of her Taurus and fit Gabe into his car seat. After snapping him in and handing him his toy giraffe, she crouched in the open door.
“We’ll give your father some time and see what happens. He’s a decent guy. I know he cares about his family and his students, so how can he resist you?” Gabe giggled when she bussed his nose. “We did what we came to do. The rest is up to him. Raising your mother alone was the hardest thing I’ve ever done. And I’m not too proud to say I need help.”
“Man?” Gabe yawned.
“Right.” She smiled and chucked him under the chin. “Your dad’s the man all right. I hope he comes through because, from what I remember, having a daddy was one of the best things in the world.”
Samantha’s biggest regret was not remembering her father better. Mustache kisses, unconditional love and being safe, that’s what she remembered. No wonder her mom had missed him so much.
“Samantha.”
Startled she stood and spun to find Alex standing on the deck above her. He appeared larger than life with his broad shoulders silhouetted against the gray morning sky. His features were shadowed, hiding his expression, but his dark hair showed signs of his frustration, actually standing on end.
She felt herself pale as she worried, had he heard her talking to Gabe?
Thrusting his hands in his pockets, Alex said, “I want a DNA test. I’ll pick you and Gabe up tomorrow at four.”
She disliked his autocratic tone, but she didn’t protest. His asking for the test showed his willingness to believe. Okay, it could also be considered an opportunity to disprove her claim, but she preferred to be positive.
Truthfully, it was more than she’d hoped for so soon. So let him be demanding. Gabe and she had nothing to lose and everything to gain.
“We’ll be ready.”
Samantha eyed Alex who brooded in the corner of the exam room. He stood, arms crossed, shoulder propped against the wall, trying to appear relaxed and failing. His pale complexion and tapping foot betrayed his unease.
Like father, like son. Gabe’s inability to sit still in her lap showed his tension as they all waited for the doctor.
“Are you okay?” she asked Alex, knowing many people had an aversion to visiting the doctor.
He arched an eyebrow with forced nonchalance. “I’m fine.”
“We don’t have to do this you know. You could take my word Gabe is your son.”
He actually hesitated before shaking his head. “I think it’s best we know for certain.”
“Mama.” Gabe fussed. He twisted in her arms turning to face her, but when she gathered him close, he pushed against her in a bid to get down.
“No, Gabe, you have to stay with me. It shouldn’t be long before the doctor is here.” The apprehension in the room getting to her, she glanced at Alex standing in his corner. “Will it?”
“He’ll be here soon.”
So he’d said twenty minutes ago. If Alex had allowed the nurse to gather the DNA sample, they’d have been done and gone by now. Heck, she could have done the job herself with him as a witness. But no, he had to have his doctor friend do the deed. He didn’t trust anyone else.
Fine. With Gabe’s future at stake she accepted the need for precautions and exactness.
Still, Samantha gritted her teeth, seeking patience. Even understanding the need to know, it was hard to stay calm when Gabe’s wiggling and whining made every minute seem like ten.
“Look at the boat, Gabe.” Hoping to distract the baby, she pointed to the large framed photograph of a sailboat on the wall. “See the boat.”
Gabe stilled. He looked from her face to the picture. “Bo.”
“Yes. Boat.” Thrilled at his new word, she kissed him. “Good boy. Soon we’ll go to the beach like I promised, and I’ll show you the real boats on the water.”
“I have a boat.” The low words came from Alex’s corner.
Samantha sent him a surprised look. Was he just making conversation to distract himself, or was he issuing an invitation?
Seeing the blank look he aimed at the test kit, she had her answer. Neither she nor Gabe would be zipping across the waves anytime soon. Which in no way detracted from Gabe’s triumph.
“Boat is a new word for him,” she boasted.
“Bo? That was boat?”
She grinned. “Sometimes you have to use a little imagination.”
“Ah.”
The door opened and the doctor walked in. Tall, with white-blond hair cut short and wide shoulders, he reminded Samantha of Mr. Clean in a lab coat. Alex introduced his friend as Dr. Douglas Wilcox. The doctor apologized for keeping them waiting, and Alex thanked him for helping them out on such short notice.
Pleasantries aside, Dr. Wilcox went right to work. Samantha held Gabe, who cried and refused to open his mouth for the swab. Luckily the doctor knew his business and was quick. He praised Gabe and covered a freckle on his arm with a Superman Band-Aid.
While the baby inspected his badge of courage Dr. Wilcox labeled the samples. Then he gestured for Alex to take a seat.
“I guess I don’t have to ask if you’re nervous. My cadaver has more color than you.”
“Ha ha. I thought this was done with a blood test.” Alex sent his friend a killer look. Doug knew how he hated visits to the doctor. Alex figured the hang-up came from having to drag his brothers to their appointments when he didn’t like going any better than they did. The possible outcome of the test results didn’t help settle his nerves, either.
“Didn’t I tell you? DNA tests are done with swabs these days. No needles today.” Doug winked at Samantha, a totally uncalled-for gesture in Alex’s opinion.
He frowned. “Let’s just get this over with.”
Doug demanded Alex say ah. Conscious of her eyes on him, he complied. Doug swabbed the inside of Alex’s cheek twice. Doug then labeled two plastic vials and placed one of the swabs in each of the envelopes already holding Gabe’s samples.
Two envelopes, one Doug would send to a lab, the other for Samantha to have tested through her own sources. There would be no doubt of the results.
Finally. The ordeal was almost over.
He thanked the Lord, only to have Samantha drop twenty pounds of baby in his lap.
“Watch Gabe for a minute, will you? I have to use the rest room.” Samantha zipped out the door.
“Wait,” Alex protested uselessly. He held Gabe by the waist with his feet dangling below him. “She couldn’t hold it for a minute?”
Doug grinned from where he stood completing
