The Daddy Secret

by Judy Duarte

  What good could possibly come from that?

  She paused in the center of the living room, the memories of today blurring with those of a lifetime.

  For some reason, Marie’s words again came to mind. When we open our hearts to love and forgiveness, things have a way of working out just the way they’re supposed to.

  As nice as that had sounded, and as much as Mallory might wish that it could be true, things didn’t always work out the way they were supposed to.

  When Mallory had lived with her missionary parents in San Salvador, she’d spent each summer with her grandparents in Brighton Valley. But one July day, that vacation became permanent when they received word that her parents had died in a flash flood that had swept their car into a raging river.

  Mallory had been heartbroken, and while love and faith had seen her through, it was impossible to believe that her parents were supposed to die. That she was supposed to be orphaned and live in Brighton Valley.

  That she was meant to meet Rick, to conceive Lucas...

  And what about the Dunlops? Had she been meant to give her baby up to them?

  And what about their deaths?

  No, all those losses were too hurtful and too complicated to consider.

  Sometimes bad things happened to good people.

  And sometimes good people made bad mistakes—and then they were forced to live with the consequences.

  Marie Lazaro had been wrong. Mallory and Rick weren’t destined to be together. Too much had happened in the past ten years to roll back the clock and start over.

  Mallory had no idea how long she’d stood in the center of living room, pondering things best left in the past. Long enough that she ought to check on Lucas.

  She’d no more than started up the stairs when her cell phone rang. She retrieved it from her purse, then checked the display.

  It was Brian. She hadn’t talked to him since yesterday morning, when he’d left for a weeklong fishing trip in the mountains with his brother, so she really ought to be happy to hear from him. Yet instead of the warm, comfy feeling she usually got whenever he called, an uneasy, guilt-laden shiver tore through her.

  She did her best to shrug it off, though. After all, she hadn’t done anything wrong. So she greeted him, then asked about his trip.

  “It’s been awesome so far,” he said. “I just came into town to pick up some stuff and to check email at a coffee shop with Wi-Fi, since the cabin is so remote. How are you?”

  “We’re doing well. Lucas and I went to a barbecue this afternoon, and he met two boys who attend his new school. So that should make his adjustment much easier.”

  “That’s good. I’m glad you’re getting out and meeting people.”

  Another wave of guilt swept over her, probably because of who she’d been with, as well as the fact that she’d never gotten around to telling Brian about Rick—or correcting his belief that the man was dead.

  But she certainly couldn’t put that off any longer. Not when he’d been so good to her, so supportive, so understanding and patient.

  “Listen, Brian. I need to tell you something.” Mallory walked into the kitchen in an attempt to find some privacy. Even after shutting the door, she lowered her voice. “Lucas has been under the impression that his biological father died.”

  “And he didn’t?”

  “No. A couple of years ago, soon after Gary passed away, Lucas asked me about his ‘other dad’ and wanted to know how we could find him. I think he wanted to fill the hole Gary’s death left in his heart. And he thought he could have a relationship with Rick, much like the one he had with me. But Rick hadn’t wanted any part of an open adoption. In fact, he’d been adamantly opposed to it. I’d also been unsure of the kind of person Rick had become, so I decided to protect Lucas from the truth.”

  “So you lied to him?”

  She winced at the reality. A part of her wanted to explain, but she doubted there was any use in trying to defend herself.

  Would it matter that everything else she’d told the grieving little boy had been true? That she and her grandparents had thought that she’d been too young to raise a baby on her own?

  When talking to Lucas that day, she’d told him how she’d asked God to help her find the perfect parents for him. And that He’d led her to the Dunlops, who’d been praying for a little boy just like him.

  Then, after nearly twenty hours of labor, Mallory had given birth to a beautiful six pound, three ounce baby boy who would be known as Lucas Scott Dunlop. She’d held her son all too briefly, then, with a heavy heart and tears in her eyes, she handed the precious bundle to Sue Dunlop.

  No, she doubted that any of that would matter to anyone—her grandfather, Rick or even to Brian.

  “Bottom line?” she said, tears welling in her eyes again. “Yes, I lied to Lucas. I thought sparing him from the truth was the best thing to do at the time, but now I realize I was wrong.”

  “What about me?” Brian asked. “Why’d you let me believe that the guy was dead? You could have told me sooner.”

  Yes, she could have. And she didn’t blame Brian for being annoyed, especially when he’d been more than patient with her for the past six months.

  He’d asked her to marry him just weeks before Sue’s death, and she’d told him she’d think about it. But after the accident, she and Lucas had both been devastated. Brian had tried to console her and had wanted to help, but Mallory had told him that Lucas needed her undivided attention for the time being, and that while he was grieving, he had to come first.

  Brian had said that he understood, and he’d given her the space she’d needed, which meant they’d pretty much put their relationship on hold.

  They’d just started to see each other again, although Lucas didn’t seem to be too happy about having to share Mallory. And then Grandpa had suffered the heart attack, and she’d decided to move to Brighton Valley.

  Poor Brian hadn’t signed on for any of this. And she felt to blame, even though she hadn’t signed on for it, either.

  “I’m sorry,” she said. “I never meant to deceive you. I’d planned to tell you what I’d told Lucas and why, but I never got around to it because I got so caught up with the move. And since I hadn’t heard from Rick in more than nine years, I assumed he’d probably left town, like his brother had. Or that he was in jail or worse. And talking about him just didn’t seem to be a priority since I didn’t think there was any chance we’d ever run into him.” She paused for a moment, and when Brian didn’t say anything, she added, “The good news is, at least as far as Lucas is concerned, Rick has turned his life around and is respected in the community.”

  “Bully for him.”

  Brian was angry. Or maybe he was jealous. He might even be both.

  After a beat, Brian asked, “So what does he do for a living?”

  “He’s a veterinarian.”

  Silence crept over the line again, and while she was tempted to say something, she didn’t know what more to add.

  “Has Lucas met him yet?”

  “Yes, but he doesn’t know who he really is. I’ll have to tell him, of course. But I haven’t done that yet.”

  More of the dreaded silence. Then Brian asked, “How did you run into him?”

  “His clinic is just down the street from the house I rented. And I met him when he was out walking his dog.”

  “Are you okay with that?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Having your old lover so close.”

  He seemed to be probing and prying for more information than she was telling him. But there wasn’t much more to say.

  Or was there?

  She cleared her throat. “We’ve talked some. And things are cordial. It’s fine.”

  “Good.” Again he paused. Then, as if he d
idn’t want to talk about Rick any more than she did, he switched topics. “Any news on the job hunt?”

  “I’m hoping to hear something from the Brighton Valley Medical Center soon. They might want a second interview, although the first one went so well, that it’s possible one was enough. But even if they tell me that they’ve decided to hire someone else, I haven’t stopped filling out applications or sending out my resume.”

  “I’m sure you’ll get that position. The HR department at the medical center would be crazy not to hire you with your qualifications—and your personality.”

  “Thanks.” She appreciated having someone in her corner, someone who believed in her. When she’d lived in Boston, when she’d been afraid to share news of her achievements and promotions with her grandfather because it would only remind him of how far away she’d moved, Brian’s praise and support had become especially valuable.

  “I have some good news, too, honey. It looks like my transfer to the Wexler office is going to go through. If things work out the way I think they will, I’ll be moving to Brighton Valley within the next two months.”

  Her heart thumped.

  “Aren’t you going to say anything?” he asked.

  “I’m...stunned.”

  “I told you it would go through without a hitch. Didn’t you believe me?”

  “Yes, of course. It’s just so...soon.”

  “Soon? It seems like we’ve been apart for ages,” he said.

  Did it? She’d been so busy with the move, with the job hunt, with her grandfather and with Lucas, that she’d...well, that she’d put their relationship on the back burner—again.

  “I mean, it’s so much sooner than I’d expected.” She glanced at the stained shirt in her hand. “I had no idea that things would come together so quickly.”

  “There’s still a lot to do. I have things I want to pack and put into storage. I also took some extra vacation time so that I could fly out to Texas a week from Monday. I’m going to need to find a place to live. I can get a hotel, although I’d like to stay with you while I’m in town—if that’s okay.”

  Stay with her? No, that wasn’t going to work. She knew that it might be a logical assumption for him to make. But life in a small town was different from what it was like in the city. At least, it was for her.

  “I’m afraid that’s not all right, Brian. I told you about my grandfather—about how conservative he is. He’d be upset if I were to let you move in with me.”

  More than that, there was also Lucas to consider. What kind of example would that set for him? She didn’t want him to think she didn’t value marriage, especially since she hadn’t married his father.

  Then, to top it all off, Lucas still didn’t know that Rick was his biological father, which was one more hurdle they’d have to get over. And with Rick now in the picture—

  “Mom!” Lucas called from upstairs. “I have a problem!” His voice grew louder as he approached the kitchen. “I forgot and left the water on again. And now it’s all over the bathroom floor.”

  Oh, for Pete’s sake. Mallory blew out a sigh, then hurried out the door to meet Lucas, the shirt still in one hand, the cell phone pressed to her ear with the other.

  “Listen Brian, I need to hang up. I’ll talk to you later this evening.”

  “I’m heading back to the cabin shortly, and there isn’t any reception there. I’ll have to talk to you next time I’m in town—maybe Monday or Tuesday. I’ll double-check my itinerary and let you know what time my flight arrives in Houston and when you can expect me in Brighton Valley.”

  After ending the call, she stuffed the cell phone in her pocket, then hurried up the stairs, the crumpled shirt still in her hand.

  She’d told Rick she’d get the stain out for him—and she would. But what about the other mess, the one she’d found herself in when Rick Martinez had walked back into her life?

  Too bad they didn’t make a handy-dandy stain remover for messes like that.

  * * *

  On Monday morning, after kissing Lucas goodbye and wishing him the best day ever, Mallory dropped him off at his new school, then drove to the veterinary clinic. It had taken a little more effort than she’d thought, but she’d managed to get the stain out of Rick’s shirt, which was now neatly pressed and hanging up in the back of her car.

  She’d no more than parked and shut off the ignition when her cell phone rang. She didn’t recognize the number, but it was local.

  “Mallory Dickinson?” an unfamiliar female voice asked.

  “Yes.”

  “This is Valerie Evans, the HR director at Brighton Valley Medical Center. I’m calling to offer you the social worker position.”

  Her heart soared at the news. “I’m glad to hear that, Valerie. I accept.”

  “Good. Can you come into my office this afternoon and complete some paperwork? I’d like to talk more to you about the start date and other details.”

  “Yes, I can do that.” She’d have to find someone to pick up Lucas from school. Hopefully, Alice was available. “What time should I come in?”

  “How about two-thirty?”

  “That’s fine. I’ll see you then.”

  After ending the call, Mallory sat in the car for a moment, basking in the good news. Sweet! She’d landed the job.

  From what she’d gathered during the interview, the start date could be as soon as a week from today. And since she wanted to make sure her grandfather was settled in his apartment before her time was taken up with the job, she had a lot to do—and not much time to do it. So she’d better get busy.

  She checked her hair and lipstick in the rearview mirror, then scolded herself. She’d just left the house fifteen minutes ago. It’s not as if she’d been caught in a windstorm.

  Besides, what did it matter how she looked? No way was she going to start primping for Rick Martinez.

  She reached for her purse, then paused to scan the empty parking lot. Maybe the clinic didn’t open until nine. If that was the case, she’d have to run a few errands first and come back later.

  But maybe she’d be in luck and one of Rick’s office staff would be here. It wouldn’t hurt to find out.

  So after opening the rear passenger door and removing the clothes hanger from the hook, she locked the car and carried the shirt to the main entrance.

  The door was open, so she let herself into the waiting room, which was just as empty as the parking lot.

  She stood there for a moment, then raised her voice and asked, “Is anyone here?”

  “I am,” Rick called out. “I’ll be right with you.”

  And there went her wacky pulse rate again.

  Several escalated heartbeats later, Rick entered the waiting room wearing a pair of jeans, a chambray shirt with the sleeves rolled up and a crooked grin.

  Rather than let the awkwardness set in, as it was prone to do whenever they were alone, she handed him the shirt on the hanger. “Here you go. As good as new.”

  “Amazing,” he said, as he looked it over. Then he flashed her a smile that lit his eyes to a mesmerizing shade of blue. “Do you hire out? I’ve been looking for a new laundry service.”

  Oh, good. A joke. That she could handle.

  She crossed her arms and returned his smile. “Sorry. I might have considered it, but I just received word that I got the social worker position at the medical center. So I’ll only have time to wash and iron my own things from now on.”

  “You got the job? That’s great, Mal.” He reached out and placed his hand on her shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze.

  It was a friendly gesture—a congratulatory motion any old friend might make. Yet his mere touch sent a spiral of heat to her core.

  And a stab of guilt to her chest.

  “Thanks,” she said, noddin
g toward the door. “I...uh, really need to go. My grandfather is being released from the hospital today, and I’m taking him to his apartment. I also need to meet with the in-home health care staff who will be with him there. Then I have a meeting with the HR department at the medical center. Needless to say, there’s a lot to do before Lucas gets home from school.”

  “Okay. Give your grandfather my best.”

  His comment gave her pause. It was a nice thing for him to say, yet offering his thoughtful regard set off a slew of apprehension in her.

  But why was that? Surely Grandpa would accept Rick’s well wishes with grace.

  “I’ll tell him,” she said. “Thank you.”

  “Maybe Lucas and I should take you out to dinner this evening—or one night this week to celebrate your new job—and your grandfather’s recovery.”

  The apprehension she’d felt earlier, as well as the heat from his touch, rose up into a fiery ball in her throat, making it nearly impossible to think, let alone speak.

  But there was no way she could go out to dinner with Rick.

  “That would be nice,” she said, “but I’m going to be so busy getting ready and organized for the days and weeks ahead, that I’d rather not make any plans.”

  He cocked his head slightly, as if challenging her excuse. But it made perfect sense to her. Well, maybe not perfect, but it was at least passable.

  “With the new job and finding quality time for Lucas and my grandfather,” she added, “well, I’m sure you understand.”

  His smile faded, and he took a step back. “Of course. Maybe another time.”

  “Sure.”

  She nodded toward the clinic door. “I’d better go. I don’t want to keep Grandpa waiting.”

  Rick didn’t respond. He just stood there, his gaze locked on hers as if he’d heard all she’d been thinking and very little of what she’d actually said.

  But she didn’t dare explain herself or drag out the conversation any longer. She had to leave—and quickly, before his receptionist came to work. And before the waiting room filled with pet owners.