Her Secret, His Child

After they decided what they wanted to eat, Kyle went up to the counter and bought breakfast. And then, without even trying, he spent the next half hour showing her what a complete ignoramus he was when it came to party planning. But he was great at taking suggestions, and they soon had a basic plan for the reception.

Because it was scheduled for mid-February, she was going to build it around Valentine's Day, using romantic literature as a theme for the evening. She suggested they blow up book covers—classics like Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights, Pride and Prejudice. They'd attach the covers to Styrofoam and use them for wall decorations. She discussed renting additional tables and chairs, tablecloths, dishes. They'd need floral arrangements and candles. And what about a basket of books on each table? Her thoughts flowed so fast Kyle couldn't keep up with them. But he enjoyed listening to her just the same.

"We can use the books for food ideas," she said, finishing off the last of her cheddar-cheese bagel.

"Okay." Whatever.

' 'If we do Bronte, we can serve English tea cakes, maybe miniature shepherd's pie pastries, stuff like that."

Fine. If she thought cakes and pastries went together, then he was sure they did. "I'd like to meet your daughter."

Her face froze. "Why?"

TARA TAYLOR QUINN

He probably shouldn't have pushed. But the woman was driving him crazy. When she smiled at him, she touched parts of him no one else had ever touched, and yet at other times, like now, she held him at arm's length, as if he were a complete stranger.

"She's obviously an important part of your life."

"Of course she is."

She wasn't going to make this friendship, as she'd called it, easy—for either of them. "So I'd like to meet her."

Jamie looked away, completely separated from him. "I don't think that's a good idea."

"Why not? I don't bite."

"No, but you're a man."

"Last time I checked." He shrugged lightly. "But I don't see the crime in that."

"Ashley's obsessing about her father right now. I don't think it would be wise to bring home a man."

There he was again. This mystery man Jamie had known, intimately, since that incredible night Kyle had made her his. Kyle was really starting to hate the guy. "Where is her father?"

"Out of her life." Jamie wouldn't look at him. "That's all that matters."

"Is he out of your life, too?"

Her gaze flew back to him, her eyes pleading for—he didn't know what. And then she nodded. "In any way that matters, he's more lost to me now than ever."

"The guy's a jerk."

HER SECRET, HIS CHILD

Through the pain in her eyes, Kyle saw the beginnings of a smile. "How could you possibly be in a position to know that?"

"First, because he left you."

"Maybe I left him."

"Second, because he left his daughter."

"Not all men want to be fathers."

"Like 1 said, he's a jerk."

"What about you?" she asked, searching his eyes. "How would you feel if you suddenly found out you were going to be a father?"