Military Daddy by Patricia Davids Page A

might think, she knew that this baby was God’s way of helping her overcome her disease. For her child’s sake, she would never drink again.
    â€œWhy did I get smashed the night we met? I wish I had a plausible explanation. I wish I had a good reason, but the fact is, I don’t. I’m an alcoholic, Shane. I don’t need an excuse to drink.”
    He settled his hip onto the table edge. “Something must have happened. You said that you had been sober for almost a year before then.”
    â€œThe day we met I had just been fired from my job. It wasn’t a great job, but I needed it. I really felt like I was making some progress turning my life around and then— pow! —I’m unemployed.”
    â€œWhy were you fired?”
    â€œThe little company I was doing secretarial work for needed to make cutbacks. Last hired, first fired. It was as simple as that. Life wasn’t being fair. God had failed me. I didn’t know what to do. So I returned to the one thing I knew would make me feel better.”
    â€œOnly it didn’t help.”
    It was tempting to share her painful journey to sobriety with this man, but she held back. She wasn’t ready to expose her innermost fears and doubts to him. Her failure was between herself and God.
    â€œNo, it didn’t help. It made things worse. Just look at me now.”
    â€œI think you look fine. In fact, I think you look amazing.”
    His compliment caught her off guard. “Are you sure you’re putting those shingles on right? Because I don’t think you see so well.”
    â€œI see a young woman in a difficult situation who is making a positive change in her life. That is an amazing thing. My son or daughter could do a lot worse in the mother department.”
    He sounded so sincere. Her usual flippant comeback didn’t materialize. Instead she murmured, “Thank you.”
    He straightened and reached for his tool belt. “I’d better get back to work. The roof won’t replace itself.”
    â€œBut you didn’t finish your dinner.” Her desire to stay and talk with him surprised her as much as his compliment had. For some reason, being near him didn’t make her as uncomfortable as she had expected. Instead his nearness left her feeling happy and a little giddy, if she were being honest.
    Shane rubbed one hand over his jaw. “Truthfully, I ate before I came over tonight. But thanks for the hamburger. It was good.”
    â€œDid you even taste it?”
    â€œI was too afraid you’d fall.”
    He cared about her and about the baby. The knowledge wrapped itself like a warm blanket around her heart.
    â€œTomorrow evening you’ll join us at the table, and that is an order, Corporal. I know you agreed to do this work in exchange for some home-cooked meals. If you don’t start eating them, Marge is going to feel compelled to pay you.”
    He sketched a quick salute. “Yes, ma’am. I’ll be here tomorrow and I promise to bring my appetite.”
    â€œGood. You’ll be expected to clean your plate.”
    â€œI will.”
    Picking up his tool belt, he slung it around his waist but paused in the act of buckling it to look at her. “Unless you’re having okra or goat. I can’t promise to eat those.”
    â€œYou’re kidding, right?”
    â€œI’m deadly serious. I never joke about okra.”
    â€œWho eats goat?”
    â€œLots of people,” he said with a straight face.
    â€œEew!”
    â€œMy thoughts exactly. I guess it’s safe to assume those two things won’t be on the menu tomorrow?”
    â€œYou’re pretty safe with that assumption, but just in case, I’ll let Marge know that you don’t eat goat.”
    â€œOr okra.”
    She nodded slowly. “Or okra. I’ll go cross it off the shopping list right now.”
    â€œThanks.” He finished buckling on his tools and headed for the