In the Family Fae by Karen Fox

Author:Karen Fox
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Karen Fox

Chapter Ten

As Josh continued to scream, Rand shook himself loose from his niece and nephew and started toward him. Catching sight of the panic on Ariel’s face, he paused.

Mixed with the panic were doubts as clear as if she’d spoken. The day’s events had already conspired to make her feel inadequate, and Josh certainly wasn’t helping. If Rand stepped in now, she’d realize she needed his help to raise their child.

But she’d also feel even more inadequate.

“He’s probably just hungry.” Rand forced himself to walk past Ariel and into the kitchen. “Why don’t we all have some milk and cookies?”

“Yea!” said the kids. The older two raced after him and Ariel followed slowly.

In the kitchen, he made quick work of producing a package of Oreos and several glasses of milk—one with a special lid for Josh. “You’ll have to hold him on your lap while he eats,” he told Ariel. He gave her an encouraging smile. “We’ll have dessert before dinner tonight.” She sat on a chair, her movements stiff, and tried to fold the raging Josh into a sitting position. Rand busied himself with Jordan and Felicity, despite the urge to intervene. Ariel needed to win this battle herself.

As the older kids dove into the cookies, Ariel took one and offered it to Joshua. He seized it, his screams dying as he shoved it into his mouth, though his chest continued to heave with after-sobs.

Ariel visibly relaxed as she stared at him. “He was just hungry,” she said.

“I know these rugrats. They’re always hungry.” Rand sat beside her and offered a reassuring smile. “He’ll be fine.”

Her gaze met his. “I didn’t know...I felt...”

“Vic said he’s cutting teeth so he probably doesn’t feel good, plus you’re a stranger. He was frightened.” Rand ran one finger over her soft cheek. “He’ll get over it.”

“You’re good with children.” She spoke softly but he heard the envy in her voice.

Pleasure floated through him. She’d noticed. “I’ve been around them most of my life.” And for once he was glad of that fact.

“Do you think I can be good with them?” Her eyes were wide and her bottom lip quivered as she stared at him.

The hesitation behind her question made him want to hold her close. “Of course you can.” He grabbed two cookies, instead of her. “Dealing with children is a learning experience. No one is born knowing how to do it.”

“Then I need to spend more time with children.”

Rand rolled his eyes. That was never a problem around his sisters. “It can be arranged.” But doing so would reveal that Ariel was living with him and, knowing his family, they’d all make assumptions—assumptions that weren’t necessarily true.

Though Ariel was staying with him, and attracted him more than any woman in his life. She was carrying his child. But the future was a black hole. If she had her way, she would disappear out of his life, taking his child with her.

Try explaining that to my family.

He couldn’t let that happen. Somehow, he had to persuade her to share this baby with him.

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