Papa Bear (Finding Fatherhood Book 1) by Kit Tunstall, Kit Fawkes

privacy.
    She walked down the log stairway again, making her way through the bedroom to retrieve the pack ‘n play and a few other essentials from the car while Lucas handled a dirty diaper. She wrinkled her nose as she walked past, relieved she hadn’t pulled that duty, and much preferring the idea of schlepping in baby items, even with her injured arm.
    It didn’t take long to finish clearing the car and bringing up the rest of the baby equipment. She set up the pack ‘n play near the bed and then stood waiting for a moment as Lucas finished dressing Angel in a fresh sleeper. Realizing she was just staring at him, she cleared her throat and turned away. “I’m going to unload the groceries we stopped for.”
    “Wait a minute, and I’ll help you.”
    She kept on walking, going to the kitchen and losing herself in the mindless process of putting away the food they’d bought, purchasing enough for at least a week, since they had no idea how long they’d be at the location. After putting away the groceries, she busied herself cooking a quick meal, which they ate in terse silence.
    He tried to speak to her a few times, but she shut him down each time. She was too raw and vulnerable at the moment to face a discussion and maintain the necessary distance between them that would convince him there was no point in trying to change her mind.
    The truth was, she was perilously close to toppling, and she couldn’t allow that to happen. All it took was a glance at Angel, who lay comfortably in one of his arms as he ate deftly with one hand, to remind her of what was at stake. Marla Vickers hadn’t liked her, and the other woman would be delighted to discover her criminal record and use it against her. There was no way she’d allow the adoption to be finalized if Libby was part of the picture. Even if Lucas could overlook her past, the social worker certainly wouldn’t.
    She refused to be the reason why Lucas lost the baby, so she had to keep herself strong and focused and remember why she couldn’t be with him. He might not realize it, but it was because of her growing love for him that she had to end the relationship, not because she didn’t feel something for him. She felt too much for both of them. She’d already lost her heart to Angel, and she feared she’d done the same with Lucas. As much as she wanted to be in their lives, she couldn’t be selfish enough to cost Lucas the adoption.
    With that thought firmly in her mind, she excused herself after dinner, pausing long enough to take a quick shower in the bathroom before hurrying up to the loft, where she turned in early. She expected to toss and turn, but was surprised when her lids felt heavy. Perhaps it was a side effect of the medication the paramedic had given her before stitching her up, or maybe it was just the stress of the day catching up with her. Whatever it was, she slept surprisingly well, not stirring at all and not allowing her thoughts to dwell on what she had almost had, but needed to give up.
    ***
    Most of the next day was filled with long silences and terse responses as she did her best to stay out of his way and avoid any conversations or confrontations. That was easier said than done when they were trapped together in the small cabin, even if it was luxurious. There was even Wi-Fi, which made it possible to spend a few hours pretending to be lost in a book, though the words on the screen blurred together on her Kindle, and she didn’t think she actually understood more than one in ten. Technically, she finished the book by late afternoon, but she couldn’t remember a single detail.
    She looked up when he stood over her, Angel in one arm. From his sheer size, and her vantage point, she should have felt like he was looming over her, but instead she just felt safe and protected. It was an illusion she couldn’t allow herself to accept, and she forced a neutral expression. “Do you need help with the baby?”
    He nodded, looking annoyed with