A Father In The Making by Carolyne Aarsen

anything for Nico.”
    â€œOf course you would,” Dr. Schuler said with a smile as he leaned back in his leather chair. “You strike me as a loving and caring mother.”
    Grace started squawking and Mia jiggled the stroller to settle her down.
    â€œOne thing for next time—I would like to spend some time with you one-on-one during the next visit. You’ve been through just as much as the boys.”
    Mia waved off his concern as she turned the stroller around to check on the girls. “I’m fine. I just need to get through the next few weeks.”
    Dr. Schuler gave her a thoughtful look, as if trying to see into her soul.
    â€œReally. I’m okay,” she insisted.
    â€œThe offer stands. Think about it.”
    â€œThanks, but I’ll be fine.” She got up and slung the diaper bag over her shoulder. Thankfully, Grace had settled again.
    â€œStop at the reception area,” Dr. Schuler said. “I’m fully booked up for next week, but hopefully you can get in after that. From there on we can set a weekly visiting schedule.”
    â€œSure. Thanks so much for seeing me today. I appreciate you taking my son on such short notice.”
    â€œI look forward to seeing what we can do for him.” Dr. Schuler got up and walked around the desk to the door to open it for her. “This is temporary. You need to know that. We can help your son. I am hoping this Nate man will be willing to help.”
    Mia’s thoughts ticked back to the conversation she had just had with Nate this morning. How she had asked him to stay away from her son. Now Dr. Schuler was suggeting she ask for his help?
    She thought of Nico and shook her head. One step at a time. For now, get home. Then you can figure out how to deal with this.

Chapter Six
    â€œA nd how have you been feeling, Jeff?” Evangeline asked as she passed him a bowl of salad.
    â€œI’m fine,” Jeff said.
    â€œYou may be, but you’re still a little hoarse.” Angie glanced at Jeff sitting beside her at the long, wooden table in Denny’s kitchen. Mia and her children took up one end, the adults the other. The full table reminded Nate of the dinners at the Norquests’. Lots of people and shared jokes, laughter and conversation.
    Jeff just grinned at her as he heaped a generous helping of spinach salad on his plate. “A little hoarse? And here I figured you thought of me as a little puppy. Chasing after you.”
    Everyone groaned at that awful joke.
    â€œWe’re thankful you and Nate could do what you did,” Denny said. “And glad you both could join us for dinner. Our way of showing our appreciation.”
    â€œI know I can’t thank you enough,” Mia said quietly from her spot at the end of the table. “You and Nate.”
    Though she mentioned him as well, Nate didn’t get a look like the adoring one Angie bestowed on Jeff.
    â€œI understand you’re out of your home, too,” Angie said, turning to Evangeline. “When will you be able to open the store?”
    â€œThe insurance company will be done with their investigation tomorrow so I’m guessing in the next few days,” Evangeline said. “I just wish Mia was having an easier time dealing with her insurance company.”
    â€œYou get the service you pay for,” Mia said, though Nate heard the frustration in her voice.
    â€œNow that you and Jeff are here,” Evangeline was saying, “what do you think about having book club here instead of at the store? We’ll have to move the date by about a week, but would that work?”
    â€œSounds good to me. I love coming out here,” Angie said.
    â€œYou could come, too, Nate,” Evangeline said, drawing him into the conversation. “I know you read the book. I saw you taking it out to the barn this morning.”
    Nate shrugged her comment off but out of the corner of his eye caught Mia’s surprised look. Yes,