Daddy Lessons

by Victoria Chancellor

  Even though he didn’t have much time, she needed to feel more comfortable around him first. He hoped he could make a good impression today, and move quickly to gain her cooperation. Brittany was expecting him to be her father in more than name only. They’d talked on the phone several times, and she was already making plans. Already telling him her wishes for the future.

  He felt overwhelmed by the hopes of an eight-year-old.

  He opened the door of his pickup, looking up toward the garage apartment, feeling as though he’d “come calling,” one of the lines of dialogue he remembered from a Western film. He snatched the small bag he’d brought for Eddie from the seat and stepped out.

  At that moment Travis’s wife, Jodie, came out the back door of their house onto the wooden deck running halfway to the garage. In her arms she held a baby, maybe six months old. Luke remembered hearing that Jodie Marsh Whitaker was a famous model. Right now she looked very ordinary in a good way, dressed in jeans and a pink sweatshirt, her blond hair in a ponytail.

  “Hello, Mr. Simon,” she greeted him with a smile. “Are you here to see Kate?”

  “Luke, please, Mrs. Whitaker.”

  She laughed. “Jodie, please.”

  He grinned despite his intention not to warm up to Travis Whitaker’s family. “Jodie, then.” He shut the truck’s door and took a step toward the deck. “I came to check on Eddie.”

  “He’s doing fine, but he has a heck of a bruise.”

  “I’m sure he does.”

  “How’s the zebra?”

  “Seems to be fine.”

  Jodie nodded, shifting the baby on her hip. “I’m sure Kate is home. Why don’t you go on up? She lives over the garage for now. Just until she gets back on her feet.”

  Ah, yes. The divorce. “Thanks, Jodie.” Before he turned away, he saw her husband exit the house and stand behind her on the deck, arms crossed over his chest. Travis was a big guy, one Luke wouldn’t want to cross—unless he had to. He wasn’t sure why Travis didn’t like him, but Luke wouldn’t let that stop him from visiting Kate or putting his plan into action.

  Luke had been in a Western movie once, stunting for an actor who could barely sit a horse. He’d worn a hat pulled low, and the director had used a camera angle that hid his face. One of his scenes required him to tip that hat in the fine cowboy tradition, then spur the horse into a gallop. He wished he had that hat on now. The tip would be just what was needed to make a snappy exit.

  Instead, with a somber nod toward the man scowling at him, Luke headed for the second-floor apartment.

  He jogged up the stairs, not bothering to keep his footsteps light. As a matter of fact, he hoped Kate heard him. He didn’t want to surprise her, although he supposed he was the last person she’d expect to see on her doorstep.

  Sure enough, she opened the glass storm door before he knocked. She was dressed in what he thought of as “schoolmarm” clothes: a fancy embroidered T-shirt tucked into a modest skirt. Not exactly sexy, but that’s not what he needed from Kate Wooten.

  She held the door wide, then looked past him to the couple on the patio. Luke wondered if she’d keep him out because of her brother’s obvious disapproval. But then she made eye contact with Luke and smiled slightly, stepping out of the way.

  “Please, come in.”

  “Thanks.” He stepped into the living area of the apartment and was struck by how nice it appeared. All clean and bright, with creamy walls and a mix of furniture. Some pieces didn’t match, but overall, the effect was…charming. Not that he knew much about decor.

  “How’s Eddie?”

  “He’s doing well. Jodie watched him today.” Kate stood in front of Luke, her hands clasped in the folds of her skirt. “I’m substituting this week and next.”

  Luke nodded. “I’m glad he’s doing okay.” He felt a little nervous under her scrutiny, so he looked around some more. “Nice place.”

  “Travis designed it, of course, but some of the furniture is mine.” She shrugged. “What I kept after the divorce.”

  Luke didn’t know what to say to that, so he held out the sack. “This is for Eddie.”

  “Would you like to give it to him? I made him lie down and rest about a half hour ago, but I doubt he’s sleeping.”

  “Well, sure, I suppose.” Now that the crisis was over and so much depended on getting Kate’s cooperation, he felt a little tongue-tied around both her and her son.

  “Come on back.”

  He followed her, watching her hips sway slightly beneath the sensible denim skirt. She wore flats, which made her considerably shorter than his own six-foot height. Her head would tuck right under his chin, and his arms wouldn’t have any problems wrapping around her.

  Stop thinking of her as a woman, he told himself again. She’s a mother, a schoolteacher and your ticket to getting custody of your daughter.

  Eddie lay on his stomach, looking at a book with dinosaur illustrations. He glanced up but didn’t smile, appearing much more cautious than Luke thought a six-year-old should.

  “How are you feeling, Eddie?” Luke asked.

  “Pretty good,” the boy said carefully, rolling to his “good” side. “Am I in trouble?”

  “No, ah, this is for you.” Luke handed him the bag.

  The boy glanced at his mother, who nodded and smiled. Then he sat up and ripped into the paper, searching through the tissue that the salesclerk had insisted was necessary.

  “Oh, wow, a zebra!”

  Luke had found the small resin sculpture in the gift section of the antique shop downtown. It was owned by the wife of the Ranger Springs chief of police, but nowadays, one of her employees ran it because she’d also recently had a baby. There seemed to be a rash of babies around town, including Hank and Gwendolyn’s little one.

  He sure hoped it wasn’t catching. Although, come to think of it, just after moving to town he found out he was a father. So maybe there was something in the water…

  “How beautiful!” Kate exclaimed. “It looks so lifelike.”

  “But it doesn’t buck,” Luke said, smiling at Eddie.

  The little boy’s grin faded. “Is Lola okay? Did she get all sore in her knobby knees?”

  “I think she’s okay. I gave her a little extra grain last night and told her you were sorry.”

  “That’s good. I don’t want her to be mad at me.”

  “I don’t think zebras hold grudges.”

  He talked to Eddie for another couple of minutes, then told the little boy he’d see him another time, but not out in the pasture and not uninvited. He sure hoped Eddie understood now that his walking around unsupervised was dangerous.

  “Would you like to sit awhile?” Kate asked as they returned to the living room.

  “That would be good.” He took a seat in a well-worn leather armchair.

  She looked at him with a perplexed expression. Okay, maybe he wasn’t the most socially skilled person she’d met, but he hadn’t had a lot of experience chitchatting with attractive schoolteachers. Friendly women in dark, smoky honky-tonks, now that was a different story.

  “Would you like something to drink? I believe I have some iced tea made.”

  “No, thanks, anyway. Actually, I wanted to offer something. Kind of an apology for Eddie getting hurt.”

  “That wasn’t your fault! I’m just glad he wasn’t injured any more seriously, and that he didn’t hurt your animals. I was very touched by your story of the zebras.”

  “Yeah, well, a lot of the animals I’ve taken in had a pretty tough life.”

  “That’s very admirable that you’re doing something. I mean, a lot of people would care, but not take action.”

  He shifted uncomfortably in the chair, wishing he’d accepted the tea she’d offered so he’d have something to do besides look at Kate. “So, anyway, I got to thinking about how Eddie likes the animals and I thought maybe some of the students at the elementary school where you’re teaching would like to see them too.”

  She ti
lted her head. “What did you have in mind?”

  “Kind of a minicarnival. I wouldn’t bring the zebras, but the two ponies are very tame and safe, and I have a couple of dogs that love to entertain, especially children.”

  “That’s very generous. And not necessary, I assure you. I’m really not blaming you for any of this. You were more…well, you were so helpful by taking us to the clinic yesterday.”

  “It was the least I could do, since Eddie was hurt on my property.”

  “I’m just saying that you shouldn’t feel responsible.”

  He frowned, concerned that she wouldn’t accept his offer. He hoped she wasn’t one of those women who wanted to argue about everything. “I don’t have to feel responsible to want to do something nice.”

  She looked surprised, then said, “Of course not.”

  “So what do you think? Would the children enjoy it?”

  “Yes, I’m sure they would. I’d have to get it approved by the principal.”

  “Sure. I wouldn’t want to get you in trouble.”

  Kate stared at Luke for a moment, ideas of how he could “get her in trouble” popping unwanted into her head. Most of those ideas involved both of them being partially undressed and pressed close together. She wouldn’t allow herself to go any further. Her heart probably couldn’t stand a more vivid imagination.

  She really had to stop thinking about him in such inappropriate ways. If she didn’t have a child, if she didn’t live with her overprotective brother, if she weren’t a schoolteacher in a small town, then perhaps…But no, they were like oil and water, and besides, she wasn’t a good judge of men. She shouldn’t, she couldn’t, have any kind of romantic relationship with Luke Simon.

  Even if he did tempt her beyond belief.

  “I’ll ask and give you a call, if that’s okay.”

  He nodded. “I’m leaving town tomorrow morning for a few days. I’ll be back late Sunday, so just leave me a message if I’m not available.”

  She wondered where he was going. Probably a hot date. Maybe with one of those women who’d visited a couple of days ago.

  “Who takes care of your animals when you leave?” she asked casually.

  “I haven’t had to leave before, but something just came up, something I have to take care of right away,” he said. “I have someone who helps out during the days. He’ll be there, plus my friend Hank will be supervising.”

  “Oh, I see.” It didn’t sound like a hot date. More like a business or personal problem. Kate knew she shouldn’t feel relieved, but she did.

  “Well,” he said, rising from the chair, “just let me know about bringing the animals to the school.”

  “I will,” Kate replied, getting up from the couch. “And thank you again for the present for Eddie. That was very sweet.”

  He appeared embarrassed by her compliment. Again, she was taken aback by Luke’s shyness. She’d assumed “bad boys” would be so self-confident they’d accept praise as their due. He wasn’t like that at all. He cared—about unwanted animals and curious little boys.

  He was at the front door when he muttered something that sounded like “you’re welcome.” As a matter of fact, he looked relieved to be leaving. She probably made him uncomfortable because she was so different from the women he was accustomed to. Those women probably had lots of witty things to say, plus they knew how to flirt.

  If she’d ever known how, she’d lost the ability many years ago. She’d never had to flirt with Ed Wooten. She’d certainly never strayed during their eight-year marriage. And even if she did decide to play the femme fatale, she wouldn’t attempt it with Luke Simon.

  “Have a nice trip.”

  He nodded. “I hope so.” He looked far into the distance, pensive and withdrawn. “I sure hope so.”

  LUKE SETTLED CLOSER to the window, avoiding the tilting passenger in the middle seat who’d been dozing off and on ever since they’d taken off from Orlando. The guy reeked of beer and smelled like bratwurst when he snored. So much for enjoying the flight.

  His visit with Brittany and her uncle, Andy Jacobs, had gone as well as could be expected, considering Luke had never met her and was as nervous as hell. He hadn’t wanted Brittany to sense that he was on the edge of panic, because she might think he didn’t want her, which was untrue.

  He just wasn’t sure how to be a great dad. It wasn’t like he’d had a role model. It wasn’t like he’d ever known his father, except his name and where he lived…with his legitimate family.

  Luke pushed his negative thoughts aside. Apparently, Brittany had known about him all along. Not his real name or anything current, of course, because Shawna hadn’t been able to find him. The last she knew, he was an assistant trainer and doing some B-movie stunts. He’d moved on to become a trainer and a wrangler for several larger films, and he’d specialized in riding stunts. He loved horses, mules, burros—anything with four legs and hooves.

  Brittany seemed to share his love of animals. She’d shown him her collection of plush bears, dogs and pigs. She especially liked pigs. He’d get her one. Rescue groups were always looking for good homes for potbellied and half-potbellied pigs. He’d get on that Monday morning, right after he checked in with Kate about the minicarnival.

  He was still in awe of his daughter. She was a shy girl who looked just like the photo her uncle had sent. She would probably need braces, if her crooked lower teeth were any indication. And she would need to feel welcome in Texas, because she had a lot of misgivings about leaving her home. She and her mother had lived with Andy ever since Brittany was a toddler.

  She wasn’t overly close to her uncle, Luke sensed, but she did cling to him as her only living relative. He’d promised to visit while driving his new route, Los Angeles to Atlanta, so they could keep in touch. Luke hoped Andy kept his word. He’d seen too many good intentions vanish in the reality of life.

  But he couldn’t control Andy Jacobs, just like he hadn’t kept his mother from loving the man who’d impregnated her and then broken her heart. He’d just have to do everything in his power to make Brittany feel welcome and loved at the ranch.

  He’d created a safe, calm home for unwanted animals. Now he had an almost homeless daughter who needed to heal from her mother’s death and her uncle’s desertion. At least, from Brittany’s point of view he seemed to be deserting her. Luke wanted to give Andy the benefit of the doubt, believing he had the right to pursue his career, his livelihood, without being burdened by his sister’s child. Especially when she had a father who was willing and able to provide a home.

  If he could just get approved. If he could just make his daughter feel welcome…

  Which brought him back to Kate. He would continue to be as charming as possible—not a natural feat for him—and present his case that she was the best person for this job. Now that he’d met Brittany, he could also impress upon Kate how much a special little girl needed her.

  He wasn’t above pulling at her heartstrings to achieve his goals. He couldn’t afford the luxury of being noble. Brittany had become his primary concern. Not the animals. Not his intriguing, attractive neighbor. He was a father now, and he had to start acting like one.

  KATE ENTERED the teachers’ lounge and headed for the refrigerator. She’d fixed herself a sandwich earlier when she’d made Eddie’s lunch, and she had just enough time to put her feet up, drink some of her favorite pink lemonade and eat before getting back to her classroom.

  She wasn’t used to having a room full of children all day long. She’d get in the habit, of course, since she hoped to have a regular teaching job by fall. But right now, she was drained from the constant attention to all her students—their questions and comments, their actions and potential problems.

  “Tired?” her fellow third-grade teacher Beverly Randolph asked as she headed for the microwave oven.

  “A little, although not as much as last week. I’ll be glad when Nancy comes back to work, though. This assignment has been a crash course in classro
om management.”

  Beverly laughed. “Third-graders are a handful.”

  “Tell me about it. At least I have a first-grader at home. If he were older, my hair would already be turning gray.” Especially if he continued to stray from home.

  “I think you’re a long way away from gray.”

  Not as long as you might think, Kate thought. She was thirty-two. She’d soon be past childbearing age, slipping into middle age as her son grew taller and sassier, no doubt.

  She sighed, not wanting to go there. She wasn’t by nature a pessimist. If she were, she would have been more suspicious of Ed, his schemes and infidelity. But she wouldn’t want to go there, either. She was just tired, she told herself, and the students were restless, ready for the spring break.

  They could all use a distraction. “Beverly, what do you think Mrs. Johnson would say about my neighbor, Luke Simon, bringing some performing animals to school to entertain the class? He suggested it the other day.”

  “Really? What kind of animals?”

  “Some ponies and maybe dogs that do tricks.”

  “Sounds like fun!”

  “So you think she might go for it?”

  “You’d need to get some releases signed and make sure none of the parents had objections.”

  “That’s all?”

  “Pretty much.” Beverly placed her microwaved meal on the coffee table in front of the sofa and smiled at Kate. “So, why is your new neighbor being so nice? I thought he was rather reclusive. Hardly anyone has seen him around except when he goes to the feed store, hardware store, or some-place else that’s functional, not fun.” Beverly smiled over her steaming meal. “And believe me, a lot of the single women have been looking for him to cut loose.”

  Kate shrugged, ignoring the last comment. “My son, Eddie, has been going over the fence to his property on a fairly regular basis. Last week he tried to ride a zebra and got bruised when he fell off. Luke, er, my neighbor, feels responsible, although I told him it was Eddie’s fault.”