It Happened One Night

“This kitchen is a dream come true for anyone who loves to cook,” she stated as they continued down a hall to the front foyer. “Do you entertain a lot?”

“I always have our employee Fourth of July barbecue here because I have a bigger yard than my brother.” He held Emmie while Kiley removed her sleeping daughter’s jacket. “And Sam is in charge of hosting the company Christmas party.” He waited until she removed her coat, then handed Emmie to her to take off his. “We sometimes take turns having a couple of dinner parties throughout the year for clients, but that’s about it.”

While he hung up their coats in a closet close to the front door, Kiley admired the cream-colored marble floor in the foyer and the sweeping staircase leading to the upper level. Everything about Josh’s house indicated that he had spared no expense when he’d had it built.

“Hungee,” Emmie murmured, waking up to look around.

“Hey there, princess,” Josh said, smiling as he closed the closet door.

“Ponies,” Emmie said with a shy smile.

Josh laughed and the rich sound did strange things to Kiley’s insides. “The ponies are in the barn having their dinner now, but I promise when the weather gets better I’ll take you to see them again. Will that be okay?”

Emmie nodded, then put her arms around Kiley’s neck. “Hungee, Mommy.”

“Then I suppose I’d better find something to make for dinner,” Kiley said, tickling her daughter’s tummy. When Emmie dissolved into giggles, she turned to Josh. “Is there anything special you were planning to have Martha make, or should I just search to see what you have?”

“Martha always keeps the refrigerator and pantry fully stocked, so whatever you want to fix is fine with me,” he answered. He led the way back to the kitchen. “If you’ll tell me what to do, I can probably help a little.” He grinned. “And if you need boiling water, I’m your man.”

Kiley laughed as she set her tote bag on the kitchen island and reached inside for one of Emmie’s ponies. “I’ll be sure to remember that.” Handing her daughter the toy, she asked, “Could you keep an eye on her while I get started?”

“Do you think she’d like to watch something on TV?” he asked. “I have satellite, as well as access to all kinds of movies and television shows on demand. I’m sure I can find something suitable.”

She didn’t normally allow Emmie to watch a lot of television, but these weren’t normal circumstances. “There is a pony cartoon that I let her watch on occasion.”

“I’ll find it,” Josh promised. Turning to Emmie, he asked, “Would you like to go into the family room with me to see if we can find the pony show on TV?”

“Yes, pease,” Emmie said, nodding until her blond pigtails bobbed up and down.

When she watched her child put her little hand in Josh’s and walk into the family room with him, Kiley bit her lower lip to keep it from trembling. Her little girl deserved to have a daddy. But how was she going to work up the nerve to share her suspicions with Josh? And if she did manage to find the courage, how receptive would he be? Mark had rejected Emmie, even though he thought she was his child. Would Josh do the same?

“Don’t go there,” she muttered, shaking her head.

There was one more thing she needed to do that might possibly help her with her decision about talking to Josh. As soon as the weather cleared and things got back to normal, she would call to ask Mark about his blood type. If that ruled out any possibility of him being Emmie’s biological father, then she would somehow find the courage to talk to Josh. Until then it would be better to remain silent and turn her attention to a more pressing matter—finding something to make for dinner.

* * *

“You’re a great cook,” Josh said, sitting back from the dining room table. “That was fantastic.”

Kiley gave him a smile that sent heat racing through his veins. “I’m glad you liked it, but a simple chicken casserole and some steamed vegetables isn’t exactly gourmet fare.”

“Would you like to know a little secret about most men?” he asked, grinning.

“Oh, this should be good,” she said, laughing. “By all means, please tell me.”

Standing, he picked up their plates to carry them to the kitchen, then leaned down to whisper close to her ear. “Most guys really don’t care what we eat as long as it’s good and there’s plenty of it.”

She smiled as she wiped off Emmie’s face and hands. “There should be an addendum to that statement.”