A Dad of His Own Read Free Page A

him. When she’d indicated she was single, his interest heightened, and he realized he was in trouble. He knew many single women, but meeting this stranger today was different. He’d felt a spark.
    She was lovely. He’d been drawn first to her long brown hair with those wispy waves that looked as if she’d been caught in a breeze, but later he’d been struck by her almost straight brows and wide-set eyes, ice blue in color, yet with a warmth that drew him into their depths. But it was even more than that. Something else about her had gotten under his skin.
    As he watched, she stood outside her car as if she’d lost her keys, but he’d heard them jingle in her hand as they walked, so it wasn’t that. He eyed her car and shook his head.
    His key dangled from the ignition. He reached to turn it but stopped when the woman slapped her car hood and walkedforward. He waited until she rose and dug into her handbag. He noticed she’d grasped her cell phone.
    He seized his key, then opened the door and strode from the car. “Is something wrong?”
    She didn’t respond, and he hurried between the cars toward her. “Can I help you?”
    This time, she looked up. Relief filled her face. “I have a flat.”
    “Flat?” He slipped past her and crouched. “It’s flat all right.” He rose and grinned. “Now’s a good time to pull out that wrench.”
    She eyed her purse and shrugged. “Sorry.” A grin stole to her mouth.
    Ethan’s chest tightened. “Better yet, a jack will do.”
    Her grin deepened. “I think I actually have one of those.” She motioned toward the trunk. “And thanks for noticing my predicament.” She brushed a strand of hair from her cheek with her cell phone. “I realized after you went to your car, I hadn’t introduced myself. I’m Alexandria Carlson, but everyone calls me Lexie.”
    He grasped her warm hand, feeling its slender shape, while his gaze swept over her again and tangled in the strands of brown hair with streaks of gold. He apprehended his senses. “Do you have a spare?”
    Her smooth brow wrinkled. “One of those spares that’s not a real tire.”
    “A donut.” He noticed how the purple color of her sweater made her eyes even more amazing.
    “Yes, a donut.” She gave him a quizzical gaze.
    Apparently she’d noticed him gaping. “You can’t go far on one of those, anyway. It’s better we just take the tire in for repair.”
    “No. You don’t have to do that.” She held up her cell phone. “I’ll call for road service.”
    Her expression sent his pulse hopping. “I can’t leave you here without knowing everything’s okay.” One of the idiosyncracies his wife had always teased him about.
    Her eyes widened. “You’re a real gentleman.”
    “Thanks. I try, and who knows how long road service would take? Anyway remember, I wanted time to talk.” His ulterior motive turned to guilt. “I’ll pull your tire off, and we can have it fixed. There’s a place right up the street.”
    “Okay. I’m not silly enough to argue. Thanks.”
    “You’re welcome.” He grinned and held out his hand. “I need to get into your trunk for the jack.”
    Lexie dropped the keys into his palm and stood back. Ethan rolled up his sleeves and went to work. Grateful that the lug nuts came off without a hacksaw, he pulled the tire from the axle and leaned it against the car. “I’ll pull my car up and throw this in my trunk.” He slid past her, brushing his arm against hers, and felt like a teen again. “Make sure your door is locked.” He strode to his SUV, telling himself to stop whatever crazy thoughts were in his mind and be the gentleman she’d said he was.
    When he reached her car, Ethan jumped out and opened the passenger door. She slipped in, her cell phone absent from her hand. Somehow he twisted that fact into the thought that she trusted him. Otherwise she would have had her fingers ready to call 911. He stepped back and rolled his eyes. He’d been attacked by the