Page 108 of Fall Into Temptation
“If I am, I want to tell Niko first.”
“Tell him what?” Franklin asked.
“That he’s going to be a daddy,” Emma said, promptly bursting into tears.
CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT
Eva juggled grocery bags and her overnight tote as she climbed the steps of Donovan’s porch. The sky was already going to dusk, and the lights were on inside, casting a soft glow through the windows. He wasn’t home. She’d seen him talking to a group of kids who were inexplicably painted blue in One Love Park. She’d made a mental note to get the story out of him or out of Evan.
But for now, she had important business. Food was love in the Merill family, and she was going to cook the hell out of some pasta for Donovan tonight. But first, she had to get past the gatekeeper. She took a deep breath and rang the doorbell.
Hazel Cardona answered the door in jeans, a crisp button down, and vest. Even retired, everything about her said “law enforcement.”
“Eva, this is a nice surprise. I hope you don’t think you have to ring the bell just because we’re here.”
“I knew Donovan wasn’t here, and I didn’t want to interrupt…anything…”
Hazel laughed. “Michael told me he was ribbing Donovan about our sex life. But, of course, that wouldn’t embarrass you being a romance novelist and all. If it wouldn’t give Donovan a heart attack, I could tell you a few stories. Come on in.” She stepped back from the door and took two of the bags from Eva. “Cooking for an army tonight?”
“It’s an apology dinner,” Eva said, pushing a strand of hair out of her face. “I screwed up. Pretty big. I’m hoping the spaghetti will soften him up.”
“The boy never could turn down a home-cooked meal,” Hazel winked. “Wanna talk about the screw up?” she asked over her shoulder as she carried the bags back to the kitchen.
The Eva of yesterday would have side-stepped the question and turned the attention on someone else. But a whole hell of a lot had happened in twenty-four hours, and if she was really turning over a new leaf, then she might as well turn it with Donovan’s mother. “Let me give you the background since the Facebook group is out of commission and you may not have heard the whole story yet,” Eva offered.
“Your mother has been coming after you for money for years. She followed you here looking for a handout, and when you said no, she got nasty,” Hazel summarized.
“Well, that’s the backstory I guess.” Eva dumped her bags on the counter and started stashing ingredients in the fridge.
“My son gave me the bare bones, and Phoebe filled in the rest. I like you, Eva. And Ireallylike your books. My husband is quite the fan too, if you know what I mean,” she grinned. “Anyway, let me give you a couple of what kids today would call ‘cheat codes’ when it comes to my son.”
“Please do.”
“He is a good man through and through. He stands between his people and danger.”
“It’s his hero complex,” Eva sighed.
Hazel shook her head. “Oh, no. It’s bone deep. He’s a fixer. He sees a problem, an injustice, a hurt? Well, he’s going to do everything in his power to right the wrong. Depriving him of that? Of at least letting him in on the problem? It cuts deep. It says to him that you don’t trust him.”
“I do. I really do. I just wanted to solve it on my own.”
“I get it,” Hazel said, crossing her arms. “I really do. You’re independent. You stand on your own two feet, solve your own problems. Only maybe you haven’t been solving them real well alone? Maybe you could take advantage of your resources and find a better solution.”
“And maybe you’re in town because Donovan needs help.”
The corner of Hazel’s mouth quirked. “He hasn’t asked. Yet.”
“But you’ll be there when he does.”
“As long as he’s not as damn stubborn as his girlfriend,” Hazel grinned.
“Well, let’s hope that’s not the case.” Eva plucked ripe tomatoes out of one of the bags and began to slice.
Hazel peered into the bags. “You’re making me sorry we’re missing dinner.”
“You won’t be here?” Eva asked. “I brought enough for a small army.”
“An apology will go over better without me and Michael slurping up noodles. Besides, Michael just landed four tickets to an eighties revival concert at a winery in the Finger Lakes. Last minute, but we’re taking Phoebe and Franklin with us overnight.”
