Chapter 27
Twenty-Seven
“ H ey, I was just about to send you a message to see if you guys were on your way to pick me up.”
Oh shit. He was such a dick. Not that he meant to be, but still. Why hadn’t he thought to send her a message right away? Maybe because he was up half the night with Katy while she cried, and then he was running around making sure she was okay after she started throwing up all over him. When Katy had woken up sick, he’d gone immediately into his nurse-dad role.
“Baby, I’m so sorry.”
“What’s wrong?”
“I should have messaged you earlier. Katy’s running a fever. I was up half the night with her because she wasn’t feeling good, and she just threw up. We aren’t going to be going to family dinner tonight.”
“Well, of course not. But that doesn’t mean we can’t still spend time together today. I’m grabbing my keys right now and I’ll stop at the store for some kids’ electrolytes and stuff that will be easy on her tummy before I come over.”
“No, I can’t ask you to do that. What if she’s contagious? I don’t want you to get sick.”
“Have you forgotten I’m used to being in a room with twelve of those beautiful little germ incubators on a regular basis? I’m sure whatever it is is currently coursing through my veins too. I’ll be fine. Does she have a favorite flavor of sports drink? Sometimes that’s easier to get down than the really salty electrolyte drinks.”
“Whatever flavor purple is, she’d love.”
“Perfect. Do you need anything?”
He sighed, feeling relieved. He’d been trying to hold off calling his mom, but with Abby on her way, there was just a little bit more breathing room. “Just you.”
“I’m definitely on the menu and happy to service you however you may need.”
“Abby….”
“Hanging up now before I get myself in trouble. I’ll see you both in an hour, tops.”
John walked back to the couch where Katy was propped against a few pillows, her favorite pink blanket draped across her lap.
“How’s my princess doing?”
“My tummy hurts. I need water.”
“Here.” He grabbed her water bottle from the table. “Little sips, okay? We don’t want to hurt your tummy more by taking a big drink all at once.”
“Daddy?”
“Yeah, baby.”
“Can we watch princess movie?”
“You’re sick of the rescue puppies? I kind of like seeing what sort of trouble that mayor is going to bring each episode.”
“I want princesses.”
“Okay, kiddo. Princesses it is.”
John opened the door before she even had the chance to knock.
“Hey. I brought the whole pharmacy with me.”
She took him in. His hair was wild, each strand standing straight up and in a completely different direction than the one next to it. His eyes looked so tired, but holy hell, he still looked delicious in a pair of sweatpants that were slung low on his hips and a plain black shirt. She was certain it was that one brand she loved, and she couldn’t stop the blush that crept up her neck.
“You didn’t have to do that, Abby. But thank you.”
“Well, I wasn’t sure what she could tolerate or what would upset her tummy, so I wanted to make sure we had everything on hand. I even picked up some noodles and fruit O’s cereal. My mom always made us noodles and butter and let us eat that cereal when our stomachs were off. And I got a little panda bear heating pad for her tummy, and some kid’s ice packs for her forehead. Basically, anything we could need so we can hunker down and get her feeling better by nighttime.”
“That’s perfect, sweetheart.”
“So where is she?”
“Hanging out on the couch. Give me these bags and I’ll take them to the kitchen.”
“Ms. Abby!” Katy’s whole face lit up.
“Hey, sweet pea.” Abby sat on the couch next to her, brushing some of her hair off her sweaty forehead. The poor kiddo definitely had a fever. “How are you feeling?”
“My tummy hurts. I go to see the doctor.”
“Not today, Katy. Maybe tomorrow if you’re still not feeling better.” John called from his kitchen.
“Oh, do you like to see the doctor?” Abby asked.
“Yeah! He gives me dicdors.”
“Oh, stickers?” she laughed. “That’s fun.”
“Yeah. But daddy lets me watch princess movies until my tummy is all better. You watch too?”
“I’d love to. I love princesses.”
“Me too.”
Abby set her bag on the floor. “I brought you something special to help you feel better.”
“You did?”
“Yep. When I was little, and had a tummy ache, my mom would let me snuggle with someone really special, and my tummy ache always went right away.”
“Who?”
Abby pulled the well-loved stuffed bunny from her bag. “This is Buttercup. She was hugged by my grammy and my mom, and they gave her special healing powers. Would you like to hold on to her for me?”
“Yes! I love Buttercup! She’s so cute!”
“She is. But if she tries to get you to feed her some chocolate, don’t listen! She’ll be up dancing and running around all night if we let her have any. She’s on a strict carrots-only diet.”
“Otay, Ms. Abby.” Her little giggles faded as she snuggled down on the couch, the bunny tucked safely in her arms.
“That was sweet of you.” John sat on the couch next to her, letting her stay close to Katy as he draped his arm around her back.
“I stopped by the ranch the other day and grabbed some of my old toys. I thought it might be fun to share them with Katy. When you said she was sick, I knew I needed to bring Buttercup. I don’t believe a lot in the woo-woo stuff my mom does, but I know Buttercup is magic.”
“I’m sure she is, sweetheart. Just look, she’s going to be out like a light in no time.”
Abby looked at Katy, who’s heavy eyelids were drifting shut as she rubbed the bunny’s floppy ear.
“That’s the sweetest thing I’ve ever seen.”
“Yes, it is.” Her head spun to see John staring right at her.
“Why don’t you go grab a shower? Or lay down for a bit.”
John groaned. He’d been falling asleep on the couch for the last ten minutes. “I can’t do that to you.”
“I’m here to help, and I’m right where I want to be.” She smiled, kissing the top of Katy’s head. His daughter had slowly snuggled down, so she was tucked right into Abby’s side. He was pretty sure it was the cutest thing he’d ever seen. “I’m okay sitting here with her. If I can slide out and keep her asleep, I’ll finish the laundry and start on dinner.”
“You don’t need to do that.”
“I kind of like the idea that I’m a part of this team, John. Let me live in the fantasy a bit, okay?”
He bent over Katy so she couldn’t tip her head up and kissed Abby.
“I’ve had some fantasies of my own…”
Abby giggled.
“Go,” she whispered. “Before little ears wake up and start asking you questions you’re not ready to answer.”
“Fine. But when she goes to bed, we’re picking this conversation back up.”
John sat on the edge of his bed, and held his head in his hands. He was exhausted. And Abby hadn’t even hesitated to come help. She wanted to be there to comfort Katy. And fuck if that didn’t make his feelings for her clear as day.
John loved her. He’d known that since the first night they were together at the cabin. But watching her sit with Katy curled up on her lap, he realized moments like that were exactly what he’d always dreamed of having for his daughter.
He leaned back, falling onto the mattress with his arm thrown over his eyes. All he needed was a few minutes to rest…
Shit!
John sat straight up, rubbing his eyes as he tried to get his bearings. The sunlight streaming into the room was golden and dim, a clear sign that he’d been asleep for a few hours. He hadn’t meant to leave Abby on her own with Katy for so long.
A quick trip to the bathroom to splash some water on his face was all the time he allowed himself before heading out to find his girls.
Abby was dancing in his kitchen, a wooden spoon in her hand as she shook her ass and stirred something on the stove top. Jesus, he was getting hard just watching her legs rock her body back and forth to the music that quietly filled the space.
Her legs were bare? What happened to her pants? Actually, what had happened to her clothes? She’d been wearing a red shirt when he left her on the couch, but now she was in a blue one that fit her like a dress. Recognition slammed into him and he fucking couldn’t breathe from the prideful possessiveness that coursed through his veins.
“You’re in my shirt.” His eyes skimmed down her body to her bare legs. “Just my shirt. What happened?”
How that old t-shirt could be the sexiest thing he’d ever seen a woman wear, he didn’t know. Maybe it was more the fact that his woman was wearing it.
His woman.
Fuck.
Something primal inside him loved it so fucking much.
“Oh,” Abby jumped and spun around, blushing. “I hope it’s okay that I borrowed it.”
“Baby, every time I see you in my clothes, I’m reminded how I don’t want to ever see you in anything else.”
“Katy got sick again,” she said, swatting John’s hand away from the perfect curve of her ass. “Poor thing just sat right up on the couch and threw up all over me.”
“Shit. I should go check on her.”
“She’s okay now. I got her cleaned up and settled in her bed. She was out like a light after the first page of the story she picked for me to read. Your couch… well, you might need to get it professionally cleaned. I did my best, but I think it’ll stain.”
“I’m not worried about the couch. Thank you for watching her. I didn’t mean to fall asleep.”
“It was no big deal. I got her to have some sports drink, and I’ve been peeking back into her bedroom to make sure she’s kept it down. I’m glad you were able to rest, too. Can’t have my favorite deputy out of commission. Who will there be to save me?”
John knew she was just joking around, but his stomach lurched at the thought of Abby getting hurt again.
His hand brushed the back of her head. “I’m sorry I didn’t even think to ask. How are you feeling today?”
“I’m absolutely fine. Doesn’t even hurt anymore.”
“I should be the one taking care of you.”
Abby held up the wooden spoon she was using to stir something on the stove.
“Stop that, right now. Your child is sick. I can understand how your mind would be on making sure she was okay.”
He pulled the spoon from her hand, setting it down before placing his hands on Abby’s waist and lifting her up to sit on the counter. He laughed at her little gasp, pressing his body in between her legs. “You are incredible.”
“I don’t know about that.” She reached up and booped his nose with her finger. Booped it. John laughed. “I hope it’s not a problem that I threw my clothes into your washing machine. The bedding that was in there, I just tossed in the dryer. And, like I promised, I started on dinner.”
“I’m sorry I was gone for so long.”
“I’m glad you got to rest. I did think about crawling into bed with you when I saw you were asleep, but I wanted you to rest. Now, I’m the one with an ache in my belly.” Abby bit her lower lip and fuck, it was impossible for him not to kiss her. Her hands traveled up his neck and into his hair, his eyes rolling back as she tugged gently at his roots.
His hand traced a path up her thigh, running over the thin fabric that curved around her hip.
“Lace? For me?” he asked as he peppered kisses down her neck.
“Yes,” she moaned into his shoulder. “I know it’s your favorite.”
“Mm, it is.”
“DADDY!!” Katy called out from her room.
“Looks like the princess has woken up.”
John took a step back and sighed as he helped Abby off the counter. “I’m happy to report I have an honorary doctorate in taking care of those sorts of tummy aches, but you’ll have to be a good girl and wait until after dinner.”
“I think I can do that.” She winked and turned back to the stove.