The Good Daughter by Jane Porter Page B

like Brad Pitt. They don’t want to raise someone else’s child.”
    “That’s ridiculous,” Kit snapped
    “It’s not ridiculous. It’s true. Most men don’t want a ready-made family. I saw it happen time and again with my mom, and it hurt her badly. She had me but she was still lonely. And can’t you see, Kit, that I don’t want that for you?”
    “I’m trying to be practical,” Kit said hoarsely.
    “But raising a child on your own isn’t all that practical,” Fiona said gently. “It’d be a hardship financially, and you’d always be torn between wanting to be home and having to work.”
    “Lots of women raise children on their own.”
    “True. But you’re not lots of women,” Polly retorted. “You’re you. And you’re traditional and sentimental and hopelessly romantic. And this might come as a shock, Kit, but I actually love that about you. So don’t give up on your dreams. Life’s full of surprises. Let me introduce you to some nice guys. Go out on a few dates. Mr. Wonderful might be just around the corner—”
    “I’ve got a date for next Saturday,” Kit interrupted. “Happy?”
    Polly and Fiona exchanged glances.
    “You really do?” Polly asked.
    Kit frowned. “Yes.”
    Fiona bounced on the sofa. “Why didn’t you tell us?”
    “Because I didn’t want you two getting all excited.” Kit glared harder. “Like you are. So stop it.”
    Fiona couldn’t help bouncing again. “Tell us about him. Do we know him?”
    “You’ve met him. Michael Dempsey.” She saw his name meant nothing to them. “Jon Coleman’s friend from Z’s.”
    Polly’s eyes widened. Fiona’s eyebrows arched.
    Kit shrugged. “He called me last week, asked me out. I said yes, but I’m so tempted to cancel—”
    “Don’t cancel.” Fiona’s glass thudded on the table. “Go out with him. And if he’s not right, don’t get discouraged. Keep dating. Be positive. That’s what you always told me.”
    Polly was nodding. “She’s right, Kit. Stay positive. Stay open to whatever possibilities are out there, because the truth is, even if you adopt a baby, you’re still going to want more. You’re going to want a man…someone to be that partner, husband, lover, and father to your child. The need for that relationship isn’t going to go away. You were never meant to be a single mom.”

Eight
    K it didn’t cancel her date. And when Michael called the following Thursday to confirm their plans for Saturday night, she reminded herself that dates were good things, and that she needed to keep an open mind
    Kit forced a cheerful note into her voice as she told him she was looking forward to their date Saturday.
    He said he was glad. He hadn’t stopped thinking about her all week.
    There’d been a time when Kit would have embraced such a compliment, savoring the promise, building expectations. She didn’t anymore. And she couldn’t blame her date with Parker. She’d always been cautious around men. Maybe that’s why she’d moved in with Richard after she met him. He’d felt safe. Nonthreatening.
    She’d liked that he wasn’t passionate, hotheaded, emotional. He wouldn’t snap and hurt her. Wouldn’t lash out or play games or manipulate her.
    And it’d been a good relationship. At least in the beginning. But as the years went on, Kit wondered if she’d sold herself short. Because a relationship without passion…a relationship based on convenience…didn’t feel like much of a relationship at all.
    “So I’ll pick you up at six,” Michael said, dragging Kit’s attention back to their conversation, “since our reservation’s for six-thirty at Millennium. I just need your address.”
    “I was thinking I would just meet you at the restaurant,” Kit said, “as I need my car. I’m heading to my parents’ house after dinner.”
    “Your parents?” he repeated.
    “My mom’s not well,” she explained, wondering if she was imagining the sudden chill in his voice. Was he offended that she