The Coldest Passion: A Single Dad and Nanny Romance (LA Hearts) by Victoria Lum

Author:Victoria Lum [Lum, Victoria]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Eternal Hearts Publishing
Published: 2023-06-27T16:00:00+00:00

• • •

“Daddy, what is this place?” Lucy looks around in wonder as she climbs out of the SUV.

I crouch down and point at the large building in front of us. “This is a building your daddy helped designed. It’s called the Regina McDonald New Beginnings Center. This is a place that’ll help people with no home and no place to stay. There are other buildings like this one throughout the city.”

“So, you drew a picture of this building and the construction people made it for you?” Lucy gasps at the sheer scope of the structure.

Laughing, I stand back up and ruffle her hair, something she doesn’t like me doing ever since Liz has been braiding it each morning. Today it is in something complicated looking, which Lucy educates me is called a “fishtail.”

“Daddy!” she growls, crossing her hands.

“Sorry, pumpkin. But Lizzy is here, so if anything were to happen to your braid, she’ll be able to fix it.” I glance back at Liz, who is catching up to us in the parking lot.

“Wow,” she exclaims, slightly out of breath, “this is the homeless shelter you’ve been working on for so long?”

“Yes. This one has been opened the longest. A few others are wrapping up construction now.” There’s already a line forming at the entrance of the building, which, by all appearances does not resemble a shelter, with the smooth, reclaimed-wood exterior, light-green awning, carefully manicured lawns, and shrubbery; it’s modeled to resemble more of a community center instead.

Liz nods. “It holds a special meaning to you, right? Regina McDonald…” She reads the plaque aloud. “Is this someone you know?”

“That’s my mother’s name. She took my stepdad’s last name after she remarried. After my dad passed away from cancer, he left us with a pile of medical debt, and for a period of time, we had to utilize shelter services while Mom got back on her feet.” I rub the soreness on my shoulders. “It’s my way of giving back, I guess.”

“That’s commendable.”

“Nah—something anyone would’ve done in my shoes.”

Liz places her hand on my forearm, her touch like a brand I can feel through the cotton of my dress shirt. “Parker, that’s not what anyone would do.” She grips me tighter, causing me to look at her. “You are a good man. Not a monster.” Her bright smile sears into my soul as my heart thuds in response. If I hear it enough, will I believe it someday?

Biting my cheek, I look away as we approach the receptionist’s desk. “Hi, we’re here to volunteer for tonight’s dinner service.”

The old lady with soft eyes behind the counter signs us in and directs us to the kitchen and the serving line. I’m relegated to being a busboy, carrying platters of hot food and cartons of beverages from the kitchen to the serving station. Liz and Lucy are in charge of serving the entrée and distributing the water bottles, respectively.

Sweat prickles my forehead as I lift a twenty-four pack of water from the storage room to stack next to the beverage station, which Lucy is proudly manning.

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