Free The Back-Up Plan by Debra Webb Page B

conviction in her voice made her want to scream, but there it was. Her brain told her he was trouble but the rest of her wasn’t cooperating.
    He folded and unfolded the top of the bakery bag several times, the crinkling sound made Donna want to snatch it from his hands and push him out the door. For some crazy reason her defenses were weak around this guy! She couldn’t trust herself, much less him.
    Finally, he let out a big breath and raised his gaze back to hers. “I know nothing I can say will earn me a do over, but I want you to know that I truly am sorry.”
    “Fine. You’ve apologized.” Donna gave him a tight smile and prepared to close the door before she did something unwise like invite him in. “Good day, Mr. Bradley.”
    “I really could use a cup of coffee.” He eased one broad shoulder into the path of the closing door.
    “Mr. Bradley—”
    “Mommy! Mommy!” Melissa bounded down the stairs. “Is Aunt Patty here?”
    “No, sweetie, it’s—” Melissa crashed into Donna’s legs. Before she could steady herself, her child flung herself at Hank.
    “Mr. Hank!”
    Hank squatted to accept Melissa’s enthusiastic hug. “Hey, squirt.”
    Donna looked away. She didn’t want to see—or feel—any of this.
    “Come see my new room, Mr. Hank!” Melissa took his big hand and tugged.
    Hank looked to Donna for approval. Great. Now she had to be the bad guy.
    “Sweetie, I’m sure Mr. Bradley doesn’t have time—”
    “Oh please! Oh please!” Melissa begged, pulling on his hand.
    He stood, his eyes never leaving Donna’s. She felt him trying to read her reaction. Damn, him! Why didn’t he make up some excuse? Like he had to leave, preferably.
    “What’ll it be, Doc?” he asked for her ears only. Melissa continued to tug and grunt with all her might. He kept a straight face, though his lips twitched with the slightest hint of a smile.
    The hopeful glitter in his eyes scattered the last of Donna’s fortitude, making it impossible to say no. She had to be the biggest fool that ever walked. “Come in, Mr. Bradley.”
    Already regretting her weakness, she stepped back to allow him entrance. Only for Melissa, she reminded herself. Her daughter seemed genuinely taken with the man. And why wouldn’t she be? He exuded charm. A five-year-old wouldn’t yet recognize male arrogance personified when it walked through her door.
    “Thanks.” He flashed Donna a sexy smile and thrust the bag at her before allowing Melissa to pull him toward the stairs.
    She closed the door and sagged against it. Melissa’s excited chatter and Hank’s attentive responses floated down to Donna as the two disappeared onto the second floor. She closed her eyes and let out a heavy sigh. Why did this man keep bulldozing his way into her life? Donna opened her eyes and looked around at her new home’s state of disorder.
    “What a mess.”
    Furniture sat about in no particular arrangement. Moving boxes were stacked here and there. She scolded herself for caring one way or the other what he thought.
    The doorbell sounded again. Donna bolted from the door. Geez! A person could get a heart attack leaning against doors around here. She blew a wisp of hair out of her eyes. Now what?
    She yanked the door open, half expecting someone from one of the local churches or a door-to-door salesman. Oh, God, it was worse. Patty—more than twenty minutes early. And somewhere upstairs Hank Bradley frolicked with Melissa. Donna hadn’t missed her sister’s less than subtle matchmaking hints. This would only add fuel to the fire.
    “Are you going to invite me in or do you plan to just keep standing there with your mouth hanging open?” Patty asked, instantly attuned to her sister’s discord. Her gaze darted past Donna and around the downstairs hall.
    “Sorry...I was painting in the kitchen,” Donna said, patting herself on the back for the quick save.
    Patty slipped past her. “Where’s Melissa?”
    The moment of truth. “Well,