Page 45 of Kissing Her Rescuer

She looked down at Carrie's serious expression. “Hmm?”

“Are you ever going to marry Daddy?”

She owed her daughter the most honest answer she could give her. “I don't know, honey.”

“I hope you do. I bet he won’t make you cry like Zach did.”

“A date. At a car lot?”Eliza crossed her arms, her eyes covered by her dark sunglasses. “I guess I should feel honored it's not a used car lot.”

Dewey loved the confusion. She had everything in her life so tightly controlled when it came to finances. She’d mentioned wanting a new car, but still having to save up. Well, she wouldn’t have to save any longer if she accepted the back child support that he owed her.

“Yes. It's a little strange, I know.”

“I suppose it's a form of window shopping.”

“We're here to buy a car.”

Her eyebrows rose high above her black sunglasses. “I'm not here to buy a car.”

He smiled and set his hand on her stiff shoulder. “You need a car, Eliza.”

“I haven't saved enough yet.” She slipped the glasses off and put them in her purse. Her eyes lingered on a small gray SUV. “I couldn't afford these anyway.”

He shifted her to face him. “I contacted a lawyer.”

Her head snapped up. “I thought we would do that together?”

He kissed her forehead. “All I did was get the ball rolling. He's going to send me a few dates we can meet with him. Together. But I talked to him about how much I would have paid in child support the past seven years.”

“Child support?” She shifted away from him. “You don't think I'm going to file for that?”

“No. I know you won't. You're too determined to do everything on your own.” He nudged her toward the SUV she kept glancing at. “But I called him. Provided my tax returns for the past seven years.”

“Dewey...” Her body tensed again, her emerald eyes wary like she might bolt away from him at any moment.

“I would have never left you in those conditions, no matter what you said to me if I had ever thought there was a chance you were pregnant. You deserve so much more than just a check for raising Carrie alone and dealing with Zach.” He tilted her chin up, kissing her lightly. “I wouldn't have to worry about itemizing everything if you'd accept my full support now.”

“No. I can support us.”

“Just remember that I'm proud of everything you've done for her. But I can't sleep at night without knowing I'm taking care of her, too. I'm having my wages garnished.”

She pushed away, wariness shifting to annoyance. “I don't want that.”

“Then put it in her college savings account. It's hers. Think of that. I'm not supporting you, I'm supporting her.” He pulled her back, wrapping his arm around her shoulders and ignoring her muffled protests. “The total for the past seven years comes to $117,000.”

She stopped squirming. Her head dropped forward onto his chest, and she murmured something he didn’t think polite company needed to hear. It made him smile.

“I'd write you a check if I thought you'd take it. Instead, we'll start small.” He maneuvered her along the row of cars.

She gestured toward the SUV beside them, her voice rising. “Oh, Like a car? That’s small. You’ve lost your mind, Dewey Mitchell.”

“Like a safe car for CarrieMitchell, yes.” He glanced at the sticker on the window, not blinking at the $40,000 price tag. “Now. Do you like this one? Do you want to test drive it?”

Her eyes met his, full of so much uncertainty. And fear. He hated that she had any reason to feel that emotion.

“I know it’s tough, letting someone else be a part of your life, but please do this for me. And for Carrie. Let me provide something for her.”

“Don't put it in my name.”

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