The knowledge rolled through him on a slow, sweet wave. He was in love with July Greer.
“I’m happy for you.” His father’s brows drew together. “But if you two love each other, why have you been apart? And now that you have a son together, why aren’t you married?”
“July had a pretty bad childhood,” David said, trying to keep things general. “She’s a little gun-shy. I think she wants to make sure I’m the real deal before she commits.”
“Makes sense.” His father nodded and stroked his chin. “I’m just surprised your sister didn’t mention anything to your mother.”
“Mary Karen doesn’t know.” David shoved a croquet stake into the ground. “I’d appreciate it if you’d keep this to yourself for now.”
“How long?” His father lowered his voice. “You know your mother has this sixth sense for secrets.”
“I’m only asking you to hold on to the information until next weekend.”
“I should be able to handle that.”
“David.” His mother’s voice rang out over the sea of people. “Could you go inside and get the twins? It’s too nice a day for them to be watching television.”
David nodded then turned back to his father. “Say nothing until next week.”
“Mum’s the word.”
David knew it wouldn’t be easy for his father to stay silent. Hopefully he wouldn’t have to keep the secret for long. Tonight David planned to ask July to marry him. And to let him be Adam’s father.#p#分页标题#e#
He smiled as he made his way to the house. This was going to be the start of a new life for him and July. One built on love and trust.
David found himself whistling as he headed inside to look for the twins. He located Connor in the kitchen with a handful of cookies and a guilty expression. He sent the boy outside.
He finally found Caleb in the living room. He wasn’t sure what the boy was up to but as soon as David had entered the room, Caleb’s hand went behind his back. There was tape on the coffee table and pieces of envelope.
“What’s going on, Caleb?” David forced a casual tone. The boy was up to something, that much was certain.
“Me and Connor were just doing some taping.”
“What were you taping?”
“Paper.”
“Paper like what you have behind your back?”
“Maybe.”
“Okay, Caleb.” David took a seat on the sofa. It was almost time to eat and he needed to get the show on the road. He didn’t want to leave July out there alone with his relatives, no matter how nice they might be. “Tell me what’s going on.”
“You’ll be mad.”
“Just tell me.”
“I was supposed to be watching Logan yesterday when Mommy was on the phone.” Caleb’s brows pulled together in a worried frown. “The mailman came and put the mail through the door. Logan went to get it—”
“And,” David prompted.
“Logan ripped open the envelope.” The words came rushing out. “I told Mommy we didn’t get any mail.”
“You know it’s not right to lie.”
“But I was scared.”
“Of what?”
“Mommy made me promise I’d watch him. But I let him get the mail. I didn’t want her to yell at me.”
“Your mommy doesn’t yell.”
“Sometimes she does.”
“That’s still no reason not to tell the truth. You understand?”
“Yes, sir.” Caleb hung his head.
“I’m proud of you for telling me.” David tousled the boy’s hair. “I want you to promise me that tonight, once everyone has left, you’ll tell your mom.”
“What about the en-velope?”
David held out his hand. “Give it to me. I’ll see what I can do with it.”
Caleb whipped the envelope out from behind his back and slapped it in David’s open palm.
“Thanks, Uncle David,” Caleb raced toward the back of the house. “I’m gonna go play with Connor.”
David smiled and shook his head. Raising children wasn’t easy. He didn’t know how Mary Karen managed on her own. Thankfully, if July accepted his proposal, Adam would have both a mother and a father.
He glanced down at the envelope. This wasn’t junk mail. This looked official. And from the address crossed off the front, it had already been all the way to Chicago and back.
As he studied the torn envelope a pink sheet of paper with a raised seal dropped to the floor. He bent over to pick it up and realized it was Adam’s birth certificate.
The hospital and delivery date and time were on there along with July’s information. His heart stopped beating at the sight of his name and demographic information.