LITMIR.BIZ

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He was standing near the kitchen table. The collar of his shirt was unbuttoned and the sleeves were rolled up on his forearms. “Good morning, Caitlin.”

      At the mention of her mother’s name, Jordan, who had been on her knees in a chair leaning over the kitchen table, squealed with glee when she saw her mother. “Mommy!”

      Dex quickly helped his daughter down from the chair when it appeared she would jump. Running over to Caitlin, Jordan leaped into her mother’s outstretched arms. “Mommy! We’re making you breakfast!”

      Caitlin smiled at her daughter. “Really? What’re you making?”

      Jordan turned to her father. “What’s it called, Daddy?”

      Dex’s laughter filled the room. “If we told her, sweetheart, it wouldn’t be a surprise.”

      “Oh,” she replied to her father. To her mother she said, “It’s a surprise, Mommy.” Then in the same breath she exclaimed, “I’m going to see the world today.”

      Caitlin raised a brow. Her lips formed in a grin. “You’re what?”

      There was deep amusement in Dex’s eyes when he glanced at Caitlin. “What she’s trying to say is that she is going to Sea World today. If that’s all right with you, that is. Ms. Logan called and invited Jordan to go with her and her granddaughter.”

      “Yes, it’s all right with me.”

      “She also told me to tell you that she’ll be happy to keep Jordan for you tomorrow.”

      Caitlin nodded. She was grateful for Ms. Logan’s kindness. She put Jordan down. “Have you had breakfast yet?”

      Jordan nodded her head. “Daddy said when you got up we would give you your surprise.”

      “Oh, he did, did he?” Slowly being pulled in the excitement and conspiratory merriment surrounding father and daughter, Caitlin turned to Dex. “What’s this big surprise for breakfast?” She sniffed the air, bringing forth giggles from her daughter. “I don’t smell bacon or eggs or anything like breakfast.”

      “Come see for yourself,” Dex invited. He couldn’t help noticing the style of Caitlin’s hair. It was arranged in a bevy of soft curls that dipped over her face and shoulders. He thought the stylish cut provided her with a totally different image than the one she had worn four years ago. This new style gave her a look of an even higher level of maturity and sophistication. Even dressed in a pair of well-worn jeans and a T-shirt, she looked nothing like the little slip of a woman that he had married.

      Caitlin walked over to the table where Dex was putting the finishing touches on a concoction she didn’t recognize. She looked from father to daughter. “I give up.” She raised a brow. “What is it?”

      Jordan laughed. “Tell Mommy what it is, Daddy.”

      “It’s a Rice Krispies’ ice-cream float with berries, nuts, chocolate syrup and whipped cream,” Dex said, chuckling. “This one is for you. We ate ours already. They were delicious.”

      “Would you like some more?”

      Caitlin pushed herself away from the table. “I think I’m going to be sick,” she said, rubbing her stomach.

      Dex grinned. “No one forced you to eat it, Caitlin.”

      She moaned. “How could I not eat it? Jordan was so excited about helping you prepare breakfast, I didn’t have the heart not to eat all of it. It’s a good thing Ms. Logan came when she did, or Jordan would have wanted me to have seconds.” Caitlin smiled. “If I’ve gained weight from eating that thing, it’s all your fault. I feel fat.”

      He smiled easily. “Relax. You’re not fat. You’re as beautiful as you were the day I first laid eyes on you.”

      The lighthearted remark sent panic racing through Caitlin. Please don’t bring up the past. I couldn’t handle it if you did, her mind screamed. Not wanting to bring up their past, she took the initiative to change the subject. “You did say Clayton was coming today?”

      Dex met Caitlin’s direct gaze. “Yes. He should be here sometime this morning.”

      She regretted asking about Clayton the moment the question had left her lips. She knew why he was coming. Dex had summoned his attorney brother to do whatever was necessary to undo what her father had done. He wanted to make sure he was free of her as quickly as possible. However, there was the issue of Jordan. She wasn’t certain what Dex’s plans were regarding their daughter, but she was more than sure he wouldn’t be one of those fathers who would be satisfied with just seeing his child whenever the mood struck. He had been cheated out of three years already, and she had a gut feeling that was the limit. What she wasn’t sure of was just how far he would go to be a part of Jordan’s life. Would he try to get full custody of her? Not wanting to even think of that possibility, Caitlin decided to stay clear of any conversation concerning Clayton’s visit, too.

      “How’s your brother Justin?”

      Dex smiled. “Justin couldn’t be better. He’s married with two kids and lives in Ennis, Texas. His wife, Lorren, is the author of the Kente Kids books.”

      “Really? Jordan has all of those books, and the Kente Kids Show is her favorite Saturday-morning cartoon.”

      Dex nodded. He then brought her up-to-date on his other family members. Caitlin couldn’t help noticing that Dex’s love for his family ran deep. It showed in his discussion of them.

      “I understand you’re no longer living here in San Antonio, Caitlin.”

      She leaned back in her chair. “I moved away six months ago. I was offered a teaching job in Fort Worth.”

      “I’m surprised your father didn’t try and convince you not to go.”

      She inhaled deeply, hearing the sarcasm in his voice, but deciding to ignore it. “He actually encouraged me to take the job. I should’ve known then that something was wrong. He was dying and he didn’t want me or Jordan around to watch. According to Dr. Flores, it was too late for chemotherapy. Unfortunately the disease hadn’t been diagnosed early enough. By the time Dad began experiencing symptoms, the cancer had already spread to other parts of his body. He and I talked on the phone often and not once did he tell me about his condition. I can only imagine what it cost him to pretend nothing was wrong so I wouldn’t find out.”

      “When did you find out?”

      “A few days ago. Dr. Flores called and told me. By that time Dad had been in the hospital a week already. He had ordered them not to contact me until it became absolutely necessary.”

      Caitlin signed heavily. “He was a wonderful father and I loved him dearly. What you told him at the hospital was true, Dex. It was my decision to remain here in the States with him and not join you in Australia. I couldn’t turn my back on him.”

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