The Playboy's Baby(28)

“It’s normal, actually. When she was born, Janey was up with her every two hours. I can’t tell you the number of times I’d get up in the morning to find the two of them asleep on the couch. That’s the thing about babies. You learn to sleep when they do.” Emma offered a reassuring smile. “You woke up when she did, and she didn’t wander away. That’s what counts.”

One arm wrapped around Annie’s bottom, Dillon sat upright, shifting her onto his lap. He darted a glance at Emma and set his feet on the floor. “I keep expecting you to judge me.”

She shook her head and crossed the room, taking a seat beside him. “This isn’t about me. It’s about her. She needs her father. Even Janey recognized that in the end. Who am I to keep that from her?”

“You still don’t trust me.”

Emma sighed and shook her head. “It’s not that I don’t trust you. It’s…old memories at war with what I see in you now. It’s been eight years. You’re different.”

“I grew up.” He watched her with soft eyes.

“Exactly. You’re nothing like I expected and it’s just…disconcerting. In a good way, but hard to get used to.” She drew in a deep breath, looked at her lap, and twisted her hands together. “That’s not really what bothers me.”

“Then what is?” His voice drifted softly beside her, an encouraging tenderness that made her glance at him. The same emotion sat in his eyes, giving her the sudden sense of safety and warmth and pulled the admission from her mouth.

“I’ve never left her before. Only for a couple hours here and there. Never for a whole day, let alone several. Not since Janey died.” Annie had been her lifeline. Without her, Emma didn’t know what would hold her up.

“You’re not alone.” Seeming to read her mind, his hand settled over hers where it rested in her lap, warm and reassuring. “I’ll call you. Every day, the way I promised. You have my cell number. You can call me whenever you want. I mean that. Wake me up at six if you have to or call me at two in the morning. I’m here when you need me.”

Touched by the sentiment and the genuine emotion staring back at her, tears flooded her eyes. More grateful than she had words, she squeezed his fingers. “Thank you.”

One corner of his mouth quirked and his brows rose. “Thankful enough to go with me to see my parents?”

Emma laughed softly. “Really, Dillon, how bad could they possibly be? They’re your parents. They love you.”





“My goodness. You really are nervous, aren’t you?” Beside her on the front porch of his parents’ estate an hour later, Emma glanced over at Dillon. His shoulders were set a little too stiff and he’d been standing there with Annie’s car seat dangling from his right hand, staring at the red front door for a good minute now.

His parents’ place hadn’t changed much over the years. The enormous Victorian style home had been painted a warm tan with red shutters. The covered porch ran the width of the house, supported by tall twisted pillars, Southern plantation style. The perfectly manicured landscaping and the large circular driveway that led up to the house screamed wealth. The house still held that warm, homey feel she remembered. The place swamped her small house in the city, but made her feel welcome all the same.

Yet Dillon stared at that door like he loathed going inside and he grew up here.

“I was sure you were joking when you said that yesterday.”

Dillon expelled a heavy breath and turned to look at her, his expression solemn. “How many times did Janey and I get into trouble over the years?”

Immediately catching his meaning, she offered a sympathetic smile and nodded. “A lot.”

He nodded in Annie’s direction before turning back to the door. “Exactly. I have to go in there now and explain her.” He shook his head. “Doesn’t matter how old I get. Pop always manages to make me feel like I’m still that irresponsible sixteen-year-old kid.”

She laid a hand on his arm. “Dillon, this isn’t your fault. It’s not like you knew about the baby and chose to ignore it.”

He sighed. “Yeah, but I doubt Pop’s going to see it that way.”

The frigid wind blew against her back. She shivered, and then reached out and punched the doorbell. “Well, we can’t stand out here forever. Annie will get cold.”

He looked over at her, a grin tugging at the corner of his mouth. “You go in first. They like you.”

At the image that filled her mind, she couldn’t help the giggle that bubbled out. “You’re a little big to hide behind me.”