Free A Dad for Billie by Susan Mallery Page A

her.
    Jane swallowed uncomfortably. Adam closed the rear door and opened the front. She murmured her thanks as she slipped in past him. The scent of his body—soap, shaving cream, and some essence of male—taunted her. She wanted to breathe deeply and savor the fragrance. It made her think of sultry Southern nights and velvet-on-silk passion.
    The door slamming shut with a bang caused her to jump slightly. In the back seat, Charlene and Billie chatted. Charlene spoke glowingly about charm school, but Jane could tell that her daughter was becoming more and more disenchanted by the second.
    “Do I have to?” she asked, leaning over the front seat. “I don’t want to learn how to drink tea and dance. And I already know how to walk.”
    “Not like a lady,” Charlene said. “You’ll like it.”
    “I won’t!”
    Adam slid into his seat. She half expected him to take part in the conversation, but he just started the car and shifted into gear.
    “Mo-om!”
    Jane drew in a deep breath. “Billie, you don’t have to go to charm school if you don’t want to. Charlene, she
is
only eight.”
    “It’s never too early to learn how to be a lady.”
    “I’m going to be a pitcher.”
    Jane bit back a smile and tried to relax in her seat. The conversation between Billie and Charlene continued as they debated the merits of their positions. She didn’t glance to her left, but she was aware of him sitting so close. Except for asking if she were ready, he hadn’t said a word. Not that any of this was his fault. It had all been a big mistake and she only had herself to blame.
    The drive to church took about six minutes. As they pulledinto the parking lot, Jane tensed and waited for the rush of memories to envelop her.
    “Did you used to go to this church?” Billie asked.
    “Yes, until I—” She cleared her throat.
    “Moved away,” Adam offered helpfully. She knew she was the only one to hear the sarcasm in his voice. She didn’t dare look at him.
    “That’s right,” she said softly. “Until I moved away.”
    A large crowd mingled on the edge of the lawn. One woman glanced at Adam’s car as he parked it. She did a double take and nudged her neighbor. Jane couldn’t hear what was being said but she watched as the news rippled through the group. The prodigal daughter had returned.
    Oh, no! She’d never given a moment’s thought to what it would look like if she arrived at church with Adam and Charlene. And Billie. What would people think? Say? She was doing it again! Acting without thinking and leaving Adam to deal with the consequences.
    Darting a quick glance to her left, she waited for him to comment on the interest they’d generated. Instead he opened the car door and stepped out. She fumbled with the handle, anxious to exit before he made his way around to help her. Nervous fingers slipped. He reached her door. When it opened, he held out his hand. Politeness demanded that she accept the gracious gesture. Her fingers brushed his palm. Sparks flew in all directions, landing on her skin and midsection, creating a warmth that threatened to make her tremble. His touch had always affected her. The flash of familiar electricity comforted as it excited. Was there still something between them?
    She slowly raised her gaze, past the dark suit jacket, past the white shirt and faintly patterned blue tie. Past the squared jaw and straight lips to his eyes. The anger there, deadly and barely controlled, made her drop her hand and turn away.
    While she struggled with her composure, several people came over and said hello. Some of the faces looked familiar, some did not. But they all stared. A few of the people she knew glanced from her to Adam, then back. The speculative look in their eyesmade her blush. The rumors would sprout faster than kudzu. This had all the earmarks of turning out to be a crummy day.
    Billie bounced beside her. “Oh, look. There’s Matt. I met him at the pool. He’s a catcher. I’m going to go say