Trail of Secrets(60)

                Seth had seen that look in her eyes once before, the night she’d refused his proposal. He didn’t understand it then, and he didn’t now. How he wished he could penetrate the veil that shielded her innermost thoughts and feelings from him. Before he could ask her what was wrong, Alex came out the back door with the high chair.

                “Here we are,” he said.

                He set the chair down next to the table, and Seth glanced at Callie once more. She had turned her attention toward Brad. Seth pulled Mark close, kissed the top of his head and slipped the child into the chair. He slid the tray into position and stepped back.

                “Hold on there, Seth,” Alex said. “We need to put the seat belt around his waist. We want to make sure he’s secure.”

                Laura laughed and punched Grace in the arm. “Listen to your husband. He sounds like a child expert.”

                Grace smiled, walked over to Alex and slid her arm around his waist. He looked down at her and pulled her next to him. They stood side by side, smiling at their friends. “If he isn’t a child expert,” Grace said, “he’d better start practicing because we found out this week we’re going to have a baby.”

                “What?” Laura squealed before she ran to Grace and wrapped her in a hug. Then she put her hands on Grace’s shoulders and held her at arm’s length. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

                Grace laughed. “We told our parents first, and we wanted to tell you when we were all together.”

                Laura turned to her husband. “Brad, isn’t this great?”

                Brad grabbed Alex’s hand and pumped it. “It sure is. Welcome to fatherhood, buddy. Your life will never be the same again.”

                Alex grinned and looked down at Grace. “I’m looking forward to the change.”

                Seth couldn’t move for a moment. Brad had a son, and now Alex was going to be a father. His two best friends were living the life he’d wanted so desperately for himself—a family where he could be the kind of father he’d always wanted to have. The kind he knew nothing about until Dan Lattimer had come into his life.

                He swallowed and walked over to Alex. “Congratulations. You’re going to make an awesome father.”

                Alex smiled. “Thanks, Seth. Don’t worry. Your time will come.”

                Seth bit down on his lip and turned away. He glanced at Callie, whose face registered no emotion at all. Before he could say anything, she stepped forward and stretched out her hand to Grace. “I’m so happy for you, Grace. I know you and Alex will make wonderful parents.”

                “Thank you, Callie,” she said.

                Callie took a deep breath, glanced back at the table and then to Laura. “I think we left the buns for the burgers inside. I’ll go get them while you finish getting the food ready out here.”

                Seth watched as she turned and hurried into the house. He still couldn’t figure out the look that had passed across her face when he was holding Mark or the way she had reacted to Alex and Grace’s announcement.

                Alex had told him his time for fatherhood would come, but would it, really? He closed his eyes for a moment, and for the first time in two years let himself give in to the thoughts he’d tried—and failed—to keep at bay.

                He needed to accept the truth. He was never going to be a father because he was never going to find a woman he could love enough to marry and build a family with. Not after Callie. She was the one he wanted, and he didn’t think that would ever change.