Page 31 of Blind Date: A Single Dad Baby Romance

“I want to go to the beach. Can we daddy?”

Will’s eyes widened in surprise. “You want to go to the beach?” I thought he might remind her that she didn’t like the beach, but instead, he said, “If you want to. Hold on, let me grab something.” He looked up at me. “Can you watch her for a minute?”

I nodded. He went into the condo and a few minutes later reemerged with a toy pail filled with shovels and other plastic toys.

“What’s that for, daddy?” Mollie levered up on her tippy toes to see inside the pail.

“For digging and making sand castles, and collecting shells. Remember? Mermaids love shells.”

Her eyes, so blue like Wills, shone. “I want to find shells.”

Down on the beach, I watched Will with Mollie. Emotion filled my chest so full that it was all I could do to keep from hugging them both. He was so patient as Mollie’s nerves ratcheted up as we drew closer to the water. He sat with her in his lap, gently taking her hand and rubbing it through the sand. Soon they were digging and building a mermaid castle. And they were letting me be a part of it.

Later, we walked along the shore, Will carrying Mollie. He reached down and took my hand, and my heart cried out in a mixture of joy and pain. Joy because I felt like a part of them, and pain because I knew it didn’t really mean what I wanted. I thought Will liked me and perhaps cared, but not in a way that would lead to a future. We were friends with benefits. I’m not serious about her.

That evening, when we headed back to our condos, Will sent Mollie inside to get her swimsuit off and get ready for a bath.

“Ellie,” he called as he lingered by his open door.

“Yes?”

He motioned for me to come closer. My heart was filling and tearing at the same time as I walked closer to him.

“Thank you.”

“Thank you for what?”

“Mollie is like a different little girl now. I know that’s from you and how good of a teacher you are.”

I shook my head, not wanting to take all the credit. “She just needed a little coaxing. Most kids grow out of their shyness.”

He pressed a hand to my cheek. “Don’t sell yourself short. You’ve changed us both.”

What the heck did that mean? I couldn’t ask, because my mouth was occupied with his lips, as he gently kissed me.

“Daddy, I’m ready.” Mollie’s voice came from the condo.

He pulled away and smiled. “I’ve gotta go.”

I nodded and was grateful for it because my system was in overdrive. What was happening? Was he being different? Or was it just my longing for him that was making my thoughts and emotions go haywire.

I couldn’t figure it out, and it was maddening, I spent Sunday out on errands to avoid them. By Monday morning, when I arrived at my classroom, I’d gotten myself back in order. Will had always been clear about our relationship, and while he might have been acting a little different, that didn’t change the initial rules of our situation.

The day proceeded as normal. After lunch, Ms. Hatcher took the kids outside to work off energy, while I set up for our math lesson.

Mrs. Snyder entered my classroom. “Ms. Webb, how are you?”

I looked up from where I putting blocks on one of the tables. “Very good, Mrs. Snyder. Thank you.”

“I was hoping for a moment of your time. I see the children are outside.”

I nodded and looked toward the clock. “About ten more minutes.”

She sat down at one of the little tables, and I joined her, worry growing in my gut.

“I’m hearing wonderful things from parents about you.”

Oh, maybe this was a positive report. “Thank you. I’m really enjoying my class.”

“Excellent.” She stared at me for a moment, and unease grew in my gut again. “You do remember the rules I discussed when we hired you?”

Uh oh. “Yes, ma’am.”

“It has come to my attention that you’re spending time with Mollie Mathers’ father.”

I swallowed hard. I’m sure my expression gave away my guilt. “We’re neighbors.”

“So, Will Mathers didn’t kiss you, as Mollie has said?”

Mollie saw that?

“She’s told a few of her friends that you’re going to be her new mommy.”

I’d been panicking, and yet, the idea of being Mollie’s mommy thrilled me. “I…ah…” I didn’t know what to say.

“I like you, Ms. Webb. I think you’re a very good teacher and will have a long successful career.”

“Thank you.”

“That’s why I’m not firing you right now. But your relationship with Will Mathers has to stop. I know it seems harsh, and none of my business, but we’ve had problems from this sort of thing in the past.”

I knew this was a possibility. Hadn’t I been planning to end things with Will because I didn’t want to risk my job? Even so, my heart was breaking.

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