Page 37 of Kissing Her Rescuer

“Let me.”

“A lawyer is expensive. I can ask Daddy for the money.”

Dewey stood, bringing her up with him. “Why are you so worried about the money?”

She fiddled with the button of his shirt. “I know things are tight for you.”

He stilled her hand. He was willing to give her every penny to his name at that very moment. “Why do you think that?”

“I mean, I've seen the trailer you live in. Your truck. It's nothing to be ashamed of. I don't want you overextending yourself because of us.”

He kissed her. Hard. Deep. Soaking in her gasp of surprise and loving the sound of her moan as she swayed against his body. He still held back, keeping his desire in check. She was so damn adorable. Too sweet for Zach. Too fragile.

He broke the kiss. “Do not worry about money after today. Promise me.”

“Impossible. Money gives me freedom.”

“I'm not trying to cage you in. I won't walk away like Zach did.” Never. Carrie was his, which made Eliza his responsibility, whether she wanted him as her man or not.

“You're still not paying for things.” She put her arms around his neck. “Kiss me like that again.”

“If I kiss you like that again, I'm afraid my determination to not sleep with you might fly away.” He touched the tender spot on his chin. “And there are some people who take exception to that.”

“Who punched you?”

“Cameron. He saw the faxed results of Carrie's test. Your uncle knows, too.”

She winced. “Nothing like your limited sex life being broadcast to your family.” Her eyes softened. “I'm sorry. Cameron didn't have any right to do that.”

“He actually had every right. I'm not real excited about telling your dad, though.”

Now, she looked a little worried. “I hadn't thought of that. He's not going to be happy with you, but part of him will definitely be happy Zach is now completely out of the picture.”

“But the sooner we tell him, the sooner we can tell Carrie.”

“How do you explain that to a child? She never really bonded with Zach, but she still thinks he's her father.”

“Can’t we make it simple? Tell her that I'm going to be her new dad? Explain it in a little more detail when she's older. She doesn't seem to want anything to do with him now.” That made it easier. He’d be more hesitant to push himself into her life if she had a healthy relationship with Zach.

Eliza ducked her chin, looking away. “Sounds a little too much like we're getting married. Which we aren’t.”

The rejection burned deep down, but he tried to see it from her point of view. Right now, their focus was on Carrie. “We can figure something out. But it needs to be soon. I'm sure Cameron has told Addie and Jimmy, Tanya.”

“Which means my dad won't be far behind them.”

12

Dewey was Carrie's father.

The concept, even after a restless night's sleep, would not settle down in Eliza's brain. She sat across from Carrie, who ate her marshmallow filled cereal oblivious to the turmoil. No. Turmoil was negative. Excitement.

This was exciting.

She and Dewey had a daughter. A week ago, they didn’t even have a relationship, and now they shared a child. She was happy it was Dewey. He was such a good man. Strong. Caring. If she got to pick the type of dad she wanted for Carrie, it would be him. He was also the man she’d pick for herself if she ever ventured back into a serious relationship again.

Her dad's footsteps thumped on the stairs as the doorbell rang.

This was it.

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