Chapter 2
2
“ D addy, why are you so worried about this stuff constantly?”
Out of the mouths of babes . Kent leaned against the railing of his porch, the weathered wood in desperate need of a paint job. He kept telling himself he’d do it next weekend, and then he’d find something more fun to do with Elle.
Maybe this could be a fun project to do together. As she kept reminding him, she wasn’t his baby anymore.
“It’s my job to worry, Buttercup.”
Elle looked up at him from her perch on the steps and rolled her eyes. “Now that I’m ten, I’m too old to be called buttercup.”
“Don’t roll your eyes at me, young lady,” he said with a smile as he sat down beside the little girl who had forever changed his life. “I hate it when you do that.”
“I can’t help it. It’s what ten-year-olds do.” She tilted her head and batted her thick eyelashes, her soft-blue eyes catching a ray of sunshine. Damn girl better never grow up, or he was going to be chasing off every young man with a shotgun.
He cringed at the thought.
He looped his arm around her shoulders. Her mother had only been five-five, but Elle was already five-two, so he suspected she would take after him. He hoped she stopped somewhere around five-ten, not six-three.
“I can see if someone can cover my shift today.”
“Miss Jackie wouldn’t send someone she wouldn’t trust with her own children.” Elle scrunched her nose and glared, as if mentally tossing daggers. “Besides, it’s not like I’m two and need constant attention. You heard Aunt Maren. I was a big help last night and in a year, I can take the babysitting course and?—”
“Stop trying to grow up on me,” he said as he smoothed down her shoulder-length brown hair. “And you won’t be babysitting until you’re sixteen.”
“I’ll be too busy with my boyfriend by then, Dad.”
He clutched his chest. “You’re going to give your old man a heart attack.”
She slapped her knee and burst out laughing.
“I don’t see what’s so funny.”
He glanced at his watch, then down the street, lined with houses much like his—small, modest, affordable. There were big wheels, bicycles, and other toys in the front yards. He loved that about the area. Plenty of kids, when Elle decided she wanted to play with them, which lately wasn’t often.
“You’re like fifteen years younger than Heidi’s dad. I think you’re the youngest dad on the block.”
“Actually, eighteen years younger, but who’s counting…” His words trailed off as a young woman he’d never seen before turned the corner, pushing a little boy in a stroller. He swallowed. Hard. “Do you know that girl and her child?” he asked his daughter.
“No.”
“Did you notice if anyone moved into Riley’s place in the last couple of days?” The house had been empty for the past three months. Unfortunately, the neighborhood had a high turnover since these were considered starter homes. Someday, Kent hoped to be able to afford a bigger home, but right now, he needed to save for Elle’s college education.
“It looked empty when I walked by there the other day with Miss Jackie.”
“Maybe she just moved in,” he said, unable to tear his gaze from the beautiful creature strolling in his direction. His lungs burned for the oxygen he couldn’t suck in.
The woman tucked a piece of blond hair that had fallen out of her long ponytail behind her ear in such a seductive manner that left him breathless. She held a piece of paper in her hand, and her gaze landed on the set of mailboxes as she padded by. The closer she got, the more his palms sweated and his pulse raced. He’d seen beautiful women before, but no one looked like the angel walking down the sidewalk, her long, bare legs striding behind the buggy. The way her muscles flexed every time her feet hit the pavement told him she had to be a runner.
He was a runner.
Maybe they could run together.
He should toss his libido out with the trash.
He’d date when Elle was in college. That would make him just shy of forty. Hell, lots of men started having kids at forty. Not that he wanted to, but his life would be far from being on the downhill side of things.
“Look, Mommy! A butterfly,” the little boy in the stroller squealed as they passed his neighbor’s driveway, getting closer to where he and his daughter sat.
“It’s so pretty,” the woman said with enthusiasm as she glanced at the paper.
“I want to get out.” The boy twisted his body, looking over his shoulder. “Out, Mommy! Please!”
“When we find Mr. Carter’s house, then you can get out. But you must be a good boy and stay next to Mommy, okay?”
Hearing his name snapped him back into reality. He blinked.
“I promise,” the little boy yelled.
“She’s pretty,” Elle whispered.
His daughter certainly was perceptive.
“Stunning,” he said softly. If he’d seen her in a bar, or anywhere, he’d want to ask her name. And it wasn’t just about how incredibly sexy she was but also how she carried herself with a sense of confidence that Kent didn’t see very often that made him contemplate tossing his rules out the window.
The woman’s complexion bronzed under the kiss of the sun. Her blue eyes twinkled, and she had the most adorable dimple on her right cheek when she smiled.
“I’m Mr. Carter.” Kent stood, taking his daughter’s hand. “But everyone calls me Kent.”
“Hi. I’m Jackie’s niece, Dixie. You must be Elle,” Dixie said, reaching out her hand. Elle stood only a few inches shorter than Dixie. “My aunt talks nonstop about you.”
“Is this her great nephew, Nicky?” Elle asked with the same excitement she had when he’d given her a cell phone for her birthday. “She has pictures of you on her fridge. You’re even cuter in person.” Elle leaned over and patted the boy’s head.
“That’s me!” The little boy danced in the stroller, tugging wildly at the strap over his middle. “Mommy! Out!”
“Say please.” Dixie reached over the stroller, puckering her lips.
“Please,” the boy said, grabbing her face and kissing her.
God, Kent missed when his Elle was a toddler and so willing to show affection. Now, she sometimes pulled away. Not often, but he could see the writing on the wall.
“I’ve got some games and stuff on the porch.” Elle held her hand out to Nicky. “Can I take him to go play?”
“Sure. Just stay where I can see you and make sure he doesn’t put anything in his mouth.”
Kent watched as his daughter, who was really growing into a fine young lady, led the little boy up the steps, standing just behind him. She talked to him the entire time like she was the babysitter. His baby girl really wasn’t a baby anymore.
But he still couldn’t ignore the nerves settling in his gut about leaving Elle with this young woman. It reminded him of the first day he’d sent Elle off to school on the bus. Jackie had to force him not to follow it to school.
“I appreciate you filling in today, but I was just about to see if someone could cover my shift.” He mentally kicked himself for being so curt. “I’m sure you have other things to do, and your husband…” He knew she didn’t have one, so why did he go there?
“I’m not married.” She held up her hand, wiggling her fingers. “And until my aunt gets back, I don’t have a sitter to go look for a job, so please don’t take the time off just because you think you’re putting me out. You’re not. I could use the money, honestly.”
Jackie had spoken about her niece with the adorable boy who had a deadbeat for a dad. Something about constantly being late with child support and recently taking off without a word. What a jerk.
Yeah, Kent didn’t need this drama in his life.
He second-guessed Dixie’s ability to handle his darling, well-behaved daughter and her seemingly rambunctious toddler. He glanced over at Elle. She certainly had it under control, but he wasn’t about to let it go. He couldn’t and he had no idea why. “It’s for the best if I stay home.”
“Why would you do that?”
“My daughter, your son.” He raised his palms to the sky. “It’s a lot for one person to handle.”
“She’s ten, and from what Jackie tells me, an angel. And I’ve been taking care of my son since before he was born. I think I can handle it.”
“I’ve never left my daughter with anyone but my mother and Jackie.”
“Seriously?” She adjusted her ponytail, tugging at her blond hair, which bounced over her shoulders. “You’ve never used a babysitter? What about playdates when she was younger?”
“No to the babysitter and playdates were always at my house or Jackie was with her.” He glanced over his shoulder. Elle had Nicky on her lap as she read him a book. Kent was not ready for his buttercup to no longer need constant supervision. His mother had told him the last time she’d come to visit that he hovered too much and that her walking the few blocks to the park alone would be just fine. The only way to let her spread her wings and find herself was to give her some freedom.
Freedom knocked up a girl he barely knew, making him a dad at twenty. Of course, he had no regrets other than Elle’s mother's passing. He hadn’t loved Eleanor, something he still felt residual guilt over to this day. They dated for about four months before calling it off. She had trouble with him being in the military, and he didn’t care enough to fight for the relationship.
Then she came to him a few weeks after they’d broken up and informed him he was about to be a father. He never once questioned her decision to keep the baby and promised he’d be there every step of the way. They even tried getting back together, but the best they could do would be to co-parent. Only, Eleanor had developed an infection right after giving birth and died two days later, leaving him to raise their daughter alone.
“I’m sorry you came out here, but this doesn’t feel right.” Jesus, what the fuck was wrong with him? He didn’t even have a solid experience with this insanity. Elle was perfectly content. The little boy seemed easy enough.
He’d finally lost it.
Dixie cocked her head, glaring at him as if her eyes were machine guns pelting bullets through the air. “First, I walked what, six blocks? And second. Doesn’t feel right? I’m Jackie’s niece, and she wouldn’t recommend me to you if she didn’t trust me.”
He arched a brow. “She’s my little girl. I don’t just trust her with anyone, willy-nilly.”
“Never said you did, and as a mom, I totally understand. I have always had a hard time leaving Nicky, but really—and I mean no offense—you need to lighten up.”
“Now you sound like my mother,” he mumbled.
“Not your mother, but a mother.” She let out a long sigh. “Do you have my cell?”
He shook his head, glancing at his watch. He needed to get to work, if he was going to go, though he still held out some hope that he’d be able to weasel his way into a day at home.
With his buttercup.
“Aunt Jackie gave me your number. I’ll text you so that you’ll have mine, and you can text me or call at any time during the day and check in.” She pulled her phone and tapped away with her pretty little fingers. He’d never thought that part of the hand was attractive, or a turn-on, unless they were gripping… Nope, he wasn’t going there. Not when it was his babysitter.
Or with small children around.
He honestly didn’t know how single parents dated. The few times he’d had sex, as in maybe five or six times a year since his daughter had been born, had been when he’d been pulled away on a special assignment, but one-night stands just weren’t his thing.
“There. Just sent it to you.”
His phone buzzed in his back pocket, sending a tingle to places a nanny shouldn’t have any control over. He pulled out his cell and stared at the number flashing in his text messages.
“Here.” She took the phone from his fumbling hands.
He’d never been rendered useless around a woman before. He tried to tell himself he was just off-kilter because this young woman was stubborn. She wasn’t going to take no for an answer.
She stared at him for a long moment. “Does your daughter have a smartphone?”
He nodded.
“Considering how uptight you are, I’m assuming you track her phone. If not, I can give access to track mine.”
“I don’t know,” he said.
She reached out, curling her soft fingers around his biceps. “We’ll be fine, and if there is a problem, I’ll call you.”
“I’m only working a day shift for a buddy. But if we get dispatched, I won’t be able to answer. Let me give you the number of my buddy’s wife.” He took his phone and quickly sent her the contact information for Tilly Jordan and Maren Knight. “Both have kids. Maren helps run a marina not far from here, so she might be more accessible than Tilly if you can’t reach me.”
“You’ve never left your daughter with your friends’ wives?”
He thought about that for a moment. “A few times, but they aren’t babysitters, they’re moms… yeah. I get where you’re going with that one.” He waggled his finger. “Point taken.”
“Good, now is there anything I need to know? Allergies? Foods you don’t want her to have? Medications? Is there a park nearby that we can walk to?”
He held up his hand. “I wrote a list of things. It’s on the kitchen table. She’s just learning how to use the stove, but she needs supervision, and I’m sure she’ll want to make mac & cheese, especially if Nicky is allowed to eat it.”
“Nicky will eat anything you put in front of him, including a mud pie.”
“I ate a few of those when I was a little boy.” He dug into his pocket and handed her a set of keys. “These are to the house and my car, if you need it, but I’d rather you didn’t take my daughter?—”
“Stop worrying.” She took the key ring, dropping it into her purse. “I don’t have a car seat for Nicky, so we won’t go anywhere if we can’t walk there.” She pointed toward his SUV. “How are you getting to work?”
He couldn’t help the smile that spread across his face. “I’ll show you.” He held out his hand. “But I need the keys to my car to get the garage door opener.”
She retrieved them, setting them in his palm.
He curled his fingers before she had a chance to pull away. The soft skin of her palm sent a shock wave through his body. “Sorry,” he mumbled, releasing her hand. Quickly, he turned, clicking the button and opening his SUV. Reaching inside the driver’s door, he tapped the black object hanging from the visor. The garage door rattled, opening slowly, revealing his dark-blue Harley. The Florida sun hit the gas tank, making it shine bright.
Taking her out never got old.
“Wow,” she said, stepping into the garage, running her fingers over the leather seat. “This is a limited anniversary edition.”
“You know your bikes.”
“I grew up on the back of one. My dad loved his Harley.”
“He still ride?”
She shook her head. “He was killed in action when I was sixteen.”
His heart clenched. One of his biggest fears was leaving his daughter alone in this world. One of the reasons he left the military. But service was in his blood. His father had been a SEAL, and he’d seen some serious action. No matter the danger, the world needed men and women like his father—like her father.
“I’m sorry,” he said softly.
“Nicky was named after my dad. I just wish he could have met his grandson.” She peered around the corner at the porch. “Nicky never sits still that long unless it’s on the front of a motorcycle.”
“So you have a motorcycle?” he asked.
“I wish but I can barely afford my car. My dad’s Navy buddies show up every once in a while and take me and Nicky out on theirs.”
“I’ve got a ton of kid helmets. When I get back from work, I’d happily take him for a ride.” He told himself he was only offering to make a little boy happy.
“I don’t know. I don’t think I can trust you with my kid,” she said with a smirk and an arched brow.
“Again, point taken,” he said. “Buttercup, Dad’s leaving. Come give me a hug and a kiss.”
“Stop calling me that,” Elle said. “It’s so embarrassing.”
He laughed, pushing his bike onto the driveway.
“Mommy! I want a ride!” Nicky held on to the railing with one hand and Elle’s hand with the other as his tiny little legs navigated the lopsided steps.
“Sorry, buddy. Mr. Carter has to go to work.” Dixie scooped up her kid, smacking her lips against his cheek as he scrunched his face, wiggling his body, trying to get down. “And if we don’t kick his butt to the curb now, he’ll never leave.”
That caught a chuckle from Elle. “Don’t give him a reason to stay. He’s weird that way.”
“But, Mommy, I want to go now,” Nicky wailed.
“When I get back, little man. Deal?” Kent held out his fist.
Nicky immediately clenched his hand and pounded Kent. “Deal.”
“Bye, Dad.” Elle wrapped her arms around his middle.
He tugged her close as he kissed the top of her head, holding on for as long as she’d let him. “I love you.”
“I love you, too,” she said, backing away. “And please don’t call and text me twenty times. We’ll be fine.”
“He seriously does that?” Dixie asked.
“I would never.” He kicked his leg over the seat. One of the reasons he’d bought this particular luxury bike over a roadster had been the backrest for him and a safer back seat for his daughter. “But I’m still going to try to get someone to cover my shift.”
“Suit yourself.” Dixie turned on a dime, her son on her hip, taking Elle by the hand. “I thought my aunt was kidding when she said your dad was overprotective, but he’s like from another planet.”
“I heard that,” he said before turning over the engine and revving it for effect. “It only makes me want to come home sooner.”
But he wasn’t sure if it was because he was that concerned or he liked the banter.
Or both.