Dad In Disguise. Kate Little

But there was something different about Jack. Something in his voice and the way he looked at her that broke through her natural reserve. He just seemed so…caring and sincere.

      “It can feel overwhelming at times.” She met his warm dark glance a moment, then looked away. “But I love my freedom. And I love Charlie even more. It’s just the two of us, but that’s fine with me. I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

      “You sound very sure of that,” he said quietly.

      His reply made her realize just how she had sounded—as if she was warning him off. Warning him there wasn’t any place in her life for anyone else. Like a man.

      Well, there wasn’t. So maybe that was a good thing. She smiled at him, noticing he didn’t smile back.

      “I am sure,” she said evenly.

      He gazed at her, his head tilted to one side.

      “You know, Rachel, the one thing I’ve learned about life is…you can never be totally sure. Of anything. It pays to expect the unexpected. Know what I mean?”

      Rachel didn’t answer right away. Was he trying to tell her something? It seemed like he might be.

      Then Rachel decided she was reading too much into the conversation. Perhaps he was just talking about his own life in a vague, general way.

      Perhaps some surprising twist of fate had colored his philosophy. Maybe someday she’d find out what that was, but for now she was content to let it go.

      Their friendly chat seemed suddenly too deep and serious.

      “I’ll remember that, Jack. But you do sound a little like a fortune cookie,” she teased him.

      “I had Chinese food for lunch.” He slowly smiled and she realized he was teasing her back. “I’ll be back to start the job on Friday. I need a day to square away some other business.”

      Two days? It seemed too long to wait to see him again.

      Rachel forced an easy smile. “Sounds good. See you then.”

      “So long, Rachel.” He turned and headed for the door. She tried to look away but couldn’t take her eyes off him until he walked out of the shop.

      The store seemed suddenly very quiet and empty. She turned on some classical music. Then stood at one of the display tables, folding baby sweaters. Unable to get Jack Sawyer’s image out of her mind. He had an effect on her.

      Too great an effect. How was she going to manage several weeks of him working here? She had to get over this fast or she’d end up miserable.

      Okay, he’s attractive. And nice. But he must be involved with somebody, somewhere. Men like that aren’t just running around, unclaimed.

      If they are, there’s a reason. Not a good one, either. You’ve found that out the hard way.

      The bell above the shop door rang, interrupting her silent pep talk. Two attractive, well-dressed women walked in.

      Snippets of overheard conversation told her they were out for the afternoon, having lunch, getting manicures, shopping. She half-envied them. Then she reminded herself that at the end of the day, she didn’t have answer to anyone about what she did, where she’d gone, or what she’d spent.

      Attractive men might come and go. As she’d just told Jack, she really did value her total and complete independence.

      “Ladies? Can I help you with anything?” She walked over and greeted them.

      “We’re invited to a baby shower and the mother-to-be said she registered here. Could you look up her Wish List?”

      “I’d be happy to. I’ll print it out for you.”

      Rachel trotted back to the counter and took her place behind the laptop. Only a handful of “mothers-to-be” had registered at her shop. But she tried to give a good impression and act as if the place was very popular and there were hundreds.

      Rachel’s spirit suddenly lifted with the prospect of an easy sale. Or two. “Wish List” shoppers were her favorite, next to doting grandmothers. They rarely left the store without a shopping bag in hand.

      Rachel was busy for the rest of the afternoon with more customers and catching up on phone calls. She locked the door at half past five and carried Charlie upstairs to their apartment, feeling weary, but content.

      She’d made some good sales during the afternoon and the thought cheered her. She still had some savings from liquidating all her assets in the city, but she knew she couldn’t run the business at a loss forever. She needed to make a profit soon, or she’d be in trouble.

      Renting the cottage would help. She felt relieved it would be ready in a few weeks. Maybe even by the end of the month.

      She wasn’t sure where Jack Sawyer had come from, but he’d sure stepped through the door at just the right time.

      Truth was, she could hardly wait to see him again.