She followed his gaze. “I might be slow, but I’ll get it all done.”
“I don’t doubt your ability,” he said as he walked over to the dresser. It looked simple enough. “I could put these two pieces together—” he jerked his thumb toward the crib box “—in about two hours. I don’t have the right tools with me, but I can bring them by later.”
Heather shook her head. “You’ve done enough, Jim.”
He went to stand next to her. “You’ve got to be tired and sore, not to mention feeling the weight of your new responsibility.”
He glanced down at the sleeping baby. Her hair was a little darker than her mother’s, but he could see the resemblance in the shape of her mouth and ears. No doubt as Diane got older, their relationship would be more obvious.
“But—”
He held up his hand to stop her. “Tell you what. I’m heading over to my office for a few hours. I’ll call you around three. At that time you can give me a shopping list. Since you didn’t plan to have your baby yesterday, I doubt you’ve got supplies in. Right?”
She stared at him. “Who are you? Why are you doing all this?”
“Because I want to,” he answered lightly, dancing around the truth. He helped because it gave him the illusion of belonging and doing the right thing. Because these simple acts held the demons at bay. “Between now and then, make up a grocery list and I’ll stop on my way over. If you’re up to company, I’ll put together the dresser and the crib. If you’re worried about trusting me, I have references.”
Diane stirred. Heather dropped her gaze to her child, then returned it to him. “Do you make a habit of rescuing people?”
“It’s my hobby.”
“I want to ask why, but I have a funny feeling you wouldn’t tell me.”
He didn’t respond. They both knew she was right.
She tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear and bit her lower lip. “I’m very tough and capable. I don’t actually need you to help me.”
“Agreed. But wouldn’t it be nice to be able to let someone else take on some of the responsibility, even just for a couple of hours?”
She had long, pale lashes and a couple of freckles dotting her nose. Her full mouth turned up at the corners. “I would like to curl up and take a nap.”
“So go for it. Write down your phone number, and I’ll call about three. Oh, and I need to move the car seat into your car. Which is probably still parked at your doctor’s office. We’ll talk about that later, too.”
“You’re right…about all of it.” She smiled. “I know it’s probably getting boring to hear, but thank you. Again.”
“My pleasure,” he said lightly, and he meant it. Not just because Heather appealed to him, but because helping her allowed him to pretend, if only for a while, that everything was fine.
Chapter Four
Heather opened the front door of her apartment and stared at Jim as he stood on the porch, a shopping bag in each hand. She didn’t know whether to laugh or scream. “You’re making me crazy,” she said as she pushed open the screen door to let him in.
“You love all the attention,” he said easily as he strolled into her kitchen and began putting away groceries. As if he was completely comfortable. As if he knew where everything went. Which he was and he did. The man had been visiting her twice a day for a week. Why wouldn’t he be at home in her house?
“You can’t keep buying me things,” she said.
“Wanna bet?” He winked. “Besides, this isn’t all for you.”
“What have you bought her now?”
He tried to look innocent and instead only looked sinfully handsome. Really, it was incredibly unfair. She wasn’t getting a whole lot of sleep, so there were unattractive circles under her eyes. She had breasts for the first time in her life, which was nice except they hurt a lot and leaked, not to mention the fact that her clothes didn’t fit right yet and she swam in her maternity stuff. Jim, on the other hand, was gorgeous. He frequently wore casual business dress or jeans, but he always looked put together, healthy and beautiful, if a man could be such a thing.
“Is she awake?” he asked instead of answering her question, then breezed past her and headed for Diane’s room. Heather followed. “You’re awake,” he murmured to the baby in the bassinet. “Aren’t you the clever girl, knowing that your uncle Jim was coming to see you?” He glanced at Heather. “May I pick her up?”
She nodded. Jim reached down and lifted Diane into his arms, then cooed at the infant.
“Did I tell you how pretty you are? That nightshirt Mommy chose is very flattering on you. It makes your eyes look even more blue. You’re going to be a heartbreaker when you grow up. And smart, too. I can tell.”
The litany went on. By now, Heather was used to Jim’s ongoing conversations with her daughter. As far as he was concerned, little Diane was the most beautiful, brilliant, incredible child ever born. Lord knows what he would say if he had a kid of his own.
As Jim rocked and tickled and generally fussed over Diane, Heather tried to figure out who this man was. He had to have flaws, although to date she hadn’t found any. He showed up with the regularity of a paid nurse, brought her groceries, stamps and any number of things she needed. He filled her car with gas so she could drive several hundred miles if circumstances called for it. He’d put together the dresser and the crib, had brought more toys than any three children could ever play with. He was funny and kind, fun to be with and the perfect gentleman. According to the brief rundown he’d given her on his life, he was single, had never been married and wasn’t seriously involved with anyone. So why was he hanging out with an infant and her still-hormonal mother?
Heather didn’t think of herself as a cynical person, but she’d seen a bit of the world. Men like Jim didn’t exist. Therefore, there had to be something very, very wrong with him. If only she could figure out what it was….
Jim led the way back into the kitchen where he lifted a small pink bakery box out of a bag and set it on the table. He flashed Heather a grin. “You’re welcome to join us if you’d like.”
“Gee, thanks. If you don’t think I’ll be in the way.”
He glanced down at the baby in his arms. “Do you think Mom will be in the way? I don’t. I think she’ll be a lot of fun at the party and I happen to know she’s your favorite person in the whole world. So what do you say?” He paused as if Diane was answering, then nodded solemnly. “Diane says she’s thrilled you’re going to join us.”
Despite her confusion and the unanswered questions she had about Jim, Heather had to laugh. “I’m honored.” She took a seat across from him at the round table.
Jim pushed the bakery box toward her. “My hands are full right now. Why don’t you open it?”
She lifted the lid and stared down at the little cake. Pink letters danced across chocolate frosting. It took her a minute to figure out that the letters weren’t moving at all, but that they seemed to be because of the tears in her eyes. “Happy One Week B-day, Diane,” read the script. Heather blinked rapidly so that Jim wouldn’t see that her hormones were still acting up, then she removed the cake from the box and smiled at him.
“This is a very sweet gesture.”
He beamed. “They couldn’t spell out ‘birthday’ because there wasn’t enough room, but I didn’t think Diane would mind.” He’d settled the baby so that her rump rested on the inside of his forearm and her head nestled by his shoulder. “Do you mind, sweet cheeks? It’s chocolate, which I know is your favorite. Or it will be when you figure out what chocolate is. It’s a girl thing. Women love chocolate. Guys do not understand this relationship, although we respect it.” He kissed the top of her head. “You can’t eat any today, but I wanted you to know I remembered your one week birthday. I thought for your one month celebration we’d have pony rides.” He looked at Heather. “What do you think?”
“I think you’re a very strange man.” She got up and collected forks, a knife and two plates. “Do you wan
t ice cream with your cake?”
“Sure.” He shifted in his chair. “Uh-oh, this little one is fading fast.”
Heather looked over and saw that her daughter had closed her eyes and sagged against Jim. “Want me to take her to her room?”
“No,” he told her as he rose to his feet. “I can do it.”
With that, he disappeared into the rear of the house. Heather stared after him. When Diane had first been born, Jim had been afraid to hold her. He’d looked so awkward standing there in her hospital room. But a mere week later, he was an expert who even changed the occasional diaper. Just like a regular dad.
She paused in the act of slicing the cake. Jim Dyer wasn’t Diane’s father. He wasn’t her anything. Luke was the biological parent, although since signing away his rights, he’d never gotten in touch with Heather. She wondered how he’d cut her out of his life so easily. Apparently, the relationship had been a game to him. Something he played at while he decided if he wanted to get back together with his wife.
“You’re looking serious about something,” Jim said from the kitchen doorway.
“Just lost in thought.” She scooped ice cream onto both plates and set them on the table. “Thanks for this,” she said as she pushed his dessert toward him. “You’re right about women and chocolate.”
“It’s a scary thing,” he teased. “I try not to think about it.” He settled into the seat across from hers. “If it makes you feel any better, the lady at the bakery thought I was strange about the cake, too.”
“I’ll bet,” Heather said, realizing the lady at the bakery would have assumed that Jim was a doting father.
Which brought her back to the question that had plagued her for an entire week. Why was he still here?
She poured them both tall glasses of milk, then sat at the table. “We have to talk,” she said.
Jim paused in the act of raising a cake-and-ice-cream-laden fork to his mouth. He lowered his arm and pushed the plate away. “Sure. What do you want to talk about?”
If only he wasn’t so good-looking, she thought uncomfortably as she took in the dark blue eyes and slightly too long hair that fell across his forehead. And that stupid dimple. How was she supposed to resist a man with a dimple? Especially a man who went out of his way to make her laugh and feel safe? Her mother would have told her to stop looking a gift horse in the mouth.
Ignoring what was probably very sound advice, Heather plunged ahead. “I want you to know that I appreciate everything you’ve done. The gifts, putting together the furniture. I think I could have finished the dresser, but that crib looked really tough. Most of all, I appreciate the visits and the conversation. I hadn’t realized quite how trapped I would feel with a newborn. You’ve kept me from getting lonely and going stir-crazy.” She paused, not sure how to continue.
“By your serious tone, I suspect you have more to say,” Jim prompted gently.
She nodded. “This is very strange. Not you, but having you around. We don’t know each other. Who are you and why are you in my life?”
He flashed her a quick smile. “This probably isn’t a good time for my alien-abduction story, right?”
“It would explain certain things, but not in a way designed to make me feel comfortable.”
He leaned forward as if to touch her hand, then stopped himself. Heather suffered through a brief flash of disappointment because she secretly, or maybe not so secretly, wouldn’t have minded if he’d offered a little physical contact.
“When you ask who I am, I’m not sure how to answer,” he said slowly. “I can give you my life history if that’s what you’re looking for. As for the reason why I’m in your life—well, that one’s easier. I admire you, Heather, and I would like us to be friends. You’re in a tough place at the moment. You’re doing the right thing with your daughter, and I’ve learned that doing the right thing usually means taking a very difficult path. You don’t have any family here, you don’t have the father of your child to help. You have friends, but they have other commitments and can’t always be around when you need them. I’m interested in filling in the gaps, nothing more.”
He looked so incredibly earnest she wanted to believe him. Did he really admire her? She didn’t think she’d ever done anything especially admirable in her life. In fact, she’d made a lot of silly choices. But she did try to do the right thing, especially now, with Diane depending on her.
“Why do you want us to be friends?” she asked.
He laughed. “What a question. I can’t decide if you doubt yourself or me.”
This time, he did lean forward and touch the back of her hand with his fingers. A startling heat flowed through her skin and up her arm. She did her best to ignore it.
“I like you,” he said. “Why wouldn’t I? You’re bright and funny, and we’ve shared the most amazing and embarrassing moment it’s possible for two people to share, and we came out okay. I respect you. I think you like me. You know I can be counted on in a crunch. Many relationships have started with less and survived. But if this makes you too uncomfortable, I’ll leave right now and you’ll never hear from me again.”
His last statement made her stiffen. “No, I don’t want you to go,” she told him, then wondered if she sounded too desperate or eager.
Why did relationships always get so complicated? Truth was, she liked having Jim around, but she didn’t want anything more complicated than what they had.
“I can handle friendship,” she said, allowing herself to briefly get lost in his gaze. “But nothing more.” Heat flared on her cheeks, and she forced herself to continue. “Ever since things fell apart with Diane’s father, I’ve sworn off men. I’m not looking for a relationship.”
Jim gave her fingers a quick squeeze, then released her with a dismissive gesture. “You’ll stay single for a while, but don’t expect it to last. You’re young and beautiful, and some guy is certain to come along and sweep you off your feet before you know what hit you. But if what you’re trying to say is you wouldn’t be comfortable taking our relationship to something more than friendship, that’s fine with me.”
She couldn’t get past the “beautiful” part to deal with the rest of his statement. Did he really think she was beautiful? She still had a puffy stomach and was too pale and too skinny everywhere else. Her hair needed cutting and she wasn’t getting enough sleep or wearing enough makeup. Even so, his words sent a thrill of pleasure through her.
“I’m serious,” she said, trying to keep her tone stern. “I’m not looking for love.”
“Me neither. But I would like to be friends with both you and your daughter. She’s stolen my heart.”
“Mine, too,” Heather admitted.
“Any other questions?” Jim asked.
She had dozens. Like why wasn’t he off dating the supermodel of his choice? She sighed. Maybe her mother had been right. Maybe she should just accept this gift horse and be grateful he’d shown up in her life.
“No questions,” she said. “I, too, would very much like us to be friends.”
He picked up his fork and stabbed a big bite of cake and ice cream. “We already are.”
*
Three weeks later, Heather dumped the basket of dry, clean laundry onto the sofa. Jim reached for the top item—a tiny undershirt. He smoothed it out and set it on the coffee table before grabbing another miniature garment.
Heather tried not to notice how careful he was with the scraps of clothing that weren’t much bigger than his hand. She tried not to notice the lean lines of his body or the way he sprawled so comfortably on her sofa, as if he’d always belonged there.
“I’ve had two more phone calls from businesses wanting me to give bids on their bookkeeping services,” she said as she folded a T-shirt of her own.
“That’s nice.” Jim didn’t even look at her.
“I know what you’re doing,” she told him. “I’ve only known you for a month, but I’m completely on to you.”
His expression was in
nocence itself. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Yes, you do, and I want you to stop it.”
“Why? I know business owners who are interested in someone to take over their books. I also happen to know a bookkeeper who does great work. I’ll admit I’ve made a couple of calls and given them your name, but what happens after that is up to them and you.”
He made it sound so darn logical that she didn’t know whether or not to smack him or thank him. “How do you know I’m good at what I do? Maybe I’m a lousy bookkeeper.”
“Are you?”
“No, but you don’t know that.”
“Yeah, actually I do, Heather. You’re just that kind of person. You’re thorough and loyal. Did I mention dedicated? You’re going to do a great job for them and probably for less than they’re paying now. I haven’t imposed on them or their relationship with me. If anything, I’ve done them a favor.”
He was wearing jeans and a long-sleeved chambray shirt, rolled up to the elbows. His boots were scuffed but had obviously been expensive. She suspected the complicated-looking watch on his wrist had cost more than she’d made in the past quarter. He had a thriving business and who knows what kind of life, but he showed up nearly every day, called to check on her twice a day and couldn’t seem to do enough for her.
“Why do you have to be so damned perfect?” she muttered.
Jim stared at her. “Heather Fitzpatrick, are you swearing? I’m shocked. And in front of your child, too.”
“If you’re shocked, then I’m secretly a mountain goat and I’m not swearing in front of my child. Diane is asleep in the other room, thank you very much.”
He grinned, then picked up another tiny shirt. “Is she sleeping better?”
“Much. Several hours at a time. I’m longing for the first time she sleeps through the night.”
“Still tired?”
“I think I’ll be tired for about a year, but it’s getting easier. I’m resting better and probably getting used to this constant state of exhaustion.”
He asked about a new client, one he’d recommended. She began by explaining the mess the books were in, and before she realized what had happened, the laundry was folded and they were talking about dinner.
Surprise Delivery Page 5
