Page 59 of One Unexpected Gift

After ignoring her for three days, he deserved whatever wrath she’d eschew on him. Spotting her car in the driveway, he let out a sigh of relief and parked his Jeep behind her. Pausing for a moment to gather his thoughts, he mentally ran through the key points he wanted to make.

First, apologize for giving her the cold shoulder, and then explain he needed processing time. Second, ask about Gabriella. That’s as far as he got with his plan. He didn’t know what to ask. It wasn’t like she would have a favorite food or hobby.

Delaying the inevitable would only amp his blood pressure–and Skylar’s if she was as pissed at him as he expected. To be fair, he should be the one pissed off. She’d kept a pretty freaking huge secret from him. He should be outraged. Furious. Demanding a paternity test.

Only none of those expected emotions stirred inside him. Maybe it was his love of the unexpected. The thrill of the chase. Only Skylar and Gabriella weren’t an adventure, they were...

What? That was the ten million dollar question. The question Owen had dropped in his lap last night. With a heavy sigh, he got out of his Jeep and headed up the path to the front door.

Laughter and singing greeted him halfway. Nick jerked back when the front door opened. Skylar’s red hair was pulled back in a ponytail, her flawless features void of makeup. She had headphones on but what he noticed most were her tight leggings showcasing legs he’d been fantasizing about for over a year. A fitted long sleeve green T-shirt showed her curves—her very generous curves—and fell just below her hips.

Nick licked his lips and instinctively tilted his head to the side to get a glimpse of what he knew to be a glorious ass. In her left hand, she held Gabriella’s baby seat. He knew the moment she spotted him. The singing stopped and she froze mid stride.

“Nick. What are you doing here?” She moved her headphones to her neck.

He couldn’t help but notice how she held the baby seat protectively closer to her. Or maybe it was his imagination. If she thought him a monster, he’d have to come up with more than his first two tantalizing conversation starters.

“I was hoping to... talk.” Real smooth.

Skylar scanned the front yard as if looking for the cavalry to come rescue her. He stuck his hands in the front pockets of his jeans hoping to appear relaxed and harmless.

“I... um... I’m... I was bringing Gabby for a walk.”

“Won’t your arms get tired of carrying her like that? Or are you multitasking getting an upper body workout in as well?” He lifted the corner of his lip in a grin praying she’d hear the teasing in his voice and maybe crack a smile.

She didn’t. “Her seat hooks into the stroller. It’s in the garage.”

“Oh.” Yeah, he was an idiot and didn’t know the first thing about babies and car seats and strollers. “Can I help?” Another stupid thing to say since he had no clue how to help with anything either.

“No. I’m good. Thanks, though.” She continued down the front steps and the front path.

He stepped back a few inches to let her by, but there was no need. She walked through the garden mulch and across the lawn to avoid being within five feet of him.

Like a puppy who didn’t know better—a sad puppy—he followed her to the garage and watched as she set the carrier thing into the stroller. He heard a click and then she wheeled the contraption onto the driveway.

“That’s it?” He crouched so he could inspect the stroller. “What if she falls out?” He placed both hands on the part Gabriella was buckled into making sure it wasn’t wobbly.

“She’s locked in. I’m not incompetent, you know.”

Nick straightened, shocked by her defensive tone. “The thought never crossed my mind. I’m... new to this. I’ve never seen the baby gear in action. It’s impressive.”

Sky’s shoulders relaxed a fraction of an inch. He’d riled her up unintentionally and would get nowhere if he kept saying stupid stuff.

“Mind if I walk with you two?” If she said no, he’d tag along anyway. Not the best way to earn brownie points, but he took the day off to get to know her and his daughter and wouldn’t be pushed away so easily.

“Sure,” she said, surprising him. She didn’t sound enthusiastic about his company, but it was progress.

When she slipped her phone out and turned off the music, he nearly did a fist pump. Small gains, that’s all he was looking for right now. They walked in silence for a few minutes while Nick stared at his daughter.

His daughter. Damn, she was a tiny human. Her cheeks were pudgy and her lips tiny. That was all he could see of her bundled up the way she was. Her pink hat covered the dark hair he’d caught a glimpse of the other day at his house. She’d been too far away to see her eye color, and asleep as she was now, he still hadn’t gotten a glimpse.

“What color are her eyes?”

“A baby’s eye color can change. They’re usually not set until about eighteen months.”

“I actually remember learning that. I was thirteen when Camilla was born. Her eyes were brown for the first year of her life and then changed to blue. Mom says mine did the same.”

“Oh.”

---