His Temptation, Her Secret by Barbara Dunlop

Author:Barbara Dunlop [Dunlop, Barbara]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2017-11-17T18:59:46+00:00

Eight

TJ had agreed to give Eli minimal details while he was in the hospital. So, on the day he was finally released, a brilliantly sunny Saturday, the three of them drove to TJ’s house, explaining on the way that Sage had been staying with TJ while Eli was in the hospital.

“This place is awesome,” Eli said, skipping along the path that led to the front yard instead of going inside.

TJ followed.

“It’s practically a ball diamond,” Eli said, stopping at the corner of the house to gape at the lawn.

TJ realized how the yard could be a nine-year-old’s dream. The basement was grade level on this side of the house, with a patio off the recreational room. In front of the patio and overlooking the ocean was a half-acre lawn rimmed by natural trees and flower gardens.

“We could definitely play catch out here,” TJ said.

“Can you get down to the beach?”

“There’s a path. It’s pretty rocky on the shore, not really good for swimming. But there’s a pool beside the patio. And there’s an aquatic center about fifteen minutes up the highway. It has water slides.”

“Sweet,” Eli said, wandering out onto the lawn. He plopped down on the grass and ran his hands through it.

“That’s a wonderful sight,” Sage said, pausing beside TJ. “I can’t believe he’s finally home.” She seemed to trip on the word home.

“We need to tell him the rest,” TJ said. He was excited and anxious and impatient all at once.

“I know.”

“Now?” TJ looked at her. He could see her hesitation.

“Now,” she agreed. “Eli?” She walked forward.

“Have you ever seen such a big yard?” Eli asked her.

She sat down on the grass beside him, and TJ joined them.

“How many people live here?” Eli asked, gesturing to the house.

“Just us,” TJ said. “Me and your mom right now, and you, of course.”

Eli looked to be in awe. “You live here all by yourself?”

TJ wasn’t sure how to answer.

Sage stepped in. She took Eli’s hand. “There’s something I need to tell you, honey.”

Eli’s expression turned guarded. “Is it bad? Am I sick again?”

“No. No, no, no.” She squeezed his hand. “You are perfectly healthy. Everything is looking good on all the tests. This is about me. And about TJ.”

Eli looked to TJ.

“We told you he was your bone marrow donor.”

Eli waited.

“Well, the reason he was a match, such a good match, is he’s also your father.”

TJ held his breath while he waited for Eli’s reaction.

It took Eli a minute to speak. “You mean, like, way back before I was born?”

“That’s right. TJ is your biological father.”

Eli eyed TJ with disdain, looking him up and down. “Where’ve you been?”

“He didn’t know,” Sage quickly put in.

“I didn’t know,” TJ said. “If I’d known, I would’ve been there for you, for both of you.”

Eli set his jaw in a way that looked all too familiar to TJ. “How could you not know? Did you bother to find out?”

“I didn’t,” TJ admitted. “But I had absolutely no idea you existed.”

“That was my fault,” Sage said.

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