Free Natural Born Daddy by Sherryl Woods Page B

could make a woman forget that she’d ever been betrayed by a man. It was the kind that inspired wonder and hope for the future. It was the dangerous kind.
    Sighing, she put her hand in his and let him help her up. Her muscles ached. Her eyes were scratchy from dust and exhaustion. Her nose felt sunburned, despite repeated applications of lotion and the hat that she’d tried to keep on but had tossed aside more than once as a nuisance.
    â€œTired?” Jordan asked, his gaze warm and filled with concern.
    â€œA bit,” she admitted, wondering at the expression in his eyes that said he thought she was beautiful, despite what she knew to be the truth after a long day of hard work under a hot sun.
    â€œThen I’ll take charge of the rest of the night. Shower and change, then you and I and Dani will go into town for pizza.”
    She stared at him in openmouthed astonishment. She doubted Jordan had dined on pizza since he’d discovered French cuisine and four-star restaurants. And he had never, ever, indicated the slightest desire to spend any more time than absolutely necessary with her daughter.
    â€œYou want to take both of us into town for pizza,” she repeated, not bothering to hide her incredulity.
    â€œYou haven’t changed that much, have you? You still love pizza?”
    â€œOf course, but…”
    â€œAnd Dani?”
    â€œIt’s her favorite.”
    â€œWell, then, it’s all settled. I’ll be back to get you in an hour.” He dropped another one of those innocuous pecks on her nose and headed for his car, leaving her staring after him in bemusement.
    Exactly when, she wondered, had her old buddy—steady, safe, reliable Jordan—become so unpredictable? One thing was for certain, the evidence that he had was definitely mounting up.

Chapter Five
    T he aroma of garlic and oregano, of tomato sauce and spicy Italian sausage filled the tiny pizza parlor in town. Kelly had taken Dani to DiPasquali’s Italian Kitchen only occasionally. The visits had been a rare treat on their tight budget. Even so, the old wooden booths with their red vinyl seats, the scarred tables and red-checked napkins were very familiar. They hadn’t changed at all since she and Jordan and their friends had come here as teenagers. Just walking through the door evoked all sorts of fond memories.
    The owners were the same, as well. Anthony and Gina DiPasquali were still fussing over their customers as they had for three decades now. Now their daughter Liz and their son Tony were slowly taking over the business, but it was Anthony’s boisterous command of a kitchen that turned out consistently mouth-watering pizza and Gina’s warmth that drew people back.
    Gina had obviously caught a glimpse of Jordan even before they came through the door. She was already rushing out from behind the register as they entered. She threw open her arms to envelop him in a smothering hug that had Kelly grinning and Jordan looking faintly embarrassed.
    â€œHow many years has it been since you’ve come to see me?” Gina demanded after a spate of Italian delivered with a Texas twang. No one knew for certain which language was her first, English or Italian, but she managed to keep up a steady stream in both. “I’ll tell you how many. Too many. Come, come. You will sit at our very best table, right beside the kitchen so I can visit with you when it is quiet and Anthony can see you as he goes in and out.”
    When Kelly, Dani and Jordan were settled in the booth, Gina beamed at them. “It is like old times, yes? The two of you here together. Now, tell me, what can I get you? Is it still the large pizza with everything and the largest soft drinks in the house?”
    â€œNo anchovies,” Kelly reminded her emphatically.
    â€œAnd I’d like a beer,” Jordan added.
    She smiled down at Dani. “And for you, little one? A small soda, perhaps?”
    Dani shook her