Page 12 of Manny's Surprise Baby

“Pierce… how did your mommy die?” she asked.

There was a small silence, and then Pierce said, “Suicide.”

Emily gasped. “I’m sorry.”

“Thanks. She was really depressed when my dad went to prison again. I think taking care of me was just too much for her on her own.”

“But that’s what mommies do.”

He gave a little laugh. “Most of them. Mine was different.”

“My mommy was lonely. I think that’s why she liked to go out a lot with those men.” She sniffed. “I miss her.”

There was a rustling, and I suspected Pierce had hugged Emily. “It’s okay. Of course you miss her. But your daddy wants to take good care of you and keep you safe.”

“He doesn’t want me.”

“What?” Pierce’s voice went up. “That’s not true. He was really happy and excited when he learned about you.”

My face warmed at Pierce’s lie. I’d been freaked-out and selfish when I’d first found out about Emily. I was ashamed that my first thought had been how a kid would change my life. But now that I’d met Emily, and she wasn’t just this faceless stranger, I definitely felt protective toward her. And I did want to get to know her and make her happy. I wasn’t sure how to go about that, since she seemed almost afraid of me, but that was what I wanted.

“Do you really think so?” Emily’s voice was husky with emotion.

“I do. I know so. He’s a good man.”

I was surprised at how complimentary Pierce was being. Maybe this was just what he said about all the parents when the kids needed comfort. Because he hadn’t seemed that impressed with me when we’d first met.

“His house is pretty,” Emily said.

“Give him a chance. I think you’ll see he’s a good daddy.”

“Okay.”

I heard the springs of the bed, and I rushed back to my office. I didn’t want to get caught eavesdropping. I sat at my desk and pretended to be going through a desk drawer when Pierce popped his head in my office.

“I’m going to go to bed now.” I couldn’t tell from his expression if he suspected I’d been listening in.

“Oh, okay.” I stood for some odd reason. “Good night, then.”

He hesitated, and then he walked into the room. “She’ll warm up to you.”

His sympathetic tone bugged me a little. I didn’t want him feeling sorry for me, but I also knew he was trying to be nice. “I’m sure you’re right.”

He shifted uneasily as if he wanted to leave but still felt like he should say something else. “She’s a sweet kid. She just doesn’t know what will happen, and so she’s scared. I think she’s afraid you’ll quit on her.”

“Why would I do that?”

“Because she’s a kid who’s been passed around from grown-up to grown-up who didn’t really want to be bothered with her.”

“If I didn’t want her here, she wouldn’t be here.” I lifted my chin. “The only reason I wasn’t in her life from the beginning was I didn’t know about her.”

“I hope that’s true.”

“Why would I lie?”

His eyes darted to my face. “Because you’d look like a jerk otherwise.”

I bristled. “Do you seriously think I knew about her all this time but just didn’t want to be bothered?”