With Courage And Commitment. Charlotte Maclay

to miss his touch, to ignore the tender ache of longing that filled her chest. “Fine by me. Dad’s likely to be home soon and looking for his dinner.”

      His dark brows pulled together. “Don’t you think you ought to take a nap or something? You had a long day.”

      “Evidently you haven’t heard that old story about a woman’s work is never done.”

      “Yeah, but—”

      “Home, Daniel. I’m fine.” Which didn’t mean the thought of a nap lacked appeal. A chance to put her feet up for a while was equally tempting.

      He closed her door and walked around the truck to the driver’s side.

      “You and your dad still like to go up to San Francisco to take in a baseball game now and then?” he asked as he pulled the truck away from the curb.

      She smiled at the memories his question brought back. “I haven’t been in years. I don’t think Dad has, either.”

      “Your, ah, boyfriend didn’t enjoy sports?”

      “Not likely. He was more into opera and the theater. Opening night box seats right next to the ones his parents had held for years. Formal attire. Dinner afterward at whatever place was currently in with the wealthy crowd.”

      “Big spender, huh?”

      “Very. New Jaguar every two years. Weekend flights on the Concorde to Paris whenever the urge struck him, at least he did before the planes were grounded.” Everything he did designed to sweep a woman off her feet, which is exactly what he’d done to Stephanie—to her great regret now.

      Danny glanced at her. “Funny. For my money, baseball is a lot more fun than listening to some screeching soprano.”

      She laughed. “Let’s say the experience broadened my horizons.” Just as the pregnancy was broadening her hips.

      “I remember your dad taking me along to Giants’ games with you and your sister. It was great. You know, freezing our buns off in that cold wind coming off the bay at Candlestick Park. The Giants always managing to lose their big lead against the Dodgers and blowing the game.” He laughed softly. “Your dad stuffed us with popcorn and pizza and sodas until I could barely walk back to the car.”

      “And I’d eat so much I’d get sick on the ride home.”

      Danny shuddered. “Yeah, I remember that, too.” He glanced over at her and winked. “You were such a wimp.”

      “I was not!” She huffed dramatically. Despite the car sickness, those trips had been fun. More so than a lot of the operas she’d attended. “I simply had a sensitive stomach, not a cast-iron one like some folks I know.”

      “Speaking of your sister, how’s Karen doing these days? I don’t see her around much.”

      “Fine, I guess. Her husband’s stationed in Texas now, when he’s not being deployed to some hot spot around the world. She’s pretty busy with the kids, I imagine.”

      About the time Stephanie was graduating from college, her younger sister had announced she was getting married. The reason for the hurry-up nuptials had become apparent six months later when Christopher Malone was born. Eighteen months after that Bryana arrived.

      Apparently the Gray sisters hadn’t paid close enough attention in the sex education classes at Paseo High School. They’d missed the meaning of “Just Say No.”

      Never once had Stephanie’s father criticized either of his daughters for their slips in judgment. He simply gave them a hug and said he loved them. Pretty terrific guy.

      She slid her gaze to Danny as he turned onto their street. With a father who had deserted him, he hadn’t had the breaks she and her sister had enjoyed. Still, he’d made the most of what he’d been given. She’d give him credit for that.

      But that didn’t mean she could rely on him any more than she’d been able to rely on Edgar. Once burned, as they say, could happen to anyone. But twice burned, shame on me! Stephanie wasn’t going to risk getting burned again anytime soon.