Daddy Lessons

“You’re not a bother. That’s not what I meant.”

“Still—”

“Don’t worry about it,” he said, cranking the engine. He put the truck in reverse and turned to look behind him, then paused and watched her intently. “I’m working on a solution,” he said before driving toward the ranch.

Chapter Four

Luke straightened the collar of his white cotton shirt, the only one in his closet that was pressed. He’d waited a whole day to come to see Eddie, hoping the little boy was feeling better, and that Kate wouldn’t hold a grudge against Luke or his zebra.

She could be the answer to all his problems.

She was a mother, an elementary school teacher and a woman with a lot of class. If anyone could help him clean up his act, Kate Wooten was the one. She could explain what toys a little girl would like, what sorts of things weren’t safe for kids, what kind of behavior was proper and how he needed to decorate the house. So much to learn, so little time before he needed approval to take custody of Brittany.

But as much as he wanted to get his plan in action, he didn’t think he should come right out and ask Kate for help. For one thing, she didn’t know him very well. Until Eddie tried to ride a zebra, Kate had seemed a bit…standoffish. He’d assumed she was snobby, but maybe she was just unsure of him, his animals and his ranch. Mostly him.

Even though he didn’t have much time, she needed to feel more comfortable around him first. He hoped he could make a good impression today, and move quickly to gain her cooperation. Brittany was expecting him to be her father in more than name only. They’d talked on the phone several times, and she was already making plans. Already telling him her wishes for the future.

He felt overwhelmed by the hopes of an eight-year-old.

He opened the door of his pickup, looking up toward the garage apartment, feeling as though he’d “come calling,” one of the lines of dialogue he remembered from a Western film. He snatched the small bag he’d brought for Eddie from the seat and stepped out.

At that moment Travis’s wife, Jodie, came out the back door of their house onto the wooden deck running halfway to the garage. In her arms she held a baby, maybe six months old. Luke remembered hearing that Jodie Marsh Whitaker was a famous model. Right now she looked very ordinary in a good way, dressed in jeans and a pink sweatshirt, her blond hair in a ponytail.

“Hello, Mr. Simon,” she greeted him with a smile. “Are you here to see Kate?”

“Luke, please, Mrs. Whitaker.”

She laughed. “Jodie, please.”

He grinned despite his intention not to warm up to Travis Whitaker’s family. “Jodie, then.” He shut the truck’s door and took a step toward the deck. “I came to check on Eddie.”

“He’s doing fine, but he has a heck of a bruise.”

“I’m sure he does.”

“How’s the zebra?”

“Seems to be fine.”

Jodie nodded, shifting the baby on her hip. “I’m sure Kate is home. Why don’t you go on up? She lives over the garage for now. Just until she gets back on her feet.”

Ah, yes. The divorce. “Thanks, Jodie.” Before he turned away, he saw her husband exit the house and stand behind her on the deck, arms crossed over his chest. Travis was a big guy, one Luke wouldn’t want to cross—unless he had to. He wasn’t sure why Travis didn’t like him, but Luke wouldn’t let that stop him from visiting Kate or putting his plan into action.