Read Online Wanted: Parents for a Baby! by Laura Iding - Free Book Online

pulled out Cassie’s chair for her, before taking the seat across from her.
    â€œMaria, your server, will be with you shortly,” the hostess said as she placed two menus on the table in front of them. “Enjoy your meal.”
    â€œThis is nice,” Cassie said, looking around in awe. “I haven’t eaten here before.”
    â€œThe food is excellent and they renovated this area last year to provide more patio seating.”
    â€œIt’s beautiful.” She sat up, peering over his shoulder. “Ryan, look! We can see Lake Michigan from here.”
    He nodded, glancing over his shoulder andsmiling at her enthusiasm. “Yes, the view is part of the charm. What would you like to drink?” he asked, when he noticed their server was headed in their direction. “Wine? Beer? Lemonade?”
    â€œOh, well, I’m not sure,” she said, looking down at the menu. He loved the way she blushed, her pink cheeks making her even more adorable. “Actually, lemonade sounds great.”
    â€œSounds good. We’ll start off with two lemonades,” he told the server.
    â€œI’ll get those for you right away,” Maria assured them.
    An awkward silence fell once they were left alone, and Ryan tried to think of something to say that wouldn’t sound like they were on a date.
    â€œSo tell me, were you busy last night?” she asked.
    He glanced up in surprise, not at all accustomed to talking about his job. Victoria hadn’t wanted to know about the situations he’d faced on a daily basis, claiming she couldn’t bear to hear about sick babies. At the time he hadn’t blamed her, but now having Cassie’s interest focused on him made him realize how much he’d missed sharing theimportant work he did. “There was a delivery about three in the morning that was touch and go for a while. Thankfully the baby survived.”
    Cassie’s gaze softened. “I’m so glad. Daniel, right? His warmer is located next to Emma’s. Poor little guy is on a ventilator, too.”
    â€œYes, that’s right. He was pretty pale at first, but his mother was healthy, so I’m sure he’ll do fine.” He relaxed in his seat, savoring the moment. When had the last time been that he’d simply enjoyed being with someone? He honestly couldn’t remember. “I shouldn’t complain. I managed to get about four hours of sleep before I was needed to head down to the delivery, so it could have been worse.”
    â€œThat’s not much sleep at all,” Cassie protested. “But I understand now why you want to stay up today. I used to do the same thing when I worked the night shift. It’s not easy to get back on a normal sleep schedule, is it?”
    â€œNo, it’s not,” he admitted wryly.
    Maria returned with their lemonades. After going through their specials, she left them alone to peruse the menu.
    â€œThe grilled chicken and almond salad looks delicious,” Cassie said, as she reviewed the selections.
    â€œI’m having the Swiss mushroom burger,”he said. He knew from experience that most women worried too much about what they ate.
    â€œYeah, you had to point that out, didn’t you?” she said with a groan. “The Swiss mushroom burger sounds delicious. To be honest, I’m really hungry. I skipped lunch so I could fill out the foster-care paperwork.”
    â€œYou won’t regret the burger,” he promised, capturing her gaze with his. “And you shouldn’t skip meals, it’s not good for you.”
    She wrinkled her nose at him. “Trust me, I don’t skip meals very often. Okay, you sold me on the Swiss mushroom burger.” She closed her menu and set it aside.
    Maria returned to take their order. He took a sip of his lemonade, liking the way Cassie looked, seated across from him.
    â€œTell me why you don’t date nurses from the hospital,” Cassie said,