As out of left field as the idea had struck him, it was beginning to make sense. If Patty had to ask Sarah Ann what her likes and dislikes were, it would seem very reasonable. He could listen and learn while waiting for his memory to return.
It wasn’t as though, as Patty had said, she was inviting David Montgomery, a man she hardly knew, to reside under her roof. No. She was viewing him in his role of father, nothing more, doing what she believed was best for his daughter.
Did…well, did Patty Clark ever look at him through the eyes of a woman weighing and measuring his merits as a man? Ever? He had a feeling she didn’t, which for some unknown reason was rather depressing.
He’d certainly scrutinized Patty as a woman, shame on him. Not just a mother. A woman. And he’d come to the conclusion she was very fresh-air pretty, so lovely. He really liked the way her dark, silky hair swung when she moved her head and those dark eyes of hers? Whew. Those eyes. Imagine them when she was consumed with sensual desire, wanting, needing, what a man, what he would bring to her and…
“Whoa, Montgomery,” he said aloud, as heat rocketed through his body. “Don’t go there. As far as Patty Clark is concerned you’re a father, not a man, per se. End of story.”
A man, David mused. A man whose wife had died long enough ago that Sarah Ann didn’t recall whether she had ever seen her mother. When his wayward memory finally decided to come back where it belonged, would he discover that his heart was shattered over the loss of his wife, his life’s partner, his soul mate?
Would he realize that he was so consumed with grief that he couldn’t fathom ever loving again? God, how could a man not know if he was an empty shell because he had lost the woman his world revolved around?
Stop, he told himself. He would drive himself over the edge trying to reach for emotions that just weren’t there yet for him to own.
He needed to concentrate on Patty’s plan, be prepared to give her an answer the next time they spoke. He should do a pro and con thing about the idea of moving into her house. The problem with that was he couldn’t think of a single reason why going to his own house would be better and make more sense. Doing that could very well break his daughter’s heart when he didn’t perform as the daddy she knew and loved.
So? Bottom line? He really had no choice but to take Patty up on her generous offer. He’d move into her house as Sarah Ann’s father, not as a man, nope, no way, only as a daddy. He’d live under the same roof with pretty, pretty Patty.
“Take a nap,” David said. “You just wore out your brain.”
After ending the telephone conversation with David, Patty looked out the back door and saw that Tucker and Sarah Ann were sitting on the glider on the swing set, enjoying their Popsicles.
She rushed down the hall to Sophia’s room, the nursery that was decorated in pale yellow and mint green. She scooped up the wailing baby, changed her very wet diaper, then sat down in the rocking chair and moved it gently back and forth.
It was becoming very clear, Patty thought, smiling at the baby, that Ms. Sophia Hannah did not like to be clad in a soggy diaper. Only three weeks old and her personality, likes and dislikes, were taking shape. She knew who she was and what was acceptable in her little world.
Oh, how difficult it must be for a grown man not to know what everyone, even three-week-old babies, took for granted. David Montgomery didn’t know who he was, what made him happy, sad, contented or edgy. Nor did he have a clue as to what he shared with his precious Sarah Ann.
She’d shocked herself nearly speechless when she’d told David he should move into this house until his memory returned. But now that a little time had passed it made perfect sense. It was the only answer to the dilemma.
And it wasn’t as though she was opening her door to a man she barely knew. No. She was very secure in the knowledge that David was a devoted and loving father, had seen him perform that role at the Fuzzy Bunny. It was David the father who would be coming here.
It was of no importance whatsoever that David happened to be the most incredibly handsome male specimen ever to cross her path. Immaterial. And the few little shivers and funny tap-dancing heart numbers she’d experienced while in close proximity to him? No big deal. Nope. Not worth dwelling on.
It would simplify things if David didn’t have those mesmerizing blue eyes. Eyes like the blue ocean that a woman could drown in, just blank her mind and allow herself to succumb to…
“Sophia,” Patty said, gazing at the baby in her arms, “write this down. I, Patty Clark, am a mother, not a woman. David Montgomery is a father, not a man. I’d like that in triplicate, please, and I’ll sign all copies. Oh, you poor little thing. Your mother is a cuckoo.”
That evening Dr. Hill sat by David’s bed and nodded.
“Works for me,” the doctor said. “There’s no sign of infection in your leg, the scrape on your head is healing nicely. Tomorrow morning we can change out of that cast to a lighter one, but you’ll have to use crutches and keep your weight off that leg until I give you the go-ahead to clomp around on it.
“Since you’re leaving here to go where you can spend the majority of your time off your feet entirely, have meals prepared for you, what have you, I have no problem with releasing you tomorrow. You either stay in bed, or if you’re up, your leg should be propped on something to keep it straight out, level. Got that?”
“Yeah,” David said gruffly. “What I ‘don’t got’ is a memory, doc. I’m not a happy camper.”
“Do you like chocolate ice cream?” Dr. Hill said.
“Only with chocolate sauce on it.” David’s eyes widened. “Hey, I remembered how I like my chocolate ice cream.”
“You actually don’t know just how much you do remember at this point,” the doctor said, “because you’ve been staring at the four walls in this room. Being with your daughter may trigger a great number of things. You might get your memory back in bits and pieces, or all at once because something pushed the right button. Just stay calm and let it come naturally. That picture of your Sarah Ann is great, by the way. What a cute kid. What’s her favorite television show?”
“Blue’s Clues,” David said, with no hesitation.
Dr. Hill chuckled and got to his feet. “I don’t think you’ll be bunking in with Good Samaritan Patty Clark for very long, David. Your memory is hovering just below the surface where you can’t quite get a handle on it, but it’s on its way back. Trust me. I’ll go write the orders for the changing of your cast and the okay to release you and blah, blah, blah. Have a good night.”
“Thanks, doc,” David said, then reached for the receiver on the telephone.
“You two settle down in here,” Patty said, standing in the doorway of Tucker’s bedroom. “You should both be asleep by now and I don’t want to hear another peep.”
“’Kay,” Tucker said.
“’Kay,” Sarah Ann said, from where she was snuggled on the lower part of Tucker’s trundle bed.
“I mean it,” Patty said. “I love you, sleep tight, don’t let the bed bugs bite, and I’ll see you in the morning.”
Feet up now, Patty thought, starting toward the living room and allowing herself an audible weary sigh.
Sophia began to wail.
“Ohhh, darn,” Patty said, stopping her trek. She listened for a moment. “Hungry. That cry means hungry. Okay. Feet up will just have to wait a bit until I—”
The telephone rang.
“I don’t believe this,” she said, rushing into the kitchen and snatching up the receiver of the wall phone. “Hello?”
“It’s David. You sound…hassled.”
“Just a tad,” Patty said, her shoulders slumping. “I need to feed Sophia, David.”
“Oh. Well, I’ll make this quick then. I talked to the doctor and explained your idea, and he said that as long as I stay off my feet and…”
“David, I don’t mean to be rude, but could you cut to the chase?”
“Right. I’m taking you up on your generous offer to allow me to sta
y there at your house for a short time. For Sarah Ann’s sake, you understand. If you could go by my house and bring me some clothes—mine were demolished in the emergency room— I can get out of here tomorrow and come…live with you.”
“Oh. Well. Sure. That’s good. The best thing for Sarah Ann. Yes, it certainly is. Okay. Fine. Tomorrow then. ’Bye.”
Patty slammed the receiver back into place, then pressed her hands to her cheeks.
“Oh, my stars,” she whispered. “What have I done?”
Chapter Five
“You’ve done what?”
Ted Sharpe, Patty’s father, lunged to his feet, planted his hands on the kitchen table in the Sharpe home and frowned at his daughter as he leaned toward her.
“I… I invited David Montgomery to stay at my house until his memory returns,” Patty said, wishing her voice was a tad steadier. “It’s the best thing for Sarah Ann, Dad. It would be terribly upsetting to her if she learned that her father doesn’t remember her, but with this plan she won’t ever know.”
“And you don’t know diddly about this guy,” Ted said, none too quietly.
“David is a devoted father,” she said, lifting her chin.
“So are members of the mob,” her father said. “No. I won’t allow this, Patricia. Absolutely not.”
“Honey,” Hannah said, “Patty is a grown woman capable of making her own decisions.”
“Oh, really?” Ted said. “What’s next? She decides to become pen pals with Charles Manson?”
“Now that,” Hannah said, laughing, “is funny.”
“This is not a laughing matter, Hannah,” Ted said, sinking back onto his chair. “This man is going to be living under the same roof with our daughter and grandchildren.”
“Dad, listen to me,” Patty said. “You’re getting into your cop mode and that’s not fair. The focus here is on Sarah Ann. I trust my instincts as a mother and this is the best plan. Besides, David can barely get around because he has a broken leg and will be using crutches. That will really slow him down if he decides to murder all of us in our beds.”
“Patty, you are pushing me,” Ted said, narrowing his eyes. “You and your mother seem to think there is nothing to be concerned about here. Well, fine, just chuckle your little hearts out, but I intend to use my connections and run a background check on this Montgomery jerk. And another thing. How do you know this amnesia bit is real? He could be a con artist who uses that ploy to…”
“Oh, spare me,” Patty said, getting to her feet. “Dad, I know you’re upset because you love me and the kids, but there is nothing to worry about. I went to David’s house before coming here, a very nice home over by grandma and grandpa’s, by the way, packed some clothes for him—”
“You messed around in his underwear drawer?” Ted roared.
“Oh, for heaven’s sake,” Hannah said, laughing again. “Ted, would you calm down? Tucker and Sarah Ann are going to hear you bellowing.”
“I’ve got to go,” Patty said, getting to her feet. “I talked to David on the phone this morning and I don’t want to be later arriving to pick him up than I said I would be. I’ll get him settled in at the house, then come back for the kids. Thanks for babysitting, Mom.”
“You’re welcome, sweetie,” Hannah said.
“I’ll see you this evening, Patricia,” Ted said, folding his arms over his chest. “In fact, I just might bring your Uncle Ryan along when we come to call. Two cops are always better than one.”
“Don’t you dare grill David as though he was under a bare light bulb,” Patty said, planting her hands on her hips. “Or do a good-cop, bad-cop routine on him with Uncle Ryan. I’d be absolutely mortified.”
“Would I embarrass my darling baby girl?” Ted said, an expression of pure innocence on his face. “Don’t be silly.”
“Mother,” Patty said, “can’t you control your husband?”
Hannah smiled. “We’re back to really funny again.”
“Goodbye, Mother, and the man you’re married to,” Patty said, spinning around. “I’ll be back as soon as possible to get the kids.”
“What did we do wrong raising her?” Ted said, as Patty disappeared from view.
“Nothing,” Hannah said. “I think this is marvelous. Oh, Ted, it’s been months since we’ve seen that kind of spunk and determination in our daughter. She’s been so…so beaten down by the emotional up-heaval of what Peter did. The Patty who just left here is vibrant, alive and her eyes were actually sparkling.”
“I realize that,” Ted said, “but it does not erase the fact that David Montgomery is a total stranger and… I’m going to go call Ryan.”
As Ted strode out of the room, Hannah looked in the direction her daughter had gone, a soft, womanly smile on her face.
“This is your room, David,” Patty said, sweeping one arm through the air. “As you can see, it has a king-size bed and the bathroom is right there, and I think…hope you’ll be comfortable here.”
“This is the master bedroom,” David said, frowning. “Where will you sleep?”
“There’s a daybed in Sophia’s room. I’ll be fine in there.”
David moved forward with jerky steps as he struggled with the crutches, then sank onto the side of the bed.
“I can’t put you out of your own bed,” he said.
“Well, I don’t happen to have a zillion bedrooms like you do at your house,” Patty said. “I realize this home is much smaller than you’re used to but—”
“Patty, I have no idea what my house looks like.”
“Oh. Right. Sorry. Look, we’ll make the best of it, okay? Just focus on Sarah Ann, David. We’re doing this for her.”
David sighed, then nodded.
“Man, I feel like I walked all the way here from the hospital,” he said. “Dr. Hill said it would be a while before my energy came back after suffering such a severe physical trauma. This is just dandy. No zip. No memory. Hell.”
“Quit feeling sorry for yourself.” Patty paused. “I hope those aren’t your favorite jeans that I slit the leg on to go over your cast.”
“I have no idea,” he said, glancing down at the faded material.
“Never mind. I’m going to go get the kids now. You stretch out on the bed and rest while I’m gone. You’re going to need all the energy you can muster because I have a feeling that Sarah Ann is going to stick to you like glue once she sees you. I’m off. I’ll fix us all some lunch when I get back.”
“Wouldn’t it be easier to get take-out delivered?” David said. “There’s money in my wallet to pay for it.”
“Maybe we’ll do that tonight, get a pizza delivered. I have plenty of fixings for sandwiches for lunch.”
“But I feel like I’m turning you into a maid, or a waitress, or—”
“I’m a mother, David. I’m certainly capable of preparing nourishing meals. Now stop fretting about everything and relax while I’m gone. Would you like me to turn the bed down for you?”
“No, thank you.”
“I’ll be back soon. Rest. Now.”
Patty hurried from the room and David frowned as he watched her go.
“Yes… Mother,” he said gruffly, when he was certain Patty couldn’t hear him. “I know I should be grateful, but I am really hating this. I feel like the third three-year-old under Patty’s care, for Pete’s sake.”
After less than graceful maneuvering, David managed to stretch out on top of the spread. He turned his head to look at the empty expanse of bed next to him.
Patty sleeps here, he thought. He was in, on—whatever— Patty’s bed. Did she sleep on her back, or her stomach, or maybe curled up on her side? That silky hair of hers would fan out over the pillow just beckoning willing fingers to sift through it. Her lips might be slightly parted in slumber, inviting a kiss, then a tongue to slip into the dark sweetness of her mouth and…
“Whoa,” David said, as his body reacted to his sensuous mental wanderings.
He yawned, blinked several times,
then drifted off to sleep.
David emerged slowly from a deep sleep and registered rather foggily the fact that a very heavy fly was sitting on the end of his nose. He opened his eyes, turned his head and found himself staring at eyes the same color as his that were only inches away. The fly on his nose was one small finger that was now removed.
“Hi, Daddy,” Sarah Ann said, smiling. “Patty said I could wake you up for lunch if I didn’t bump your boo-boo.”
“I… Hello, Sarah Ann,” David said, his voice rough with sleep. “It’s really great to see you.”
“I missed you whole bunches, Daddy,” she said, her bottom lip beginning to tremble. “I really did.”
“Oh, don’t cry. I’m here now and I’m going to be just fine. I missed you, too. Why don’t you go tell Patty that I’ll be out in a minute.”
“’Kay,” Sarah Ann said, then ran from the room.
David dragged both hands down his face, carefully avoiding the still sensitive scrape high on his forehead.
That beautiful child, he thought incredulously, was his daughter. She was even prettier than she had been in the picture Patty had brought him. She was tiny, small-boned, but obviously full of energy. And she’d missed him whole bunches, which made him feel about ten feet tall.
Oh, man, he had to be so careful not to blow this, not to do anything that would make Sarah Ann realize that, for reasons she could never understand, he didn’t remember her. If he hurt her, he’d—
“Don’t leave that bed,” Patty said, marching into the room carrying a tray. Tucker and Sarah Ann were right behind her. “Dr. Hill said you were to get up only when necessary and since we have meal delivery here, you can prop up against the pillows and eat right there.”
“I want to eat with my daddy,” Sarah Ann said.
“No, sweetie,” Patty said. “You and Tucker are better off up at the table. You can visit your daddy after you finish your sandwich.”
David managed to shove the pillows behind him, then leaned against them. Patty put a tray on his lap that held a plate with a sandwich, potato chips, carrot sticks, plus a bowl of rice pudding, and a glass of ice tea.
Accidental Family (The Baby Bet: MacAllisters Gifts #14) Page 6
