The Tycoon's Secret Daughter by Meier Susan

Author:Meier, Susan
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2012-09-23T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER EIGHT

“IT WAS THE BEST time ever.”

Pouring cold cereal into a bowl for Trisha, Kate laughed at her daughter’s description of her birthday party. “It looked very much like the best time ever.”

“Can we do it again?”

Only half listening, Kate said, “What? Have another party?”

“Have my friends come to Daddy’s to swim.”

Pulling milk from the refrigerator, Kate remembered her feelings from the night before. The tightness in her chest over the sweetness of Max’s feelings for Trisha and Trisha’s feelings for him. But the reminder of their bad marriage had brought the balance back. And it always would. There was no way she’d ever want to get involved with Max Montgomery again. She didn’t have to worry about being attracted to him. He could be the best-looking, nicest guy in the world and she would resist him.

And Max clearly enjoyed being a hands-on dad. If he wanted to see Trisha and be a part of the real dad experience, maybe it was time they introduced him to playdates? Besides, having lots of kids around was much better than being alone with each other and Trisha.

“A playdate at the pool might be a good idea. But we’ll have to ask him.”

Kate’s mom strolled into the kitchen. “Ask who what?”

“I want my friends to come to Dad’s pool.”

“Your friends were at your dad’s pool yesterday.”

Trisha grinned. “We liked it.”

Kate’s mom laughed, really laughed, for the first time since her husband’s stroke.

“You sound better this morning.”

“I feel better.” Bev crossed to the coffeepot. “We had a good time yesterday.”

Even as she said the words, Kate’s father came into the kitchen, leaning heavily on his walker. “Good morning.”

“Dad!”

“Grandpa!”

He took a seat at the table beside Trisha as if it were perfectly normal for him to be there. Bev set a cup of coffee in front of him.

“So where’s my oatmeal?”

Trisha gasped as if his request shocked her. Kate laughed. Obviously some kind of compromise had been struck the day before. He was dressed and coming to the kitchen for his breakfast—his wish—and eating oatmeal without complaint, which was her mom’s wish.

“Coming right up, Dad.”

The meal that followed was probably the happiest Kate and Trisha had spent with her parents since their arrival. When they had finished eating, her dad pushed away from the table and invited Trisha to come into the family room and watch cartoons with him.

She happily slid off her chair and followed him out of the kitchen.

Kate faced her mom. “I don’t know what agreement you two came to yesterday, but Dad looks great.”

Bev began loading the dishwasher. “Seeing your dad at the pool yesterday, dressed in warm clothes, sitting on a chair while the rest of us were enjoying ourselves, I recognized how foolish I’d been.” She sighed. “I was afraid, but dressing him in blue jeans and a work shirt weren’t really helping. Neither was forcing him to stay in bed.”

“That’s great.”

“Yes. Melanie—” she said, referring to the therapist “—is going to be thrilled.”

Kate laughed just as the phone rang.

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