Susan Meier - Single Dad's Christmas Miracle

“Oh, my God.” Clearly shocked, she sat again. “I’m so sorry.”

“That’s why I don’t want the kids in town.”

“Because of gossip?” She shook her head. “It’s been three years. Trust me. You can stop worrying. People aren’t that interested in anybody’s life.”

“Everybody’s interested in Teagan’s.”

Her eyes narrowed. “Teagan’s? Jack’s the one old enough to understand—” Then her mouth dropped open. “Oh, God. Teagan was only a few months old when your wife died and your wife had been having an affair.”

“For a year before she died.”

“You think people wonder if she’s yours?”

“I don’t think. I know lots wonder whether or not she’s really mine.”

“They’ve told you this?”

“No. But a few days after Carol’s death, people started looking at Teagan oddly. If I’d go to the grocery store with her in a carrier, everybody peeked in to see her. Some people were more obvious than others. It took me a while, but I realized everybody thought she was Brice’s child and they were looking at her to see if there was a resemblance.”

“That’s awful.” She shook her head again, as if marveling at the stupidity of some people. “I’m sorry.”

“That’s the second time you’ve said that.” He sniffed a laugh. “And I appreciate the sentiment. But you certainly weren’t at fault.”

“I know. But on behalf of crappy, unfair things that happen everywhere, I feel somebody has to say they’re sorry.”

He laughed again. His chest loosened. The knot in his stomach unwound.

Their gazes met and he smiled. “Thanks.”

“On behalf of crappy things everywhere, you’re welcome.”

“No. I meant thanks for listening.” He rubbed his hand along the back of his neck. “You’re the first person I’ve told this story to.” And he didn’t feel god-awful. He felt calm, almost normal. “Anyway, that’s why I don’t want the kids to go into town. I don’t want Teagan subjected to scrutiny or Jack to hear things about his mom he’s too young to understand.”

“Got it.” She rose, smiled briefly. “Jack’s probably got the computer up and running by now.”

With that she left the room, and he flopped back on the sleek gray sofa, looking at the gorgeously appointed living room in the house so well designed “perfect” was too small of a term to use to describe it. In the end, the “perfect” house had meant nothing. Absolutely nothing.

His wife had cheated. Her affair had started before Teagan was conceived. And if Brice Matthews ever figured that out, he might lose Teagan long before he lost Jack.

He sipped his bourbon and closed his eyes. His life was a mess and though he appreciated Althea’s suggestion about decorating, he didn’t think decorating for Christmas was going to change that.

But at least he knew Althea would keep the kids home now.

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