Holiday Baby. Jenna Mindel

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СКАЧАТЬ things by heart. “I bought a book.”

      “A book?”

      “About the steps of childhood development over the first year. I purchased it at the local bookstore a couple of stores down from me.”

      Cat stared at him. Why would he do that? Was he thinking about giving more than financial support?

      “What?” His dark eyes looked warm and sweet.

      Now wasn’t the time to discuss anything in depth, but she had to know. “Why’d you buy that?”

      He shrugged. “Honestly, I’m not sure.”

      Cat looked away and connected with her father’s piercing gaze.

       Dad’s going to give your man a talking-to.

      She didn’t want her father or Zach making demands on Simon that they had no right to make. She and Simon were too old for her father to pull out the proverbial shotgun, yet that was exactly what he looked like he might do.

      * * *

      After dinner and cleanup, Cat’s family gathered in the family room once again for the remainder of the football game. Simon held Opal in the rocking chair near the fireplace, glad for some distance from Cat. The woman’s nearness made his head spin. Not at all a good thing, especially when it made him question everything he’d decided about his future.

      He’d put plans in place that were hard to change. Namely, a gem hunt in January for a high-end investor. He couldn’t exactly back out and keep his reputation solid. He needed this for future income. Bottom line, he didn’t want to back out. He loved gem hunting. It was his life—always had been.

      He gazed at his daughter’s pretty little face as he cradled her in his arms. Holding her might not have been the best idea. He’d used rocking her as a shield against Cat and her family and all that small talk. He wasn’t part of the jokes they shared as they loaded the fridge with leftovers and the dishwasher with dirty dishes. He didn’t want to be part of them, but using Opal as an excuse for distance had backfired. He’d climbed from one hot pan into another because this baby pulled hard on the heartstrings. This precious little bundle was sinking her sweet little brown-eyed hooks into him fast.

      Opal blew bubbles and cooed and kicked her legs. He reached for her hand, amazed at the baby’s grip. “You’re a strong one.”

      She gurgled back.

      He spotted Cat in the kitchen, talking with one of her sisters-in-law who held a large boy of her own. The child fought to keep his eyes open. Cat’s sisters were busy placing pies on the counter and making coffee.

      The Lions were down by seventeen, so the game had lost some of its appeal. Simon glanced around the room. Cat’s younger brothers were sprawled on the floor, sleeping. Even Andy Zelinsky, sitting in a recliner, had closed his eyes. Zach did too, with his wife, Ginger, cuddled into him.

      What was he even doing here?

      Anger he hadn’t felt in years roared to life. This was what a family was supposed to be, was supposed to have—a warm holiday meal, served with comfortable trust. No drama, no sirens and no TV dinners. The absence of all of this from his own childhood left him with a bitter taste in his mouth that no amount of pie they served could dislodge.

      Part of him wanted to make a scene, to vent some of his anger. But that wouldn’t be fair to the people here, who’d been nothing but welcoming. And it wouldn’t be fair to Opal, who deserved exactly this type of wonderful family occasion. Days like this were things he didn’t want Opal to miss.

      Would she grow up missing him?

      His gut twisted. If he wasn’t careful, he’d miss her.

      Simon stopped rocking. Buying that book had only confirmed that he didn’t have what it took to take care of a baby. One day, he might be of more value than financial child support, but that wasn’t now. Cat had a fine support system in her family right here. She wouldn’t be raising Opal alone.

      He carefully stood and crossed the expanse of floor toward Cat.

      “Want me to take her?” Cat asked.

      “Please. It’s late. I’d better get going.” He wanted out.

      “But you haven’t had dessert.” Cat’s sister-in-law balanced her boy on her hip.

      “Some other time.” Simon couldn’t get out of there fast enough.

      Cat’s mom stepped forward and took Opal. “Thank you for coming, Simon. Cat will walk you out.”

      Cat looked hesitant but nodded. “Yeah, sure.”

      “Thank you for dinner.” He should have said his goodbyes to the rest of the family, to Cat’s father, but they were sleeping.

      At the door, Simon silently donned his coat while Cat slipped into hers and then pulled on a pair of boots. She followed him outside.

      The air was crisp with an icy bite to it, but Simon breathed deeply, letting his thoughts settle down. The sun had long since set, leaving behind only remnants of light showing from beneath the dark clouds clustered on the horizon.

      “I’ll walk you to your car,” Cat offered.

      “It’s cold. You needn’t.”

      “It’s okay. I wanted to ask you something, anyway.” She looked a little nervous.

      That made him want to bolt even faster, but he kept his pace even next to Cat’s. “Something on your mind?”

      Cat pulled the collar of her coat closer. “Yes. You don’t have to give me an answer right away, just think about it.”

      “What’s that?” They were near his car now.

      “What if you kept your shop open?”

      “I’m committed in January to an investor to buy rubies and tourmaline in Mozambique. It could very well turn into something long-term.”

      Cat took a deep breath and let it out. “What if I managed your shop for you while you were away?”

      He looked at her. “Why would you want to?”

      “I gave my notice at the magazine before coming home and I need a job. One that’s local.”

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