Mountain Man's Lucky Charm: A Single Dad Romance (Mountain Men of Liberty) Read online

  “Oh yeah?”

  “Yes, this family is very aware that the girls must be adopted together, and they said they would like to adopt siblings. They want at least two kids and think this is the best scenario for their family.”

  “That sounds…” I searched for the right word. “Great.”

  “Yes, and they’ve fostered for us before, and I think they’d be perfect. Brandon Banks is a real estate developer out of Salt Lake City, and his wife, Felicia, is a nurse. They’ve been trying for at least ten years and are unable to have children of their own and have been fostering with us for over five years.”

  Everything sounded so… perfect. Idyllic even. A nurse? I couldn’t imagine anyone better to make sure my sweet girls were safe. And real estate development...wow. I was in construction, so I knew the name - Banks Development was a prestigious name in commercial real estate, and I’d met Brandon a few times in passing. Always seemed like a good man. Well off. The girls would never want for anything. Not that I struggled with money, but I did struggle in the parental figure department.

  “When would they like to come by?” My voice cracked.

  “Mr. Banks has a busy week, but he was thinking next week sometime. Monday or Tuesday? At say, five in the evening?”

  “Monday works for me,” I said quietly.

  “Perfect. We’ll see you then.”

  I hung up the phone, and even though I should have been thrilled at the prospect, my heart ached. I knew that my time with the girls would eventually come to an end if I didn’t keep them… but just last night, I’d been thinking of keeping them.

  Then everything changed. And now, I needed more time.

  But a family like the Bank’s family… they didn’t come around every day, surely.

  I took a deep breath and reminded myself it was just a meeting. We weren’t signing anything yet. But the fact that I dreaded the meeting said a lot.

  I really didn’t want to let my girls go.

  But could I do this? Could I be a father to three children?

  I wasn’t sure I was ready to answer that question. I still had to get the two girls I had ready to go to daycare for the day - a process which I hated more than anything since Emma always latched on to me and cried as I left. Abby often threw a tantrum too, clinging to my leg as Piper tried to bribe her off.

  Depending on what I was going to do, though, the girls would have to get used to not having me around.

  And I’d have to prepare to say goodbye, for good.

  “What’s up with you today?” Clark asked, sliding into my office and sitting down across from me.

  “What do you mean?”

  “You came straight in, didn’t say a word to any of us, and locked yourself away in your office.”

  I closed my laptop, hiding the fact that I hadn’t been working all morning. Instead, I had pulled up everything I could find on Brandon Banks - financial details on his company, even a criminal background check. I was looking for anything to convince me not to agree to this, even though I knew social services was probably way ahead of me on all of it. But so far, everything came back clear and good. I even saw photos of Brandon with his wife on their yacht. They owned a freaking yacht. Talk about a great life for the girls…

  Clark cocked his brow. “See, something’s up. You just spaced out on me, man. Are you feeling okay?”

  “I’m fine,” I muttered. “I don’t think you’d understand.”

  “Understand what?” Declan popped his head.

  I cringed because I just wanted to be left alone. “I’m dealing with some issues with the girls and I don’t wanna talk about it here.”

  “Why not?” Ezra popped into my office and sat beside Clark. Mike was right behind him.

  “Jesus, were you guys just hanging outside my office, waiting for your cue?”

  “Clark mentioned something was up, so we decided to come by and see what was going on,” Mike said. “Does this have anything to do with what we talked about last night?”

  Most of the time, I loved that I could have a group of guy friends that legit showed they cared. I knew it wasn’t normal, as most men didn’t open up about their feelings or talk to each other. But I really wasn’t in the mood to open up to them. Especially about the pregnancy.

  “Yeah, kind of. After you left, Abby got out the back door and scared me half to death,” I muttered, giving in and deciding to talk about some of it. “It got me re-thinking everything, you know? And before you go on and on about how mistakes happen, I get it. I don’t wanna hear it. I just have to think about this, long and hard, since a great family might want to adopt them and they’re coming over next week.”

  I felt bad about snapping, but I knew what Mike would say. The same things Alex said no doubt. Nothing new.

  “You’re thinking of keeping the girls?” Ezra asked.

  “I’ve thought about it, yeah,” I said with a shrug. “I mean, they’re awesome girls, and they’re my nieces. It felt like the right thing to do. Then I realized I’m not really father material.”

  Clark spoke up next. “You know what you need, man? A night out. What about grabbing a beer this evening and—”

  “Thanks, but no thanks,” I said, stopping him before he could finish. “I really don’t feel like going to the bar.”

  “Wow,” Declan breathed. “Never thought I’d see the day that Liam McDowell didn’t want to go to the bar.”

  “I’ve changed,” I said.

  “It’s only been what, a month?” Clark argued. “Can you really be so sure this is the right move? It’s a huge, lifelong commitment if you keep the girls.”

  “I know,” I said, my voice tinged with annoyance. I relaxed into my seat and ran a hand over my face. “Sorry if I’m on edge. I didn’t get much sleep last night.”

  “It’s alright, you’re under a lot of stress,” Mike said.

  You have no idea the extent of it.

  But Clark was right. This was a huge commitment. And it had been a while since I’d gone out or did anything for myself. Maybe it would help me clear my mind.

  “This weekend is St. Patrick’s Day,” Clark said, speaking slowly, as if he was afraid I might bite his head off again. “Are you really gonna sit at home and play Daddy Dearest instead of celebrating your heritage?”

  I let out a deep breath. Most likely, I would be let the girls be adopted. I would have to get used to life without them.

  “Come on, man. Don’t be a wuss,” Clark said. “I can always count on you to stay up all night drinking with me.”

  “I’ll go out this weekend,” I acquiesced. “For St. Patrick’s Day.”

  And to forget about the meeting on Monday, because God knows, I would need to forget all about that.

  “Good man,” Clark said, pushing himself up from the chair. “I think you’ll feel like your old self once we get you out of the house.”

  He left the office, but Declan, Ezra, and Mike were still staring at me.

  “What?”

  “I think you should meet with the family,” Ezra said slowly. “But don’t rule out anything, you know?”

  “That’s the plan,” I said. I closed my eyes and rubbed my temples. “Can I please get back to work?”

  “Of course,” Ezra said, ushering the others out of my office.

  Once alone, I opened my laptop and typed in Felicia Bank’s name. I knew I would likely find nothing bad, but I had to be sure. If they adopted my girls, I needed to make sure they were going to be good parents.

  I needed reassurance that they would be better than me.

  Chapter 24

  Alex

  “Are you going to come by for reading time?” I asked Rachel as I slipped my shoes on.

  “Of course, we wouldn’t miss it for the world, would we, boys?” she asked.

  Jacob popped a fist in the air and said, “Ya!” even though I wasn’t even sure he knew what we were talking about. Lucas just giggled at his brother, which made Jacob do it again.
/>   God, I loved my boys.

  I kissed them both on the head before stepping out the door. I’d see them in a few hours at the library. My phone rang before I got in the car. A local number. Could be the library or one of the parents I helped from my group.

  “Hello?”

  “Alexandra?”

  The voice sent a chill down my spine. “Pam. Hi. What can I help you with?” I was trying to be polite. I remembered what Charlie had said - she was hurting. Or maybe I was just too nice.

  “I just wanted to let you know that I’m working with a lawyer. My husband and I want to be in the boy’s life and—”

  “I’m sorry, but you have no legal rights. Tessa signed over her rights to me, and Charlie is in the process of relinquishing his rights as well, so even if Tessa and Charlie were to get married, your daughter has no legal claim to my children.”

  “I’m not talking about my daughter. I know she doesn’t want anything to do with the boys, and while I find that sad, I can’t force her to want them,” the woman said, her voice strained. Tired. “I want custody of my grandsons.”

  “They’re my sons.”

  “They’re your adopted sons, but they are my biological grandsons. Even if the law doesn’t recognize it, I still feel it in my heart and think this is the right thing to do. Have a good day, Alexandra. My lawyer will be in touch.”

  My heart stopped as the line went dead. She had no rights. None. No lawyer would be willing to take such a case. And no judge would award custody to the grandparents when the adoption was perfectly legal. Even still… I felt paranoid. Maybe there was a loophole, something I wasn’t aware of.

  Oh God… I thought, fearing the worst. I couldn’t lose my boys.

  I got in the car and sat there, finally giving in to the urge to call my lawyer. Her receptionist answered and put me straight through. I got lucky; her next appointment was late.

  “Ms. Dewitt,” my lawyer said. “What can I help you with?’

  I told her everything Tessa’s mom had told me. I managed to get it all out without crying, mostly because I felt like it was complete bullshit anyway.

  “Ahh no, there’s no way she could have any rights to the boys,” Wendy assured me. “She’s just emotional and trying to scare you. Don’t worry, Ms. Dewitt, we received the paperwork from Charlie’s attorney, and he’s signed over all his rights. No one can come after your children.”

  I relaxed into the seat and took a few deep breaths. “Thank you. I didn’t think so, but it’s always nice to have that reassurance.”

  “Of course, and if I get anything from her lawyer, I’ll let you know. But I seriously doubt a lawyer would take such a case. None who understand the law.”

  “I appreciate it, and sorry to bother you.”

  “No bother at all.”

  We said our goodbyes, and I tried to push all thoughts of the phone call out of my head as I drove into work. I parked and rushed inside, only about two minutes until my shift was to start. Normally I liked getting to work early, but the call and everything really threw me off my game. As I stepped into the library, I was greeted by an elderly woman.

  “Excuse me, miss?” she said sweetly. “Do you have any book suggestions for a five-year-old boy?” She was holding the hand of a little boy of about five, likely her grandson. He stared up at his grandma and smiled.

  “I like dinosaurs!” he exclaimed.

  “Dinosaurs? Well then, I know just the book for you then,” I said, walking over to the children’s section. The boy rushed over and looked through the books with me, finally settling on one.

  “Grandma, will you read with me?” he asked.

  “Of course, Tommy,” she said sweetly, taking a seat in one of the bean bags. “Who knows if my old bones will let me get out of this later, but I cherish any time I can get with him.”

  My heart swelled, and I missed my parents more than words could describe.

  I’d always imagined giving them grandchildren, and I thought my kids would have them in their lives like I had my grandparents. I remembered weekends at grandma’s where she stuffed me full of baked goods and made sure I knew I was loved.

  I always thought that it took a village to raise kids, and my village was practically nonexistent.

  My heart ached at all the memories my kids would miss out on.

  Tommy sat beside his grandmother, giggling as she read from the book, making silly voices for the different characters.

  I wanted that for my kids. I wanted weekends with the grandparents. I wanted them to be so spoiled and filled with sugar after visiting their grandma that they didn’t sleep.

  I wanted stories to be passed down to them, memories they’d cherish forever. I felt like the older generation just offered something I couldn’t do alone.

  And then I thought about how Tessa’s mother might feel.

  I knew she loved her daughter dearly, that she had done the best she could to raise her. Tessa said that her mother had always wanted more kids but couldn’t have them due to a hysterectomy she underwent in her thirties. All she wanted was these memories with the only grandchildren she had.

  And I knew what I had to do. I had to at least try to make it work. Not just for me, not for her, but for my boys.

  They deserved to be loved by as many people as could love them.

  Chapter 25

  Liam

  A blonde with a skintight skirt walked over to me. A button on her shirt said, “Kiss me, I’m Irish.” She gave me a seductive smile.

  I cursed Clark under my breath.

  What was I thinking coming out here?

  Yes, I was Irish. Yes, I used to love drinking. But a bunch of Americans drinking to excess and claiming Irish heritage was the last thing I wanted to deal with at the moment.

  “Sorry, I have to go,” I muttered to the blonde, pushing past her as Clark followed along.

  “Hey! Normally you’d be all over that,” he said.

  “I’m not in the mood for hookups,” I said.

  “Dude, why not?”

  I turned to face him. “I have two little girls at home right now, with a babysitter. I can’t just bring random women home.”

  There was more to it than that, but I wasn’t about to say it out loud. Alex had ruined me for other women, at least for the time being, I told myself.

  I sat down in a dark booth in the corner, away from most of the crowds, and pulled out my phone. Clark sat next to me. Declan was supposed to be coming out at some point, and Ezra might make an appearance if he felt up to it. Then I could go home, once Clark had another wingman to keep him company.

  I texted the babysitter - the third time since I left - just to make sure everything was fine. I hated leaving the girls with someone I hardly knew, even though Piper recommended Jamie, who worked part-time at the daycare for a bit before going back to school for early childhood education.

  Hey Jamie. Just wanted to be sure everything went well with dinner and bedtime.

  I waited as Clark was talking about something or another. I didn’t know what he was saying, I wasn’t paying attention.

  Things are good. Abby doesn’t want to go to bed, claims she’s still hungry, so I gave her a little peanut butter with a banana. Emma is fast asleep already, content and happy.

  Relief. It was nice to know they were going okay. I couldn’t believe it though, I found myself thinking how I’d rather be home with them than at this smelly, crowded bar.

  Another message from Jamie came through.

  Abby keeps asking about you. She’s so cute. I think she’s fighting sleep until you get home, but please, don’t rush! I can handle this.

  I smiled down at my phone.

  Abby was getting attached to me, and I had to admit, I was pretty attached to her as well. She was something else. A little hellion at times, but such a big ball of cuteness. And she loved her Uncle Liam, that much was clear.

  My smile wavered as I remembered the appointment on Monday.

  She might
have to get used to being away from me. After all, I wasn’t sure if the Banks’ would be okay with visitation. And even if they were, would that be right for Abby and Emma? It would likely be better to just pull off the Band-Aid.

  “Hey, man, want another beer?” Clark asked.

  “Nah, I need to finish this one first.” It was my third. I downed two right as I got there, hoping it would help with the nerves of leaving the girls, but it didn’t. I didn’t really feel like getting wasted. The idea of going home drunk off my ass wasn’t appealing anymore, especially since I had two wee ones waiting for me.

  “Well maybe if you put that phone down for five minutes, you’d finish that one too,” Clark said, slipping from the booth.

  “Just worried about the girls,” I said. Though I knew Clark probably didn’t understand. I wanted to believe Mike was right - that he would come around, in time, but it was hard to believe that he would ever not be against settling down and raising kids.

  Then again, the same could be said about me too and here I was choosing my girls over a night flirting with women and drinking.

  With a baby on the way with Alex, well, I had to grow up eventually anyway. Better late than never, I supposed.

  I took a swig of my beer and was about to put my phone away when I got another message.

  I checked it, expecting another cute tale of Abby and her antics.

  My heart dropped when I read the message, however.

  I called an ambulance already but wanted to let you know - something is wrong with Abby. She seems to be struggling to breathe.

  I hopped out of that booth and was headed for the door when Clark grabbed my arm.

  “Where you going? Party is just getting started,” Clark said.

  “Something is wrong with Abby. Jamie had to call an ambulance,” I said. “I need to get to her.”

  “Shit man, I’m sorry.” Clark let go of my arm. “Go, I’d offer to drive you, but I’m three sheets to the wind already.”

  “No, it’s fine, I just have to go now,” I said.