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but that bit of information did nothing to make him feel better.  It bothered him that his irresponsible brother was going to come home and find out that he had a daughter and not care like he should; there was no way that Brian was going to take kindly to the news of being a father.  He was selfish and had no desire to settle down.  How was he going to take care of Emery?  Who was going to take care of Emery?
    Glancing over at K ayleigh, Derek imagined that Brian would try to get Kayleigh to help him.  Rage built in him and he started to feel the tension rise.  Apparently, so did Emery because her face started to scrunch up as she prepared to cry.  Carefully placing her back on his shoulder, Derek went back to rubbing her back and doing his best to keep her calm.  It was a bit awe inspiring to realize that this tiny person was so sensitive to his moods.  Would his brother appreciate this incredible gift?  Would he look down at his daughter in wonder? 
    “Derek?  Are you okay?”  He looked up and at Kayleigh across the room, concern written all over her face.
    “I’m fine,” he sighed and realized that he wanted to share with her what he was thinking.  “We finished part of the search into who Emery is.”
    Kayleigh felt all of the blood drain from her face as she dropped the spoon she had been using on to the counter.  “And?”  She gripped the granite to keep from going across the room to Derek.  She knew this day was going to come and that there was a very real possibility of Emery being his daughter , but that thought just made her ill.  The thought of Derek creating a child with another woman was almost more than she could bear.
    “She’s Bri an’s.”
    All of the breath Kayleigh had been holding seemed to whoosh out of her with relief.  “How can you be so sure?  I mean, without Brian being here.”
    Noticing that Emery had fallen asleep, Derek gently placed her in the cradle that Kayleigh had set up in the living room.  Once he was sure that she wasn’t going to stir, he turned to Kayleigh and explained how all of the women in his life for the last year had been eliminated.  He noticed her shoulders sag.  Was she relieved?  Did it bother her that there was a possibility of Emery being his?
              “Well, I guess that’s one obstacle that’s cleared,” she said carefully, not making eye contact with him.  “Any word on Brian’s whereabouts?”
    “We know he’s in Africa; we just can’t get in contact with him.”
    “So what happens now?”
    “Unfortunately, until he’s back, we’re no closer to knowing who Emery’s mother is.”
    Unable to help herself, Kayleigh stepped around the counter that separated them and placed a hand on Derek’s arm.  “Are you okay with all of this?” she asked softly.  “With Brian being Emery’s father?”
    “A week ago I would have said yes , but now…” he let the statement hang, unsure if he was ready to admit out loud what his heart was telling him.
    Kayleigh wanted to push him for more information but could tell that Derek was struggling with all of this new information.  Quietly she turned back to the kitchen and finished the meal preparation.  Within minutes they were seated at the table, making small talk over their shared meal.
    “I went to my apartment today and picked up some of my sketch pads and supplies,” she said hesitantly, unsure if she should have waited for him to ask for her drawings.
    Derek’s head snapped up and for the first time since he walked in the door, he looked happy, hopeful.  “Great.  I’m anxious to see what you’ve been working on.”  For the remainder of the meal they talked business, it was a safe topic.  Once the dishes were cleared and Kayleigh went to grab her portfolio, Emery started to fuss.
    “I’ll get her,” Derek said.  “Go get your stuff.” 
    She wanted to argue; he was paying her small fortune to be Emery’s caretaker and it seemed that