Read Online Military Daddy by Patricia Davids - Free Book Online

turned and pulled open her car door. “I’m sorry to hear that. Of all the things our baby is going to need in his or her life, people who have strong faith tops the list.”
    Â 
    As Shane watched Annie drive away, he allowed himself a small smile. She had said “our baby.” It wasn’t much, but it was a beginning. Now if he only had some idea how to make the next move. He needed help.
    Leaving the makeshift parking lot that had been cordoned off on a grassy field for the festivities that day, he walked along the tree-lined streets of the old post. Large limestone buildings and Victorian-style houses sat back from the now-quiet streets. The white stone walls had mellowed over the decades to a pale yellow that gave this part of the post a special warmth and steeped it in nostalgia.
    Clusters of lilacs in the yards beside the wraparound porches of several turn-of-the-century houses lent their sweet, coy fragrance to the late-afternoon air.
    Following the twisting maze of roads and walkways, he eventually found himself outside the building that housed the post’s public affairs department. He climbed a set of wooden steps and opened the door to a small reception room on the second story. It was empty. Down a short hallway he found an open office door. Lindsey Mandel sat at her desk, looking tired.
    She glanced up at the sound of his knock on her doorjamb. “Shane, come in. I heard both missing girls have been found.”
    He nodded and took a seat in the chair in front of her desk. “All’s well that ends well.”
    â€œThank the good Lord for that. I’m certainly glad I didn’t have to issue a press release about an Amber Alert. What can I do for you?”
    â€œYou met Annie Delmar today. What did you think of her?”
    Lindsey leaned back in her chair. “I thought she seemed like an understandably worried woman at the time. Why do you ask?”
    What he was about to tell Lindsey didn’t reflect well on his own character, but he valued her insight into people—and besides, she was a woman. “Annie is pregnant with my baby.”
    Lindsey’s eyebrows shot up. “Oh! That’s a bit of a shock. I didn’t know you were seeing anyone. The CGMCG is a small unit, and that kind of information generally travels fast.”
    She sat forward, propping her arms on the desk. “I guess congratulations are in order.”
    â€œNot really. Annie doesn’t want me involved in any way, shape or form.”
    â€œI’m sorry your relationship with her didn’t work out. That must be hard on both of you.”
    â€œThat’s kind of the thing. We never actually had a relationship. We had one night.”
    â€œI see.” While her tone didn’t convey outright disapproval, it came close.
    â€œI’m telling you this because I need help.”
    Clearly puzzled, she asked, “Help with what?”
    â€œI need to convince Annie that I deserve to be included in our child’s life. I need to know how she thinks so I can come up with a way to sway her.”
    â€œIn case you missed it, Shane, I don’t have children. My wedding isn’t until June. I have no idea what it takes to change a pregnant woman’s mind.”
    â€œI understand that, but take pregnant out of the equation. You’re a woman.”
    â€œThank you for noticing.”
    â€œYou know what I mean. You understand how a woman’s mind works. How can I get Annie to trust me enough to include me? I need a plan.”
    â€œSpoken like a true military man. Shane, matters of the heart rarely, if ever, follow a plan. Do you love this woman?”
    He squirmed in his seat as he tried to put his feelings for Annie into words. “I like her. A lot. There’s…I don’t know…something special about her. But I need to be involved with my son or daughter. I’m not willing to walk away from that.”
    â€œThen my advice would