Free Accidental Fate by M.A. Stacie

Chapter 1

    "Please, Joe. Please stop crying," Leo begged the four-week-old baby boy.
    Desperation laced his tone. His son had cried for what seemed like days. Leo could do nothing to console him, no matter how hard he tried. Leo was exhausted. Functioning on little sleep and having no one to help was taking its toll.
    Desperation had him bundling the baby into the car, intent on driving to the store. Maybe a new brand of formula would settle him? Joe had bawled all the way around the grocery store, embarrassing Leo and making people stare at him. They would assume he was a bad father, but they didn't know the truth. They didn't understand that he'd only known his son for seven days, and before then he had no idea Carlie was pregnant. It had been one night, one drunken fumble with someone he shouldn't have touched, and now he was a father.
    The baby screamed louder from his carrier in the back of Leo's car. He winced as the cries echoed around the vehicle. It was like torture, for him and for Baby Joe.
    "Come on, little man. I swear we'll be home soon. I'll make it better. I'm sorry. I'm so damn sorry," Leo mumbled, trying to maneuver out of the parking space.
    His concentration lapsed as he tried desperately to shush Joe. Leo looked left, pushing his hand through his tangled brown hair, as he pulled forward and started out of the lot. The busy traffic only made his thoughts scramble further. His cell beeped, indicating the complete loss of battery power at the exact moment he turned the steering wheel and drove straight into another car.
    "Shit!" Joe screamed, as the driver of the other car climbed out, holding her forehead. Leo rested his head on the wheel, cursing as he tried to gain control of his hammering heart. His life was lurching from one messed up situation to another. He just needed someone to cut him some slack; he needed a break.
    People were stopping to see what had happened, clearly curious whether there would be a scene. Leo climbed out of the car, worried about what damage he'd done and what kind of reaction he would get from the woman walking toward him. She appeared calm, but her brown eyes narrowed as she moved closer. Her hands trembled, mirroring his. A sharp gust of wind had her long black hair whipping around her head, temporarily masking her face from view.
    "I'm sorry," Leo jumped in. "I… I'm so sorry. I was distracted. The baby was crying. He never stops crying."
    Exhaustion beat at him. Every muscle in his body tensed as he waited on the woman's reaction. He expected anger, but instead her expression was concerned.
    "I don't think there's any damage. Maybe just a little paintwork."
    She looked over to his car, smoothing her hair over her shoulders. Leo had never met anyone with hair so long or so dark. It cascaded down her back, past her hips, and he was certain it must rest on the curve on her ass.
    "I'll pay for whatever needs to be fixed. I just lost concentration."
    "Um," Erin interrupted, pointing over to the backseat of his car. "I think your baby needs you."
    The fact that she had pointed out his son needed him before he'd realized it stung. Leo hadn't even checked to see if the boy was hurt after the bump. He felt inadequate when it came to being a father, though he vowed to keep trying. Joe continued to cry, his face red and angry. The car seat had protected him during the bump, keeping his fragile body safe from harm. Leo lifted him from the seat, resting him high on his chest, and walked back to the raven-haired woman.
    The woman's eyes flicked to his arm, evidently taking in the inked puzzle pieces that stretched all the way down to his wrist. Being used to people's fascination with his ink, he cuddled his son close, trying to stop his wails. His quick glances showed no damage to either car, but he needed a closer look. As if reading his mind, she reached out, holding her arms open for the baby.
    "Do you want me to take him? You could check out the damage then. Maybe he'll quiet