The Naked Truth(7)
“You want to be in her life?”
“Of course I do. If I’d known about her, I would’ve been here since day one. I would’ve married you.”
Abigail folded her arms across her chest. “You’re only in town a few days and since I’m no longer working, I guess we’re pretty free.”
“Tonight then.”
She blinked hard. “That’s fast, but okay.”
“Good. How about I come here for dinner, so it’s on her territory and she can feel more comfortable?”
“Just understand that she is to think we are friends and that’s it.”
Josh nodded to her and then walked toward the front door. He was leaving rather abruptly, but he had to get out of there and clear his head. Before leaving, he grabbed a photo frame from the side table. Abigail said nothing and he suspected she wouldn’t. He left, holding the frame tightly against his chest. Once in the car, he dialed Nate to see how quickly he could get a paternity test done.
* * * *
Josh wiped the sweat from his palms onto his pressed khakis. He’d never been more nervous than he was now. In a moment, he would meet his daughter, only Hailey didn’t know he was her father.
Raising his hand, he knocked on the door. Abigail answered almost immediately. Her hair was up in a bun and she had long dangling earrings that almost sparkled in the light behind her.
“Hi,” she greeted.
“Good evening.”
She stepped back. “Come on in.”
Josh entered the apartment. It smelled delicious. His mouth watered in anticipation of what was to come. He followed her farther inside and it was then he saw the little girl. Her light hair had a slight curl to it—just like her mother’s—and her green eyes were oval shaped. The image before him almost made his heart stop beating. He felt as though he were looking at his mother as a child.
“Hi.” Hailey hopped up and ran over, wrapping her arms around her mom’s leg.
Josh knelt down. “You must be Hailey. I’m Josh.”
“I know. My mommy said you were her friend and you were coming to eat with us. She also said I had to wear this pretty dress and use my manners.”
He chuckled. “You look beautiful and it smells yummy in here.”
“My mommy is a good cook.”
“I can’t wait to try it.” Josh stood again. His knees ached on the hard floor. Hailey took it as her cue to go back and play with the toys she’d been entranced with before he came in.
Abigail smiled at him. “Want a glass of wine?”
Josh nodded and went with her to the kitchen. He wasn’t sure what to do. Help Abigail or sit near the girl on the couch. He didn’t want to make Hailey uncomfortable. Tonight he’d have to just go with the flow and take his time.
* * * *
Dinner had gone much better than Abigail had expected. Hailey had been curious and outgoing. She’d warmed up quickly to Josh and by the end of dinner, she begged him to read her a bedtime story. And he did. After Abigail washed Hailey up and got her pajamas on, her daughter curled up in the rocker with Josh and he read her several stories.
Abigail had to leave the room while this happened. Her eyes grew wet and she wanted to hide the emotion from each of them. Her daughter had taken to him so quickly, she wondered if Hailey sensed he was her father. She knew it wasn’t conceivable for Hailey to just know, but viewing the touching scene from the outside really made her ponder the possibility.
After a few more minutes, Josh joined her in the living room. “She’s ready for a kiss from you. I think she’s almost out.”
Abigail smiled at him and then headed toward her daughter’s room. Josh was right. By the time she made it in there, Hailey’s mouth was open a little and her breathing was heavy. She planted a kiss on her daughter’s forehead, then turned the light off and closed the door halfway.
She returned to the living room and found Josh seated. He looked up at her as she took a seat as well. “That went great tonight. I really liked her.”
“She wasn’t shy with you at all.”
“Is she usually?”
“No, I don’t know why I thought she would be. She doesn’t have a shy bone in her body. But she isn’t used to being around men, so I thought she might be a little nervous with you.”
He was silent for a moment and then spoke, “You’ve done an amazing job with her.”
Abigail’s heart sped up and her stomach pitter-pattered. “Thank you. And for what it’s worth, I’m really sorry I kept her from you. Seeing the two of you together and what she’s missed all these years, I realize the mistake I made.” A tear found its way down her cheek and soon another followed.