by Judy Duarte
Diana tried to smile, as though she understood already. But she couldn’t imagine letting someone else raise her daughters. And she didn’t know why Zack didn’t fight to have more time with his child.
Was there even more to the story than he’d told her?
“Emily means the world to me,” Zack explained. “And I’m trying my hardest to be the kind of man my daughter can look up to.”
“I’m glad to hear that,” Diana said. “Why was it so important for you to tell me that now? Before the barbecue at your friends’ house?”
“Because Emily and her foster parents will probably be there. And because we’ve been honest with Emily. If she should mention something to you or the girls, I wanted you to understand the agreement I made with the Tanners, why I made it and, more importantly, why I’m abiding by it.”
“I see.”
“Are you okay with it?” he asked.
She conjured a smile. “I’m not the one who has to be okay with it. You, Emily and the Tanners are.”
He nodded. “We’re all in agreement.”
“Good.”
“So, now that we’ve got that out in the open,” he said, “do you still want to go?”
Not really. Diana didn’t understand why, after four years, he still didn’t at least have joint custody of his daughter. But her biggest worry was about the trouble Zack had gotten into as a teenager. And her concern about the kind of people he hung around with, the friends who were hosting the barbecue.
Martha Ashton’s voice popped into her head like a Jack-in-the-box with a bad spring, shaking a finger and triggering a rush of concern.
There’s something about that man—in spite of his good looks.
Was there? Had Martha seen something in Zack that Diana had missed?
…even though I can’t put my finger on what it is, it’s unsettling.
Quite frankly, Diana felt a little uneasy, too.
You’re too trusting, dear. I worry about you, what with trying to raise those kids alone. And with no husband to look out for you.
Had Diana been naive? Should she be skeptical?
She hated to quiz him about the trouble he’d been in four or five years ago, so she opted to ask him about his friends.
“I just realized you haven’t told me anything about our hosts.” And if she decided to go to their house, she wanted to know something about them.
“I can’t believe I skipped over that. Harry and Kay Logan are about the nicest people you’ll ever meet. In fact, they’re practically famous for their hospitality.”
“Kay Logan?” Diana asked. “Is she a redhead? Petite and in her late-fifties?”
“Yeah. Do you know her?”
“I think so. Did her husband have open heart surgery last winter?”
“Yes, he did. It sounds like you do know them, but that’s not surprising. Harry is a retired detective and Kay is pretty active in the community. How did you meet them?”
“It’s not as though we’re actually friends, but I met her at the church office where I work. The entire congregation knows who Kay is and talks very highly of her and her husband.” For that reason alone, Diana felt a whole lot better about going with Zack and meeting his friends.
“The Logans are the best,” he said. “And I’m glad they’ve welcomed me into the fold.”
That was good enough for Diana. So she pushed her chair away from the table and stood. “I’ll go get the girls.”
And as Zack followed her back into the house, she chased Martha’s voice from her mind, hoping the small echoes would die down and leave her in peace.
For the most part, the adults rode in silence to the Logans’ house. But that didn’t mean they didn’t respond to the girls’ many questions.
“Will there be any other kids at the barbecue?” Jessie asked.
“There’s usually at least one or two. My daughter, Emily, might even be there. Her mom had other plans today, but thought they would be able to come by a little later.”
“That’s good,” Becky said.
Zack parked along the curb on Bayside Drive, in front of a white, Cape Cod-style home. They exited the car, then made their way up the sidewalk of a well-manicured yard and stood before a floral welcome mat at the front door.
Moments later, Kay Logan answered and smiled warmly at Zack. Then, when she recognized Diana and the girls, she brightened.
“Well, this is a lovely surprise. Zack said he was bringing guests, but I had no idea it would be the new church secretary and her daughters.” Kay embraced Diana, taking care not to knock the platter from her hands. “I’m so glad you’re here. Please come in.”
“I hope you can use an extra dessert,” Diana said. “I wanted to bring something, and Zack suggested cookies.”
“That’s perfect. We’re expecting a couple of children today. But then again, most of the guys who’ll be here are really just big kids at heart.”
Kay took the platter from Diana. “Harry and Luke are in the backyard, Zack. Why don’t you take the young ladies out to get a soda or juice from the ice chest on the patio.”
Zack took the girls outside, while Kay led Diana through a cozy living room and into a kitchen that was painted pale lavender and bore a wallpaper trim of small violet bouquets. A myriad of appliances sat upon white countertops, indicating that Kay Logan enjoyed cooking.
“You have a nice home,” Diana commented. “And with a kitchen made for entertaining.”
“Thank you.” Kay grinned, her cheeks blushing with pride. “Harry and I love to have the kids come home. And I don’t mean just the ones I gave birth to. We’ve practically adopted a dozen or more young men along the way. Zack’s one of the more recent.”
As Kay placed the cookies on the counter, next to a chocolate layer cake and an apple pie, Diana glanced at the breakfast nook. A round, antique oak table and four chairs sat near a big bay window that was framed by an Irish lace valance.
She imagined Kay and Harry having their morning coffee at the table, looking out into a backyard filled with plants, ferns and palm trees—each one trimmed neatly.
On the patio, a built-in barbeque grill sat amidst redwood furniture. A badminton net was stretched across the lawn.
Zack, Harry and a man she didn’t know had set down their drinks and were showing the girls how to hold the racquets and where to hit the birdies to make them soar over the net.
“How did you meet Zack?” Kay asked.
Diana turned away from the window. “He’s working on the construction site behind our house. And the girls met him first. I’m afraid they’ve been asking him to make various household repairs while I’m at work and then inviting him to stay for dinner.”
“Zack’s had a rough time of it,” Kay said. “I’m glad to know things are going well for him now. Have you met his daughter yet?”
“No, I haven’t.”
“She’s a darling little girl. You’ll get to see her today. Brett and Caitlin are bringing her by a little later.”
“Zack talks highly of Caitlin,” she said. “I’m looking forward to meeting her.”
“Caitlin is a wonderful woman and mother. When you meet her, you’ll know what I mean. She used to be a nurse at Oceana General, but now that she and Brett are married, she’s been able to stay at home with Emily.”
“That’s nice.” Diana wished she could stay home with her daughters, but that was impossible.
“Teresa, Emily’s biological mother, would have been happy to know that her baby was given to a woman who loves her as her very own.”
“Zack said Teresa was killed while waiting at a bus stop.”
“Yes, she was. It was so tragic, so senseless. Teresa was becoming a real success story for Lydia House.”
Diana knew that Lydia House provided shelter for young women who’d found themselves on the street. Just recently, the organization had received an award from the mayor, recognizing their positive influence upon the community.
If Diana
had more time, she’d love to get involved with the shelter, but as it was, she was pedaling as fast as she could, just to be able to work and find quality time with the girls.
“Unfortunately,” Kay said, “no one has ever been charged in the shooting.”
“That’s too bad.”
And ironic, too. Whoever had killed Emily’s mom had gotten away scot-free. And her father, if Zack had been telling the truth, had been punished for a crime he hadn’t committed.
Before Diana could figure out a polite way to get a little more information about Zack’s conviction out of her hostess, Kay suggested they go outside and join the others.
That was just as well. There would be other times to talk to Kay, to quiz her about Zack. Diana would do her best to enjoy the day, the company and the hospitality of one of the nicest couples in Bayside.
As Diana stepped onto the patio, her gaze landed on Zack, on the pair of worn jeans he wore, the clean white T-shirt with a surfboard shop logo. He appeared relaxed here, at home. Yet when his gaze met hers, his movements stilled, causing the people and voices to drift and fade and placing the two of them on some unseen plane.
A growing sense of sexual awareness nearly knocked the breath out of her, in spite of the presence of others.
She tried to regain control of herself, of her interest in Zack. But whatever was buzzing between them was making it difficult.
And she sensed that he was feeling it, too.
Zack had been watching Harry show Jessie how to swing the badminton racquet when the screen on the sliding door swooshed open. As Kay led Diana into the yard, like an angel who’d stopped by for a cup of tea—or whatever it was that they shared with mortals—his heart skipped a couple of beats.
The bridal-white sundress boasted her purity, her innocence. And when she smiled…
Zack’s heart lodged in his throat. A man would be damn lucky to have a woman like her on his arm, in his life.
He watched as Kay introduced her to Luke Wynters, another one of Logan’s Heroes who’d pulled his life out of the gutter and gotten a scholarship to college and later medical school. Zack’s life hadn’t taken that big of an upward swing. But then again, Luke had allowed Harry into his life at an earlier age, and Zack had been a hell of a lot more stubborn.
Diana extended her arm and shook hands with Luke. “It’s nice to meet you.”
Luke, who wore a sober and clinical expression a lot of the time, broke into a warm grin. “The pleasure is mine.”
Zack’s pulse sounded like a hollow thud in his ears, and a sudden fist of jealousy caught his throat in a death grip.
What the hell had he done?
Of all the single guys who’d become part of the Logan clan, Luke was the one who deserved a woman like Diana. And it damn near made Zack sick to his stomach to think he’d brought her here, hoping she’d like his friends.
He sure as heck hadn’t meant to set her up with the good-looking, fair-haired, single doctor.
Before he could curse his stupidity or figure out a way to stop the ache in his chest from getting any worse, the doorbell rang.
And, bit by bit, the Logans’ home filled with happy voices and laughter.
Diana was introduced to several of the guys, including Nate Barlow, who was nervously awaiting the results of the bar exam, and T.J. Montoya, who’d just landed a job with the Bayside police department.
Her warm smiles and friendly greetings suggested she was accepting his friends.
Was she accepting Zack, too?
Had she realized he’d put his life back on track, like all the other men here?
He hoped so, more than he cared to admit.
When Joe and Kristin Davenport arrived, along with their son Bobby, the girls, who apparently didn’t have a shy bone in their bodies, challenged the boy to a game of badminton. Harry piped up, saying it was a great idea. Moments later, they’d chosen teams and the game was on.
Zack’s nervousness slowly dissipated, as he coached the girls and encouraged a competitive streak in little Jessie that he hadn’t seen before.
But as Diana carried two empty glasses into the house, the doorbell sounded from within, announcing another arrival.
Zack’s belly knotted again. This time, he figured it had to be the Tanners.
Would Diana understand why he hadn’t fought for custody of his child?
For some reason, everything he’d battled long and hard to achieve seemed to hang in the balance.
Chapter Eight
Diana stood at the sink, rinsing out two glasses, as Kay entered the kitchen with an attractive couple and a cute little girl.
“I’m sorry we’re late,” the woman said. “But Brett’s son has been attending a summer camp through the city parks and rec department, and they wrapped up the program with a big three-sport tournament between the kids.”
“Don’t be sorry,” Kay told the couple. “I’m so glad you’re having the opportunity to be involved in Justin’s life, even when it’s not your weekend to have him.”
“So are we.” The blonde tucked a golden strand of hair behind her ear, revealing a pearl earring. “I brought a Waldorf salad. Can I put it in the fridge until it’s time to eat?”
“Of course. Harry has just started the grill, so it won’t be long.” Kay turned toward the sink, where Diana stood. “Caitlin and Brett, I’d like to introduce you to Diana Lynch. She’s the new secretary at Park Avenue Community Church. And she’s also a friend of Zack’s.”
Caitlin reached out a hand to Diana. “It’s nice to meet you.”
Brett, a handsome man with dark hair and blue eyes, followed his wife’s lead and extended his arm in the customary greeting. “How do you do?”
A scar over his right brow indicated he’d been in a tussle or two, but that was the only outward sign that he might have been one of the teenage troublemakers Harry had reached out to.
“I’ve been looking forward to meeting you,” Diana said. “Zack talks highly of you both.”
“Do you know my other daddy?” Emily asked, with dancing blue eyes the same shade as Zack’s.
Her mom, Diana presumed, had pulled back the sides of her long, blond hair with rainbow-colored barrettes and dressed her in a white, puffy-sleeved blouse, green-gingham shorts and a pair of brand-new white tennies.
Zack hadn’t been biased when he told her about his daughter. She was a darling little girl who appeared to be loved and well cared for.
Diana smiled at the child. “Yes, Emily. I do know your other daddy.”
“Where is he?” the blond pixie asked. “I saw his car outside.”
“He’s on the patio,” Kay said. “Come along. I’ll show you. And then I’ll introduce you to a couple of little girls who would love to play with you.”
Kay led Emily outdoors, leaving Diana a little nervous about making small talk with Caitlin and Brett Tanner—maybe because she feared they might be sizing her up, the way she was doing to them.
“Zack mentioned he’d met a woman and her two daughters,” Caitlin said. “How long have you been dating?”
“We’re not dating,” Diana said. “Not really. We’re just friends.”
“Oh, gosh. I’m sorry for jumping to conclusions.” Caitlin flushed but recovered quickly with a gentle smile. “Brett and I have been hoping Zack would find someone special. But a good friend is nice to have, too.”
The old adage said you couldn’t judge a book by its cover, but it didn’t take Diana long to decide that Caitlin Tanner was everything Zack had said she would be.
As Kay entered through the open sliding door and strode toward the kitchen, the telephone rang.
“Hello?” She smiled broadly. “Hi, honey. We thought you’d be here by now.” Then her brow knit, and she frowned. “When? Did you call the doctor?”
Diana couldn’t hear the other side of the conversation, but she easily concluded that it wasn’t good news.
“Don’t worry, sweetheart. Your father and I will be right ther
e.” When Kay hung up the phone, she said, “That was our daughter, Hailey. She’s a little more than eight months pregnant, and her water broke. Her husband, Nick, is on a stakeout, so Harry and I need to take her to the hospital.”
Caitlin placed a hand on Kay’s shoulder. “Don’t worry about leaving. Brett and I will make sure everyone eats. And then we’ll clean up.”
“I’ll be glad to help, too,” Diana said. “Please go be with your daughter.”
“Thank you,” Kay said, before dashing outside to find her husband.
Moments later, as Harry grabbed his keys from a rack with small hooks near the telephone, Kristin Davenport, who’d been outside watching the children play badminton, entered the kitchen. She placed a hand on her own distended womb and addressed the older couple. “Please give Hailey our best. And don’t worry about anything at the house. Joe and I will wait here until you get back.”
Harry fiddled with his keys, removing one from the ring and handed it to Kristin. “Thanks, but I hate to have you feel stranded here. Stay as long as you like and lock up if you need to go.”
“Give us a call when you can,” Kristin said.
“I will, but…” Concern etched across Kay’s maternal face. “It’s a little early for her to be having the baby, so I hope everything goes all right.”
Caitlin slipped an arm around Kay’s shoulders. “I can understand your worry, but it shouldn’t be a problem. She’s got a great obstetrician, and the staff at Oceana is the best. I’m sure she will be just fine.”
Dr. Luke Wynters, who’d just come in from the backyard, agreed. “I was going to cut out early this afternoon, since I’m on duty tonight. But I’ll head over to the hospital now. Nick doesn’t get ruffled easy, but fatherhood just might do it. And I’m going to be the first to raz him.”
Brett chuckled. “Nick will be a heck of a dad, once that baby gets here. But he’s been the classic expectant father. From what I understand, he’s been calling Hailey every half hour, just to check on her.”
Harry, who’d pulled out a camera from the coat closet in the living room, winked at Brett. “We’ll have to watch and see what kind of expectant father you make, son.”
