Since Jon seemed in no hurry to leave, shed have to get tougher. Charlie turned her little girl and gave her a nudge toward the door. Go back inside, Lolly. We adults need to have a talk.
Lolly grabbed her hand and clung to it. I dont want to go. She frowned at Jon. What if the big man hurts you?
Lord, hed already done that by breaking her heart. How could he hurt her worse?
* * *
GHOST WATCHED AS the little girl, who looked so much like her mother that it made his chest hurt, turned and entered the house, the screen door closing behind her.
Charlie hadnt waited around for him to come back. Shed gone on with her life, had a kid and probably had a husband lurking around somewhere. Are you married? He glanced over her shoulder, trying to see through the screen of the back door.
Since youre not staying, does it matter? She walked past him and down the stairs, grabbed a bowl from the ground and nearly tripped over a dark gray cat twisting around her ankles.
When Charlie stepped over the animal and started up the steps, the feline ran ahead and stopped in front of Ghost. She touched her nose to his leg as if testing him.
Ghost grew up on a ranch with barn cats. His father made sure they had two or three at any given time, but had them spayed and neutered to keep from populating the countryside with too many feral animals with the potential for carrying disease or rabies around the family and livestock.
He bent to let the cat sniff his hand and then scratched the animals neck. You didnt answer my question, he said. Why would she avoid the simple yes or no question?
I dont feel like I owe you an explanation for what Ive been doing for the past seven years. Her tone was tight, her shoulders stiff.
When hed first seen her on the deck, he hadnt immediately recognized her. Her hair was longer and loose around her shoulders. When theyd been together, all those years ago, shed worn her hair in a perpetual braid to keep it out of her face.
Her hips and breasts were fuller, even more enticing than before. Motherhood suited her. If possible, she was more beautiful and sexier than ever.
His gut twisted. But who was the father? Lolly was small. Maybe five? Though he didnt have a claim on Charlie, he never could stomach the idea of another man touching her the way hed touched her.
The fact was babies didnt come from storks. So Charlie wasnt the open, straightforward woman shed been all those years ago. She probably had a reason for being more reserved. Having a child might have factored into her current stance.
He straightened. So, tell me about the threats.
Youre not going away, are you? Her brows drew together, the lines a little deeper than when shed been twenty-two. She sighed. I really wish you would just go. I have enough going on.
Without me getting in the way? He shook his head. Im only going to be here a week. Unless you have a husband who is willing to take care of you, let me help you and your family for the week. He smiled, hoping to ease the frown from her brow. Show me a husband and Ill leave. He cocked his brows.
She stared at him for a long, and what appeared to be wary, moment before she shook her head. There isnt a husband to take care of us.
Is he out of town? He wasnt going to let it go. The thought of Charlie and her little girl being threatened didnt sit well with him. Who would do that to a lone woman and child? I could stay until he returns.
I told you. There isnt a husband. Never has been.
He couldnt help a little thrill at the news. But if no husband, who was the jerk whod gotten her pregnant and left her to raise the child alone?
His heart stood still and his breath lodged in his lungs. Everything around him seemed to freeze. No. It couldnt be. How old is Lolly?
Does it matter? Charlie spun and walked toward the door. If you want to see the threats, follow me.
He caught her arm and pulled her around to face him, his fingers digging into her skin. How old is she? he demanded, his lips tight, a thousand thoughts spinning in his head, zeroing in on one.
For a long moment, she met his gaze, refusing to back down. Finally, she tilted her chin upward a fraction and answered, Six.
Just six? His gut clenched.
Six and a few months.
Her words hit him like a punch in the gut. Ghost fought to remain upright when he wanted to double over with the impact. Instead, he dropped his hands to his sides and balled his fists. Is she
Yours? She shrugged. Does it matter? Will it change anything?
My God, Charlie! He grabbed her arms wanting to shake her like a rag doll. But he didnt. I have a daughter, and you never told me?
You were going places. You had a plan, and a family wasnt part of it. What did you expect me to do? Get an abortion? Give her up for adoption?
Hell, no. He choked on the words and shoved a hand through his hair. I cant believe it. His knees wobbled and his eyes stung.
He turned toward the back door. The little auburn-haired girl-child stood watching them, her features muted by the screen.
That little human with the beautiful red hair, curling around her face was his daughter.
Chapter Three
Charlie walked toward the house. As she reached for the doorknob, her hands shook. Now that Jon knew about his daughter, what would he do? Would he fight for custody? Would he take her away for long periods of time? Would he hate her forever for keeping Lolly from him?
Questions spiraled out of control in Charlies mind.
Lolly stood in the doorway, watching the two adults. Had she heard what had passed between them? Did she now know the big man was her father?
Up until Lolly had started school, she hadnt asked why she didnt have a father. Her world had revolved around Charlie. She didnt know enough about having a father to miss it.
Charlie pulled open the screen door, gathered her daughter in her arms and lifted her. Hey, sweetie. Do you still have that brush?
Her daughter held up the brush. Is the big man going to stay? She shot a glare at Jon. I dont like him.
Oh, baby, hes a nice man. How can you say you dont like him when you dont know him yet?
That stubborn frown that reminded Charlie so much of Jon grew deeper. I dont want to know him.
Charlie cringed and shot a glance over her shoulder at the father of her child. Had she been wrong to keep news of his daughter from him? Would he have wanted to be a part of her life from birth?
Jons expression was inscrutable. If he was angry, he wasnt showing it. If Lollys words hurt...again, he wasnt letting on.
Then he smiled. Though the effort appeared forced to Charlie, it had no less of an impact on her. She remembered how hed smiled and laughed and played with her when hed been there seven years ago.
She still had a picture theyd taken together. Hed been laughing at something she said when shed snapped the photo of them together.
Her heart pinched in her chest. No matter how much she might want it, they couldnt go back in time. What they had was gone. They had to move on with their lives. How Jon would fit into Lollys world had yet to be determined, if he chose to see her again. Now that Jon knew about her, Charlie couldnt keep him from being with her. She just hoped he didnt break Lollys heart like hed broken Charlies all those years ago.