Lisa Worrall Always Hope

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has absolutely nothing to do with it. Freddie s tone took on its previous
softness now that he d made his point. Bearing all that in mind, there s really
only one thing to say.
What? Kaleb and Ash barked in unison.
Freddie crossed his arms and stared both of them down, Congratulations,
boys& it s a girl.
Chapter Eight
Gazing around the room, Ash swallowed against the rising acid in the back of
his throat. At least now he knew why this door had been locked was there no
end to this freaky town s subterfuge? He d been sleeping in the room down the
hall for three days and no one had bothered to mention there was a nursery in
the house. Oh, and had also left out the teeny tiny fact that there was a baby to
go with the nursery. He d watched in stunned amazement as Mae began
removing pictures from a box under the table and the three women wandered
around the house, putting up photographs of Hope and Annie taken over the
last three months, together with several of Annie during different stages of her
pregnancy. It was like being the victim of a huge con.
He scrubbed a hand over his face and wiped at the tears welling in his eyes.
How could she not tell him? How could she keep it from him? He should have
been there for her. Kaleb was right. He was so tied up with getting his latest
headline that he d pushed Annie to the back of his mind, under the file of
things that would always be there. Except now she was gone and there were
so many things he d wanted to say that would never be said. He d never be
able to tell her that he was sorry, that he was here and everything was going to
be okay. Kaleb had been there for her and Ash conceded that the man had
every right to think that Ash was a complete asshole& in Kaleb s position,
Ash would think he was a complete asshole, too. He had no one to blame for
the guilt he was feeling, but himself.
Pushing himself off the door jamb at the snuffling from the crib, Ash padded
to the center of the room and gazed down at Hope. Her big green eyes stared
up at him and an inexplicable warmth flowed through him. She looked like her
mother, there was no denying it. Maybe she was his chance to be there for
Annie after all. Swallowing against the lump in his throat, he bent over the crib
and gingerly picked up the small girl.
You need to support her head.
Ash started, his grip on Hope tightening so he didn t drop her, causing her to
complain shrilly. Fuck, dude, he griped, shushing the baby and inexpertly
rocking her in his arms in an attempt to soothe her. To say his experience with
babies was limited would be the understatement of the century.
Don t curse in front of the baby, Kaleb ground out, striding toward him and
settling Hope s head more comfortably in the crook of Ash s arm.
Giving the other man a begrudging nod for the assistance, Ash rolled his eyes
at the comment. She s only three months old, she has no idea what I m
saying.
True. But if we start as we mean to go on, we won t have a toddler who can
curse like a sailor on shore leave, Kaleb drawled, stroking Hope s forehead.
We? Ash said quietly.
I ve been thinking. I know this is a lot for you to take in, but for some reason
Annie thought you and me would make good parents for this little girl, and I
don t aim to let her down, Kaleb said with a shrug of his shoulders. The fact
that we don t like each other shouldn t even come into it. It ain t about us.
Everything from here on in is about Hope.
Ash raised an eyebrow at the eloquent speech. Your Gram tore you a new
one, huh? He gave way to the chuckle rising in his throat at Kaleb s sheepish
smile. Thought so. Sighing heavily, he returned his gaze to the gurgling
baby in his arms. He never thought he d ever admit it, but Kaleb was right.
Hope was all that mattered now.
Ashdon, honey, Marji s voice wafted up the stairs. There s a very
handsome young man here to see you. Say s his name s Mason. You d better
come down and rescue him before I show him a little Freedom hospitality.
Ash s gaze widened and he turned on his heel, leaving Kaleb in the nursery
and holding Hope securely in his arms as he negotiated the stairs. Mason? He
hurried down the hall to the kitchen and his lips curved into a grateful smile
when he saw the first familiar face for the last three days. Mason, what are
you doing here?
I managed to wrap up some things and thought I d come out and fly home
with you, Mason s gaze traveled over the baby in Ash s arms and a frown
creased his brow. Um& cute kid.
Mason, I d like you to meet my niece, Hope Ashley Watts. Ash smiled,
turning so Mason could get a better look.
And I m Kaleb Gibson, good to meet you.
Ash watched Mason and Kaleb shake hands. Likewise, Mason replied,
turning his attention back to Ash and dismissing Kaleb immediately. Do you
need help packing?
I m going to be staying here in Freedom for a while, Ash said, noting the
widening of Mason s gaze and the stiffening of his shoulders. Annie named
me as Hope s legal guardian.
You can t be serious?
Hey, wait a minute, Kaleb said, and Ash glanced over his shoulder and
frowned at the pensive expression on the other man s face. I thought I
recognized your voice. I spoke to you.
Mason shook his head firmly. I don t think so.
I do think so, Kaleb countered. I talked to you more than once when I
called looking for Ash. I left messages with you and so did Annie. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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