A Dad of His Own Read Free

she ran her free hand down her pant leg while her other clung to her shoulder bag strap.
    A faint frown darkened his face. “But it won’t work for some kids. That’s what you’re saying.”
    She closed her eyes and opened them again, releasing a ragged breath. “Yes. Some aren’t well enough to enjoy trips or days at an amusement park.”
    “But one day maybe. Illnesses go into remission. Sometimes they nearly vanish. Isn’t that true?”
    “True.” Curiosity spiked Lexie’s thoughts. “Have you had a child with—”
    “I don’t have any children.”
    From his sad expression, she feared she’d caused him to feel ill-at-ease.
    His shoulders lifted. “I’m not married, and I’ve only read up on children’s illnesses and read about remissions that cause physicians to marvel. I realize that’s nothing like living it.”
    Not married. Single as she was. She studied his face, wanting to know more about him. “It’s thoughtful that you’ve taken the time to understand what our kids go through.”
    His expression softened. “But it’s not just the children. It’s families. So many without hope.”
    He’d hit truth on the head. She’d tried to keep hope foremost in her mind.
    Lexie glanced behind her and realized they were the onlyones left in the room. When she turned back, Ethan was eyeing his watch. She took a step backward. “Kelsey, our moderator, had to leave, but I want to thank you for the presentation and for reminding me that things can get better.”
    “You’re welcome.” He studied her a moment.
    Lexie’s skin prickled with his look. “I’d better be on my way. I have a sitter.”
    He took a step toward the door. “I’m heading out. I’ll walk with you.” He beckoned her forward and fell into step beside her along the hallway to the exit. Neither spoke, and though she wanted to say something meaningful, she felt tongue-tied.
    Outside the April sunshine warmed Lexie’s spirit, as did the memory of Ethan’s smile.
    “My car’s this way.” He pointed two rows over. “I wish we had time to really talk. I’d like to know more about the group, but I know you have things to do.”
    She wished the same, but it was one of those strangers-in-the-night moments, like the old song. “I need to relieve the sitter.”
    He lingered a moment before he turned toward his car.
    Something in his eyes intrigued her. A sensitivity better than compassion. Compassion mixed with sincerity. And hope. She needed uplifting. That’s why she came to the MOSK meetings. She didn’t share much, but when Cooper had good times, she listened to members who were dealing with difficult situations, and while her heart broke for them, she realized how lucky it was when things were going well for her and Cooper. Then she had clouds beneath her feet rather than the usual black muck of depression.
    As she watched Ethan reach his car, a white SUV, Lexie faltered. She’d never introduced herself. Too late now and probably just as well. If she ever fell in love, which she wouldn’t, it would be with a man like him. He sent her pulseskipping, gave her food for thought and, best of all, made her smile. Today, she’d found a real white knight.
    And the knight didn’t even know her name.
    Pulling herself from her ridiculous ideas, Lexie trudged down the asphalt toward her car. She hit the remote’s unlock button, and as she grasped the door handle, her gaze fell on her front tire. Flat.
    She slapped her hood. “No. No. No.” But her words didn’t change a thing. She walked to the wheel and knelt down. The tire couldn’t get flatter. She rose and dug out her wallet and cell phone. Road service. Now how long would she have to wait?
     
    Ethan sat behind the steering wheel watching…who? She’d never introduced herself, and he’d never asked. She hadn’t moved from where he left her, and that made him curious. Finally, she headed down the aisle and stopped at a burgundy sedan. His interest in her seemed so unlike