“At the risk of sounding self-centered, I’d be relieved. I’ll honor my promise to Natalie if you don’t want her, but it will upend my life—and no doubt disrupt hers as well at a time when she needs stability.” A beat ticked by. “I’m also only the aunt.”

And you’re the father.

She didn’t have to say that for the message to come through loud and clear.

Much as he’d like to deny it, her point was valid.

He had to do the right thing. Take responsibility for the consequences of his mistake—like his father had taught him.

A flash of lightning lit up the sky. Masses of roiling black clouds agitated the heavens, and disquiet hung over the landscape—along with a sense of looming catastrophe . . . and inevitability.

The weather outside was a perfect mirror for the turmoil within.

Because bottom line, if he wanted to be able to live with himself, he had but one choice.

He turned away from the window, toward the light-filled apartment, and took a deep breath. Said what had to be said. “I’ll take her, Erica. Once we get the test results back, I’ll call and we can work out the details.”

“From what Natalie told me about you, I’m not surprised by your decision. I won’t say anything to Hannah until I hear from you.”

“Thanks. I’ll be back in touch soon.”

They ended the call, and Jack slid the cell back in his pocket. He had to switch gears, try to get into writing mode for a while, then report in for his shift. If he was lucky, it would be a quiet, routine night.

But unless he woke up tomorrow and discovered the events of the past thirty-six hours were just a bad dream, nothing else about his life was going to be quiet or routine again for the foreseeable future.

7

“It’s about time you called me, girlfriend. Texts are not cutting it!”

Christi folded her legs and leaned back against the headboard in the Gull Motel as dawn light filtered through the canted slats in the blinds. After last night’s raging storm, it appeared the sun was attempting to regain the upper hand.

“Sorry, Tasha. It’s been kind of wild here.”

“Define wild.”

“Well . . . I spent the night in a deserted cottage and got cited by the police. I was offered a job. Two jobs, actually. I have a free place to live, if I want it—no strings attached. I’ve also enjoyed a couple of gratis meals.”

Silence.

A smile tugged at the corners of Christi’s lips. It wasn’t hard to picture her friend. She’d be twirling one of her cornrow braids, forehead knitted, suspicion lurking in the depths of her dark irises while her mind processed at warp speed.

Christi waited her out.

“I have questions.”

“Why am I not surprised? Fire away.”