She’d lose much more than just a lover.
“We’ll figure it out,” she said more to herself than Diane. “There’s still time to cross that bridge when we come to it.”
“All right. Let me know if there is anything I can do to help. Other than babysitting. I’m not offering that until the kid is old enough to handle his own bodily functions.”
She rolled her eyes. “Babies are adorable.”
“At a safe distance for a limited time, totally.”
Shaking her head, she wandered back inside. “Sounds like Auntie Diane might be an absentee role model.”
“Hey now, I’ll take Hunter to get his first tattoo. And teach him how to hide the beer in high school.”
“Great. You’re already planning on making my kid a delinquent.” She froze at the words. “I mean…”
“I know what you mean,” Diane said, the humor draining from her voice. “Just be careful, Clara. Nothing is set in stone yet.”
“I know that,” she said softly. “I remind myself every single day that this could all be temporary. That’s what Walker wants, after all. No strings, remember?”
“Just take it one day at a time. My advice hasn’t changed.”
“I remember,” Clara said as she heard the lock turn in the door. “I have to go.”
“Sure thing. Call me next week and let me know how this unfolds.”
“Will do. Good luck with the paper.”
Hanging up, she headed for the entranceway as Emily shouldered her way inside.
“Hello,” Emily said cheerfully. “I grabbed the mail on my way up. Here you go.”
She accepted the stack of letters and reached out to help Emily with the grocery bags she was holding.
“You don’t have to do that,” she said, carrying them into the kitchen.
Emily shrugged. “Don’t worry about me. What do you want for dinner?”
“Whatever you decide,” she said, thumbing through the letters. “You’re a way better cook than Walker or me.”
“You just need a little practice. Think of all the bake sales and PTA meetings in your future. I’m sure you’ll develop a knack for it.”
Clara smiled at the assurance before her fingers froze on one letter in particular.
“Oh my God,” she said, staring at the return address. “Excuse me. I need to find Walker.”
Not waiting for a reply, she dashed up the stairs and into the nursery.
He sat cross-legged on the floor, shaking a rattle before Hunter.
“Walker,” she said as she burst into the room.
He looked up in surprise. “Are you all right?”
She nodded sharply, her heart in her throat, before holding out a long white envelope. “The paternity results,” she whispered.
His face hardened as he stared at the letter like a snake.
“I know,” she said, dropping to her knees beside him. “I can’t imagine any other outcome than him being yours either.”
“Part of me wants to throw it out.”
She swallowed, setting the letter on the ground. “Your call.” Half of her wanted to burn the thing so they’d never know if they had to give Hunter up. The logical side of her, however, whispered she couldn’t run away. She’d made a name for herself going after the heavy-hitting stories. Was she really going to turn away from the truth now?
Walker picked up the envelope, flipping it over and over in his hands.
“If he’s not mine…”
“Don’t even think it,” she replied. “Look at his eyes. They’re the same blue as yours.”
“Could be coincidence.”
“It’s not,” she said, because she had to be right. No other outcome was acceptable to consider.
“He’s your son. He has to be.”
They both stared at the baby gnawing on a plastic ring.
“He has to be,” she repeated, the words barely a whisper.
He ran his fingers along the sealed edge. “If he is, we celebrate tonight.”
“Deal.”
And if he’s not…what do we do then?
In the past few weeks, she’d seen Walker grow from a man who avoided children like the plague to a caring father who could distinguish between his son’s many cries. What would they do if this was all a lie?
How could we ever survive it?
“I need to know,” he said, looking down at the envelope.
She scooted closer, placing a supportive hand on his shoulder. “I’m here,” she said. “I’m not going anywhere.”
Taking a breath, he ripped open the top of the letter.
Clara waited with bated breath as he took out the results and skimmed through them. She hadn’t even realized how tense she was until she felt Walker’s shoulders relax.