The Single Dad's Patchwork Family

Other friends were married couples she’d known while with Jack. Her divorce had shifted the emphasis of those friendships and she’d felt strange with them for a while—especially when she was the odd one out in a room full of couples. In a sense, she’d been glad of the lack-of-time excuse to stay away, but she’d like to catch up with all of them again. Now, though, when she needed a favour, was not the right time.

In case you need a friend…

The memory of Chase Mattner’s voice made her eyes snap open. She looked straight at the business card he’d given her. She’d intended to throw it away as soon as she’d got home from dinner that night, but something had stopped her. Instead, she’d carried it to work in her briefcase, then brought it home again and tucked it into the corner of the desk blotter in her study where it had stayed all week. And she’d thought about ringing him at least once a day.

Could she ring him?

Just to talk.

She’d been shocked at how easy it was to talk to him, to open up to him. She’d almost forgotten they’d only just met. Almost. But it wasn’t every day a man like him walked into her life.

She reached for the business card with the name of a high-profile city law firm printed in a no-nonsense typeface across the top and, for the first time, read Chase’s details.

Partner?

He’d been a partner? How had he managed the transition from a prestigious job like that to full-time father? And in such a place, too. She hadn’t been to Leo Bay for years but, from what she remembered, there was hardly anything to the settlement—a few beach shacks, not much more. It couldn’t even be called a small town.

Presumably, he didn’t need to work, but didn’t he want to?

Her hand shot out and pushed the card back into the spot it had occupied for a week.

What was she thinking?

She chewed on her lip. The truth was, she was thinking it would be good to talk to him again. It would be good to see him again. It would be good to have Chase Mattner as a friend.

It had been difficult to walk away from him, but she’d reminded herself that she wasn’t a great judge of men, wasn’t any sort of a judge at all. Since that night, though, she’d remembered the break in his voice when he’d spoken about his wife, and the change in his eyes when he’d talked of his daughter, and she’d wished she hadn’t been so emphatic about not calling.

But she’d told him she wouldn’t. What would he think of her if she changed her mind now?

A little voice told her he would think nothing bad.

Her hand crept out again and she pulled the card across the blotter towards her. She could ring to thank him for dinner. She’d thanked him briefly, but it would be polite to do it again. Properly.

And what about rescuing her when she nearly fainted? If it hadn’t been for him, she could have found herself sprawled across the floor of the function room and just the thought of that made her hot with embarrassment. She hadn’t thanked him for saving her from the mortification of it.

She picked up the card and dug one corner into her chin while her stomach flip-flopped with indecision.

She’d do it.

As soon as she’d made the decision, her stomach cramped into a tight ball. She’d never been so worked up about a simple phone call.

Picking up the handset, she glanced across at the boys again. She couldn’t talk to Chase in front of them, even if they’d have no idea who she was speaking to or what she was talking about.

‘Boys, I’m just going into the next room for a minute. Don’t touch anything, okay?’

She waited till they both nodded before slipping through the door into the empty dining room and dialling the mobile number on the card.

‘Chase Mattner.’

Her eyes closed. Until a few moments ago, she hadn’t seriously thought she’d hear his voice again and now it sent a shock right through her. It took her back to the moment he’d first spoken and her first sight of his sun-bronzed face with the kind, understanding eyes.

‘Hello?’ he said, his voice curious at the silence.

‘It’s Regan Jantz,’ she said in a rush before she could change her mind and hit the disconnect button.

‘Regan?’

He hadn’t expected her to call. She could hear the surprise in his voice. She shouldn’t have—

‘Wow. I’m so glad you called.’

A shudder turned into a wave of warmth. ‘You are?’

‘Yes, of course. But I didn’t think you would.’

‘No, me neither.’ Her voice sounded odd and she cleared her throat. ‘Actually, I was ringing to thank you.’

‘Oh?’

‘For dinner.’

‘You’re welcome, Regan. It was my pleasure.’

‘And for your help earlier that evening, for getting me out of that room without anyone noticing. I dread to think what would have happened if you hadn’t been there.’

‘Well, don’t think about it. It didn’t happen; your dignity is intact. None of your potential clients have any idea what went on.’

‘Thank you.’

‘No problem. I’m glad I could help.’

‘I’m grateful and…’ She hesitated long enough for her stomach to lurch. ‘If there’s anything I can do for you in return…’

There was a brief silence.

‘I mean, if I can help you—’

‘Well, as it happens…do you bake?’

‘Bake?’

‘As in cakes.’

‘I used to. It’s been, uh, ages. Why?’

‘It’s Phoebe’s birthday today and she asked me to make her a pink cake for tea. Don’t know why. She’s never had one before so I don’t know where she got the idea. But that’s what she wants and I thought it would be easy.’

‘You’ve tried to make one?’