Free Daddy Next Door by Judy Christenberry Page B

breath, she got up and headed for Nick’s apartment.
    It took several minutes for him to answer. But she wasn’t giving up. She knew he was in there.
    Finally he opened the door. He didn’t say anything, though, just stood there, staring at her, waiting for her to make the first move.
    “Nick, I’m sorry!”
    “For what?”
    Okay, so he was going to make her spell it out. That was fine. He deserved an explanation.
    “I was rude to you again. I’ve—I’ve never— I’m afraid I’m not going to be a good mother.”
    He stared at her. “Are you crazy? Of course you’re going to be a good mother!”
    “No, I’m not!” she said, and burst into tears.

Chapter Six
    Putting together the swing set was easier. Hell, building the Great Pyramids was probably easier. But just like with his sisters, Nick wouldn’t back away from comforting a sobbing female. He gingerly put his arms around Jennifer and patted her back. She just turned into his chest and cried even more.
    He tried consoling her with words. “It’s okay, Jen. You’re just under a lot of pressure.”
    But she didn’t seem to hear him over her sobs.
    She resisted when he tried to draw her into his apartment, so he moved them both into her apartment and guided them to the sofa.
    Still, she refused to look at him. She buried her face in his shoulder, still crying. For a while, he just held her. “You’re a great mother, Jen. I know that and the girls know that.” If he wasn’t mistaken her sobs began to ease. “Whatever you think is wrong, can surely be corrected. All it takes is love and time. Come on now,” he soothed, “tell me. Are you having problems?”
    “I don’t seem to have answers for everything,” she said with a hiccup.
    “You don’t have to.”
    At that she sat up and stared at him. “I—don’t?”
    “Nope. Just because you’re a mom, that doesn’t mean you’re not a human being anymore. No one has all the answers, Jen, no matter how much we wish we did. All you can do is love the girls and let them know you’ll always be there for them.”
    “That’s—that’s rather a simplistic approach, isn’t it?” she said.
    “Look, I’m not a parent, but I do know most parents start out with one child at a time. Even if they have three at once, they’re little babies for a year. You’ve taken on three at once, but all three can talk and make demands and ask questions. It’s not that you’re not going to be a good mother. It’s that the kids have a head start on you.”
    “You really think so, Nick?”
    He nodded. “I know so. You’ve got those maternal instincts in spades.” He wiped away her tears. “If you doubt yourself, why don’t you call Child Services and see if they offer parenting classes? Or maybe the YWCA has classes. There’s got to be one somewhere.”
    “But then I’d have to hire a baby-sitter and I don’t even know any.”
    “You know me.”
    “Yes, but— You mean you’d baby-sit for me?”
    “Sure. I love being with the kids.”
    “That’s very generous, but it’s not fair to you.”
    “I’m the one offering. It’s no big deal.”
    “O-okay. I’ll check on those classes tomorrow. And I’m sorry I cried.”
    He smiled at her. “It’s just nature’s way of releasing tension. It’s good for you.”
    “Did your sisters cry a lot?”
    “Of course. They were girls. I think girls are lucky that it’s okay for them to cry. Guys have to go work up a sweat to get any release.”
    “Crying is very messy.”
    He leaned over and grabbed a tissue from a box on the lamp table, shocked when she allowed him to dry her tears. “Messy looks good on you.”
    Her cheeks flushed and she jumped to her feet. “I won’t keep you, Nick. Thanks for helping me again. I’ll try not to make a habit of it.”
    Nick stood. What choice did he have? “I figure I’m storing up credit for when I need help.”
    “O-of course. Just let me know.”
    “Good night, Jen. I’ll see you soon.”
    She didn’t