clear up any doubts right out of the gate. I hate to say it, but it’s a possibility that this baby isn’t even yours.”
Liam had always been an easygoing sort of guy. He never got worked up about anything. But hearing Deke Pasternak imply that Karin Killigan had lied to him about her baby being his? That just pissed him the hell off. “You’re way off base there, Deke. She already mentioned a DNA test, as a matter fact. She’s a straight-ahead woman and she’s not trying to trap me.”
“I’m just trying to help you.”
“No. Uh-uh. You don’t know this woman.”
“Well, I—”
“She would never try to trap a man—she’s so independent, she called off our relationship before I could figure out a way to convince her that we should even have a relationship. She wasn’t even going to tell me about the baby until after the birth. I think she would have put off sharing the big news with me forever if that had been an option for her. But she’s a good woman and that wouldn’t be right. So, no. If she says the baby’s mine, it’s mine, damn it.”
“Liam. Come on. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not disrespecting the, her, mother of your child.”
“Yeah? Coulda fooled me.”
“I only meant that it’s important to prove paternity once and for all. You need to get irrefutable proof and proceed from there. You do that, you know where you stand. And when you know where you stand, you can decide what to do next.”
Why was he even talking to Deke? The guy had always irritated him. “You just don’t get it, do you, Deke? I’m going to be a father. Like in a week! I have no clue how to be someone’s dad.” True, in the past year or so, he had been thinking that it was time for him to start considering having a family of his own.
But not in a week, for crying out loud!
“I’m sorry, Liam. But I don’t really think it’s legal advice you’re looking for here.”
Liam had to agree with that. “You’re right. Gotta go. Have a good one, Deke.”
“You, too. Ping me anytime you—” Deke was still talking as Liam hung up.
He dropped his phone on the sofa table, took off his boots and stretched out on the couch. That lasted maybe thirty seconds, at which point he realized that no way could he keep still.
Sitting up again, he put his Timberlands back on.
He needed to...know stuff. A lot was expected of a guy as a dad. Witness Daniel, for example. Married at nineteen with three brothers and four sisters to raise. And now he had twins from his first wife, Lillie, who’d died shortly after the twins’ birth. Twins, and a daughter with his second wife, Keely.
The responsibilities never ended for a guy like Daniel. He worked all day and then went home to a wife, a couple of three-year-olds, a nine-month-old baby girl and their youngest sister Grace, who hadn’t moved out on her own yet. Daniel made it all look pretty effortless, mostly—or at least, he had since he and Keely got together. He was a happy man now.
Liam could learn a lot from Daniel. He really shouldn’t have just jumped up and run out of his brother’s office like that. He had a million questions and Daniel would be the one to answer them.
However, to get advice from Daniel, he would be required to sit still and listen. That wasn’t happening. Not now, not today.
Grabbing his phone and the jacket he’d shucked off when he entered the house, he headed out again—back to Valentine Bay and Valentine Bay Books down in the historic district, where the fortyish blonde clerk greeted him with a big smile. “How can I help you?”
“I’m having a baby. It’s my first and I need to know everything.”
“Well, of course you do.” She led the way to the baby and childcare section and recommended a few books on first-time fatherhood.
He grabbed those. “I’m just going to look around for a while.”
She left him to it. An hour later, he’d chosen more than twenty new-dad and baby books. After all, he had a lot to learn. And that could take a lot of books.
Back at home, he stuck a frozen pizza in the oven and sat down to begin his education in fatherhood.
At two on Saturday morning, he was still reading. Not long after that, he must have dropped off to sleep. He woke to daylight at his breakfast nook table with his head resting on The Expectant Father: The Ultimate Guide for Dads-to-Be.
He made coffee, had a shower and called both of his offices, where for once everything seemed to be rolling along right on schedule.
At a little after nine, he was knocking on the door of the house on Sweetheart Cove, a bag of baby books in one hand—just the ones he thought had the most to offer, in case he needed to refer to the experts while discussing his upcoming fatherhood with Karin.
Karin’s daughter answered the door. She was a cute little thing with big blue eyes and curly hair in pigtails.
“You came yesterday, didn’t you?” the child demanded at the sight of him.
“That’s right, I did.”
“Grandpa told us to stay in the great room when you came, but I peeked.” Her little mouth drew down at the corners in a puzzled frown. “Who are you?”
Otto Larson appeared from the living area. He wore a patient smile. “Coco, this is Liam Bravo. Invite him in.”
“Come in, Liam Bravo.” She swept out an arm in the general direction of the arch that led to the downstairs living area.
“Thank you, Coco.” He stepped into the foyer.
“You’re welcome.”
Liam shut the door as Coco darted to her grandfather and tugged on his hand. Otto bent close and she whispered in his ear.
He gave Liam a wink. “Yep. Liam is one of those Bravos. Your Aunt Madison is his sister.”
“I knew it!” crowed Coco. She aimed a giant smile at Liam, one that showed a gap where she’d lost a couple of lower teeth. “Aunt Madison is my friend and we have to be careful and not talk about her to most people because she is a movie star and she needs her privacy. But since you’re her brother, I can say what I want about Madison to you.”
Liam made a noise in the affirmative.
Coco Killigan chattered on. “I’m seven and I go to second grade. I have two best friends in my class and for Halloween, I will be Jewel from 101 Dalmatians.” Coco pointed at the bag of books dangling from his left hand. “You brought books. I like books.”
“Coco,” said Otto fondly. “I think Liam’s here to talk to your mom.”
Coco giggled. “Okay!” and skipped away through the arch into the other room.
“Come on,” said Otto. “I’ll get Karin.” He turned and led the way into the first-floor
