Lost and Found Father

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“Not at all. Sometimes I’m not sure who I am, either.” The son of deceased parents, an ex-husband, Victoria’s former boyfriend, Kaley’s confused birth father. None of his titles sounded sure or steady. “The easiest way for me to define myself is through my work.” That part of his life was sure and steady.

“Your work seems noble. Taking care of animals.”

“It makes me happy.” So did her describing his life’s passion as noble. “Victoria told me that you’re going to major in business with a minor in women’s studies. Why did you choose women’s studies as your minor? What drew you to it?”

“I think women need to be empowered, and this is my way of being part of that movement. And with me being from two cultures, I think my perspective is especially important.”

Suddenly she seemed so mature, so strong, a warrior in the making. “Have you considered what type of job you’re going to pursue?”

“Not yet. With the way the world is now, who knows where it will lead me? It’s scary that an education doesn’t guarantee you a job now.”

“I have a feeling you’ll do just fine.”

“Thanks.” She smiled at him.

He smiled, too, and they returned to the photo album.

The next few pages consisted of pictures taken after her mother was gone. Ryan could tell because Kaley was older in them.

She said, “I added these. Mom started the album, and I kept it going.”

He noticed how telling those images were, the obvious closeness between Eric and Kaley after they’d lost Corrine.

He thought about what Victoria had said about Eric, how good and kind and amazing he was. He also thought about how badly Kaley wanted her father to start dating and move on with his life.

Would Victoria ever consider dating Eric? Would their friendship eventually move in that direction? It actually seemed logical and possible, too. They lived near each other and probably had common interests.

Ryan couldn’t imagine Eric not wanting Victoria. What man wouldn’t be attracted to her, especially the man who’d raised the child Victoria had birthed? Talk about a bond.

He turned the page and saw what appeared to be a recent picture of Eric. Ryan was having a bit of trouble liking the guy, with envy rearing its ugly head.

The next picture was of Eric, Kaley and Victoria, smiling together like a family. His stomach turned tight.

He glanced up at his daughter. “Do you want to go to the store today and get those teddy bears?” He desperately needed to bond with her. And Victoria, too. He wanted them to seem like a family. He wanted the same advantage as Eric.

“Sure. I’d love that.”

“Maybe we can take some pictures to include in your album of the three of us. You, me and Victoria.”

“That’s a great idea. I’ll go tell her.” She hopped out of her chair. “This is going to be fun.”

He doubted that Victoria was going to feel the same sense of elation. But he wasn’t giving up on her this week. He was going to win her over, the best he could.

Chapter Four

On the way to the store, Victoria rode shotgun in Ryan’s truck, and Kaley sat in the extended cab backseat, immersed in her smartphone. Victoria would have preferred to be in back. Sitting next to Ryan made her feel like his partner or his girlfriend or something that identified her with him. It also made her think about his ex-wife. Not knowing anything about the other woman was driving her crazy. But asking him would be worse. It would prove that she cared, and she didn’t want to care.

Ryan glanced in the rearview mirror and said to Kaley, “Are you texting?”

“No. Twittering,” came the reply. “About us.”

“Us?” He sounded pleased.

“You, me and Victoria. I’m letting my followers know that I’m hanging out with both of my birth parents this week.”

He smiled. “That’s cool.” He looked at Victoria. “She’s Twittering about us.”

“That’s what they do these days.” She didn’t mind being the subject of her daughter’s tweets, except that she was being linked with Ryan.

“Do you Twitter?” he asked her.

“Yes. But not personal things. I use my account for business.”

“Maybe I should open an account.” He shot another glance in the mirror. “I could follow you, Kaley.”

“That would be great,” the teen said.

Nothing about this was great, Victoria thought. Except that it was making Kaley happy, she amended. That was extremely important. That was the whole point.