Vacation Secret Baby: This Secret Baby, #2

By Rachel Foster

Wade and Marissa are two people recovering from broken hearts. Wade is a widowed father to Nellie and Marissa is a single woman who only has her brother left in her family. Brought together on a hiking trip in the Smoky Mountains, the two find themselves quickly falling for each other. Wade has reservations and begins doubting himself and worries that he's not ready to move on. Devastated, Marissa leaves and tries to move on without him only to find out she's pregnant. Now it's Thanksgiving and Marissa is ready to break him the news. Will Wade be thankful for his new family, or will the news send him running to the hills?

• Language: English
• Publisher: 3rd Publishing
• Release date: Mar 7, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215459065

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Vacation Secret Baby

Rachel Foster

Copyright © 2018 by Rachel Foster

All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

Contents

1. Wade

2. Marissa

3. Wade

4. Marissa

5. Wade

6. Marissa

7. Wade

8. Marissa

9. Wade

10. Marissa

11. Wade

12. Marissa

13. Wade

14. Marissa

15. Wade

16. Marissa

17. Wade

18. Marissa

19. Wade

20. Marissa

21. Wade

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34. Marissa

35. Wade

36. Marissa

37. Wade

38. Marissa

39. Wade

Epilogue – Marissa

1

Wade

"T

hat doesn’t look like work to me."

I looked up from my computer and smiled at my boss as she came up behind me at my desk. It may not be work, but it’s every bit as important.

Is that right? How so? She crossed her arms over her chest and tapped her foot on the worn carpet, awaiting a proper answer. I just kept smiling at her, and she gave in and laughed. I laughed with her.

Blaire Aoki was everyone’s boss, as she was the CEO of Blue Tree Analytics, the company where I worked. The Japanese-American woman had been born in Hawaii, and no one knew exactly what route her life had taken for her to wind up here in Tennessee. She was a private woman, and I had yet to hear anyone say with any certainty whether she had family or children. The general consensus was that she came from money, but not even that was confirmed.

She was a good boss, though, every bit as concerned with the well-being of her employees as she was with turning a profit. She was strict, but not heavy-handed, laying down the rules and then allowing the various departments to govern themselves. When she did act, it was usually through the HR department, of which I was the head. The only time she ever personally laid down the law was when she was – rarely – firing someone.

So, I didn’t mind having her in my office, looking over my shoulder, and it was easy enough to joke around with her.

You see, I explained, gesturing to the cabin rental webpage on my browser, in order for me to function properly in my job here, I need time to recharge. By planning this getaway, I’m actually ensuring that I’ll be more productive in the future.

Blaire smiled and patted my arm. You know, all joking aside, I’m really happy you’re doing this.

You are? I asked, raising my eyebrows.

Absolutely. You haven’t taken a vacation in...a long time. Her voice gentled as she referred in a roundabout way to the thing I definitely didn’t want to discuss at work. It’ll be good for you. You’re going up into the mountains?

I nodded. Yeah. It’s going to be a family thing. I was in charge of the cabin rentals. I did have reservations, but then the company I made them with got hit with a bunch of violations. Now, I’m kind of scrambling.

Will you still be able to go?

Oh, yeah. I think I’m onto something here.

Good. It’ll be great for you. I’m sure your Nellie will be glad of the extra time with you.

I’ll be happy to have the extra time with her, too, I said. As always whenever my daughter was mentioned, my heart twisted in my chest, a mingling of love and guilt.

Blaire smiled, but a shadow of sadness lingered in her eyes. It made me wonder more than ever about her past, what she might have gone through. Could she sympathize with me on more than just a theoretical level? I wondered.

She blinked and the sadness was gone, her dark gaze resuming its typical neutrality. "So, really, what are you doing?"

She knew me too well. She knew I wasn’t just going to sit around surfing the web and wasting company money. I’m waiting on one of the references for that candidate to call me back. We started talking, but she was pulled away to handle something. Should be any second now, and I didn’t want to get distracted with something else.

Let me know how it goes. They seem like a very good fit for us.

I agree. I’ll let you know.

Blaire nodded and turned to leave my office. She paused with her hand on the door and looked back over her shoulder at me. She smiled slightly and gave a shake of her head, then left, closing the door behind her.

What was that about?

I turned back to my computer to keep looking at cabins. The phone on my desk rang, and I snatched it up before it could finish. Hello?

Mr. Blake?

Yes.

It’s Tina Ferris again. I’m so sorry about having to step away like that. I’m sure you know how it is.

Of course, I do, I reassured her. It’s no trouble at all. I just have a few more questions to ask about Brian and your experience having him as an employee.

Fire away, sir. He’s a nice man and such a hard worker. I’ll gladly tell you anything you’d like to know.

I talked with her until I was satisfied that I had all the information I needed. Thank you for your time, Ms. Ferris. Your input has been very valuable.

Will he get the job, do you think? I know it isn’t any of my business, but I’m curious. I have such faith in him.

It warmed my heart to hear her say that about someone who had been her employee, though the tone in her voice informed me that he hadn’t just been any other worker. Whatever the back story was, she had taken the man under her wing. She spoke of him like a favored son.

I can’t really say anything for sure, or you might repeat it to him.

Oh, please, just a hint? I swear I won’t say anything. It’s just that I might die from wondering.

I chuckled. Well, I still can’t say for certain, but... The odds are in his favor.

Oh, wonderful! Thank you, Mr. Blake. I’m so relieved to hear that. Ms. Ferris heaved a sigh. I suppose I’ll let you go now and stop bothering you.

We ended the call. I quickly typed up an email to Blaire with all of the information I had gathered, as well as the decision I was leaning toward. We were like judge and jury. She could overrule my decision, but most of the time, she agreed with me.

We would be having a new employee with us soon.

Blaire responded with confirmation, and I set about letting Brian know. We made arrangements for him to come in soon to be given the grand tour and sign some paperwork. After I finished congratulating him, I started alerting the people who would need to be present for the sign-on, tour, and orientation.

It all took longer than it seemed like it should. It was Thursday, nearing the end of the week, and people were slowing down. During the down moments where I had to wait for responses, I resumed looking for cabins.

Finally, it was almost the end of my day. I picked up my phone one last time, but instead of doing anything productive, I called my brother and best friend, Sterling.

Hey, what’s up? Sterling greeted me. I could hear children in the background of the call. He was a landscaper, and I was used to many strange sounds during calls with him, depending on where he was working that day. My guess was that he was at the park today, maintaining the grounds.

I just wanted to give you a quick call before I went to pick up Nellie from daycare, I said. I found a cabin that’ll fit up to 20 people.

Nice! he exclaimed. That’s even a little extra room. Hope it won’t be crowded.

I’ll send you the link later, but it looks so roomy and nice. Kind of like having a hotel all to ourselves. I’m going to go ahead and book it so it doesn’t get snatched away from us in the meantime.

Go ahead. Book it! The Smokies are calling us!

I chuckled a little. Okay. Just one other thing is that it’s a bit further from the trails we were looking at...

So, we walk further to get to the trails or look at new trails. It’s gonna be an adventure. I don’t think anything could ruin it for us.

What if someone falls off the mountainside?

Hey, at least it’ll be a day to remember.

You’re so demented. I shook my head. Love ya, man.

Love ya, too.

As soon as we hung up, I booked the cabin.

I got up from my chair and stretched, groaning as my joints popped. I had been sitting for too long. I liked to stay in shape, but I had been spending so much time working over the past months that I felt I was beginning to lose some of my edge. A vacation full of hiking was exactly what I needed to jumpstart my energy levels again.

I closed up my office and drove to the daycare building where Nellie was part of the Working Parents program. The program focused on helping the kids with activities that their parents might not be able to because of their jobs, like ensuring homework was done, baths were taken, dinner was eaten, and even provided transportation where necessary. I was always incredibly glad for the support and chipped in with donations and such whenever I could to try and give back.

Nellie was waiting for me at the door when I pulled up in my car. She ran out, followed by one of the workers, and leaped into my arms as I stepped out to get her. Daddy, Daddy, look what I drewed! She proudly presented a drawing that was either of a horse or a dog. It was smiling, so that was what mattered.

I scooped her up into my arms and buried my face in her hair, breathing in the sweet scent of her shampoo. She wriggled around in my arms, giggling. Daddy, my drawing!

It’s beautiful, I said and kissed her head all over. We’ll put it up on the fridge with the others. Hi, Joanna, I added, addressing the daycare worker.

Joanna smiled up at me and held out a clipboard and a pen. If you could just sign her out, Mr. Blake.

Of course. I transferred Nellie to one arm and used my free hand to scribble a quick signature on the clipboard as Joanna held it. Going home soon, Joanna? Do you need another ride? Nellie and I can wait around.

Joanna averted her eyes, her cheeks turning pink. They got my engine fixed, so I’m okay.

That’s great. See you soon.

Nellie waved a farewell to Joanna as I carried her to the car. I strapped her in, put on some kid’s tunes, and started on the path to home.

To be honest, I was glad Joanna hadn’t needed a ride. I had given her one yesterday after discovering she was having car issues, and I regretted having done so. It wasn’t that I regretted my act of kindness, of course. I just feared that it may have given the impressionable girl the wrong idea.

Joanna was only 19, and it had seemed as though she was flirting with me the entire ride, even inviting me inside her apartment. Nellie, too, of course, but I knew the purpose of the request was mostly to get me in there.

Not only would I never have done such a thing and risked my reputation – and potentially create a situation that would impact Nellie’s care. I wasn’t attracted to women who were still so young they were hardly more than children themselves.

I’d had a woman once, and she was beautiful and mature and elegant. No lovesick teenager could compare to that.

Daddy?

I realized we had just been sitting in the driveway for a few minutes. I got myself back on track and got Nellie inside the house so we could have dinner together. After that, we played, and then it was quiet time so that she could wind down for bed. I read, while she watched cartoons, cuddled into my side.

I almost didn’t need to watch the time because we had our routine down so thoroughly that she started to fall asleep at exactly the same time each night. I could tell because her breathing deepened and her head leaned more and more on me.

I scooped Nellie up in my arms and carried her to her bedroom for our short nighttime ritual of changing her into her pajamas and brushing her teeth. She held my hand as I led her to her bed, and hers was so small in mine.

I tucked her under the covers and made sure she had her favorite stuffed animals with her. Before you go to sleep, I said softly, I have some really fun news to tell you.

She blinked up at me with her sleepy eyes.

I stroked her hair and smiled at her. We’re going to go on vacation.

Vacation? she repeated, tasting the word like it was an unfamiliar food. What’s that?

My stomach hurt as I was hit with the sudden realization that vacations and family trips weren’t just for me. Nellie deserved to have those things, too. It’s when people go to fun places for a little while before coming back home.

Ohh. Vacation! She clapped her little hands together.

That’s right! You and I are going to the Smoky Mountains. Those are real big mountains, bigger than any hills you ever saw. I leaned over and kissed her forehead. You’ll get to see lots of animals and pretty flowers and eat ice cream probably every day.

Every day!

On vacation, we do lots of things we don’t normally get to do.

Wow! Is it tomorrow? Her sleepy eyes stretched wide.

Not tomorrow, but really soon. We’ll go out to eat lots, and roast marshmallows, and go for tons of walks.

I love vacation, Nellie declared.

I haven’t even gotten to the best part.

What is it? Tell me, tell me!

I smiled. Grandma and Grandpa are going to be there!

Grammy and Pop-pop!

I wondered if I was getting her too excited to sleep. My main hope had been to give her good dreams. That’s right. And Uncle Sterling, too. And Grandma’s sister, and her kids. That means you’ll have cousins to play with.

I’ll only play with you, Daddy, Nellie said. She snuggled closer to me and closed her eyes. So you won’t be lonely.

Thank you, honey. She’d probably forget that promise, which was a good thing. She should be spending time with kids her age, not her sad father.

Nellie gave a little yawn and her eyes started to close. I wish Mommy could come.

Me, too, sweetheart. I pulled the covers a little higher on her shoulders. Time for sleep now.

Stay, Daddy, until I fall ‘sleep?

Always.

She smiled and let her eyes fully close. She was out like a light within moments. I stayed anyway, sitting with her in the gentle glow of the nightlight, thinking half-thoughts about how much I loved her. She was the reason I was still here, after all.

After Stephanie passed a year ago, I was a mess with my life in complete disarray. My wife was my everything. Without her, all my hopes and dreams had gone away. Nellie was all that remained. Nellie and work. I threw myself into those comforting constants, buried myself in them. New routines formed. A new normal was established.

I had begun to feel a little more like myself again lately. I was a turtle emerging from his shell, discovering the world was still there around him. This trip to the mountains was coming at a good time. I hoped that when it was all over, I would feel even more like my old self and be able to give Nellie an even better life.

2

Marissa

"R

emember all the summers we spent camping?" my brother Porter rambled in my ear.

I listened dutifully as I worked on packing my suitcase for the trip. The trip wasn’t for a couple days yet, but I didn’t want to be caught short and struggling to get ready when it was time to go.

When we used to see who could catch the biggest tadpoles? Uncle George used to be the judge. And, you were so proud of yourself that one time! Porter laughed with recollection. You swore you had the biggest tadpole ever! And, Uncle George came over to judge you and, and you had a leech! Stuck right to your palm, drinking your blood. When you realized what was going on, you ran around screaming like you were being murdered. Other campers called the park rangers on us. Dad was so mad he banned us from even setting foot in that stream ever again... Are you even listening, Marissa?

It took me a moment to realize what he had said. I’m listening.

So, pick up the story from here.

I smiled slightly as he tried to test me. "Okay. We didn’t go in the stream for the rest of the summer. But, the next summer..."

Pausing for dramatic effect, I could hear Porter chuckling to himself, anticipating the rest of the tale.

Dad totally forgot about it and went wading in that same stream, and all the leeches in there decided he was the best snack ever. They went up his trunks, and he had to go inside the tent with Mom to get all of them off.

Though it was a memory tinged with nostalgia and sadness, it was still too funny not to laugh.

Okay, Porter conceded, still chuckling, you were listening. Sorry for jabbering. It’s just that I’m so excited. We haven’t done this in far too long.

The reason why was too obvious to need saying. Life had gotten in the way, as it tended to do.

I’m looking forward to it, I reassured him.

Hell, I’m looking forward to it enough for both of us! We should do all the stuff that we did as kids, for old times’ sake.

I’ll agree to that with some minor stipulations. I am not getting a leech stuck on me again. It makes me shudder to even think about.

"Aw, it wouldn’t take that much blood."

No, but it might give me something in return.

Like what?

A disease? Rabies or something.

Rabies! Porter laughed out loud.

I’m not a wildlife expert.

You can finally buy one of those wildlife books that you always saw at the gift shop, but Dad wouldn’t ever let us buy because it was too expensive.

Did you see the look he would have on his face whenever he told us no? I’m pretty sure it was Mom’s doing, and he had to be the messenger.

Maybe. Did you know that Lisa’s never been camping once in her life?

And, she still won’t. I don’t think staying in a cabin is the same as camping.

I mean, she’s never done anything like it ever. No camping, no staying in a cabin. She didn’t have the money for it growing up. This’ll be a whole new experience for her.

I cross-referenced the contents of my suitcase with a list I had written out on a pad of paper. I didn’t travel much on account of being a childcare worker, but I did attend some seminars and gatherings here and there. I had all the appropriate travel-sized necessities. Of course, if I forgot anything, it would be easy enough to pick up a replacement. Though we were staying in the mountains, it was a tourist area, so there would be stores catering to all a tourist’s potential needs. Plus, we could easily drive down the mountain to go into the valley towns. We’d probably be doing that anyway.

I didn’t like to forget things, though. My job revolved around always being on top of things, always being prepared for every eventuality.

Porter said, Don’t tell her, but I actually got a new camera just so I can take the best pictures possible for this trip. I think it’d make a cool present down the line to make a little scrapbook of it.

Porter, you should spend time with Lisa while we’re there. Alright? Make her the main focus. You and I already have a ton of memories.

"Hey, this isn’t a you-or-her thing. This is an us thing. Us being all three of us. Okay? He was rarely firm with me, so I knew he was dead-serious. She’s been talking about how great it will be to hang out with you and stuff she specifically wants to do with you. Don’t ruin it by trying to preemptively guide how it will go, okay? We aren’t kids. We can just do things spontaneously, whatever feels good in the moment. It’s going to be great."

That makes me feel better, I admitted. I would do anything to avoid being a third wheel.

Speaking of what Lisa’s been talking about... I don’t suppose you’ve got a walking stick.

I laughed. No, of course not. Why?

She has this huge list of trails she wants to go on, starting with little baby trails and going all the way to one that’s labeled as ‘difficult.’

When was the last time she went for a hike?

Never.

We laughed together. Lisa was a physical fitness trainer who ran in tons of charity marathons every year, but mastering the interior of gyms and flat courses on city roads was nothing compared to tromping through the wilderness on trails so faint they were basically suggestions.

I have a feeling, I said, that we’re all going to be very sore by the time we get back home.

But, it’ll have been worth it.

I agree.

Maybe being out in nature, disconnected from things, will be just what I need.

We talked for a little while longer before Porter had to go and meet up with a friend of his. I had plans of my own, as well. Once I finished going through my list, I changed into a cute outfit and drove to go pick up my best friend from her place.

Courtney was waiting outside when I pulled up in front of the duplex where she lived. I noticed something interesting about her right away and decided to see how long it would take her to figure it out.

She hurried down the driveway and climbed in on the passenger side. Hey! I’m starved!

I’m hungry, too. We could go to that place with the good tacos.

Love a good taco.

With our dinner decisions made, I pulled away from the curb and started driving. Courtney was texting on her phone. She finished up and looked over at me. How was your day? Any funny stories about the kids?

I started to respond, but she suddenly let out a surprised sound, cutting me off. I glanced at her, and we both laughed.

We were wearing almost the exact same outfit, like twins dressed by a parent with a theme obsession. We both wore light, summery dresses, blue with polka dots. Her polka dots were larger, although mine had a more bohemian style to the straps. The only