In Love with John Doe by Cindy Kirk

cool,” Mary Karen said. “You just have to find a woman who doesn’t have any kids and who doesn’t want any. Lots of men don’t like kids. Right, Jack?”
    “I’m the wrong one to ask,” Jack said, feeling Lexi’s gaze settle on him. “I barely know what I like. I can’t speak for other men.”
    “You know I like kids, Mary Karen,” Travis said, his shoulders stiff and his back ramrod straight. “Just because I don’t want a bunch of my own doesn’t mean I don’t like them.”
    Travis glanced down at his watch. “Time to spring the wild man from time-out.”
    He rose to his feet and started out of the kitchen but stopped next to Mary Karen. “I like your boys a lot. Don’t think otherwise.”
    Mary Karen simply shrugged.
    Jack had the feeling it was the best she could muster. He also had the feeling it was time to change the subject.
    “My money’s going to run out within the next week or so,” he said. “So if you hear of any odd jobs where someone will pay cash, let me know.”
    “There might be something open at the hospital,” Mary Karen said.
    “Or at one of the businesses in the area,” Lexi added.
    “I don’t have a social security card, remember,” Jack said, having already considered—and rejected—those options. “Or any other identification, for that matter.”
    “I didn’t even think of that,” Mary Karen said.
    Lexi sighed. “Employers need identification.”
    “Well, if you get desperate,” Mary Karen said. “I’ve got an extra room. You could move in and help me take care of the boys.”
    “Who’s moving in where?” Travis asked, returning to the kitchen with a subdued Connor.
    “Jack might move in,” Mary Karen waved a dismissive hand. “Nothing definite. It just depends on how long it takes him to discover his identity.”
    Travis’s gaze met his. There was a clear warning in the young doctor’s eyes. “If there’s any way I can help in getting information out, let me know.”
    “I appreciate the offer.” Jack had no desire to come between Mary Karen and Travis and he had a feeling moving in would do just that. “But I’m still hoping the press release will bear some fruit.”
    “If it doesn’t?” Lexi asked.
    Jack’s gaze settled on Mary Karen. “Then you just might have yourself a live-in manny.”

    Live-in manny, indeed.
    Lexi thought about the comment throughout dinner and even during the book club discussion. Though she knew Mary Karen had no designs on Jack, the thought of the two of them living under the same roof set her teeth on edge. By the smoke that had come rolling out of Travis’s ears when Jack made the comment, he felt the same.
    She turned off the highway in the direction of Wilson. It was a moonless night and inky darkness enveloped the vehicle.
    Addie slept in the backseat, her head lolling to one side. They’d stayed later than Lexi had planned. After their book discussion ended, the kids were in the middle of a movie they wanted to finish and the two babies were finally sleeping peacefully.
    Mary Karen had brought out a couple of decks of cards and suggested they play five-point pitch. With four couples they had enough for two tables. Though Jack had obviously never played before, he quickly caught on. Before they knew it, it was midnight.
    “I had fun tonight,” Jack said, his soft words breaking the stillness. “Thank you for inviting me.”
    “I’m glad you enjoyed the evening.” For some reason Lexi thought of Addie’s father. He wouldn’t have been caught dead playing cards or eating pizza with his hands. “It wasn’t anything special.”
    “It was nice,” Jack said. “The kids and the cards weren’t familiar, but I liked being part of a couple.”
    Lexi’s heart gave a little ping. “Sounds like that part was at least familiar.”
    “I don’t know.” Jack shook his head and she felt his gaze on her. “It was being with you that I liked. That felt comfortable to me.”
    “I liked it, too,” Lexi