Shay swiped a damp paper towel over Vickis face.
There, beautiful again. Dont you think so, Daddy?
Shay angled her body so that she was holding Vicki toward him.
Marks throat closed, emotion making it impossible to breathe. The sight of his daughter balanced on Shays hip and snuggled against her was wrenchingly poignant. It should have been comical, those sparkly red hearts sticking out of Vickis mass of curls and Shay standing there with a too-small tiara perched on her head.
I could love this woman.
Dear Reader,
When my son was much younger, he was in speech therapy and I remember being anxious for the day when he could share whatever he was thinking without any communication obstacles. Well, I got my wish. He has shared many things with a great many people.
In this book, single father Mark Hathaway is about to learn that you cant always predict what kids will sayand that sometimes they share information you wish they hadnt. More than anything, Marks six-year-old daughter wants a mother and, when it becomes clear that her father is too busy with his job to date, she takes matters into her own small hands, landing Mark in the principals office.
New principal Shay Morgan stepped into the role midyear when the former, much beloved, principal retired early for medical reasons. Shay is hoping to make a good impression so she will be hired permanently. Flirting with one of the students fathers would be a bad career move, especially a father whose first few attempts at classroom volunteering dont go well. But Shay cant help admiring how hard Mark works on his daughters behalf and how he keeps trying. She also cant help noticing that he has a great smile and an adorable kid.
As Mark and Shay discover, even when weve meticulously mapped out our priorities, life and love (and our children!) often surprise us.
Happy Valentines,
Tanya Michaels
His Valentine Surprise
Tanya Michaels
MILLS & BOON
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Tanya Michaels began telling stories almost as soon as she could talkand started stealing her moms Harlequin romances less than a decade later. In 2003, Tanya was thrilled to have her first book, a romantic comedy, published by Harlequin Books. Since then, Tanya has sold more than twenty books and is a two-time recipient of a Booksellers Best Award as well as a finalist for the Holt Medallion, National Readers Choice Award and Romance Writers of Americas prestigious RITA® Award. Tanya lives in Georgia with her husband, two children and an unpredictable cat, but you can visit Tanya online at www.tanyamichaels.com.
If you ever have to meet a summer writing deadline
while the kids are out of school and underfoot,
I highly suggest that in addition to a
wonderful husband and mother (both of which
I am blessed to have) you arm yourself with a team
of incomparable friends. Thank you to Ashley Cate,
Sally Kilpatrick, Melissa Silva and their families
my very own superhero squad.
Contents
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Prologue
I hate you, Santa Claus!
Six-year-old Vicki Hathaway sat at her aunts dining room table, remembering how Aunt Dee took her to that mall in Charlotte to go Christmas shopping. Vicki had her picture made with Santa and told him what she wanted, really wanted, more than anything in the world. And because her dad said it was bad to be greedy, shed only asked for one thing.
A new mommy.
But December was over and now it was almost the end of January. Her father hadnt met any new women or gone on one single date. How could Santa not help her when shed been so good? Her babysitter, Mrs. Norris, called her an angel. Vicki had been almost perfect, except for spilling juice on her dads inventory paperswhich didnt count because it was an accidentand sometimes fighting with her cousin Bobby (which didnt count since he always started it by picking on her).
Vicki, her aunt said, is everything all right? Youre not eating. And you love pot roast. I made it especially for you.
Vicki loved almost all the food at Aunt Dees house. Her dad was not a good cook, which was why they ate most nights at the Braeden Burger Shop. Except on Tuesdays when Aunt Dee picked Vicki up from ballet and Vickis dad came here after he closed the store and they had dinner together. Tonight, Vicki wasnt hungry. Her tummy had hurt since ballet class, but she didnt want to tell Aunt Dee. Her aunt would make her drink that pink stuff that tasted dee-sgusting.
Vickis stomach had started to feel bad when her dance teacher reminded everyone about the big April recital and said she was sending home notes to ask for volunteer stage moms. Lorelai Moon said right away that her mother could come.
Lorelais mom was in charge of the childrens choir at church and came to their elementary school to read to the first graders after math centers. Lorelais mom was in the PTA with Aunt Dee. Lorelais mom also baked the cupcakes for their ballet class Christmas party. Vicki was the only girl in balletthe only girl in the whole first gradewho didnt have a mother.
Her eyes hurt, and her throat felt sore like the time she got so sick she could hardly swallow. Im not hungry.
Vickis dad looked up from his plate. He hadnt said much tonight, and Vicki thought he looked sad. He looked like that a lot lately, probably because he was lonely.
You didnt work up an appetite in dance class, Vicki-bug? he asked.
She shrugged. Can I be excused?
Aunt Dee frowned at her, and Vicki thought she would say no. But sometimes grown-ups surprised you. I guess you can go up to Bobbys room while we finish our meal. Bobby, you got some new board games for Christmas. Im sure your cousin would enjoy playing with you.
Not really. The main thing in the house Vicki liked playing with was Butterscotch, her aunts poodle. But they always put the dog outside during meals.
Im eleven! Bobby whined. For a big kid, he whined a lot. The games I got arent for six-year-olds. Besides, I have homework. You said I could use your computer to do my report.
Aunt Dees computer was in her office, with a door that shut. Can we both go in your office? Vicki asked. Bobby can do his report, and Ill bring Butterscotch in there with us. Then she couldnt beg.
After Aunt Dee agreed, Vicki followed her cousin into the office.
Bobby spoke to her in his usual mean tone. This is important schoolwork, so dont bother me, okay?
I wont! Why would she want to talk to Bobby? He was a jerk.
When she sat down, she patted her knees so Butterscotch would come to her. She put her arms around the dog and hugged the poodle, burying her face in the soft fur. Aunt Dee took Butterscotch to the groomer every week, so the dog smelled like fancy shampoo.
Vicki sniffed and sniffed again. She didnt know when shed started crying. But now she couldnt stop.
Hey! Bobby sounded scared. Stop that. Theyre gonna think I did something to you. Knock it off.
II cant.
What are you even crying for?
B-because I dont have a m-mom.
He shut up. Even Bobby wasnt a big enough jerk to tease her about that. Instead, he sat down on the floor on the other side of Butterscotch to pet her, his fingers bumping against Vickis arm.
Do you remember her? he asked. You were just a little kid when she died.
That was funny because he called her a little kid now. She couldnt answer him, though, because she was crying too hard.
Aunt Jessica was pretty great, Bobby said. I told her once I wanted to be a scientist and thought she might laugh at me, but she gave me a microscope for my birthday.
Vickis dad bought her birthday presents, but he didnt wrap them. He just stuck them in a bag. Sometimes Aunt Dee used bags, too, but when she did, there were bows on the outside and colored paper tucked in with the gift.
I need a mother. She rubbed the snot off her nose. Santa Claus was supposed to bring me one, but he didnt. Spring would be here in a few monthsVicki learned all about seasons back in kindergartenso maybe she could ask the Easter Bunny for help.
Bobby opened his mouth and took a breath. He looked like he was about to start explaining stuff, like when hed bored her that one time talking about different kinds of rocks. Then he shook his head. You dont need Santa, kid, you need Promises Dot Com.
Promises? Vicki knew about dot com. Sometimes her dad let her use his computer to play games; plus her teacher, Mrs. Frost, sent them to different websites to practice phonics or math facts. But she hadnt been able to work on her dads laptop much lately. He was too busy with stuff for the store to share.
Havent you ever seen one of those sappy Promises commercials? Bobby asked. People meet each other on the computer, through email and messages, and start dating. Your dad would have to sign up.
Vicki wasnt sure he would do that. If he meeted her on the computer, how would I know if I liked her?
Met, doofus. Maybe hes already met someone, Bobby said. I mean, not on the computer, but in real life. He could date someone from church or our school. That way, youd know immediately if you liked her.
But he doesnt talk to any of those ladies from church or school.
Bobbys forehead got all squiggly, the way it did when he was thinking really hard. Do you know what a Sadie Hawkins Dance is?
No.
They had one at the middle school. The girls ask the guys to be their dates. Maybe we can get a woman to ask out Uncle Mark.
How? And who? Vickis Sunday school teacher, ballet teacher and first-grade teacher were all married.
Bobby stood up, looking at all of the stuff on his moms desk. He picked up a little yellow book that had the words Woodside PTA on the front. If I helped you find a mom, you guys probably wouldnt be over here so much.
Youll help? Really?
Nodding, he flipped open the book. I have a plan.
Vicki had stopped crying already. Now she smiled and hugged Bobby. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
It was a weird day when you could trust your jerky cousin more than you could trust Santa Claus.
Chapter One
Wakey-wakey, eggs and bakey. The ridiculous rhyme rolled off Mark Hathaways tongue from habitit had been the way Jess used to cajole their daughter out of bed for preschool.
Although Vicki had more practice getting up early and getting ready for school, she was no more cheerful about it now than she had been at three. Muttering something that was no doubt a variation of go away, his first grader scooted farther beneath the pony-print comforter. Not even the curly top of her head was visible.
With a sigh, he flipped back the corner of her blanket. Up and at em, Vicki-bug. You have school, and Daddy has an important meeting this morning. Tomorrows Saturday, well both sleep late then, okay? If todays breakfast meeting went well maybe hed finally be able to get a decent nights sleep.
Dont feel good, she muttered. It was her standard second line of defense, after hiding beneath the covers.
What hurts? When she didnt answer, he placed a hand over her forehead. You dont have a fever. Come on, hurry up so you can help me pick out your clothes. How aboutyour orange bathing suit with some polka-dot socks?
Some mornings, his attempts at humor were only met with a sleepy glare. Today, he was rewarded with a half giggle.
I cant wear a bathing suit to school, Daddy! And plus its winter. She sighed, clutching her stuffed horse close. Do I have to get out of bed?
Fraid so.
Hug first? she pleaded. Of all her regular procrastination techniques, this was his favorite.
Absolutely. He sat at the foot of her bed, leaning back along the wall, and she scooted into his lap, snuggling against him. He kissed her on top of the head, breathing in the apple-scented detangler hed combed through her unruly hair last night. Even with the spray-conditioner, she still winced when he hit a knot. And he was completely hopeless when it came to fixing her hair for ballet classhe barely managed simple pony-tails and barrettes for school. The coppery curls were untamable. No matter what style he attempted, it ended up lopsided.
With his everyday shortcomings, it was little wonder the poor kid had been dropping hints for the past few months. Mark was not oblivious to the fact that his daughter yearned for a mother figure. Thank God for Dee, Jessicas older sister. How would he have survived the past two years without his sister-in-laws help?
If the store closed, would Vicki have to move away from her aunt and uncle? The knot of dread which had recently taken up residence in his chest tightened. Shes already lost too much. No little girl should have to grow up without a mother. How could he possibly take her away from her friends and family in Braeden, North Carolina, the only home shed ever known?
He tried to shake off the omnipresent worry. Extra stress wouldnt change the outcome of todays meeting. Besides, hed been working quite a few extra hours lately, and Vicki deserved the benefit of his full attention.
You know I love you, right, Bug?
Love you, too.
We make a good team, you and me.
Teams can be lots of people, she said. Like when Coach B splits us up to play kickball at school. Two isnt very many.