A Mother's Secrets (Parent Portal 4)

“My mom remarried when I was fourteen. They stayed here in Marie Cove until I graduated, but moved to his hometown in Oregon when I left for college.”

“Do you ever see them?” She purposely repeated his question.

“Once or twice a year,” he said. “But we talk at least once a month.”

He was grinning. She grinned back.

And, on that note, excused herself.

* * *

He couldn’t get her out of his mind. Being on break at the university didn’t help. No papers to grade or club meetings to attend. He’d finished putting together his syllabi for the upcoming semester, too. School hadn’t yet started.

A guy could only run so much. Tennis camp was done. He’d picked his team the week before the implantation. Axel, the student whose mother had wanted him to concentrate on basketball, was on it. The team was running regular workouts and practice matches. They were done by eleven, Saturday morning.

Heading to the country club, he’d just pulled into the parking lot when he got a text from Tom. His father-in-law wasn’t going to make their tennis date. The daughter of a friend of his had just been arrested. Tom wanted to see what he could do to help.

He was there. He could at least get some lunch. The club’s chef had a special sauce he put in his turkey wraps...

Phone still in hand, he pushed the newest icon on his speed dial app.

Christine answered on the first ring with: “I’m fine.” And followed it with: “And I don’t need a thing.”

He pictured her on the couch as he’d left her the night before, her tablet and phone at hand as, propped up by pillows, she worked. She was the clinic’s chief fundraiser and was setting up appointments with the boards of various corporations who supported The Parent Portal. She’d told him that the night before when, after dishes, he’d tried to hang around.

After her response, he’d been dismissed. Politely. Kindly. And he’d quickly said good-night, feeling as though he’d left a vital part of himself behind. His and Emily’s baby could be in that house.

“Have you had lunch?”

“No, but I’ve got plenty of food here, Jamie. I shopped before the procedure. I really am a big girl and perfectly capable of taking care of myself.”

“I’m being a pain in the ass.”

“No, you’re a man who wants to be a part of his baby’s life from day one. Assuming the implantation even took. I do understand. I just don’t see any sense in us sitting around staring at each other.”

“I was going to offer to bring you the best turkey wrap you’ve ever had. I can drop it and go,” he offered, trying to sweeten the deal.

“The best turkey wrap I’ve ever had is at the country club,” she said. “If you can beat that, you’re on.”

“How about if I tie it? That’s where I am.”

“I didn’t picture you for a golfing guy.”

“I’m not. Takes too long. I was here to play tennis, but my match got canceled.” He had a life. A good, full one. Why it was suddenly important to him that she knew that, he wasn’t sure. Didn’t care to ponder the situation.

She’d already accepted implantation of his child. He didn’t have to impress her.

“Oh.”

“Tom Sanders, my father-in-law, and I play most Saturdays.” He was suddenly moved to put his family—his baby’s family, too—into the picture.

“Tom Sanders is your father-in-law? Judge Tom Sanders?”

“Yes.” A heat wave of worry passed through him. As though he’d done something wrong. Talking to the woman carrying his child about his wife’s father... “You know him?”

There was no reason for awkwardness. The child he’d had implanted in Christine was Emily’s as much as it was his. He was in no way being unfaithful to his wife.

It wasn’t wrong to like the woman who’d be bringing their child to life. To admire her.