LITMIR.BIZ

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Making small talk with strangers had always made him uncomfortable, though he seemed to manage well enough for no one to really notice.

      “What’s your boy’s name?” There was no indication that the child in her arms was a boy. The clothing was neutral, as was the color. And the baby’s hair was at a length that could have gone either way. But something told Alec that no female child could yell like that.

      “Christopher,” Marissa answered.

      He’d always liked that name. “Rugged,” he commented, looking at the boy. “Suits him.”

      Marissa cast a long glance around the room. It was filled with brand-new equipment and toys, both purchased and donated, just ripe to set off the imagination. Her classes were happy places that everyone looked forward to attending. And it looked as if everyone was already here. Time to start. “Thanks.”

      He followed her, wondering if there were assigned places or if people just sat anywhere and milled about. He couldn’t have been more out of his element than if he had just tied a bungee cord around his waist.

      “Do you know anything about the instructor?” Alec looked around, trying to discern if anyone in the room looked like a teacher. “This is my first time here.”

      So that was it. Marissa turned around to face him. “I didn’t think I recognized you.” She tried to remember if there was a new name on the register. People came and went so frequently, it was hard to keep track. The classes were relatively unstructured, which was what attracted most parents to them. It was a place to exhale, to be shown that they hadn’t terminally ruined their offspring by misguided deeds, and to feel good about parenting, themselves and their children.

      Judging by the turnout, she figured she was doing a good job of reaching her goals.

      Andrea was wetting his sweater just below the snag, trying to suck it all into her mouth. Alec moved her to his other side. “I just registered.”

      Marissa nodded at several mothers looking her way, then smiled brightly at the man. “Well, then, welcome to the class. I’m Marissa Rogers.”

      Alec was feeling increasingly more uncomfortable. By his rapid count, there were only three other men here. He began to wonder if this had been such a good idea after all.

      “Looks like the teacher’s one of those people who doesn’t take responsibility seriously.”

      “Oh?” She arched a sharp brow in response to his observation. “What makes you say that?”

      He shrugged, looking toward the door. “Well, she’s obviously later than we are.”

      The smile on her lips was vaguely amused. “Not quite.”

      Before he could ask her what she meant by that, she’d hurried away from him.

      Alec watched her work her way up to the front of the room, shedding her diaper bag and her purse as she went. Judging by the way everyone greeted her, she was no stranger to the group. Holding Andrea against him, he moved in the woman’s wake, deciding that he might do better staying near someone who was aware of the routine.

      Alec stopped dead and realized his mistake as soon as the woman turned around and addressed the people in the room.

      “Sorry I’m late, everybody. Why don’t we all get started?”

      There was a reason why she looked as if she knew the routine. She made up the routine.

      “Score one for Daddy, Andrea,” Alec muttered under his breath.

      Coming to terms with the fact that he hadn’t exactly put his best foot forward, Alec moved over to one side of the room. With luck, maybe he could blend into the crowd.

      

      Once she’d gotten the session started and had broken up parents and children into small play groups, Marissa walked around the room, observing and giving advice or helpful hints wherever needed. She knew the value of a well-placed suggestion, an encouraging word. Out of the corner of her eye, she watched the newcomer. She knew she’d never seen him before. There was no way a man like that could blend into the crowd and be forgotten. He had a take-charge manner about him, even when being intimidated by a roomful of one-year-olds.

      He really did seem to love his little girl, she thought. He’d have to, to be going through something like this with her. The man looked as if he felt like a fish out of water.

      “That’s very good, Mrs. Berg.” She patted the woman’s shoulder. “Just remember to guide Shelly’s hand through the exercise.”

      Widening her smile and adding to her directions the touch of warmth that she prided herself on, Marissa made her way over to Alec’s side of the room.

      He was on the floor, his legs spread out wide in front of him, with Andrea propped up against him. There was no one else around them.

      Marissa squatted to his level. “You’re not doing anything.”

      She’d surprised him. Alec cleared his throat, wishing he didn’t feel like such a damn fool.

      “Yes, I am. We’re sitting here, watching everyone else.” He shrugged, feeling himself get defensive. “She seems content.” He caught hold of the edge of Andrea’s shirt just as she was beginning to crawl off and prove him a liar.

      “Oh, but it’s no fun to just watch, is it, sweetheart?” Marissa scooped up the little girl. Chris was safely ensconced and busy interacting with a gaggle of other children and their parents. It was an unspoken rule that everyone in class helped look out for the little boy while Marissa worked. No one really seemed to mind. If anything, it was combat training under fire.

      Holding Andrea, she looked down at Alec. “She’s supposed to burn up some of that pent-up baby energy when she’s here.” Marissa couldn’t help smiling as she looked the man over. “Looks to me as if she’s worn you out.”

      Alec gained his feet, dusting off the back of his pants. “She does her best.” He was here to take advantage of what the program had to offer, there was no reason to feel awkward with the instructor. He took the plunge. “All right, what do you suggest?”

      Still holding Andrea, she turned toward the bright yellow, blue and red interwove mesh that stood off to the side of the room. People were lined up to take their turn with their babies.

      “How about the jungle gym? Lots of opportunity for her to stretch that little body.”

      Alec looked at the netting dubiously. “And to break it.”

      Oh, a worrier. She would have never pegged him for one of those. Marissa found it rather sweet.

      “You’d be surprised at how resilient these little creatures are. C’mon,” she offered, “I’ll show you.” Then, not waiting for him, she began to walk toward the jungle gym.

      “All right, I suppose we’re both game. And seeing as how you’ve got my daughter, I guess I have no choice.”

      She glanced at him over her shoulder. “Oh, no, Mr.—Beckett is it?” Alec nodded. “You always have a choice, no matter what.”

      She sounded as if she meant that, he thought. Fiercely.

      Standing back and letting her work, Alec watched with interest as Marissa put his limber little baby through a series of paces that had the little girl laughing with glee. The laugh was infectious, striking down both babies and parents alike. Alec felt himself grinning.

      She had such a natural aptitude with children, he thought. And she certainly seemed to like being around them.

      Slowly an idea, more like a prayer really, began to take form in his mind.

      Maybe it was crazy, but he’d never know until he asked. Alec began silently rehearsing his offer and waiting for an opportunity to open up.

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