The Daddy Secret

by Judy Duarte

  The boy dashed outside to greet them. Rick tousled his hair, and the dog let out a happy yip.

  Lucas and Buddy were definitely glad to see each other. She wished she could say the same for her and Rick, because when their eyes met, they gazed at each other in awkward silence.

  Had he come to talk to her? She certainly hoped that was the case. Her apology was going to be a lot easier to make if she knew it would be well received.

  “Since you don’t have to go to his house, can I stay here and hang out with you guys?” Lucas asked.

  “No,” Mallory said. “Your father and I have a few things to discuss, so please take those cookies to Mrs. Reilly, like I asked you to.”

  “Okay. But what if I take her the cookies, then come back and play with Buddy in the backyard?”

  “I suppose that would be okay,” she said.

  After Lucas dashed off, Mallory invited Rick inside.

  He halted at the entrance, though. “If Brian is here, and you’d rather I came back at another time, I’ll do that. I don’t want to cause any problems. But then again, I’d like to talk to him, too.”

  “Brian flew back to Boston yesterday.”

  “To pack?”

  “No, to unpack. We broke up. He’s not going to move to Brighton Valley, after all.”

  Mallory stepped aside, as Rick and the dog entered the living room.

  “I hope you’re still not trying to encourage me to adopt Buddy,” she said in a lighthearted tone, hoping to break the ice and to ease some of the awkwardness.

  “Not anymore. Buddy has a home with me now, which is why he’s with me. I plan to train him to be a better behaved dog, but I can’t do that when he’s in his pen. And that’s what I came to talk to you about.”

  “About training Buddy?”

  “No, about being a better father. I want to spend more time with Lucas for the same reason. I can’t very well teach him right from wrong if I’m not with him.”

  “I’d like that, Rick—in spite of what I said yesterday. And believe it or not, I was just heading over to your place now. I wanted to apologize for blowing up like I did. I was upset, and I said things I’m sorry for, things I didn’t mean. I hope you’ll forgive me.”

  He studied her for a moment, and as he did, she gestured to the purse hanging from her shoulder, showing him that she had, indeed, been about to leave the house.

  A slow smile stretched across his face, lighting his eyes, touching her heart. “I could never stay angry at you, Mal.”

  Relief shot through her, lifting her spirits higher than they’d been all day. All week. All... Well, higher than they’d been in years. “I’m glad to hear that, Rick. Because it will be nice to have you come around more often. Lucas loves you.”

  His smile faded, and his expression grew serious. “What about you, Mal? Do you think you could ever love me again?”

  Did she dare admit it?

  “Maybe,” she said.

  “Well, that’s a start. And a good one. Because even though I did my best to forget you and move on with my life, you were the one thing I could never put behind me. At times I tried to convince myself that you deserved better, but that’s not true. You might find someone you’d rather marry, but you’ll never find someone who loves you more than I do.”

  Tears welled in her eyes, and a lump formed in her throat. She wasn’t sure she could voice a response, even if she tried.

  He reached out and cupped her face. Using his thumbs, he brushed the tears from her cheeks. So sweet, so tender. Just like he’d done when they’d been kids.

  “I wasn’t being honest with you when I said maybe, Rick.” She sniffled and tried to smile. “I actually do love you. And I never stopped.”

  “I can hardly believe this is happening,” he said. “I came to tell you that I wanted to be a part of our son’s life, never thinking, never daring to hope, that I might become a part of yours, too.”

  She laughed through her tears. “And I’d just hoped that you’d be able to forgive me. But Marie Lazaro said something to me the day I met her. I didn’t believe her at the time, but now I realize she was right.”

  “What did she say?”

  “When we open our hearts to love and forgiveness, things have a way of working out just the way they’re supposed to.”

  “Then our time is now. Let’s be the family we were always meant to be.”

  “I’d like that,” Mallory said. “I realize that it could take some time, though. After ten years, we’ll probably have to get to know each other all over again.”

  “I don’t think we’ll need to do that.” Rick stroked her hair. As he gazed into her eyes, her heart soared with more hope than she’d ever had before. “Some things have changed, Mal, but the important things haven’t. As far as I’m concerned, we’ve waited long enough. I’m ready to get a marriage license first thing tomorrow morning. But if you’d rather wait, I’m willing to do that, too.”

  “As wild and crazy as this may sound, I don’t want to wait, either.”

  “I hoped you’d say that.”

  As Rick lowered his mouth to hers, Mallory wrapped her arms around his neck and drew him close, relishing his musky scent and the feel of his embrace. She’d waited an eternity to kiss him again, to touch him, to taste him.

  The moment their lips touched, the years rolled back and all the heartache disappeared as if it had never happened. As the kiss deepened, as she pressed into him, her body naturally wanting to become one with him again, she didn’t think she’d ever let go.

  That is, until a cheer erupted from the doorway. “Whoo-hoo! You did it!”

  As they released each other and turned to face their happy son, Lucas asked, “Does this mean we get to be a family?”

  “Yes,” Rick said. “But just so you know, I’m also going to be a real father from now on, and not just your friend.”

  “I’m cool with that.” Lucas glanced at Mallory, then at Rick, and back to Mallory. “So does that mean we get to live together?”

  “We’ll have to get married first,” she said.

  “So when will you do that?”

  “Like I told your mom, as far as I’m concerned, ten years is long enough for me. I’m ready to tie the knot as soon as the state of Texas will allow it.”

  “How soon is that?” Lucas asked.

  Touched by the boy’s enthusiasm, Mallory smiled. “Three days after we file for the license. And your father suggested that we do that tomorrow.”

  “You don’t want to wait longer than that, do you?” Lucas looked at her with such hope-filled eyes that it would have been tough to put it off, even if she’d wanted to.

  “It’s up to your mom,” Rick said. “But she’ll probably want to talk to your great-grandfather about it.”

  “Does he have to give us permission or something?” Lucas asked.

  “No,” Mallory said, “that’s not his decision. I’ll tell him what we’re going to do, though.”

  “I’d like to officially ask for your hand in marriage,” Rick said.

  “You would?” She cocked her head to the side. “Do you want me to talk to him first?”

  “You don’t need to. I’ve already laid the groundwork. Buddy and I stopped by to see him before we came here. In fact, he’ll probably want to perform the ceremony.”

  “Whoo-hoo!” Lucas shouted again. “So do I get to wear a suit and be in the wedding?”

  “We wouldn’t have it any other way. But three days won’t give us time to plan anything elaborate. So it’s going to be very small and simple.”

  “I’m cool with that,” Lucas said as he stepped forward and embraced them both.

  Mallory slipped her arms around the man and the boy she loved more than anything in the world, her heart bursting
with joy. As long as they could be the family they were meant to be, she was cool with that, too.

  “You know,” Rick said. “I just remembered something, Lucas. Earlier today, Hank Lazaro asked if you’d like to come to his house for a sleepover tonight. It’s up to your mom, of course. But I can guarantee you’ll have a lot of fun.”

  “But if you and Buddy are going to stay,” Lucas said, “I’d rather hang out here.”

  “It might be best if your mom and I talked over the wedding details first. Then we can share them with you in the morning. We could stop by Hank’s house and have breakfast with you before school. In fact, I’ll even bring donuts.”

  Lucas looked at Mallory. “Is that okay with you?”

  “Absolutely, as long as the Lazaros don’t mind.”

  “What about Buddy?” Lucas asked. “Can he go with me?”

  Rick laughed. “I don’t see why not. Hank and Marie are animal lovers.”

  When Lucas went upstairs to pack, Mallory turned to Rick and lowered her voice. “Did you really plan to talk to me about the wedding this evening?”

  Rick’s eyes lit up, and his lips quirked into a boyish grin. “We certainly can. But to be honest, I thought it might be nice to start off with a honeymoon—unless you’d rather wait for the real one.”

  “I think we’ve waited long enough.”

  He brushed a kiss across her lips. “Then hold that thought. I’ll be right back.”

  And she’d be ready and waiting.

  * * *

  When Rick returned to Mallory’s house, she met him at the door with a shy smile. Her hair hung soft and loose about her shoulders. She wore a white cotton nightgown, the neckline somewhat conservative, the fabric sheer enough to see her bare silhouette.

  She stepped aside to let him in, and as she did he caught the scent of milled soap and peach-scented lotion.

  Once he was inside, she locked the door to give them privacy.

  “Welcome home,” she said.

  Home. Mallory. He could hardly wrap his heart and mind around it all.

  She’d lit candles throughout the living room. And in the background, music played softly, adding to the romantic ambiance she’d created.

  But nothing set his heart on fire like Mallory did. Just looking at her, knowing that she loved him, that she wanted to marry him, set his hormones racing. He could have stood there indefinitely, taking her in, but she had something more pressing in mind, because she reached for his hand.

  He let her lead him upstairs to her bedroom, where she’d lit more candles, and to the queen-size bed, with fluffy white pillows that matched a goose down comforter.

  Rick knew he ought to go slow, to savor the moment, but he’d waited too long for this. He pulled her into his arms, felt her body meld to his, so soft, so right. After all these years, they still fit together perfectly.

  As he drew her lips to his, as they kissed, they stroked and caressed each other, staking their claims as they had the very first time they’d made love. Yet in some ways, it was even better now.

  Rick slid his hand up Mallory’s waist, bringing the fabric of her gown with it, as he cupped her breast. His thumb skimmed her nipple, and her breath caught. She whimpered into his mouth, and a surge of desire shot through him. He’d never loved another woman like her, never wanted another like this.

  He pulled her hips forward, against his arousal, letting her know how badly he wanted her, how badly he’d missed her. He tugged at her gown, then helped as she lifted it over her head. Once it was off, she dropped it to the floor.

  She stood before him, naked and lovely. His Mallory.

  Her body, long and lithe, was all that he’d remembered and more. She was finally his, not just for tonight, but forever.

  When he removed his shirt, he dropped it next to her gown, baring himself to her. She skimmed her nails across his chest, sending a rush of heat through his blood.

  He bent and took a nipple in his mouth, and she gasped in pleasure. Then he lifted her in his arms and placed her on top of the bed, her hair splayed upon the white pillow, her body upon the comforter.

  He wanted more than anything to feel her bare skin against his, but he paused for a beat, drinking in the sight of her. “You’re amazing, Mallory.”

  A slow smile stretched across her lips. “So are you.”

  “I should take my time...”

  “Don’t. We have all night. And then we have the rest of our lives.”

  She was right.

  He joined her on the bed and loved her with his hands, with his lips, until they were both wild with need. And then he entered her, slowly at first, enjoying the amazing feeling of being inside her again. As her body responded to his, their small corner of the world spun faster and faster until they reached a peak so high he thought they might actually touch the stars.

  Finally, when she cried out with her release, they both let go in a climax that rivaled any fireworks display he’d ever seen.

  Then they laid together, breaths ragged, hearts pounding. He held her close, unwilling to let her go.

  “We might have been young before,” he said, “but what we felt for each other was the real deal. We just couldn’t make the commitment we needed to at that time. But I’m making it now, Mallory. From this day forward, I vow to love you for better or worse, in sickness and in health and for as long as we both shall live. Do you promise the same thing?”

  “I do.” Her eyes shone as bright as any bride’s who’d worn white and stood at an altar. “Now and forever.”

  * * * * *

  Don’t miss Clay Jenkins’s story,

  the next book in

  USA TODAY bestselling author Judy Duarte’s

  new miniseries,

  RETURN TO BRIGHTON VALLEY.

  Coming soon!

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  Chapter One

  The farmers’ market bustled with shoppers on this warm Tuesday morning in early July. Bonnie Carmichael browsed the outdoor displays of fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs, occasionally making purchases and adding the bounty to the increasingly heavy canvas bags dangling from her arms. She should have brought her little wheeled market trolley, she thought with a shake of her head. She’d told herself that not having it with her would make her less likely to purchase too much, but instead she was simply juggling bulging bags.

  She loved visiting the farmers’ market, surrounded by the bright colors of fresh produce, cut flowers, handcrafted pottery and jewelry, the scents of fresh-baked bread and pastries, the sounds of chattering shoppers and busking musicians. The market was even more active on Saturdays, but it was hard for her to get away on weekends from the bed-and-breakfast she co-owned and operated with her two older siblings. She was the chef at the inn, so shopping was both her responsibility and her pleasure. She came to the market regularly enough that most of the vendors knew her by name.

  She was chatting with a local organic farmer, lifting a plump heirloom tomato for an appreciative sniff, when someone bu
mped hard against her arm, having been jostled by someone else in the milling crowd. The tomato fell to her feet with a squishy thump.

  “I’m so sorry,” a man said immediately, his voice coming from approximately a foot above her head. “Are you okay?”

  She looked up to assure him no harm was done, but felt the words freeze on her tongue when she recognized Paul Drennan.

  This just couldn’t be happening again.

  Twice, Bonnie had run into Paul—literally—at the inn in the Virginia Blue Ridge Highlands. The first time she’d met him, in May, she’d carried a box of stainless steel wine bottle stoppers that had scattered around her when she’d landed on the floor. He’d been with his twenty-one-year-old daughter, Cassie, who was planning an August wedding on the grounds of the inn, and Bonnie had been mortified to crash into a client. The second incident a few weeks later had been his fault; he’d been talking over his shoulder while walking and had barreled into her, though she’d managed not to fall that time.

  It should have come as no surprise that the next time she encountered him, only a couple of weeks later, it would be with another collision. Or that once again she was as jarred by her immediate and powerful attraction to him as by the physical contact. Something about this man had taken her breath away the first time she’d looked up at him from the floor where she’d landed. She’d felt a spark between them when he’d offered his hand to help her to her feet, a clichéd reaction she hadn’t expected, but had seemed very real, all the same. Apparently, nothing had changed. Her pulse tripped again in response to seeing him here.

  Beneath a thick shock of dark auburn hair touched with a few white strands at the temples, Paul’s jade-green eyes lit with a smile that meandered more slowly to his firm lips, drawing her attention there. “If this keeps happening, you’re going to file a protection order against me,” he said in the deep voice she remembered so well from those other two brief meetings. She’d heard it a few times in her daydreams since, she thought sheepishly. “I swear I’m not actually targeting you.”