Accidental Father by Nancy Robards Thompson

stand.”
    She closed the flute case and set it on the floor by her feet.
    â€œYou’re still coming to the concert tonight, aren’t you?”
    He leaned forward, as if he was interested in her every word. “I wouldn’t miss it.”
    The relief that flooded through her was unsettling. It struck her like whiplash, flipping her thoughts first one way, and then back in the other direction. She reached into her purse and pulled out a small, white envelope, happy to hand it to him rather than leave it at the impersonal will call window. “Here’s your ticket.”
    â€œThank you.” He smiled at her and she lost herself for a moment. There was more to Alex Lejardin than she’d initially given him credit for. The proof was in how he treated his son. And in his purchase of the flute for her music foundation, which proved that he was not only generous, but warm-hearted and kind, too. He was also funny and gorgeous with his mile-wide shoulders andthat way of looking at her that threatened to make her lose her good sense and contemplate ridiculous things such as jumping up and kissing him.
    That was not good. Even if the thoughts of kissing him were just that…thoughts. And that’s exactly how they would remain—rogue thoughts forever banished to the dark corner of her mind.
    Alex Lejardin was of no interest to her beyond being Liam’s father because he’d been intimate with her sister. She still didn’t know his side of the story…other than that they’d had a child, and that was more than enough information to blind her to his green eyes and great smile.
    Even so, as he raised his glass to hers, she heard herself uttering, “Good. I’m glad you can come.”
    The server brought their food, and they made polite conversation as they ate. After the dishes were cleared, Alex looked at her for a long moment, his face serious.
    The light that had shown in his eyes earlier as they talked about the Bundy was gone, replaced by something more solemn.
    â€œSo, you’re leaving tomorrow,” he said, settling back in his chair.
    She nodded, grounded by that jolt of reality. “Yes, we are. I can’t believe we’ve been away for three weeks. It’s gone by so fast.”
    â€œI’m glad it’s been a good trip.” He absently fingered a coffee spoon that remained on the table, moving it back and forth in a contemplative gesture.
    â€œI’m very grateful to you for bringing my son to me, Julianne. If not for you, I would’ve lost even more time with him. I might have never known about him at all.”
    Yes. His tone was definitely too serious.
    She had a distinct feeling the flute wasn’t the real surprise?
    She placed her hands neatly in her lap, one on top of the other, a calming counter to the jarring turn she feared this conversation was about to take.
    â€œI’m glad everything worked out,” she said. “I was so nervous coming to your office that first day. Especially since I thought you’d chosen to not be part of Liam’s life.”
    Alex remained quiet for a long moment. The sounds of the busy restaurant—the chatter and clatter of cutlery on china echoing in the void between them.
    â€œThere are some things we need to talk about before you go home,” Alex said. “Arrangements concerning Liam.”
    Julianne laced her fingers together tightly,willing herself not to fidget. Just because he was watching his spoon handle slip back and forth on the table and not looking her in the eyes didn’t mean he was going to deliver bad news.
    â€œI told you a little about my family yesterday,” he said. “That my brother is married to the queen of St. Michel. So even though Liam is not in line for the throne, he’s still related to the royal family.”
    Julianne nodded, holding her breath because she could tell by the way he paused that there was definitely something more.