Christmas Star (Contemporary, Romance) by Roz Denny Fox

please?”
    Clay freed one hand and dragged a thumb across his lower lip—an action that reminded him how soft Starr’s mouth had felt under his earlier. Quite a contrast to the hard determination he’d heard in her voice moments ago. Which was the real Starr Lederman?
    Irritably he switched gears. The only reason for his visit today was to determine his brother’s interest in this adoption. Was it political—or was it personal? While in Wanda’s office, Clay had put together some possibilities. He didn’t like the one that most insistently reared its ugly head.
    About eight years ago Harrison’s marriage had hit a low spot. It rallied briefly—until Morgan was born. Other men acted sappy over their firstborn. Not Harris. He threw himself into his work. But what if Morgan wasn’t Harrison’s firstborn? And what if his opponents knew?
    Damn, suspicions of this nature were distressing. Yet he had to ask. “Uh, Mrs. Manning...” Clay cleared his throat and studied the tips of his boots. “Do you know why my brother would take a personal interest in this particular child?” God, he wanted out of this suffocating room.
    Mrs. Manning’s unfeeling eyes showed a spark of interest. “Perhaps you can tell me, “ she said curtly. “Go ahead, Mr. McLeod. I’m listening.”
    Clay didn’t look at the woman as he began to pace. “What do you know about the child’s mother? What did she do? Was she pretty?”
    “Those are odd questions. Pretty is as pretty does, Mr. McLeod. She had no visible means of support, other than the usual for homeless dock women, if that’s what you’re talking about. Do you mind my asking what difference it makes?”
    “I’ve only recently learned of the senator’s involvement with the little girl. As his brother, I find it curious. I mean, Miss Lederman isn’t related to us or anything.” He stopped beside the desk, bile threatening to choke him. “As you pointed out, this is an election year. My brother’s opponent isn’t new to mudslinging. Do you follow me?”
    The woman merely inclined her head.
    Clay crossed to one of the room’s narrow windows. With his back to the social worker, he lifted a dirty slat of the miniblind and restlessly monitored the progress of slow-moving vehicles on the wet streets below. In a low, impassioned voice he expressed the fear that had begun to fester ever since Starr had planted the seed of doubt this morning. “Is it possible that Harrison is SeLi Lederman’s biological father?” There was no point in mincing words.
    At the woman’s shocked gasp, Clay struggled to breathe in the stale air. His fingers tensed on the slat. Apparently whatever Mrs. Manning had expected him to ask, it had definitely not been this question. That brought Clay at least a degree of comfort.
    He turned and she sat forward. The old chair protested in a loud squeak. “I must say that’s an interesting notion, Mr. McLeod. One I hadn’t considered.”
    “We can’t rule it out, then?” He was disappointed. Her words hadn’t delivered the unequivocal relief he would’ve liked.
    “Only Judge Forbes can do that.”
    Clay frowned. “Judge Forbes and my father go way back—to law school. I attended elementary and high school with the judge’s son, Joel. Lost track of him when I went off to college. I heard he’d joined the navy after his mother died. Haven’t thought of him in years.”
    “Yes, well, Joel was killed in a training mission off Alcatraz a few years back. The judge hasn’t been himself since. He should retire, if you ask me.”
    Clay walked back across the room. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know. Naturally a man would dote on his only son.” Which brought him back to wondering why his own brother didn’t. Morgan hardly knew his dad.
    “I assume you have reason to suspect your brother,” Wanda Manning mused aloud, breaking into Clay’s reflections.
    “Frankly you’re one reason, Mrs. Manning. You seem to resent his involvement.”
    Her top lip