Read Online Bachelor Father by Vicki Lewis Lewis Thompson - Free Book Online Page A

quietly accepting his decision to reject fatherhood completely? Naomi might think that was the best course of action, but Katherine would be the one trying to explain to Amanda that her father wanted nothing to do with her because he was a lone wolf with no ties and intended to keep it that way.
    She turned toward the kitchen area, where he was straightening things up after their lunch. “I’ve changed my mind about something.”
    “Oh?” He hung the towel up and walked over to the table, but instead of sitting down, he placed both hands on the chair back, as if he needed to grip something while he heard what she had to say.
    And he probably did, she thought. She had a tight hold on the beer glass herself. “I told you at the lodge that I didn’t come here to get any money from you, and that’s what I’d decided because I pretty much blamed myself for this pregnancy.” She squared her shoulders. “But I’m not to blame. I took precautions. They just didn’t work. So it’s silly of me to shoulder all the financial responsibility. And besides that, if you send something every month, that will at least let Amanda know you care about her in some fashion.”
    He frowned. “I’ll send it, but I wouldn’t do it so she’d know I was thinking of her. In fact, I’d rather she didn’t know where the money came from.”
    “Sorry.” Katherine warmed to the fight. “You’re overruled. And I’ll tell you why. You just said yourself that not having your mother and father around when you were growing up left you unable to relate to a child. I don’t want Amanda to have that problem. I want her to know that she has a father, and although he’s emotionally unable to connect with her, he at least gives of himself in the form of a check every month.”
    He looked like a cornered animal as his dark eyes blazed. “And I suppose you’d encourage her to write to me, and eventually you’d suggest that she come here for a visit.”
    “Absolutely not! Do you think I’d take a chance with her fragile young ego? I wouldn’t want her to get here and be brutally rejected.”
    “I wouldn’t—”
    “Wouldn’t you? Every single time I’ve tried to bring the two of you together, you’ve acted as if she has some contagious disease.”
    “But she’s a baby!” he bellowed. “I’ve never been around babies! I don’t know anything about them. I might accidentally hurt her. Or worse!”
    Amanda began to cry.
    Katherine glared at him and crossed the room to pick up the baby. “You certainly know how to scare her to death.”
    “I didn’t mean to be so loud, okay?” He stalked over to the telephone. “This just proves my point. The less she knows about me, the better. I’ll only create problems for her.” He picked up the receiver and put it to his ear. “Damn it to hell.” He started to slam the receiver into its cradle but caught himself and replaced it carefully.
    Katherine swayed gently and kissed Amanda’s cheek until her crying gradually subsided. “There, there, Mandy. It’s all right.” She glanced over at Zeke, who reminded her of a large caged animal as he paced back and forth in front of the window. Water still poured from the eaves. “We could be stuck here quite a while, couldn’t we?” Her belligerent mood hadn’t eased any.
    “No.” His pacing ceased. “If you’ll get her ready to travel, we’ll head out.”
    “Head out? What, you have a couple of mules stashed in a barn out back?” She figured mules would suit his stubborn personality better than horses.
    “No.” He stared out at the rain. “We’ll just drive on the rim.”
    “And ruin it.”
    “I don’t give a damn if we do.”
    Katherine didn’t much give a damn about his precious tire rim, either. But she didn’t want to get stuck out there. “Is that a safe idea?”
    He rounded on her. “Yes.” His voice was carefully controlled, his gaze intense. “I may be emotionally unable to connect with that kid, as you said, but