Daddy with a Deadline (23 page)

Trent’s heart started galloping in his chest as he took the phone. “Hello? Annie?”

“Hi, Trent. Do you have a minute?”

“I reckon. What’s on your mind?”

“Could you come over this afternoon?”

Trent’s pulse picked up speed. Had the woman come to her senses? Did she actually want to see him?

“Sure. Is something wrong?”

“My toilet’s stopped up.”

His heart plunged like a broken elevator. “Why are you calling me? You should call a plumber!”

“I don’t want a plumber. I want you.”

Hmm. Annie’s tone sounded mellow and sweet and alluring, and Trent’s heart started pumping fast again.

“I’ll be right over.”

“Good.”

Trent broke the speed limit yet again. He vowed that if he and Annie ever got their lives straightened out, he’d never speed again. As he walked up her stairs, he couldn’t wait to see Annie. And if she thought this visit was only about a clogged toilet, she could think again.

When she opened the door and stood before him in shorts and a pink T-shirt Trent swallowed hard. She looked slim and gorgeous. The woman took his breath away.

“Where’s the toilet?” he asked. Talk about a stupid question.

“Come in, Trent, and sit down. This visit doesn’t involve a toilet,” Annie said. “I need to talk to you.”

“Haven’t we talked enough? And where did it get us? Nowhere. Look, Annie, I have something to say and I’m going to say it. So don’t try to stop me.”

Annie inched closer to him on the sofa. “I have something to say too.”

“I’m first. Now listen to me before you say anything.”

“OK. Go ahead.” She inched even closer.

He took both her hands in his. “I love you, Annie Samuels. I love you with all my heart. And I want to marry you. I promise I’ll be a good father to Matt and Missy. I have a lot to learn, but I’ll spend the rest of my life learning it. And loving you and the twins.”

“And I love you too, Trent. That’s why I called you over here—so I could tell you so.”

Trent raked his hand through his hair, unable to believe what he’d just heard. “So no arguments? And no ultimatums?”

“Not a single one.”

“And you’ll marry me?”

“I certainly will. You can set the date.”

Trent pulled Annie into his arms and kissed her. Kissed her till they both had to stop for breath. When they pulled apart, Annie said, “Are you sure you want me? I’m a package deal, you know.”

“Yeah, I realize that. Where are our babies? I haven’t gotten to hold them yet.”

Annie led Trent to the nursery and they each picked up one twin. “Matt and Missy?” she said. “I want you to meet your new daddy.”

As Trent kissed Matt’s tiny forehead, he felt a rush of love sweep through him. His assignment wasn’t over after all. It had turned into happily ever after.

A
BIG THANK
you to two terrific editors, David Coen and Jen Graham. Many, many thanks!

Olan Mills/2001

M
ARILYN
S
HANK WORKED
as a legal secretary, office manager, editor, and proofreader before she found her true passion: writing fiction. The author of four other novels, Shank also enjoys amateur radio, traveling, and spending time with her family. Originally from Chicago, she now lives with her husband in Independence, Missouri.