Page 4 of Daddy By Default

Chance detected a bit of an accent, possibly British.

“Mr. Richards is here to do a story on me and Jaden for a baby magazine,” Derek explained as Harriet picked the baby up out of the playpen.

“You couldn’t have picked a better subject,” Harriet said. “Mr. Webster is the best. Will you be needing the baby soon?”

“After dinner,” Derek answered.

“Then I better get him fed and changed,” Harriet said. “I’ll bring him back looking like a little prince.” She hurried out of the room.

Chance watched her leave. “She’s pretty.”

Derek nodded. “Yes, she is. She’s from London.” He paused. “Are you interested in dating her?”

Chase shook his head. “No, she’s not my type.”

“Oh, what is your type?” Derek asked.

Chase was just about to answer when someone else knocked on the door.

“Come in,” Derek called out.

Another woman entered. This one was a little older, dressed in a white chef’s uniform. “Dinner is ready, sir.”

“Edna, I’d like you to meet Chance Richards.”

“Ah, the charming photographer you told me about,” Edna said.

Chance’s cheeks heated.Charming? Me?

Derek handed Edna the bottle of wine. “Please serve this with dinner.”

Edna curtsied. “Yes, sir, Mr. Webster.” She left the room.

Derek rose. “We better follow her. Edna has this thing about punctuality. Dinner is always served at seven unless I have a late meeting.”

Chance stood up too. “Oh, yes, you said you worked at a pharmaceutical company. They must pay you guys well.”

“A bit,” Derek said as he exited the room first.

Chance checked out Derek from the back. Mr. Webster had some nice junk in his trunk.

They continued to get to know each other as they walked. Derek showed him to a bathroom along the way so he could wash up, then a small dining room. The table had been set intimately for two, with candles and flowers. Derek offered him a seat and then sat down across from him. Edna came in rolling a cart.

“Are we dining alone tonight?”

Derek nodded. “I’m afraid so.”

Edna removed two covered plates from the cart and placed one in front of him and the other one in front of Chance. She continued until she’d emptied the cart then filled their glasses with wine. “Enjoy your meals.”

“Thank you, Edna,” Derek said.

Edna pushed the cart out of the room.

Chance removed the silver cover from his plate.

“I hope you like steak,” Derek said.

“What Texan doesn’t?” Chance asked, enjoying the very expensive cut of meat, potatoes, and mixed vegetables. He also had a soup, a salad, and they each had a small basket of homemade rolls. Derek lifted his cover. He had fish.

---