“Thank you, Daddy.”
“Darlin, you don’t need to thank me. Not for one thing. I’m just doing what a Daddy should do. And I’m sorry—”
“If I can’t say thank you, you can’t say sorry.”
He laughed and she smiled at the sound of it, hugging him tighter. “Fair enough.”
A knocking at the door startled them both. One thought sprang forth so hopeful in her mind: Jake!
Would he really have come back? Already? At all?
The knocking continued. Daddy shifted, but Shelby put a hand on his chest and stood. “I’m younger and faster. You just sit.”
Her heart felt like a mess of galloping feet as she walked toward the door, hoping and praying to see a handsome redhead on the other side with apology in his eyes. Shelby shouted toward the insistent knocking. “Hold your horses. You don’t have to beat down the door.”
A tremor shook her belly as she put her hand on the knob. With all her earlier anger and her pride, she knew that she would take him back in an instant. Or return any kiss should he give one.
Shelby swung open the door and stood, her mouth wide open. It was not Jake.
“Mama?”