Chapter Fifteen
“LOOK AT US going out like regular people, Brennan,” Emerson said as she drove toward Baz’s office, where they were meeting him for lunch. She couldn’t believe Brennan was six weeks old already. Or that Gwen’s little girl, Karina, was almost two weeks old. It seemed like only yesterday she and Gwen were sitting in their apartment trying to decide where to order dinner from. Now their texts and phone calls revolved around babies. It was strange how much had changed in a few short weeks. Gwen was in the holy-crap stage of her life being upended, while Emerson was finally feeling like she had a handle on motherhood. Now that she and Brennan had figured out their new normal, she was feeling more like herself. She even managed to walk Ollie most mornings with Brennan strapped to her chest in a carrier.
She glanced in her rearview at her little boy’s reflection in the mirror facing his car seat. He was adorable in the sky-blue onesie Baz had given him, which had M OM THINKS SHE ’ S IN CHARGE …T HAT ’ S SO CUTE across the front. The last few weeks had passed in a whirlwind of busy days, sleepless nights, and a horribly painful bout of mastitis. Thank God for Baz and Ginger. She hadn’t realized how much of a toll moving, not finishing her projects before Brennan was born, giving birth, and the upheaval of her schedule had taken on her. Baz and his family coming into her life had also been anxiety inducing, but she was glad they had. As much as she’d hoped to do this on her own, she was more than grateful for their help.
If only she didn’t want to kiss Baz every time she saw him.
He had been there for them every day, as pushy and insistent and wonderful as he’d been since day one, spending time with them, texting during the day, showing up most evenings and weekends to hang out, often joining them for evening walks on the beach. He went out with the guys after church sometimes, and he’d call her on those nights. He always went riding with the guys on Sundays, and he usually came by afterward. Sometimes he brought dinner or a little gift for her or Brennan, like the baby book he’d given her a few weeks ago to record Brennan’s milestones and write notes about all the little things she never wanted to forget, and he always brought a smile that instantly brightened their days. Everything he did made him harder to resist, but they had a great friendship. She hadn’t realized how much she’d missed being happy until he’d inserted himself into their lives. Sure, he flirted, and the way he looked at her sparked desires she had no business feeling, and sometimes he made her heart race. Okay, often , but so what? She was a healthy single woman, and he was an incredible man. An incredibly hot man who adored her son, made her laugh, held her when she cried, cared for her when she was sick, and always watched out for her and Brennan’s best interests. He’d even bought an extra car seat for his truck. But it wasn’t like either of them was looking for a relationship. She was focused on Brennan and gearing up to take on editing clients again, and Baz had plans that didn’t include settling down, much less becoming insta-dad. Which was why when her overactive hormones wanted to gather up his playful innuendos and make more out of them, she was careful not to. She loved their friendship, and that would have to be enough.
It is enough.
If she told herself that often, maybe she’d eventually believe it. How she went from feeling nothing for men to wanting one more than she thought possible was a miracle to her. But then again, she’d experienced quite a few miracles since she’d moved there.
She was surprised at how much easier it had become to accept help from Baz and his family. Not that they gave her a choice. They were all endearingly pushy, and they’d helped her grow into her new role as a mother. A role she knew would be ever-changing, because Brennan was growing and changing so fast. He lit up every time he heard hers or Baz’s voice. Ginger’s and Madigan’s, too, which made sense, since they were around so often. Ginger came by at least three or four times a week, always armed with a reason— Just dropping off food or I found this great nursing top and thought it would look cute on you —and she often stuck around for a few hours, chatting or giving Emerson time to work. It was nice spending time with her. She had a calming effect, and she was really good at mothering, which Emerson had grown to appreciate. Ginger spoiled her and Brennan, and she never failed to tell Emerson how great a job she was doing with him. With hers, Madigan’s, and Baz’s encouragement, she’d started using the breast pump. She’d felt a little guilty at first, but it had allowed her the freedom to finish her editing job while Ginger or Madigan was there, and seeing them and Baz bond with Brennan as they fed him brought a world of unexpectedly good feelings. Madigan was just as supportive of Emerson as Gwen would be if she were there. Like Ginger, she always had a reason to stop by, claiming she was having Brennan withdrawals or wanted to bake cookies together for a puppetry party or some other event. Sometimes she’d just walk in and say, I love my fiancé (or brother, mother, father) but… and go on a tirade, which always left them in stitches.
Sidney had also visited a few times to check on Ollie. She was not as exuberant as Madigan, but she was just as likable. Sidney had a quiet humor, and though she was less of an open book than Madigan, who had shared her trials and tribulations of dating before falling in love with Tobias, Sidney had shared quite a bit with Emerson. Including the fact that her mother had abandoned her and her father when Sidney was only two and that she hadn’t let many people into her life before moving to the Cape, either. Their lives and losses were different, but they’d found a common bond and had formed a friendship, too.
She wasn’t afraid of losing Baz’s friendship or the support of his family the way she had been at first. He and his family had woven her and Brennan into the fabric of their close-knit group, and in doing so, they’d threaded themselves into her heart, too.
As she turned off the main road and drove through the gated entrance to Baz’s office and the Wicked Animal Rescue, she thought about the last time she’d been there. The day she’d met Baz. She’d been so worried about Ollie and in such a hurry, she hadn’t noticed how big the property was. In addition to the two large animal shelters, there were several small shelters and pens off to the right of the long driveway. She spotted Sidney and Gunner’s farmhouse with the big front porch to the left, and it looked just like Sidney had described it.
She parked in front of Baz’s office, and her nerves flared to life. He was making it his mission to expand her circle of friends and show her around the area. He’d been excited for her to get to know Evie and Tori and to meet the new doctor he’d hired, his friend Quinton Anthony. She was looking forward to meeting them, but she was a little nervous about seeing Evie. She knew how close Baz and Evie were. Evie often texted him while he was with Emerson, and he’d mentioned more than once that she’d been at the Salty Hog with him. Emerson loved that he had friends from his childhood, like she had Gwen, but she didn’t want to think about what would happen if Evie didn’t like her. If Evie was anything like Gwen, she’d let him know it every chance she got.
Brennan whimpered, drawing Emerson from her thoughts. “I’m coming, sweetie.”
She took a quick look in the mirror, checking the little makeup she’d put on for the first time since giving birth. She didn’t look half-bad, despite the fact that her cheeks were still fuller than they were prepregnancy. She’d lost twelve pounds, but the remaining sixteen seemed permanently deposited on her boobs, belly, and hips. Thankfully, the cute blue nursing top Ginger had given her was blousy enough to cover those bulges. She’d had to buy bigger shorts, but on the upside, she’d stopped bleeding a few weeks ago. She’d take those wins where she could get them.
She climbed out of the car and went around to get Brennan. “Hi, sweet boy,” she said as she leaned in to tickle his foot. “Are you excited to see Baz?” She swore there was a happy glimmer in his eyes at the mention of Baz’s name.
Just like your mama.
Tucking that thought away, she grabbed the baby bag, unhooked his carrier, and headed into the office, hoping for the best.
Emerson walked into the office, and Tori’s eyes brightened behind her black-framed glasses. “Hi, Emerson. I don’t know if you remember me, but I’m Tori.”
“I remember. It’s nice to see you again.”
“You, too, and this must be Brennan.” She pushed to her feet, peering over the desk. “He’s even cuter than his pictures. I swear I feel like I know you two through Baz.”
“ Oh? Should I be worried?” She said it teasingly, but she wondered if he’d told them about the times she’d been overwhelmed, of which there had been a few.
“No,” Tori reassured her. “According to him, you deserve the award for Mother of the Year, and Brennan is the smartest and cutest baby in the entire world.”
That made her feel good all over. She didn’t think she deserved an award, but Baz told her often how lucky Brennan was to have her as a mother, and it was nice knowing he’d said as much to Tori.
“Baz went to check on a dog at the shelter,” Tori explained. “He should be back any minute. I’ll text him and let him know you’re here.”
“Thanks.” As Tori went back to her desk, Emerson sat down, putting Brennan’s carrier on the floor in front of her. She remembered how protective Baz had been the last time she’d sat in that very chair. That seemed like ages ago. She never would have guessed they’d get so close, but she was glad they had. She leaned forward, giving Brennan her finger to hold, and whispered, “You were here the day you were born, but you were still in my belly.”
Evie came out of a door in the back of the room and gasped. “You’re here!” She hurried over to Emerson. “ Hi. I’m Evie. Remember me? It’s nice to see you again. I’ve been dying to get to know you and Brennan.”
“Hi. I remember you, and Baz has told me a lot about you.” She didn’t know why she said that. Baz had shared a little here and there about Evie, but he hadn’t told her much.
“All lies, I’m sure.” Evie crouched by Brennan. “Aren’t you the cutest little guy.” She glanced up at Emerson. “So, are you sick of him yet?”
“ Brennan? No. I could never be sick of him.”
“Not Brennan. Baz. ” Evie sat in the chair beside her.
“Oh.” Relief rushed out with a breathy laugh. “I was going to say…”
“I know you’d never get sick of Brennan. But I’ve known Baz since we were kids. He’s an amazing guy, but he can be a pushy pain in the you-know-what.”
And just like that, Emerson’s nervousness flitted away. “He is pushy, but he’s been great, and he’s so good with Brennan. He’s always loving on him, telling him how smart he is, and whispering like they have big secrets.” All of which made her melt inside. “I’ve got no complaints.” Except that I can’t stop thinking about kissing him.
The office door opened, and Baz walked in, radiating confidence and power, his black polo shirt straining over his biceps and chest, his hair finger combed, those few wayward strands hanging over one eye. His gaze landed on Emerson, sparking that thrum of desire she was trying so hard to ignore. A slow grin brought out his dimples, and her stomach flip-flopped.
“Speak of the devil,” Evie said, eyeing the two of them curiously.
“I’m glad you made it.” Baz closed the distance between them, his jeans-clad legs quickly closing the gap. He leaned in and kissed Emerson’s cheek. “You look beautiful.”
Evie cocked a brow and cleared her throat.
“You always look great, Eves.” He crouched beside Brennan, offering his finger, which her boy took hold of.
“Yeah, yeah,” Evie said as if she’d heard it a hundred times.
“The trick is to look really bad most days,” Emerson said conspiratorially.
“Your mama is one silly lady,” Baz said to Brennan. “She couldn’t look bad if she tried. Did you have a good morning? Did you play with Ollie and go for a walk in the stroller or the baby carrier?”
“I think my ovaries just exploded,” Tori said.
“Mine have been exploding for weeks,” Emerson admitted. “I take back what I said earlier. That’s the one complaint I have. What is it about a tough, tattooed guy with a baby that makes us lose our minds?”
“His deadly dimples don’t help,” Evie said.
Baz flashed a grin, and all three girls groaned, then laughed.
“I brought you guys something.” Emerson reached into the baby bag and took out two containers. “Cookies for all of you, and doggie biscuits for your clients.” She’d been baking a lot lately, getting creative with new flavors and loving it. She often sent cookies to work with Baz and sent some home with Sidney, Ginger, and Madigan.
“Yes!” Evie cheered, and hugged her. “Thank you. I don’t know what you put in your cookies, but I’m addicted to them.”
“Do you have a favorite flavor?” Emerson asked.
“German chocolate,” Tori chimed in, putting the container of doggy biscuits on her desk.
“ Yum. I love those, but I also love the vanilla almond, and the confetti cookies, and the dark chocolate.” Evie shrugged. “I guess they’re all my favorites.” She took the container of cookies from Emerson. “I’ll take good care of these.”
“Try to save a few for me and Quinton.” Baz winked at Emerson, Brennan’s fingers still wrapped around his, sending another thrill through her.
Evie turned a pleading gaze to Emerson. “Any chance I can convince you to bring cookies to the book club meeting next week? My sister Brandy is catering, but I know for a fact she doesn’t have cookies on the menu.”
“I’m still not sure if I’m going. It sounds fun, and I’d like to chat about the book, but I’m nervous about leaving Brennan.”
“I told you I’d watch him,” Baz said. “You deserve a girls’ night out, and Mads has been bugging me to get you to go.” He looked at Evie. “She’ll be there.”
“ Baz ,” Emerson implored.
“Don’t Baz me, Lockhart,” Baz said emphatically. “How did you feel the first time you left Ollie alone when he was a puppy?”
“Horrible, and guilty. I worried the whole time.”
“And the next time you left him?”
“A little less anxious,” she admitted, realizing where he was going with his questions. Sneaky.
“Then you know the first time is the hardest, and I’ll be there to make sure Brennan is well cared for.” Brennan started fussing. “See? Even Brennan thinks you should go.” Baz took him out of his carrier. “You don’t have to stay long, but it would be good for you to get out and have some fun. Besides, Brennan and I have guy stuff to do, and if you’re home, you’ll just get in the way.” He put the baby on his shoulder, patting his back, his tone softening. “Right, Little B?”
“Little B.” Tori made an exploding sound again.
“I hope you’ll come,” Evie urged. “And no pressure about making cookies. I would really like to get to know you better.”
“Maybe I will,” Emerson relented. “And I don’t mind bringing cookies. Baking is relaxing for me. I wish I could do it all the time.”
“Speaking of cookies,” Tori said. “I was going through the donations for the rescue’s adoption event, and Gunner has you down as a maybe for donating cookies and dog biscuits. Have you decided whether you want to make them yet?”
“He does? Sid didn’t say anything to me about an adoption event. When is it?”
“It’s three weeks from Saturday, and it’s held here on the property,” Baz said. “Sid didn’t mention it to you because I was supposed to. I was going to ask you about it at lunch today. Gunner mentioned it right after you got home from the hospital, but I didn’t want to add more to your plate, since the event was several weeks away. The proceeds benefit the rescue, and I’ll pay for the ingredients and help you bake if you want to do it, but there’s absolutely no pressure.”
That was just like him to try to protect her from getting overwhelmed, and the thought of baking with Baz brought flashes of naughty images of them in her kitchen. She couldn’t afford to get lost in those thoughts when everyone was looking at her expectantly. “Gunner and Sid have done so much for me, I’d be happy to bake for the event. But you don’t have to pay for anything.”
“We’ll talk about that,” Baz said.
“Great,” Tori said. “Should I put you down for cookies and doggy biscuits?”
“Yes, thank you.”
“You’ll love the event. It’s really fun,” Evie said. “They make bows and bow ties for the dogs and cats, and Chloe makes fun posters that are like social media profiles for the animals, and she and Baz have a contest to see who can get the most adoption applications.”
Emerson looked at Baz. “Maybe the cookies and dog biscuits can help you win.”
“Like he needs help?” Evie scoffed. “One flash of those dimples and women would sign up to adopt a one-legged elephant if he asked them to.”
They all laughed.
Brennan fussed again, and Emerson reached for him. “I should probably feed him before we go.”
“Let’s go upstairs to my place,” Baz suggested as a strikingly handsome dark-haired guy came out of a hallway. His gaze landed on Evie, earning a flirty smile that made Emerson curious about the two of them.
“Evie, would you mind finishing up with Mr. Blanchard?” the guy asked.
“Not at all. Emerson, I hope to see you next week at the book club meeting.” Evie put a hand on Brennan’s back. “See you later, little dude.” She stole another glance at the good-looking guy as she walked past him.
“Quinton,” Baz said. “This is Emerson and her son, Brennan.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet the infamous supermom,” Quinton said kindly. “Congratulations on your little one.”
“Thank you.” She looked between him and Baz, then glanced at Tori, who was busy on the phone. “Is it a prerequisite to be good-looking to work here?” The words were out before she could stop them.
“They didn’t ask for a picture with the application.” Quinton sounded amused. “Is that why you hired me, Baz?”
Baz’s brows slanted, but before he could respond, Brennan started crying. “I think you’d better feed him.” He put a hand on Emerson’s back, leading her toward the hall.
“It was nice meeting you, Quinton,” she called over her shoulder.
When they were halfway down the hall, Baz said, “Were you hitting on my new vet?”
She couldn’t tell if he was annoyed or joking. “What? No. Did I sound like I was looking for a date?”
“No reason for you not to be.” He guided her into his office and through another door.
“Yeah, right ,” she said sarcastically as they headed upstairs. “The baby in my arms says otherwise.”
“You’re a mother, Em, not a nun.”
He said it too emphatically to be anything but irritated. Or maybe jealous? That made her pulse kick up. “Okay, but do you really think I’d try to pick up one of your employees?”
“You obviously think he’s good-looking.”
That made her head spin. Could he be jealous? “I think one charming vet is more than enough to keep this girl on her toes.”
Based on his smirk, he was pleased by that answer. He opened the door to his apartment, and she was blown away. The entire back wall was glass, with breathtaking views of the tops of trees against the clear summer sky as far as the eye could see. Dark hardwood floors and a faded Oriental rug with just enough splashes of color to draw the eye gave the living room a warm, classy feel, though not overdone like the Vasilious’. A brown leather sofa, two light gray armchairs, and a rich wooden coffee table and matching television stand were all substantial and masculine, like Baz. The living room was separated from the kitchen by a bar and two high-back chairs. White walls, dark cabinets, marble countertops, and silver-and-black appliances, including a double oven, gave the kitchen a luxurious feel. The large front windows offered glorious views of the property and made the apartment feel incredibly spacious.
“Nice bachelor pad.”
“Thanks. Make yourself comfortable. I need to check on something, and then I’ll get you a glass of water.”
He headed down a hallway, and she sat on the couch to nurse Brennan. As Brennan latched on and settled in, she leaned back against the cushion, getting a better look at the space. There were framed pictures on the television stand. She recognized his mother, brothers, and cousins and Sid, Evie, and Tori. They’d talked a lot about family these last few weeks, and she knew the beautiful freckle-faced mixed-race woman with curly brownish-red hair was Leah, the dark-haired baby she was holding was Leo, and the two adorable little girls on Tank’s lap were their daughters, Rosie and Junie. Rosie was the younger one, with dark skin, deep dimples, and pigtails, and Junie was a fair-skinned, serious-eyed redhead with gorgeous ringlets. There were pictures of Baz with his nieces and nephew, and she assumed the tall blonde with Maverick holding a baby dressed in pink was Chloe. There were several pictures of dozens of guys wearing cuts. It was so different from the small world from which she’d come. Her gaze found a double frame with two familiar photos, and her breath caught in her throat. She scooted to the edge of the cushion, squinting, sure she was seeing things.
No way.
He’d framed the picture he’d taken of her holding Brennan minutes after she’d given birth and the picture she’d taken of him holding Brennan in the hospital. She heard Baz coming down the hall and sat back, her nerves pinging as he went into the kitchen.
“Water or juice, darlin’?”
“Water’s fine, thanks.” She watched him filling a glass from a pitcher in the fridge and tried not to dwell on the pictures. But it was impossible. She’d seen Baz nearly every day since Brennan was born. Feelings for him had been taking root for weeks, and now she wondered if he had those kinds of feelings for her, too. Or was it wishful thinking?
“Little man was hungry, huh?” he said as he came out of the kitchen and handed her the glass of water.
“Yeah. Sorry. I tried to nurse him before I left the house, but he wasn’t hungry yet.” She took a drink, trying to calm her nerves, and handed him back the glass. “If you don’t have time to go to lunch, we can do it another day.”
He placed the glass on a coaster on the coffee table. “We’ve got plenty of time. I had Tori block out a couple of hours. I know how this little guy is, and I didn’t want you to feel rushed your first time at the Hog.”
It struck her that he was always making time for her. She glanced at the pictures of her and Brennan again and had to ask about them. “Baz, why do you have pictures of me and Brennan over there?”
“I have pictures of all the special people in my life.”
Everything he did and said made her feel special, but that didn’t mean he had bigger feelings for her. She was pretty sure he made everyone feel special, and she knew she shouldn’t read too much into it, but that didn’t stop butterflies from nesting in her stomach.