Page 123 of The Single Dads Club
I put my car into park and switched off the engine. The house itself was small, but neat and tidy, its white siding freshly painted. A row of trimmed hedges bordered the small yard.
A black pick-up truck was parked in the driveway, but other than that, there was no telling if anyone was home. I checked my appearance in the rearview mirror one last time, took a deep breath and left the safety of my car before I chickened out completely.
I didn’t get very far. A school bus had stopped on the corner, letting off a small army of children. The noisy kids scattered in different directions, parading home along the streets and sidewalks, but my attention was momentarily captured by a bright-eyed little girl, smaller than all the rest, who hobbled her way past me with the help of a tiny walker. She spared me a curious glance, but continued on, her eyes shining with determination.
“Caden!” she called, struggling to make her legs carry her in the direction of the house, where Cade had appeared on the front lawn. He crossed the last few feet separating them and lifted her easily from the ground, the walker momentarily left aside.
“How was school, baby girl?” He planted a kiss in her blonde curls before lowering her to the ground.
“It was good. I colored a picture of a butterfly for you today.”
“Yeah? That sounds real nice. Is it in your backpack?”
She nodded with excitement, causing her curls to bounce. Her pink backpack was nearly as big as she was. I thought maybe Cade would take the bag from her shoulders, or help her up the ramp that led up to the porch, but he just looked on proudly as determination covered her face and she slowly shuffled forward, pushing the walker out in front of her with each slow step.
The little girl had captured Cade’s complete attention and he’d yet to even notice me standing there gawking at them.
“Cade?” My voice sounded shaky and uneven even to my own ears.
He spun around and looked at me, still waiting by my car at the curb. “Alexa?” Confusion etched into his features, creasing his brow.
Shit. Isoshould not have come. All my earlier venom about wanting to tell him off had evaporated at watching him with the little girl.
I watched as he connected the dots in his head. Then his surprised expression disappeared and a slow smile curved his lips. “So you really want to go through with it, do you?”
And the venom was back. I marched across the yard, stopping just in front of him, and jabbed my finger into his chest. “I’m not here to have sex with you, you sleazebag. You didn’t think I’d show, so I only came here to prove you wrong.”
The front door opened and the little girl peeked out. “Caden?” Her voice was full of questions and her eyes widened at the sight of me so close to Cade. I dropped my hand from his chest and stepped back. It was hard to be mad at him when such a sweet little girl obviously adored him.
“It’s okay, Lily. Go on back in the house. I’ll be in to help you with your stretches in just a minute.”
She scratched her belly and sighed. “Can you make me a peanut butter and jelly?”
He chuckled, his features softening at the gorgeous little girls request. “Sure will. Go turn on your show for a minute and I’ll be in to make you the best peanut butter and jelly you’ve ever had real soon.”
“M’kay!” she called back happily, closing the door behind her as she disappeared inside.
“Is she…yours?”
He scratched his stubble covered jaw and blew out a frustrated breath. “Lily’s my sister, but I’ve had full custody of her since she was three.” have full custody. I have since she was three.”
“Oh.” He’s raising his little sister? I took a step back at the weight of this new information. The strong bond between them was undeniable.
“Is it scoliosis?” I asked softly.
“Spina bifida,” he said, his eyes far away.
“Oh,” I said again, finding it difficult to find my words. I knew it was a crippling childhood disease that left the spine twisted and often affected the legs, but I wasn’t very educated in it. “I’m sorry.”
“We manage,” he bit out, bringing his full attention back to me.
“I can see that. Look, I’m sorry. Why don’t we just forget I ever came here?” I wanted to take another step back, to disappear entirely, but I remained where I was, fighting the urge to run.
“Why did you come here?” His gaze sparked with curiosity, the challenge in his tone unmistakable.
His eyes raked over my skin, and sent a brief chill skittering down my spine. I cursed myself for wearing this damn sundress and for how much skin was showing. My breasts pressed against the thin cotton fabric, reminding me this dress didn’t accommodate for a bra and left me feeling a little too on display. I hated how his mere presence left me off balance and reeling.
“At least a little part of you was curious. You wouldn’t have shown up otherwise.” He touched my shoulder, his thumb brushing along the exposed flesh next to the strap of my dress.
