Read To Be a Dad (Harlequin Superromance) for Free Online Page A

can’t let him do all that work for free, and I can only afford him part-time. Adam’s been a big help so far, and I plan to work evenings.”
    “Your mate, Josh, he’s handy with a hammer. He built his own house.”
    “He did a good job, too. But I’m working on a budget, Pops. I guess I could remortgage the house once I get a few more things done, but I was hoping to keep the building expenses under control.” He looked at his hands, a tight knot in his chest. “I’m going to have a child to support.” The knot twisted into a sharp pain. He couldn’t breathe.
    “That’s what I came by to talk to you about.” Pops pulled the ottoman in front of Dusty and sat. “I’ve got more money than I need after selling the café to Teressa and Sylvie and Adam.”
    Dusty reared back. “No way. That’s your money. You need it.”
    “Not all of it. I planned to put aside a healthy sum for each of you to inherit. I gave the family home to Sylvie, so why can’t I give you money? You need it. I don’t. I always said better to give with a warm hand than a cold heart. This way I get to enjoy watching you spend it.”
    “I don’t know, Pops. I just... I never figured...” Goddamn it, he was not going to start blubbering in front of his father.
    “I know you didn’t. That’s what makes giving you money all the more enjoyable. I talked to Muriel at the bank. She’s going to transfer fifty thousand into your account tomorrow. Maybe you can hire one or two carpenters to work during the day while you’re fishing. Buy a few appliances. Whatever. It’s yours to do with as you see fit.”
    They both stood, and Dusty felt his father’s strong arms around him. A father’s hug— his father’s hugs were a wonderful thing. Would he be as good of a father as his own dad was? He had a lot to learn and a long way to go, but at least his family had his back. Could be, things wouldn’t be so bad.
    * * *
    T ERESSA HELD HER arm protectively over her stomach as her mother’s words drilled into her.
    “Can you not keep your legs closed to anyone? What are you, the village whore?” Her mother’s face flared fiery red, and she screeched loud enough that Teressa worried the children would hear, and if they could, would they understand the foul words that were coming out of their grandmother’s mouth? She’d known breaking the news to her mother was going to be bad, but she hadn’t anticipated the depth of Linda’s bitter disappointment.
    “That’s uncalled for,” Teressa responded.
    “Is it? What’s uncalled for is having a slut for a daughter.”
    Teressa flinched, but refused to let her tears take over. Had she really thought something good might come out of her pregnancy? That for once in her life, she’d be happy? Or if not happy, content? Dusty had almost made her believe it was within her reach. But then she’d known Dusty had a glib tongue. What she’d do to feel his arms around her right now. She’d considered asking him to come over and support her while she told her mother about the pregnancy, but at the last moment decided against involving him. It had been a good call.
    “Where do you think you’re going to live? You can’t stay here. It’s too small. The money I could have made renting this place out.”
    “That’s not fair. I pay rent.”
    Her mother snorted. “A portion of what it’s worth. You’ll have to move in with us. It’s the only solution.”
    And eat crow for the rest of her life?
    “We’re moving in with Dusty.” Oh, God, where had that come from? Now that she’d told her mother, she couldn’t take it back. Dusty had looked so relieved when she’d turned down his offer to move into his house.
    “You can’t think a decent man like Dusty is going to put up with you for long. He’s not stupid, Teressa. No man wants used goods, and someone else’s children to boot.”
    Teressa sagged. Hadn’t the very same thought plagued her continuously? What happened when Dusty woke up to the