Page 17 of Under Ground

“Tell me anyway?”

Closing her eyes briefly, she smiles. “I grew up on a farm not that far from here. My parents were really strict. I had no real idea about the real world, but I left school and got out of home so fast. I was lucky, and I got a job with Gareth. He owns the business you visited the other day.” Lana grips her coffee cup. “I was eighteen when I went to work for him. I’d never had a boyfriend before …”

I fist one hand before I realise I’ve done it. It’s not hard to see what’s coming.

“Gareth was much older, but he was so charming, and I got swept up in his attention. I was already pregnant by the time I found out he was married.” She closes her eyes and draws in a deep breath. “He wanted me to terminate, but I said no. So, he signed away any parental rights he had to Casey.”

She places her coffee mug onto the table and seems to force a smile. I reach for her hand. “What an asshole.”

“I’m estranged from my family because they couldn’t deal with me being an unmarried mother, so …” She takes another deep breath. “I’m still working for him because my job’s secure. He can’t afford for people to find out about Casey, and I’m happy with that.”

“That’s a shitty situation.”

Lana shrugs, her eyes fixed on mine. “I know that, but I have Casey and she’s worth it. I’ll take that over him being a bigger part of my life.”

“You’re amazing.”

She drops her gaze. “I’m just doing what I have to.”

“So, this whole Casey thing …”

Lana laughs softly. “She’s never had her father in her life. And no father figure, thanks to my dad not wanting to know us. But when she saw you in that magazine…” She raises her gaze to the ceiling and sighs. “I’m not sure why you, but it was instant. Maybe it was because you both have blue eyes, because I can’t see any other physical resemblance. I don’t know.” She meets my gaze again. “And I tried to talk her out of it and explain you weren’t her father, but she wouldn’t have a bar of it. You were it.”

My eyebrows arch. “She’s very attached.”

Lana nods. “She is. It was uncomfortable when it was just us who knew about it, and then somehow we end up running into you.”

“Must have been fate.”

She snorts. “I’m not sure I believe in that.”

“Looks like Casey does.”

“Casey believes in Santa and the Easter Bunny too.” Lana leans back. “Thank you for everything. It would have been so easy for you to push her away, but you didn’t. This whole thing is awkward, but I know it could have been worse for her.”

I look down at our still joined hands, and as if she notices them for the first time, Lana pulls her hand away.

“You’re welcome. I wouldn’t want to break her heart.” Our gazes are locked, and I couldn’t shift mine even if I wanted to.

Her lips twitch. “You’re a good man.”

“Just as well, seeing as Casey seems to have adopted me.”

Lana breaks eye contact, looking down at her lap. “She definitely knows her own mind. That’s for sure.”

“I’m glad she found me. I wouldn’t have met you otherwise.”

She runs her palm along her forehead and down her cheek as if she’s flustered. And maybe she is, but it’s the most enchanting thing ever. “Alex, I—"

“I’m not unhappy that we met. Are you?”

A grin lights her face. “No.”

“She did us a favour.” I take a sip of coffee and shrug.

We sit in silence for a while, just drinking our coffee. It’s not uncomfortable. But it gives me time to spend with Lana. She buries her nose in her drink, glancing up at me every so often. It’s endearing.

I place my cup on the table. “I should get going. I’ve got an early start tomorrow. Thank you for a lovely evening.”

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