hardly recognized himself.
“Spiffy,” he mumbled quietly and then laughed aloud. He was even talking to himself. No doubt about it, he was officially losing it.
Over a boy—and Riley’s beautiful mother, Zach supposed. His life certainly hadn’t been the same since she’d waltzed back into town.
He and Delia had planned for him to swing by her house and pick her and Riley up in his truck. At first, Delia had balked at the idea of him going out of his way—like he cared about a couple of extra miles—and she had insisted that they could meet at the church.
She was pulling away from him again, but he wouldn’t let her. Not this time. She might be a stubborn woman, but he could hold his own.
It had taken a good deal of effort, but, eventually, Zach had convinced her to change her plans. She’d had to admit that it would be easier for all of them if they arrived together in one car—plus it gave them the advantage of setting the stage for their big announcement.
As soon as he pulled up at Delia’s parents’ house, Riley charged out the door. His mother had clearly had a hand in dressing him—he sported tan cargo pants and a forest-green polo shirt buttoned all the way up to the top button.
Zach chuckled at the boy’s hair. Delia had clearly had a hand in it, gelling it and slicking it back. Riley’s hair might be the jet-black color of his mother’s, but that cowlick in the front was definitely Zach’s.
There was no doubt about it. Riley was his kid. And, today, everyone would know it—and see it.
Delia shuffled out the front door in heels and a pretty royal blue dress that complemented her eyes. She stole his breath away.
He held open the door for Delia, then got in, made sure Riley was buckled, and pulled away.
“It’s going to get a little crazy for us once everyone finds out you’re my son,” Zach warned Riley as they drove the short distance from the house to the church. “But it’s only because they care. They’ll each want to be the first to congratulate us. And if they can’t be first, they’ll try to be the loudest.”
“Even my mother is venturing out today,” Delia inserted with what sounded like something between a chuckle and a groan. “She said she wouldn’t miss this for the world.”
“She probably wants to see me crash and burn,” Zach muttered. He made it sound like a joke, but in reality it was all too true.
Delia chuckled in earnest. “I think my mother is
actually coming around to you.”
“Really?”
“I put in a good word for you. She’s seen you around church and in town, and she knows you’re working for the fire department. And, of course, I’ve mentioned how kind you are to Riley.”
Zach wanted to cringe. He couldn’t help but feel a little bit offended at the way her parents had judged him and found him guilty, especially because they hadn’t bothered to get to know the man he’d become. Then again, if he was being honest with himself, he had to admit that in the past at least, he’d done more than enough to warrant any censure they directed his way.
Now that he was a father, he was beginning to see things their way. He wouldn’t let anyone hurt his boy. Anyone.
“I won’t vouch for my father,” Delia continued, lowering her voice and glancing over her shoulder to make sure Riley’s attention was on his MP3 player. “He hasn’t quite gotten over your being the boy that got his teenaged daughter pregnant. It’s a dad thing, I guess.”
Zach had to agree.
“But whether he likes it or not, you’re his grandson’s father. He’ll have to accept that eventually.”
Zach hoped that was true. To have Delia’s parents against him only served to stress him out even more. While he was thrilled to show off his son to the community, he couldn’t help but be a little nervous about it—especially now that he was going to be facing at least a modicum of resistance.
“How did your parents react?” Delia asked uncertainly.
He laughed. “Are you kidding? They are so happy to have a grandson that they are breaking apart at the seams. I’m warning you right now, they’re going to spoil Riley absolutely rotten.”
“Do they hate me?”
He glanced at her, seeing the trepidation in her eyes. “No, Delia, they don’t hate you. Not even close. They were stunned about the news, I reckon, but they don’t blame you for your part in it.”
Delia released an audible sigh.
Zach pulled to the side of the road within easy walking distance of the church and turned off the ignition. He’d avoided parking in the church lot so they would have a few more seconds to collect themselves before entering the chapel. But he knew the people standing near the doorways had seen his truck—and Riley and Delia—and the gossip would already be making rounds.
“Ready, guys?” he asked as they exited the vehicle.
Riley gave an energetic nod, but Delia looked peaked and a little bit shaky. Her nerves must be bothering her, and he could relate. He might not be shaking on the outside, but he was definitely trembling on the inside.
He reached for her and wrapped one arm around her waist to steady her. There was apprehension in her beautiful sapphire-blue eyes when she glanced up at him, but she flashed him a reassuring smile that he returned.
They were in this together.
They were both a little anxious, and although he couldn’t have explained it, somehow supporting each other made each of them stronger.
“We’ll get through this,” he said, leaning in as close to her ear as his cowboy hat would allow. His senses went into a tailspin as he inhaled the scent of fresh coconuts from her shampoo. He’d forgotten how much he enjoyed that smell, which he had always associated with a certain blue-eyed beauty.
Feeling especially bold—or maybe a little giddy from the sweet coconut scent—he planted a light kiss on her cheek.
Her eyes widened and her eyebrows rose so high that they disappeared under her hairline.
“What was that for?” she whispered, definitely stunned but surprisingly not looking as offended as he thought she might.
At least, at first she didn’t. Then she apparently remembered that they were not alone.
Her gaze darted around frantically as she looked for Riley. She covered her cheek with her hand as if somehow their son would not see the kiss if she hid it.
Fortunately for Delia—and probably for Zach’s well-being—Riley had sprinted ahead without looking back.
“Don’t do that again,” Delia whispered sternly, her voice urgent and low. She increased her pace, moving away from Zach and toward Riley, who was now waiting for them on the front steps of the little chapel.
Zach held back, giving Delia space.
He shouldn’t have kissed her. It was a dumb thing to do.
He wasn’t even sure exactly how he felt about her. He was angry at her for keeping Riley from him all these years. All he was doing with his thoughtless public display of affection was confusing him and sending her mixed signals.
As they entered the vestibule to the church, several of his friends greeted him or affectionately slapped him on the back. With his busy schedule, he was particularly grateful for Sundays, when he was certain to connect with friends he might otherwise miss. Cody Sparks shook his hand, seemingly oblivious to the fact that Zach had arrived with Delia and Riley. Chance Hawkins, always quiet, only nodded in greeting, but Zach could see the thinly masked curiosity on his face.
As he walked farther into the building, Drew Spencer pulled him aside and fervently shook his hand.
“I can’t thank you enough for helping me out the other day,” Drew said with a sincere smile.
“Not a problem, Spence,” Zach assured him. “Besides, Delia deserves most of the credit. She patched you up. I just drove you there. How’s that hand, by the way?”
“It’s healing nicely, thanks to you and Delia. I’d like to speak with her and let her know how much I appreciate having a doctor in town,” Spence said, looking around. “Do you know where she might be?”
Zach made a quick survey of the narthex. It took him only a moment to locate Delia and Riley—it was like he had an internal sensor on her or something. He could almost literally feel her in the room.
“There she is.” Zach pointed toward the entrance to the sanctuary, where Delia was talking with her friends. Riley was standing with them, his hands jammed in his pockets. The indifferent expression on his face was priceless, and he fidgeted uncomfortably. “She’s with our son, Riley.”
Drew’s jaw slackened and his eyes went wide in disbelief. In a different situation, Zach would have laughed at his astonished expression.
“Did I hear you right?” Drew asked. “Riley Ivers is your son?”
“Yes, sir. I only just found out about it.”
“Well, I’ll be,” Drew muttered. “I guess I should have figured that one out on my own.”
Zach chuckled. “You and me both, brother.”
“Figured out what?” Jo Murphy, the perpetually cheerful, bouncy-curled redhead who owned Cup o’ Jo, interrupted the conversation, looking at both men with open curiosity and not so much as a hint of shame at having eavesdropped.
Jo didn’t even try to pretend she hadn’t nosed her way into the conversation on purpose, nor did she care if it had appeared that way. She was like a second mother to half the town, including both Zach and Drew, so, in her mind, it was her right and her duty to know everything important—and even trivial—that went on in Serendipity.
Zach didn’t mind. Jo was the most kindhearted individual he knew. If anyone would understand their situation, it was she.
Actually, having her overhear their conversation was exactly what he’d hoped for. Once Jo had heard the news, it wouldn’t be any time at all before everyone else would know about it. Zach mentally crossed his fingers, praying once again that this would be a seamless—not to mention painless—transition; not only for Riley, but for him and Delia, as well.
That reminded him, she should be here for this.
“Delia,” Zach called, gesturing for her. “Come tell Jo the news about Riley.”
Riley stayed at her elbow as she started to cross the room. Just as Zach had observed at the Christmas party, the boy looked
as if he was trying to shield her from danger. He took his job as Delia’s protector seriously. Zach’s heart swelled with pride.
Little did the boy know that he was soon going to be the one in need of protection. He was sure to be the center of everyone’s attention. Neighbors and friends were well-meaning, of course, but that didn’t make them any less raucous.
Delia’s friends, the Little Chicks, followed her as she slowly moved across the crowded hall. From the gleeful looks on their faces, Delia had already filled them in on the news. As close as those four women had been in high school, it was no real surprise to him that Delia wanted them to be the very first to know.
When Delia finally arrived at his side, Zach put his hand on Riley’s shoulder and smiled.
“This is my son,” he announced proudly, loud enough for anyone nearby to hear.
“I knew it, I just knew it,” Jo crowed, sharing the happy news with anyone who cared to listen.
That was anyone within a two-mile radius. Jo’s voice carried like a bullhorn.
First to approach were Chance and Phoebe Hawkins, the chefs from Cup o’ Jo—and Jo’s nephew and niece-in-law. Zach couldn’t help but envy them. They were a happily married couple expecting their first baby together, and Chance had a teenaged girl from a previous marriage. Phoebe was just glowing, and even the usually stoic Chance had half a grin on his face.
Zach was only now beginning to seriously see himself in a family role as a father to Riley.
Chance’s teenaged daughter, Lucy, joined the group and squirmed through the throng to get to Riley’s side. Speaking loudly so she could be heard over the crowd, she asked him if he wanted to go hang out with some of the kids his own age.
Riley’s full lips twisted, and Zach could see just how much the boy wanted to get away. He could hardly blame him. Zach himself was developing a severe case of claustrophobia just standing here in the middle of the group, with everyone’s eyes on him and countless people shaking his hand.
