Page 61 of Secret Baby for Dr. Grump

When Nila successfully steers Riley away, I quietly sneak into the house, wondering where to start looking for them. But I don’t have to search that long as I hear voices from the kitchen area, which is separated from the foyer by a wall. I expect a full-blown argument by now, but I realize it’s mostly the woman I hear.

Hell, I don’t even know her name. But it doesn’t take a genius to notice the crack in her voice and the anger pouring out of her.

“It wasn’t a conscious decision,” I can hear Luke saying, but the woman cuts him right off.

“Either way, it still happened. You got someone pregnant. Someone who wasn’t me, right after our divorce—when I have been asking you to spend more time with me before things went to hell for us.”

Bitterness coats every word. I stand frozen in place as she keeps going.

“And that’s not even all. How old was she when you met her? Fucking twenty? You would go that low? Pick up some bimbo in some bar and?—”

“Don’t you dare call her that.” Luke’s voice is cold steel, the same one he used when he faced Bryan Wells. “She’s not a bimbo and she will never be. We met through circumstances out of our hands—twice—but the rest of our story is none of your business.”

“I—”

“You don’t get a say, Carol, because you were already gone from my life when all of this happened. You don’t get to be hurt because you left.”

The words sink like a stone, and I can imagine myself in her shoes and hearing them from the man I left behind. Carol. I don’t know their full story beyond her cheating and leaving, but I realize now that Luke can handle this—and me being here is just a disruption more than anything since they’re also entitled to their privacy.

Wordlessly, I back away, then sneak out as quietly as I can without alerting anyone. There’s a sense of relief that no one’s looking at me or looking to check the kitchen for some gossip, which probably has a lot to do with Adam’s distraction methods. I return to Riley and Nila, who are in the pool as promised and halfway done with their tray of snacks.

“Mom, where have you been? The snacks are so good!”

“I just wanted to check something, sweetie.”

Imagine my surprise when what I checked is suddenly behind me.

“Hey. Is everyone okay?”

I turn toward Luke and search his face. It’s closed off, but he softens at the sight of Riley.

“Dad! You should get in the pool with us.”

He smiles. “I suppose I should.” Then he looks at me. “How about you?”

The quiet intensity in his gaze holds me hostage, but I break off and consciously shift on my feet. “Sure.”

“Mom, can I have some water?”

“I’ll get it. And some juice for everyone. You guys stay here.”

I don’t know why I’m volunteering immediately, but I guess it’s partly because I don’t want to cause any more drama than there already is with Carol—and I can tell Luke wants to hold me, which will definitely cause drama. I make my way back toward the kitchen, relieved when it’s empty now and the fridge is stocked with bottled water and juices. I grab a few and balance them in my arms, then close the fridge door with my butt?—

“That’s a lot of juice.”

Shock slams through me, but I recover quickly and nod.

“Yeah. For Riley and the others.”

I can’t bring myself to smile, though, as Carol’s gaze trails over me from head to foot. She looks even more beautiful up close, so elegant in her simple dress and understated pieces of jewelry. Finally, her gaze locks on mine.

“So, woman-to-woman. I think it’s only fair that I warn you about Luke.”

Whatever I expected, it’s not that. I blink. “I beg your pardon?”

“He’s a good man, there’s no denying that, and he may seem like this charming, fairy tale prince who can give you anything you want…but don’t be fooled. I’ve known him for years and he just isn’t built to be a father. Or a husband.”

My shoulders stiffen. “Why do you say so?”

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