LOST AND FOUND HUSBAND by Sheri Whitefeather Page A

like her.”
    Eric could see her expression change as she mulled it over, an intrigued light glittering in her dark eyes.
    “This is actually pretty exciting, Dad. I mean, first I meet my birth parents and now I’m going to have a little brother or sister. Are you and Dana going to start dating again?”
    “No, Kaley, it isn’t like that.”
    She gaped at him. “You’re having a baby together, but you’re not going to pursue a relationship?”
    “I told you, she’s too young for me.”
    “Come on, what’s age? Only a number.”
    “I hate that saying.”
    “’Cause you’re being a grump. At least try to rejoice in the baby you created.”
    “I don’t know how to be a father again.”
    “Sure you do. Just do what you did with me.”
    “It isn’t the same.”
    “How can you say that? You adopted me, a child who wasn’t even your blood, and loved me and cared for me. How can you not love and care for the one your baby mama is going to have?”
    “Quit calling her my baby mama.”
    “Fine. Dana, then. How does she feel about all of this?”
    “Mostly she’s just scared. She never wanted to be an unwed mother.” As long as they were talking openly, he went ahead and relayed Dana’s family history. He didn’t see the point in keeping it a secret. “This is as bad for her as it is for me.”
    “As bad for her? It’s worse. Way worse.”
    “You’re right. It is.” He’d already considered how traumatic it was for Dana. “But I can’t make it better for her. I wish I could, but I can’t.”
    “You could marry her, if she’ll have you.”
    He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “Marriage isn’t an option.”
    “Maybe you’re supposed to think of it as an option. Maybe this baby is the Creator’s way of filling that empty space in your heart. Mom is gone, Dad, and she’s not coming back.”
    “I know she’s gone.” He knew that better than anyone. “I don’t love Dana, and I’m not marrying a woman I don’t love.”
    “They say that people can learn to love each other.”
    “I’m past the point of learning to love someone. I had the real deal.”
    “And you’re going to wallow in it for the rest of your life? Mom wouldn’t have liked that.”
    “Please don’t talk to me about what your mom would have liked.” He knew exactly what Corrine would be telling him to do. When she’d finally resigned herself to the fact that she was dying, she’d started in on him about moving on with his life after she was gone. So much so, they’d argued about it.
    Kaley heaved a sigh. “I feel sorry for Dana. What if some guy did to me what you’re doing to her? What if he was keeping himself detached from me and the baby I was going to have?”
    That was something he prayed would never happen. “I’m going to help her pay for everything. I’m going to try to do what I can.”
    “That’s not the same as being there for someone. I’ll bet she would marry you if you asked her.”
    “I already told her that I couldn’t, and she agreed that we shouldn’t.”
    “I think she would reconsider.”
    “You don’t even know her, Kaley.”
    “I know how girls feel. Need I remind you that I’m a girl? And if the worst thing in the world to me was being a single mom and the baby daddy offered to marry me, I’d do it.”
    Baby daddy. Baby mama. He’d told her to quit with that stuff. “Marriage isn’t something someone should leap into.”
    “It’s not fair that you get to control the situation.”
    “I’m not in control of anything.” He was confused and powerless, unsure of what the hell he was supposed to do. “You have no idea how this is affecting me.”
    “I think you’re putting your needs before hers.”
    “You have no right to judge me.”
    “For being a jerk?”
    “Okay, fine. I’m a jerk. I’m the worst expectant father who ever lived. But damn it, Kaley. Lay off me.”
    “I’m really starting to hate you right now.”
    “Yeah, well, go ahead.” At the