Chapter Nine
AS THE SUN went down and the guys gathered their tools, Baz thanked them for their hard work. Blaine and Maverick had done an incredible job of replacing the slate walkway with stroller-friendly stone, while Baz and the others put up the fencing they’d brought, but without measurements, they’d come up short. Zeke and Zander would be back tomorrow to finish the job and install the gates. They were carrying their tools to their trucks when Emerson came out the front door, cradling Brennan and holding a shopping bag.
“Wait!” She hurried down the steps and across the lawn, her messy waves bouncing around her beautiful face.
Baz went to her, and as the others gathered around them, he noticed dark circles under her eyes and stains on her oversized shirt. “Is something wrong?”
“No.” She exhaled loudly and flashed that heart-stopping smile. “I just wanted to thank everyone, so I made them cookies.”
“You didn’t have to do that.”
“And you didn’t have to call in the hot-guy cavalry to put in my fence, but here we are.” She arched a brow.
Hot-guy cavalry? He bit back a streak of jealousy. “You needed a fence, but trust me, they have plenty of women who are willing to bake for them.”
She looked amused. “I’m thanking them, not propositioning them.”
“For the record, you can proposition me anytime,” Zander chimed in.
Baz glowered at him, softening as he turned back to Emerson. “That’s not what I meant. You’re supposed to be resting, not spending hours on your feet baking. Here, let me help.” He reached for the baby.
“Thanks.” As she handed Brennan over, she lowered her voice for Baz’s ears only. “I made you cookies before you showed up with everyone, but I didn’t want to give them yours. That’s why I made more.”
Fuck if that didn’t cut right to his heart. “That was really sweet of you, Em, but you should be taking it easy.”
“I will, as soon as I’m done giving them out.” She turned to the guys. “I can’t thank you enough for all of your hard work, and one day I’ll figure out how to show my appreciation with something better than cookies.” Her gaze trailed over their faces. “This beautiful walkway and the picket fence will make our lives a lot easier. There’s a special place in this world for people like you.”
“We don’t need a special place. Baz asked for help. That’s what family does,” Tank said earnestly.
“Not all families, but I hope to raise Brennan as well as you all have been raised.” She reached into the shopping bag and took out a smaller bag with Tank’s name scrawled on it, handing it to him. “Thank you for today, but I also want to say thank you for lending Baz children’s books for Brennan when we were in the hospital. I made princess crowns and frog cookies for your girls and Leo, and hearts for you and Leah.”
Tank gave a single nod as he took the bag. “They’re much appreciated. Thank you.”
She smiled and looked at Gunner. “You can’t imagine how much it means to me that you and Sid took care of Ollie before Baz really even knew us, and now this.” She handed him a bag. “I made you guys cookies shaped like dogs and cats, because I don’t really know anything else about you”—she looked at the others—“or any of you, yet, but I hope to one day.”
“I have a feeling you’ll be seeing a lot of us,” Gunner said.
“I have a feeling I’ll be buried in diapers for a while.” She turned to their cousins. “Blaine, I didn’t know what to make you. I tried to make you cookies that looked like stones, but I was limited with decorations because I needed to use icing that dries quickly. So I made you hearts, because you clearly have a big one.” She handed him a bag. “Actually, I could have made it easier on myself and given you all hearts because you’re all incredibly generous, but I like a challenge and I enjoy figuring out how to personalize cookies. And now I’m rambling.”
She was so fucking cute. The guys chuckled, and Baz watched in awe as she joked with them about rambling conversations and big hearts. He’d thought she’d just hand them each a bag of round sugar cookies. That’ll teach him not to underestimate her. He nuzzled Brennan’s cheek, whispering, “Your mama is something special, Little B, but I think we’re going to have to try to pull the reins a little tighter so she doesn’t accidentally wear herself out.”
Emerson went to Maverick. “Since you’re obviously in love with your little girl, I made you and Chloe baby bottles and bows. I hope you and Chloe like them.”
“I’m sure we will. Thank you,” Maverick said.
Emerson went to Tobias and looked at him curiously. “I don’t need to know much about you to know what makes you happy. When you mentioned Madigan, your whole face lit up, so I made you cookies shaped like two connected hearts, because it feels like you must be.”
“She’s the most important thing in my life,” Tobias said, low and serious. “Thank you.”
As she handed Zeke a bag, Zeke said, “Zan and I will be back tomorrow to finish up.”
“That’s really nice of you. Thank you. Since you’re a nature guy, I made you bird and butterfly cookies.”
“Thank you. I’m sure they’ll be delicious.”
“I hope so.” She turned to Zander. “And you .” She smirked as she handed him a bag. “I made you heart-eyed emoji cookies because you give off one heck of a flirty vibe.”
“It’s the only way to live,” Zander said, sparking laughter and conversation.
Baz was glad the guys thanked Emerson and took a moment to admire Brennan and tell her how beautiful he was before climbing into their trucks and taking off. As they watched them drive away, Emerson said, “I can’t believe you did all this for us. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. I’m going to run home and shower,” he said as he handed Brennan to her. “I’ll come back with dinner and take care of Brennan while you rest.”
“Baz,” she said incredulously. “I know I’m starting to sound like a broken record, but you don’t need to come back. We’re fine.”
“Then I guess we’re both broken records, because friends don’t let friends run themselves ragged. You’ve got about an hour to get used to the idea of me coming back.”
“ Fine ,” she relented with a smile.
“Was that so hard?”
“Tragically,” she teased.
“What do you want for dinner? And don’t tell me nothing.”
She rolled her eyes. “What are you hungry for? Do you like pizza?”
“Love it. What kind do you want?”
“Meat lovers. It’s my favorite.”
He barked out a laugh.
She shook her head, but she was still smiling.
“A’right, Lockhart. What else do you want?”
“Nothing.” She rubbed Brennan’s back, and her brows knitted. “Actually, I’ve had a craving for ice cream all day. Would you mind picking some up for dessert? I’ll pay for it, and I don’t care what flavor you get. I like them all.”
“I can do that, but you’re not paying for it. What else do you want?”
“That’s enough, isn’t it?”
“You tell me.”
“It’s more than enough. Or would you rather have tacos? Do you like tacos?”
So fucking cute. “Yes. I’ll eat whatever you want.”
She wrinkled her nose. “I should probably just have a salad with grilled chicken to try to lose this baby weight.”
“Like hell you should. You look great, and now’s the time to spoil yourself, not deprive yourself.”
“I bet that charm gets lots of women in trouble.”
“Only the lucky ones. See you soon, Lockhart.”
BAZ WENT HOME to shower and returned with pizza, tacos, a salad with grilled chicken, and three flavors of ice cream. He’d expected Emerson to read him the riot act, but she’d just said, Why am I not surprised? He was glad the fight had gone out of her.
That was an hour ago. Now Brennan was asleep in the bassinet by the couch where they’d just finished eating. Emerson flopped back against the cushions and put her hand on her stomach, eyes at half-mast. “I’m stuffed. I still can’t believe you got everything I mentioned.”
“I can’t believe you thought I wouldn’t.”
“I’ll know better next time.” She grabbed the remote. “Let’s watch something.”
He stacked their plates and pushed to his feet. “I’m going to clean this up. You should close your eyes and try to rest while B’s asleep.”
“I’m not tired.” She pushed to her feet. “I’ll help you.”
He put his hands on her waist, bringing her trusting eyes to his, causing the flare of warmth in his chest that he was starting to expect when she was around. He told himself to let her go, but his hands tightened on her waist, igniting a hum of electricity between them. Her eyes widened a fraction, and her lips parted, telling him she felt it, too. He had the overwhelming urge to kiss her, and man, he wanted to. But fuck , he knew he shouldn’t. That was not what this was, so he forced himself to let go.
“Sit your pretty little ass down and rest, Em. I’ve got this.”
She blinked several times, as if she was trying to get her brain to cooperate, too, and he knew the second it did, because her shoulders drew back, and a glint of mischief glowed in her eyes. “Shows how well you know me. I’ve never had a little ass, and you’re not my house boy. I’m going to help.”
“Emerson, stop being stubborn.”
“Excuse me, Dr. Wicked, who’s being stubborn?” She arched a brow, looking so damn cute he had to laugh, which made her laugh, too. She put her hand on her stomach. “I’m too full. Don’t make me laugh.”
“I can’t help it. You’re cute.”
She blushed, and that hint of innocence made him want to kiss her even more.
She motioned to her body. “If you think this is cute, you need glasses.”
“My eyes are just fine.”
Brennan started fussing.
“Sounds like someone else knows you need to rest, too.” He nodded to the couch. “Might as well get comfortable.” Glad for the distraction, he picked up the baby and grabbed a burp rag from the changing table. When he turned back to Emerson, her shirt was open, her beautiful breast partly exposed. Fuck. He’d been turned on by beautiful breasts hundreds of times, but this wasn’t just lust coiling inside him. This was a new and different, deeper attraction that went beyond beautiful and sensual body parts to the very heart of her. How could seeing the nurturing mother in her get him all twisted up inside?
“I’m ready,” she said with a sweet smile that he knew was meant solely for her baby as she reached for him.
Baz ground his back teeth, handing her Brennan and the burp rag. He averted his eyes, focusing on cleaning up and gathering the dishes to avoid thinking about the confusing emotions whipping through him.
After washing their dishes and putting away the leftovers, he brought a fresh glass of water into the living room for Emerson. She was still nursing Brennan. As he set the glass down for her, she said, “Baz, listen .” She bit her lower lip, looking down at Brennan and brushing her finger over his cheek.
He heard faint sounds of a cross between “ Mm ” and a whimper or swallow. He felt strangely honored to witness such an intimate moment between mother and child and wished she could be sharing it with her parents. “That might be the sweetest sound I’ve ever heard.”
She met his gaze for a long, mesmerizing beat before saying, “Me too,” just above a whisper.
Brennan’s head tipped back, eyes closed, and her nipple popped out of his mouth, elongated and dark pink.
Christ. Baz turned around, scrubbing a hand down his face to try to rid himself of the thoughts that brought, which were not at all sweet. He heard her getting up and turned back, reaching for the baby. “I’ve got him.”
“It’s okay. He needs to be changed.”
“I don’t mind doing it.” He took Brennan, that newborn smell making his chest go tight.
“Thanks. I’m going to use the bathroom and change into something comfier.”
“Take your time.” He laid Brennan on the changing table as she closed the bedroom door. “Hey, buddy, let’s make a deal,” he whispered as he took off Brennan’s dirty diaper and cleaned him up. “You don’t show me your mama’s breast, and I promise to get her to slow down so she doesn’t get worn out.” As he slid a clean diaper under Brennan’s bottom, a stream of urine hit his shirt. “Dude, really ?” He chuckled. “It’s a good thing you’re so cute, little man.” He cleaned and dressed the baby, laid him in the bassinet, then headed into the kitchen.
He tossed his shirt in her washer and rinsed the urine from his chest. He was walking past the bedroom as Emerson came out and nearly bumped right into him. “Whoa.” He caught her by the arms.
“Sorry.” Her gaze flicked up to his, then back to his bare chest, where they lingered on his ink. “Um…Why is your shirt off?”
“He peed on me.”
A laugh bubbled out. “Sorry. He gets me all the time. You have to hold a diaper over him after you take off the dirty one.”
“I’ll remember that. I hope you don’t mind—I put my shirt in your washer.”
“That’s fine.”
“Why don’t you try to catch some shut-eye, and I’ll take care of him and bring him in when he needs to nurse.”
“Stop pushing sleep on me. My body’s all out of whack. I’m not tired, and we’re just going to sit and watch TV. That’s like resting.” She grabbed the remote, and they sat down as she surfed through the listings. “How about Schitt’s Creek ? Or have you seen it too many times?”
“I haven’t even seen it once.”
“Ohmygod. Seriously? Have you been living under a rock? It’s the best show. I’ve watched the entire series three times.”
“Then let’s watch something you haven’t seen.”
“No. I love this show, and you need to watch it.” She started the first episode and sat back with a sigh.
He glanced at Brennan, sleeping peacefully in the bassinet, and relaxed as they watched the show. A few minutes into the second episode, Emerson rested her head on his shoulder, and not five minutes later, the even cadence of her breathing told him she was sleeping, too. He eased his phone from his pocket and texted Gunner.
Baz: I won’t be back to get Ollie tonight. Can he sleep with you?
Gunner: Nope.
Baz: ??
A picture popped up of Sidney lying in bed with all of their dogs and her arm around Ollie.
Gunner: He’s already claimed my wife. Need anything else?
Baz: I’m good. Thanks.
He set down his phone and kicked his feet up on the coffee table. Emerson snuggled into his side, making a sound that rivaled Brennan’s for the sweetest sound he’d ever heard. He put his arm around her, her scent stirring those emotions he couldn’t afford to decipher. Evie had fallen asleep on his shoulder a million times over the years, and it had never affected him like this. He should hightail it out of there and go to the Hog to catch up with the guys, but he made no move to leave. For the first time in forever, there was nothing more intriguing than the woman beside him.