Page 2 of Daddy By Default

“I can’t,” Derek said. “No babysitter.”

Drat.

“But I’d be honored if you’d join us for dinner at our place. You can bring your camera equipment.”

Chance raised an eyebrow. “Do you really mean it?”

Derek nodded. “Can I see your phone so I can put my contact information in it?”

Jaden snored peacefully on his uncle’s lap. Chance handed his phone over.

“Dinner is at seven,” he said as he typed in the address. He handed the phone back to Chance and then pulled out his phone and texted something. Derek put his phone away.

“Are you old enough to drink? I mean, wine with dinner?”

“I’m twenty-five. And you?”

“I’m thirty,” Chance said.

A black town car drove up to the curb.

“That’s our ride,” Derek announced. He picked up Jaden, put him into the stroller, and then he stood up. “I’ll see you later.” He waved and pushed the stroller away.

Chance watched as a guy in black livery came around to the back door and opened it. Derek took Jaden out of the stroller, put him into a car seat, and then slid in. The driver shut Derek’s door and then put the stroller in the back. As they drove away, Chance put his camera away, stood up, and jogged back to his car.Edgar is going to flip when he sees these pictures.Edgar Mann owned the magazine Chance worked for. Chance’s horoscope had said that he would meet someone special today who would bring happiness into his life. He chuckled as he drove out of the park.I sure did.He had just enough time to go home and shower then take a nap before going to dinner.

*****

“Turn right at Avery,” the female GPS voice said to Chance later that evening. “Your destination is less than a mile away.”

There must be some mistake. I bet I took a wrong turn somewhere.He was in the Castle Hill Historical District. Chance continued to drive.

The GPS voice came back on. “Your destination is just to the right.”

Chance glanced out of the window.I don’t think so.The only thing before him was a huge white gate attached to a brick wall that surrounded the perimeter of the property. The gate had a big capital W at the top of it. Chance pulled out his cell phone to check the address. It matched the one on the brick wall. He got out and went to the security box and pressed the button.

“Yes?” a male voice said a couple of minutes later.

“Hello. My name is Chance Richards and I have an appointment with Derek Webster.”

“Please step back,” the voice said.

Chance moved away and the big white gates slowly opened. Chance hopped back into his car and drove through nervously. For all he knew this could be a set-up. Through his rearview mirror he saw the gates close again.

“Wow!” he said aloud as he continued to drive up a paved road. Lush lawns, well-maintained trees, and shrubs lined the path that led to a three-story, brick mansion with a wraparound porch.This better not be a joke.There were other houses on the property, sitting a little further to the back. Chance drove up to the main house and parked at the curb. The house had another capital W right over the front door. He parked, got out with his camera bag and tripod, and walked up to the door where he rang the bell. An older white guy answered several minutes later.

“Hi, I’m Chance Richards. I’m here to see Derek Webster.”

“Hello, I’m Bruster, the butler.”

The what?

“Mr. Webster is expecting you. Please come in and remove your shoes,” Bruster said.

Chance entered the foyer. “Why?”

“Mr. Webster does not allow anyone to walk in shoes through the house. It tracks dirt and debris.”

Chance glanced down. Bruster had on slippers.

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