The implications of the lighthearted remark sent panic racing through Melissa. If Harlan had fixed up a room, then he clearly intended for Sharon Lynn to be at White Pines a lot. Was this visit just a prelude to the custody battle her mother had warned her about? Cody might not be willing to fight her in court, but Harlan was another matter. With Mary dead and his life stretching out emptily in front of him, who could tell what kind of crazy notion he might get into his head.

Apparently her fears must have been written on her face, because Cody halted again. “Melissa, you don’t have to worry,” he reassured her. “It’s just a room. You know Harlan. Everything drives him to excess.”

“You’re sure that’s all it is?”

“Very sure. You don’t have anything to worry about from Harlan.” That said, he winked at her. “I, however, am another matter entirely. I’ve given up on winning you with diapers and juice and toys.”

“Oh?”

“I intend to win you with my sexy, wicked ways.”

He was up the front steps and in the house before she had a chance to react. When she could finally move again, her legs wobbled and her pulse was scampering crazily.

Suddenly any threat Harlan might pose dimmed in importance. Cody was the one she needed to worry about. Always had been. Always would be.

9

At the precise instant that Cody and Melissa entered the front door at White Pines, Harlan stepped into the foyer. His prompt presence indicated that he had indeed been watching for Melissa’s arrival and was eager for an introduction to his granddaughter.

Cody studied his father’s face closely as Harlan’s gaze honed in immediately on Sharon Lynn. For the first time since the funeral, there was a spark of animation in his dark eyes. And when he glanced at Melissa that animation included her, only to be quickly replaced by questions, unanswerable questions Cody hoped he wouldn’t get into right off.

To stave them off, Cody crossed the wide sweep of wood floor and woven Mexican rug to stand in front of his father, Sharon Lynn still perched in his arms.

“Daddy, meet your granddaughter, Sharon Lynn.”

The baby responded to the cue as if she’d been coached. A dimpled smile spread across her face as she held out her arms to be transferred to her new grandfather’s embrace. Harlan accepted her with alacrity.

“You are a mighty fine young lady,” he told her, his expression sober, his eyes unmistakably welling up with rare tears. “I’m very glad to be welcoming you to the family.” His gaze shifted then to encompass Melissa once more. “It’s good to see you again, girl. We’ve missed you around here.”