Free Accidental Family by Kristin Gabriel

last, he pulled out a Twin Oaks Bed and Breakfast business card he’d picked up when he’d checked in. Then he scribbled a simple message on the back, telling his father he’d be at Twin Oaks for the next couple of weeks.
    The rest was up to George.
    Alan got out of the car and walked up to the house. Instead of knocking, he slipped the card into the screen door. As he drove back to Cooper’s Corner, the situation with Rowena and the baby, which had been so cloudy before, now seemed perfectly clear.
    He never wanted his child sitting outside a strange house, wondering if he was welcome inside. Alan knew down into his soul that he could be a good father. A loving father. A father who cared.
    Now he just needed the chance to prove it.
    * * *
    T HE NEXT DAY , Rowena stood in her shop behind the barber’s chair, carefully combing out Maureen’s long hair before she trimmed the ends. The afternoon sun shone through the windows, belying the bitter cold temperature outside. “Would you like to try some of the new shampoo that just came in?”
    Maureen hesitated, then said gently, “That’s the third time you’ve asked me that question in the last ten minutes, Rowena. I don’t mean to pry, but is something wrong?”
    So much for her intention never to bring her personal problems to work. Rowena wanted her shop to be a place her customers could relax and unwind. A place that brought them comfort. She was used to counseling people who sat in her chair. It came with the job. But her fingers shook as she ran the comb through Maureen’s hair, and she knew she had to talk to someone.
    “I’m sorry,” she said, placing the comb on the tray next to her. “I guess I am a little preoccupied today. Maybe more than a little.”
    Maureen twisted around in the chair. “Is it because you know Alan Rand is the father of your baby?”
    Rowena froze. “How did you know...” she began, then groaned as realization dawned. “Philo told you about it, didn’t he? I was trying to convince myself he wasn’t eavesdropping in the general store, but I should have known better. Please tell me the news isn’t all over town already.”
    Maureen nodded. “I’m afraid it is. I’ve heard it from at least three people.”
    Rowena came around the chair to face her. “What exactly did you hear?”
    “That you’re pregnant and the father is a guest at Twin Oaks. Since Alan is the only single man staying there, it wasn’t hard to figure out his identity.”
    Rowena sank into one of the drier chairs and buried her face in her hands. “This is a nightmare. First Alan, and now...” She couldn’t put her new problem into words. “Why is this happening to me?”
    Maureen was instantly at her side, a comforting arm around her shoulders. “Are you okay?”
    Sucking in a deep breath, Rowena slowly lifted her head. “I will be. I have to be.” She gave a mirthless laugh. “The last thing this baby needs is a crazy mother.”
    Maureen gave her shoulders a reassuring squeeze. “I think you deserve to go a little crazy once in a while, considering the circumstances.”
    If only the circumstances didn’t keep changing. She’d been fully prepared to bring a baby into this world alone—until Alan Rand showed up to make his demands. Her perfect life was starting to crumble around the edges, and Rowena didn’t know what to do about it.
    She turned to Maureen. “So now that you know about him, tell me your impression of Alan.”
    Maureen considered the question. “I’ve only really seen him a couple of times at breakfast. At least now I know why he expressed such an interest in you. He didn’t strike me as the kind of man who watched soap operas.”
    “Do you like him?”
    Maureen shrugged. “He seems nice enough. Friendly. Courteous.”
    Her throat grew tight. “Unless you have something he wants.”
    “What do you mean?”
    She looked at Maureen in surprise. “Didn’t Philo tell everyone about the big blowup Alan and I had at the