Because of the Baby by Debbie Macomber Page B

pleased with his efforts. It was a small thing, but he felt pride in being able to contribute to his daughter’s reception.
    â€œBen.” Bethany joined him. “I don’t know how Mitch and I can possibly thank you. Everything looks so beautiful.”
    Ben decided he could live on those words and the happiness gleaming in her eyes for at least a week. “It’s nothing,” he said with a nonchalant shrug, as if he’d whipped up the entire display that morning. In actuality, he’d been planning and working on it for weeks.
    â€œThe food’s fabulous,” Bethany told him. “And I know what those grapes and watermelons cost. You’ve done such a beautiful job.” She stood on tiptoe to kiss his cheek.
    â€œI wanted your party to be special,” he said, uneasy with emotion, even positive emotion. Damn, but he was proud of Bethany.
    She’d chosen a good man in Mitch, too. Ben grinned. He was pretty gauche about this romance business, but he was well aware that Mitch’s daughter was responsible for bringing her father and Bethany—her teacher—together. Who knew an eight-year-old could be so smart? Ben was convinced he couldn’t have picked a better man for Bethany had he sought out a husband for her himself.
    â€œDad told me what you did,” Bethany said, slipping her arm around Ben’s waist. “Writing Mom and Dad that letter was really thoughtful.”
    He shrugged again, making light of the single most difficult letter he’d ever written. “It was nothing.”
    â€œDad told me you thanked him for raising me so well. It wasn’t easy telling my folks I’d found you, and I think Dad might’ve been afraid that you’d replace him in my life.”
    Ben had given that some consideration, too. Peter Ross deserved a lot of credit for marrying a young woman pregnant with another man’s child, and raising that baby to become such a beautiful, generous woman. Ben wanted to thank this man he’d never met, and at the same time reassure him that he had no intention of stealing his daughter away. Peter was her real father; he respected that. Ben felt it was time to clear the slate with Marilyn, too. He’d written his regrets to Bethany’s mother and asked her to forgive him for having left her to deal with the pregnancy alone.
    â€œDad said he’d be pleased to count you as a friend,” Bethany told him, eyes glistening with tears.
    Ben already knew that. Peter’s letter had arrived two days before Bethany’s wedding, and Marilyn had also written him. He’d loved her, Ben realized; perhaps he still did. But he was content. She was happy and he’d discovered a woman who was not only his daughter but his comfort, his friend. Everything had worked out for the best.
    â€œAre you going to dance with me?” Bethany asked, hugging him.
    â€œDance? Me?” Ben experienced a fleeting moment of panic. “Not on your life. That’s what you’ve got a husband for. Now let me go back to the kitchen before your guests get hungry.” He hurried back to where he felt most at home but turned to study his daughter one last time. His heart seemed to expand a bit as Bethany stepped onto the dance floor with Mitch.
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    Matt knew Karen was having a good time. He’d been relying on this wedding reception; the last time the people of HardLuck had gathered to celebrate a wedding was the night Karen had spent with him. Matt sincerely hoped that history was about to repeat itself.
    He’d certainly been restraining himself with his ex-wife—he’d been as good as a choirboy. In three weeks he hadn’t even tried to kiss her, which was a real feat, considering how he felt about her.
    Matt feared she was looking for an excuse to leave, something that would prove she’d be better off living elsewhere. True, her options were limited right now; nevertheless she did have some.