A Father For Bella. Jill Weatherholt

I have a lot of friends with kids.” Him? A father? That couldn’t happen—especially when his wife didn’t want to raise a family together. “So, do you work at the inn?”

      She nodded as they headed through the back door and into the kitchen. His stomach rumbled at the smell of baking bread. “Yes, I’m the manager. I started working here after—ah, about four years ago.”

      Joshua noticed her hesitation, but didn’t want to pry. What he did want to find out, without raising suspicion, was how successful the inn was. The last thing he wanted was for his father to get wind of his plan. “It seems like a great place to work. By the looks of the parking lot you must stay busy.” He scanned the brightly painted yellow walls and realized his father hadn’t played a role in the decorating. He hated yellow. Green, the color of money—it’s the only color that matters. Joshua cringed at the memory.

      Faith reached for a red cable sweater draped over the back of the oak chair. “Yes, especially during the ski season. The inn has five rooms, each with its own private bathroom. It’s a big draw.” She pulled a saucepan from the maple cupboard and placed it on the six-burner gas stovetop. “I take it you ski?” She grabbed the milk carton from the double-sided stainless-steel refrigerator.

      He did ski, but it wasn’t the reason for his visit. “Yes, I’ve skied since I was a boy.” He turned at the sound of Bella as she walked into the kitchen whistling “Mary Had a Little Lamb.” The lone ponytail was now released, freeing a mass of messy curls.

      “Are you going to have hot chocolate, too, Mr. Joshua?”

      He glanced toward Faith while she poured the milk into the pan.

      She turned, wearing a pasted-on smile. “After coming to our rescue, it’s the least we can do.” She stirred in three heaping tablespoons of chocolate powder. “After we drink this, we’ll get you settled in your room. I’m sure you’re tired from the drive.”

      She was suddenly strictly business, which was fine by him. He hadn’t come to Whispering Slopes to make friends, especially with a woman as attractive as Faith. “Actually, it’s only a little over two hours from where I live in Bethesda, Maryland. It’s just outside of Washington, DC.”

      Bella pounced into one of the four stools lining the earth-toned granite island situated in the center of the kitchen. “That’s our capital.” She twirled her finger around a loose curl and smiled. “That’s where you live? Cool!”

      Joshua slid into the empty stool next to her as he caught a whiff of the sweet cocoa. “You’re right, Bella, it is our capital. It was a great place to grow up. What else do you know about Washington?”

      She gazed up toward the pendant lighting, pursing her lips. “Well, the President lives there, and the pandas at the zoo—they’re from China. Have you ever been there?”

      His mind flooded with warm memories of trips to the zoo with his mother. She had always been there for him...the one person who’d loved him right. His father could never spare an afternoon for his family. “Oh, yes, many times. My favorite part is the ape house.”

      “I love monkeys, too.” Bella giggled. “Mommy, can we go to that zoo sometime?”

      Faith poured the hot chocolate into the first of three oversize red-and-white mugs. “Maybe someday we will. Now, who wants marshmallows?”

      Bella bounced in her stool. “I do, I do! I want the mini ones.” She turned to Joshua. Her eyes, the size of walnuts, tripped his heart. “Do you like the small ones, too, Mr. Joshua?”

      “Yes, but only five, please.”

      Her head slightly tilted. “How come?”

      “It’s my favorite number.”

      “Mommy, can I have five?” She grinned at Joshua. “It’s my favorite number, too.”

      Faith raised an eyebrow. “But you always like them overflowing in the cup. You love the marshmallow mustache.”

      “Just five.” She turned her gaze back to Joshua.

      Her mother shrugged her shoulders. “Okay, then.”

      Joshua watched while Faith filled each mug with the rich, creamy chocolate. She counted the marshmallows and tossed a few extra into her cup. She peered at Joshua and her cheeks reddened.

      “Hot chocolate just isn’t the same unless it leaves a marshmallow mustache.” She slid a mug in front of him.

      He took a sip and ran his tongue along his lips, savoring the sweet marshmallow residue. When he spied Faith doing the same, his heartbeat quickened—she sure was cute. Joshua pulled his shoulders back and looked away. He didn’t need any distractions.

      * * *

      Seeing guests come and go at the Black Bear was normal for Faith, but she wasn’t in the mood to entertain the guests this evening. Her mind was preoccupied after she’d read the disturbing news about the inn, just minutes before Bella wandered off. Her stomach knotted as she thought about what could have happened. She was thankful Joshua had arrived when he did.

      He was certainly striking. At five feet and eight inches, she’d always considered herself tall, but next to him, she felt tiny. He’d be about six foot three, she guessed. It was difficult not to stare at him, with his closely cut dark hair and chiseled features, but his looks were a good reason why she needed to keep her distance. Obviously, he’d captured Bella’s heart. Most nights, Faith overheard her daughter saying her prayers. Bella always prayed for a daddy and a new husband for her mommy.

      “Mommy, did you hear me?”

      She jumped at the sound of Bella’s voice. “I’m sorry, sweetie, what did you say?”

      “Can Mr. Joshua come to our house for dinner tonight?” Bella gazed at her newfound hero with starry eyes.

      Faith bit the inside of her cheek and glanced toward Joshua, who appeared completely at ease with the question. “Bella, don’t be silly. We’ve taken up enough of his time. He hasn’t even checked into his room.” She noticed the empty mug. “Speaking of, Mrs. Watson typically checks in our guests, but if you’re finished, I can take care of that.”

      Bella hopped off her stool. Plato, who’d been asleep on a fluffy brown pillow by the back door, jumped up. His toenails scrabbled as he scurried along the hardwood floor, his tail moving like windshield wipers in a driving rainstorm. Bella grabbed Joshua’s hand. “I can show him!”

      He smiled at Bella before turning to Faith. “I appreciate your hospitality, but I don’t want to keep you from going home.” He glanced at his watch. “It’s almost dinnertime, and isn’t tonight a school night, Bella?” He rubbed the top of her head.

      Faith walked to the sink. “Yes, it is.” She poured the rest of her hot chocolate down the drain and rinsed the cup under some warm water. “Let’s get you settled into your room.” She dried her hands on the striped dishtowel and flung it on the granite counter.

      “Oh, man, school ruins everything, even if I’m only in kindergarten.” Bella scooped Plato into her arms and kissed the top of his head. “I’m going to go watch Mr. Watson. He’s building something in the basement.”

      “Don’t bother him while he’s working. We’ll head home as soon as I get Mr. Joshua checked in.”

      “I won’t bother him.” She skipped out of the room with her dog tight in her arms, whistling a random tune.

      Joshua turned to Faith and smiled. “You’ve got your hands full with that one.”

      “You’re not kidding. I think the child was born whistling.”

      They headed out of the kitchen and into the foyer. Chatter from the dining room echoed across the foyer. The aroma of tangy mustard and brown sugar tickled her nose. Home-style meat loaf smothered in onions was Chef Michael’s specialty, and Faith’s favorite.