Page 14 of Baby Daddy

“At your service.”

Oh, crud. “I...I thought you were a friend of Hutch’s.”

“I am.”

Double crud. “But he told me... Ithought—”

“That I was a kid. Sorry about that.”

He slid his hands behind her head and she kept carefully still. More than anything, she wanted to bolt. Instead, she held her ground, refusing to give in to ridiculous fears—not to mention a totally unwarranted attraction. She sniffed. It had to be his scent she found enticing because there sure wasn’t much else she found attractive. Well, other than his size and interesting eye color. Oh! And his voice. She had a weak spot for deep, rich voices.

“What are you doing, if you don’t mind my asking?”

“I think we can dispense with this now,” he replied, sweeping the blindfold from herface.

Now that she knew his identity, she couldn’t resist staring at Ty. He was supposed to be a boy. He was supposed to be a friend of Hutch’s. Instead, he was blatantly male. Uncomfortably male. Thoroughly male. And he knew more about the intimate details of her life than any man of recent acquaintance.

“Surprise, Mom,” Hutch announced, drawing her attention. “Happy birthday!”

Relieved, she edged closer to her son. “What’s up?” she questioned lightly.

For the first time, she realized there were others in the room besides her son and Ty. Next to Hutch stood a handsome, white-haired woman. Something about her bearing and looks suggesting a familial relationship with Ty. And off to one side hovered a man and woman, both watching her with uncomfortable intensity.

The older woman stepped forward and offered her hand. “Welcome, Ms. Lonigan. I’m Willie Eden, owner of Yellow Rose Matchmakers. Your son has purchased our services for your birthday present.”

Uh-oh. “What services?” Cassidy asked, fighting to conceal her apprehension.

“We’re a dating agency.”

Damn. She pasted a delighted smile on her mouth, praying Hutch couldn’t tell how horrified she was. “What...what a lovely surprise.”

Beside her, Ty snorted softly. “Good save.”

A flashbulb went off nearby and she blinked to clear her vision.

“Keep smiling,” Ty warned beneath his breath. “They’re reporters.”

“Whose idea was this?” she questioned between gritted teeth.

“Your son’s.”

That changed everything. Amore natural smile crept across her mouth and she enveloped Hutch in a hug. “Thank you, sugar.”

“You don’t mind, do you, Mom?”

She ruffled his pale blond hair. “Of course not,” she lied gamely. “What a sweet idea. How in the world did you come up with it?”

“I saw their ad in the newspaper. It’s the Yellow Rose agency, Mom. Get it? Yellow roses. And they use computers.”

That explained Hutch’s interest—if not what prompted this little venture. “You don’t say. Computers, huh? Isee why that would appeal. Very scientific.”

“You can’t lose. Miss Willie’s gonna run your application now, and then we’ll find out who your date is.”

The older woman lifted an eyebrow. “Are you ready?”

Cassidy caught a hint of sympathy in Willie’s voice. Apparently, the owner had sensed her lack of enthusiasm. Had she fooled anyone other than Hutch? She slid a quick glance in Ty’s direction. Nope. Not likely she’d fool ol’ Rumbly Voice. “I’m as ready as I’ll ever be,” she said with a wry smile.

Willie walked to the computer and punched a series of buttons. Aminute later, the laser printer began humming, spitting out an initial page. “Well, my goodness. Will you look at this. It’s found a ninety-nine percent match. Idon’t think I’ve ever seen that happen on a first try before.”

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