Page 9 of Baby Daddy

“Makes sense,” Ty muttered. At least, as much sense as any of thismade.

“Listen, boys, Ihave to get ready for work. Are we almost finished here?”

“Just one more question,” Ty said. “What are your goals and ambitions?”

“To raise my son the best I can,” Cassidy answered promptly. “I’m saving to buy a house of our very own. Asmall place with a yard and a garden where I can plant yellow roses. Ahome where we can set down roots nice and deep. The permanent kind.”

Ty understood all about roots. His family had lived in the San Antonio area for generations. The homestead he owned had been his father’s and his father’s before him—along lineof Merricks stretching into the past, their history and heritage planted so deep in Texas soil, they could never be yanked free. “Roots are good,” he agreed.

“I’m glad you think so, Ty. That’s my goal. To have a home, my roses, and most important of all, my family close by. Idon’t want or need another blessed thing beside that.”

“Not even a husband?” he suggested.

“Gracious, no! Especially not a husband. What put that crazy idea in your head?”

Her vehement response exploded in the room. For a long moment, Ty sat quietly in his chair, struggling to control his temper. “I haven’t a clue,” he answered through gritted teeth. Heaven help him, he was going to kill the kid. Maybe he could step on him and claim he’d squashed the boy by mistake. “Thanks, Ms. Lonigan. Iappreciate your taking the time to talk to us.”

“You’re certainly welcome. Hutch? When will you be home?”

“I’ll be back in time for dinner, Mom.” His voice held a nervous squeak that, fortunately, his mother didn’thear.

“Call if you’re going to be late. And feel free to invite Ty if you’d like.”

The instant the connection was broken, Ty leaned across the desk toward the boy. “Definitely not a husband?” he questioned softly. “Definitelynot?”

Hutch waved a dismissive hand. “It’s a temporary fixation. She has this thing about being independent right now. I’ll take care of it.” A nervous bravado crept into his expression. “How come you stopped the interview? That wasn’t all the questions.”

“Aside from the fact that it’s an exercise in futility?”

Hutch cleared his throat. “Yeah. Aside from that.”

“The last one would have tipped our hand, which might be for the best, all things considered.”

“No! I—”

“So, you’ll have to answer it,” Ty cut in. “Assuming we’re continuing with this nonsense.”

“I’m still sittin’ here, aren’t I?” Before Ty could argue that particular assertion, Hutch asked, “Okay, what’s the last one?”

As pointless as the final question seemed, it would complete the damned form and get this mule-headed kid on his way. “What do you think your mother is seeking in a relationship?”

“What do you mean?”

“What does she want from the guy she dates?”

“Oh. That’s easy.” Hutch offered an endearing grin. “You can tell she doesn’t know it yet. But she wants marriage.”

OPERATION HUSBAND

by Hutch Lonigan

Progress Report

The Mountain wasn’t very happy with me. Said I was keeping secrets and better cut it out. Well...yeah, I’m keeping secrets! How else am I going to get a dad? Anyway, he promised to have a man available for Mom by tomorrow for her birthday. Once that happens I can get the experiment going. The computer better pick a good one. Imight not get another shot at this. Istill have to set things up at school and may have to put Plan B into action. Hope not. But Mom comes first! And since she won’t take care of this herself...somebody’s got to take charge.

Looks like I’m it.

Chapter Two

---