The Surprise Holiday Dad. Jacqueline Diamond

in front of him. “Mom acted kind of crazy sometimes.”

      “I’m sorry you had to see that,” Wade said. “And I’m sorry I wasn’t here to protect you. I should have been.”

      “Aunt Addie keeps me safe.”

      A spurt of gratitude replaced his annoyance at the doctor, temporarily anyway. “I’m glad she’s taken care of you. Now I’m here to do that.”

      “Why?” Reggie asked.

      “Because I love you.”

      “I mean, why’d you come back now?”

      A reasonable question. “I just found out your mother died. I’ve been living up in Northern California.” Wade brushed his palm across his son’s cheek. “I drove to Safe Harbor as soon as I could.”

      “How long will you stay?”

      Suggesting that he might remove the boy from his home would be a bad idea, Wade surmised. “Forever, if I can find a job.” Silence descended. After waiting a bit, he said, “Any more questions?”

      “No.” Although the boy would probably think of plenty later—this was a heavy conversation for a young kid, Wade acknowledged. Reggie glanced past him out the window. “Did you bring that police-station set?”

      Swiveling, Wade saw his gift sitting atop the others. “Sure did.”

      “Can we play with it?”

      He’s a normal kid. Toys first. Wade chuckled. “I’d like that. But everybody else brought presents, too. It might hurt their feelings if you play with mine and not theirs.”

      “All right.” Reggie wiggled impatiently. Standing in one place for more than a few seconds was obviously a foreign concept at this stage of his development. “Can I go outside?”

      “You bet.”

      The boy stepped forward and then halted. “What should I call you?”

      Longing seized Wade. Go for what you want. “Daddy sounds good to me.”

      The child appeared to be weighing the matter seriously. “Now that I’m six, I’d rather call you Dad.”

      “Done.” Wade held up his hand. To his satisfaction, his little boy ran over and fist-bumped him before scooting out.

      That had gone well, or so Wade assumed. If only he knew more about kids and their thought processes.

      Well, I’ll learn.

      * * *

      REG TROTTED OUT, eager to join his friends. Adrienne couldn’t tell much from his expression. Through the window, he’d appeared to do more listening than usual, while his father appeared to have treated the boy with respect.

      She still wished the man would leave them alone.

      Wade rejoined her on the patio. “He says you took care of him when his mom...didn’t. Thank you for that.”

      “He seems in good spirits.” A bit grudgingly, Adrienne added, “Thank you for handling that tactfully.”

      “Did that hurt?”

      “Did what hurt?”

      “Thanking me.” His playful tone took the edge off his words. At close range, she noted that his eyes were silver-gray, like Reggie’s. Adrienne had never seen anyone else with that exact shade.

      “Yes,” she answered honestly. No matter how civil this man was, nothing changed the fact that he might try to take her child away. “We’re meeting tomorrow at the lawyer’s, right?”

      Wade’s head tilted in accord. “I’m surprised a doctor like you is free on a weekday.”

      “I work an overnight shift in Labor and Delivery, plus some evening office hours.”

      His forehead furrowed. “Who stays with Reggie?”

      “He has a regular sitter—she’s licensed.” Adrienne resented being interrogated. Still, she supposed the question was warranted. “He sleeps at her house with her family. Occasionally on weekends, if she has other commitments, he stays with Harper or Stacy.”

      “That can’t be easy for him.” Wade shifted position, showing signs of restlessness. Just like his son.

      “I sleep while he’s in school, and I’m usually here when he gets home.” Enough about that. I don’t have to defend myself. “You’re a police officer. Surely you’ve worked overnights.”

      “Well, yes.”

      “Then you should understand that we adapt as best we can. Especially parents.”

      He nodded slowly. “I’m sure I’ll find out.”

      The implication chilled her. “He lives here. With me.”

      “For now,” Wade said coolly. “Well, I think I’ll take off. Don’t want to interrupt the party any more than necessary.” He went over to Reggie, who was eagerly pressing his mold over a mound of soft Play-Doh, and rested a hand on the boy’s shoulder. “Hey, kid, I’m leaving, but I’ll see you Tuesday on your actual birthday.”

      “And we’ll play with the police set?” The little boy gazed up at him. “Shoot some bad guys?”

      “Shoot some pretend bad guys.” Wade’s grin transformed him into the young, open-faced man he’d been when Adrienne had met him all those years ago, she recalled abruptly. If she wasn’t careful, she might start to like him.

      Her earlier image of him as a crouching lion came to mind. No matter how appealing he seemed, there was no telling if or when he might pounce.

      Chapter Three

      For Wade, social events, unless they involved watching football games, quickly wore thin. The aversion dated from his childhood, when family gatherings had usually degenerated into arguments involving either Mom vs. Dad or Daryl vs. Grandpa Bruce.

      This one seemed pleasant, though. Wade was glad he’d had a chance to meet, or at least observe, some of the other parents. They obviously played a major role in Reggie’s life.

      When he’d speculated about seeking employment out of town and taking Reggie with him, he hadn’t considered the other people in his son’s life. Moreover, everything about Reggie, from his healthy appearance to his trusting nature, showed Adrienne’s loving care. Wade had to admit that the aunt was doing a fine job. Still, if it came to a choice between claiming his son and losing him again, Wade knew which choice he’d make.

      He cut through the kitchen. “Leaving already?” Peter, the teacher and coach, was arranging candles on a bear-shaped chocolate cake while a couple other people worked at the counter. “I don’t blame you. If you aren’t used to being around kids, the noise level can be grating.”

      “Yeah, it’s new to me.” Wade searched for a polite question and hit on “Which one’s yours?”

      “Mia, the little girl with short brown hair and a snub nose, is about to become my stepdaughter,” the man said. “Harper and I are getting married the day after Thanksgiving. Adrienne’s been kind enough to let us have the ceremony here.”

      “Generous of her.” Seemed like a lot of work, but women enjoyed planning weddings. And birthday parties, and Christmas celebrations, Wade thought wistfully, remembering his mother. Once again his heart went out to his son. Vicki might have been—had been—a messed-up individual, but she’d still been Reg’s mom.

      After a polite farewell, Wade turned to go. Patty popped into his path holding a tray of sandwiches. “Hungry?” she asked. “There’s peanut butter, tuna fish and grilled cheese with tomatoes. It tastes good even though it’s healthy.”

      His stomach growled as his hand hovered over the tray.

      “Take