trip, Adrienne’s brain buzzed with considerations, including the likelihood that once he began receiving paychecks, Wade would rent a place and expect overnight visits. Well, they’d take that step when they came to it.
As long as he leaves Reggie with me. If not... She didn’t dare finish that sentence.
In front of her house, she found his sporty black coupe parked at the curb. He was leaning against it, more than sexy enough to match the car’s image.
Don’t you dare think like that.
“I know of a few upcoming vacancies that might interest you, if you’re looking for a rental,” she told him as they stood on the walkway together.
“You double as a real estate agent?” Wade joked.
“I suppose I’m compulsive about putting people’s lives in order,” Adrienne admitted. “Plus, you’ll want a safe place for Reggie where he’d be comfortable. For overnights.”
“That’s thoughtful of you.”
“Practical, really.” Down the block, Adrienne saw a couple mothers waiting at the corner bus stop. Since she’d rather speak without an audience, she remained in place. “My friends Stacy and Cole opened escrow on a house, and they’ll be vacating their apartment in a month. Then Harper and Peter are getting married at Thanksgiving, and she’s leaving her rental house.”
He ran a hand over his short thick hair. “I’d love to get off Dad’s couch, but I’m watching my wallet.”
“You don’t have to pay for Reggie’s upkeep,” she blurted.
His eyes narrowed. “I’m his father. Of course I’ll help support him.”
“Sorry.” Adrienne hadn’t meant to step into a minefield. “I was just...”
“Trying to let me off the hook?” Wade asked.
“If that’s what you want.” Please say yes.
“It isn’t.”
“Understood.” Maybe Geoff had been right. This discussion might have been easier with an objective third party. On the other hand, the attorney had put Wade’s back up, too.
The rumble of the bus approaching on the cross street short-circuited further discussion. They went to join the small group of parents waiting for their kids.
* * *
T HE IDEA THAT he might stop paying his son’s support had made Wade bristle. Walking beside Adrienne toward the corner, however, he conceded that she was trying to be generous. Just because his grandfather always expected the worst of him didn’t mean she did.
He could see now that being a father required a lot of planning. In Pine Tree he’d had a one-bedroom unit, but that might feel crowded if Reggie slept over. Also, Wade’s usual mode of decorating, or rather not decorating, wasn’t exactly kid oriented.
He wished he had a house like Adrienne’s, with its well-stocked kitchen, cozy furnishings and vegetable garden. While Wade didn’t plan for his relationship with Reggie to turn into a competition, neither did he care to make a poor showing.
What did other single fathers do? Did they buy toy chests and bunk beds and all that stuff? When he rented a place, maybe Adrienne could advise him on how to set it up. That is, if she remained as cooperative as she’d been today.
While she obviously wasn’t thrilled about having Wade around, she appeared to understand that the law favored his claim. And for his part, it didn’t take a lot of parenting experience to see that yanking a little boy out of his home and away from the woman who anchored his world would be an act of selfishness, not love. Like it or not, they were stuck with each other, for now.
Ahead, the yellow bus halted, lights blinking, and a stop arm extending from the left side. The door wheezed open. Two girls got off, followed by a boy of about ten. Then a familiar head of blond hair appeared.
When Reggie saw Wade, surprise flashed across his face, then a smile. “Dad?”
“Hey, kid. Thought I’d drop by.”
“Yeah!” Reg jumped down and trotted over, backpack bouncing. His heart expanding, Wade bent to share a hug.
The three of them strolled to the house,
As long as he leaves Reggie with me. If not... She didn’t dare finish that sentence.
In front of her house, she found his sporty black coupe parked at the curb. He was leaning against it, more than sexy enough to match the car’s image.
Don’t you dare think like that.
“I know of a few upcoming vacancies that might interest you, if you’re looking for a rental,” she told him as they stood on the walkway together.
“You double as a real estate agent?” Wade joked.
“I suppose I’m compulsive about putting people’s lives in order,” Adrienne admitted. “Plus, you’ll want a safe place for Reggie where he’d be comfortable. For overnights.”
“That’s thoughtful of you.”
“Practical, really.” Down the block, Adrienne saw a couple mothers waiting at the corner bus stop. Since she’d rather speak without an audience, she remained in place. “My friends Stacy and Cole opened escrow on a house, and they’ll be vacating their apartment in a month. Then Harper and Peter are getting married at Thanksgiving, and she’s leaving her rental house.”
He ran a hand over his short thick hair. “I’d love to get off Dad’s couch, but I’m watching my wallet.”
“You don’t have to pay for Reggie’s upkeep,” she blurted.
His eyes narrowed. “I’m his father. Of course I’ll help support him.”
“Sorry.” Adrienne hadn’t meant to step into a minefield. “I was just...”
“Trying to let me off the hook?” Wade asked.
“If that’s what you want.” Please say yes.
“It isn’t.”
“Understood.” Maybe Geoff had been right. This discussion might have been easier with an objective third party. On the other hand, the attorney had put Wade’s back up, too.
The rumble of the bus approaching on the cross street short-circuited further discussion. They went to join the small group of parents waiting for their kids.
* * *
T HE IDEA THAT he might stop paying his son’s support had made Wade bristle. Walking beside Adrienne toward the corner, however, he conceded that she was trying to be generous. Just because his grandfather always expected the worst of him didn’t mean she did.
He could see now that being a father required a lot of planning. In Pine Tree he’d had a one-bedroom unit, but that might feel crowded if Reggie slept over. Also, Wade’s usual mode of decorating, or rather not decorating, wasn’t exactly kid oriented.
He wished he had a house like Adrienne’s, with its well-stocked kitchen, cozy furnishings and vegetable garden. While Wade didn’t plan for his relationship with Reggie to turn into a competition, neither did he care to make a poor showing.
What did other single fathers do? Did they buy toy chests and bunk beds and all that stuff? When he rented a place, maybe Adrienne could advise him on how to set it up. That is, if she remained as cooperative as she’d been today.
While she obviously wasn’t thrilled about having Wade around, she appeared to understand that the law favored his claim. And for his part, it didn’t take a lot of parenting experience to see that yanking a little boy out of his home and away from the woman who anchored his world would be an act of selfishness, not love. Like it or not, they were stuck with each other, for now.
Ahead, the yellow bus halted, lights blinking, and a stop arm extending from the left side. The door wheezed open. Two girls got off, followed by a boy of about ten. Then a familiar head of blond hair appeared.
When Reggie saw Wade, surprise flashed across his face, then a smile. “Dad?”
“Hey, kid. Thought I’d drop by.”
“Yeah!” Reg jumped down and trotted over, backpack bouncing. His heart expanding, Wade bent to share a hug.
The three of them strolled to the house,
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