by Sharon Kay
All she felt was the blinding need to ease his pain. She could push her own memories to the side. Seeing the torment on his face brought out her protective instinct, and all she wanted was to take care of her man.
Her man? She looked up at him, silhouetted in the dark. What were they doing? Playing house? Nothing felt as right as eating dinner with him and going to bed with him.
“Whatcha thinking?” he murmured.
She frowned, not ready to share her jumble of thoughts. “Are you feeling better?”
He chuckled. “If I felt any better than what I feel this minute, I’d have to be on some strong-ass drug.” With a swift move, he shifted to lean over her, pinning her arms over her head. “No one’s ever seen me like this. This is new territory for me.” His voice was low and serious. “You make it easier. It’s hard to explain. But this? Whatever we have going on—I want it to stay.”
She couldn’t stop a smile. “You want me to stay?”
“Yes.”
“In your house?”
“Yes.”
“In your bed?”
“Hell, yes.” He dipped his head to press a quick kiss to her lips.
“Good, because I don’t want to leave.”
“Best words I heard all day.” A grin tugged his lips upward. He released her arms but stayed across her body. “In all seriousness, Becca, I want you to stay. You and me.”
“Me too.” Three little words formed in her mind, words she didn’t dare speak. It was too soon. I love you swirled around her mind. But did she? What did she know? She’d been engaged to another man just a few months ago. And seeing how he turned out, she maybe wasn’t the best judge of character.
But everything about Shane made her happy. She couldn’t have hand-picked a more sexy, honorable, perfect man. And despite the love and support of her friends, none of them had experienced the loss of a parent or a pregnancy. Sympathy and empathy were so close, yet differentiated by one very large, flashing neon sign.
Life experience. Personal history. The shit storm that human existence sometimes was. Whatever label it was given, it added up to Shane understanding the minefield of emotion she walked, and vice versa.
And finding someone who understood her darkness and didn’t judge her was both a blessing and a relief. Add to that Shane’s ability to make her laugh and give her earth-shattering orgasms, and she knew she was in deeper than she ever expected. There’d never be another man like him.
Chapter 28
“So who all is going to this party?” Becca asked, as Shane backed them out of his driveway in his truck. Denver was crammed in the tiny backseat but determined to check out his surroundings, so his doggie-biscuit breath was right behind her head as he peered outside. It was the last Saturday in October, and every home on Shane’s street had some kind of fall or Halloween decorations on display.
“Bunch of guys Rosie’s husband works with. Any dates they might have. And us.” Shane shifted gears as they got to the street. “And of course, the baby.”
“I can’t wait to meet her.” Becca was dying to see Shane in action around this infant who had deftly captured his heart. At her feet was a box of three dozen homemade chocolate-chip cookies, and she hoped it would be enough. She’d worked on them in the morning while Shane made a beer run and swiped spoonsful of the cookie dough. Denver had been in the kitchen with her the whole time, watching her prepare the dough with big brown eyes, but she insisted that raw eggs couldn’t be good for dogs. Hence, the doggie biscuits.
Shane had told her Rosie’s house was five minutes away, and sure enough, in four and a half minutes they were turning onto a road that appeared to lead straight into a farm field. But over to the left, beyond whatever crops had been recently harvested, stood a picturesque brick house.
The road turned left, and more details came into view. A half dozen trucks were parked on the grass. Towering trees marked the corners of a tidy lawn. A front porch with millwork and a swing beckoned. Fabric ghosts and plastic skeletons hung along the upper edge of the porch and a wooden sign with smiling pumpkins declared Happy Fall, Y’all. To the side of the house, lawn chairs were arranged and a grill was out.
Shane parked the truck. “I’ll come around and take those cookies.” Denver obviously knew where they were, and managed to turn himself around in the small space. His tail whisked Becca’s hair as he jumped out after Shane.
Shane opened her door and helped her out, then scooped up the cookies. “Ready to meet the gang?”
Becca nodded. “Ready.”
Denver was already busy inspecting the trees. A man rose from the group of chairs and walked toward them, as tall as Shane and with a similar build. But that was where the physical likenesses ended. Intricate tattoos in thick black ink covered his arms. He had dark hair, light eyes, and something in his expression held the same watchful air that Shane had—not suspicious, more like he didn’t miss anything in his surroundings. “S’up, bro?”
He and Shane exchanged a one-armed man-hug. “Good to see you, man.” Shane stepped back and looked at Becca. “This is Rosie’s husband, Cruz. Cruz, Becca.”
Becca stuck out her hand. “Nice to meet you.”
Cruz shook it with a powerful yet controlled grip. “Welcome. Good to meet you.” From what she’d seen of Rosie, so sunny and bubbly, this guy’s appearance was the polar opposite. Though what did she know? Shane and Denver were totally at ease.
“Your home is beautiful,” she said.
“Thanks. Wish I could take credit, but it’s been a Marlow fixture for generations.” Cruz folded his arms. “Come on over, grab a seat. Drinks are in the cooler.”
Denver padded to the porch and stared through the screen door. He gave a short bark.
Shane chuckled. “He wants to check on the princess.”
“Rosie took her inside to change her diaper. They’ll be out in a sec.” Cruz glanced at the box Shane carried. “I’ll take those inside. You can get settled.”
Shane took Becca’s hand and walked her to the side of the house. Several men and one woman were debating the Cubs’ chances in the playoffs. They all offered greetings to Shane.
“Hey, everyone. This is Becca.” Shane draped an arm around her shoulders. “She’s from Hamilton, so don’t bring up the football team.”
She playfully punched his side. “Ha ha.”
“So this bunch is Julio, Carter, Jesse, Matt, and his girlfriend, Thalia.” Shane rattled off names that Becca wasn’t sure if she would remember.
Thalia waved her over. “Come and sit by me. We need more women around this crew.” She patted the lawn chair next to hers. “All these men need to settle down already.”
“Ain’t happening,” the one called Julio said with a wink.
“Never,” said another. Becca couldn’t remember if it was Carter or Jesse.
But Thalia saved her. “Carter, one day you are gonna fall so hard.”
Carter just shook his head with a grin. “Single and free.”
Becca went to sit by Thalia and smiled. “I met Rosie once, but this is my first time here. The house is so cute.”
“Yep, it is.” Thalia sipped her hard lemonade. “But they’re building a new house. You think this is nice? Wait ’til you see the plans for the next one.”
Shane set a hand on Becca’s shoulder. “You want anything to drink?”
“Beer is fine, thanks,” she replied.
“So, you live in Hamilton?” Thalia asked. Her tone was friendly, and dark hair framed her pretty face.
“Yep.” Becca smiled and tried to look completely at ease. Not that she wasn’t, but she was very aware that she was the new girl in this group. Shane had probably known these people all his life, and she wasn’t sure if she should blurt out that she was currently living with him. Maybe they already knew? Either way, she planned on doing more listening than tal
king today.
“My grandma lives there. Well, not anymore.” Thalia’s expression turned a little wistful. “She got to the point where she couldn’t be on her own. She’s in Silver Springs now.”
“Really? I work there!” Becca exclaimed. “Who is she?”
“Mary Ansez.”
“I know her! Oh my goodness, she is a riot. I mean, she is so sweet. But she is shrewd at bingo.” Becca nodded. “She’s a fun lady. I bet she’s an amazing grandma.”
“She is. We always played the best games at her house, growing up.” Thalia sat forward in her seat. “Are you a nurse?”
Shane returned with two beers and cleared his throat. Becca slid him a glance as he handed one to her, then turned back to Thalia. “No, I serve meals and help with activities.”
“Well, let me tell you, that place is nice.” Thalia twirled a lock of hair around her finger. “Some nursing homes are kinda, ya know, sad. But Silver Springs is so cheerful. I need to go see her again soon.”
“You can sit and watch her at bingo.” Becca grinned.
Just then, Rosie came around the corner of the house, followed by Cruz and Denver. In her arms was a tiny pink bundle.
“Here comes the star of the house.” Thalia dragged out the last word.
Rosie stepped carefully across the grass to stop in front of Shane and Becca. “Hi, Becca. So glad you could make it,” she said. “Here’s Little Miss Thang, whose uncle I know wants to hold her. He just won’t ask.”
Shane pasted on a stoic face. “Well, if you have something to do, sure, I can, uh, step in.”
Rosie shook her head. “Here’s your Uncle Shane,” she cooed to her daughter as she handed her off. Denver parked himself on the grass at Shane’s knee.
Shane took her more easily than Becca anticipated, cradling Emma’s tiny head in the crook of his elbow. The faintest smile pulled at his lips as he gazed at her. The image of him and the little boy from the woods surged to the front of Becca’s mind, this time with a deeper impact.
Shane would be an excellent father. Becca blinked back the well of emotions that built out of nowhere. He would be absolutely amazing.
Rosie sat in a chair across the circle. Emma blinked up at Shane with big blue eyes, or maybe at the tree that towered overhead. Becca couldn’t remember when babies could start to see at a distance.
“Hey, princess.” Shane slid one finger to the baby’s hand, and she clutched it tightly.
“Cutest baby ever,” Thalia murmured.
“Yeah, she’s beautiful,” Becca said.
Emma’s tiny rosebud mouth opened and closed, and she frowned at Shane.
“Uh oh,” Shane muttered.
“She heard you’re gonna interrogate her future dates,” Becca teased.
“Hey, that’s only after your dad deals with them first,” Shane said. He shifted Emma to his other arm. “Wanna see Denver? He’s right there.”
Denver didn’t move, just watched Emma intently. She didn’t seem to notice the dog. Her little arm swung out to one side, her angelic face twisted, and she let out a surprisingly strong wail.
“Ah, damn. Back to Mom.” Shane stood and gave her back to Rosie. Denver padded over to Rosie’s chair and sprawled in front of her.
“That was quick,” Matt teased.
“Oh, stop. Like you could do better.” Thalia grinned and patted his hand.
“Maybe not now. But you know, later on. Sure.” Matt’s face reddened.
Rosie laid a now-content Emma on her thighs, the baby’s head at her knees and tiny pink-socked feet at her stomach. “Guess she’s in Mommy mode today.” She ducked as a bee zoomed by. “Oh darn it. I hate those things.”
“Damn things are more aggressive in the fall.” Cruz raised a hand to swat it as it flew around for another pass.
“Hold up,” Shane said quietly and nodded at Denver.
The dog got to his feet, eyes locked on the winged predator. Rosie tucked Emma close to her chest. The insect descended in a swooping dive. Becca had no idea what to think. Sure, bees were worse in fall, but they were attracted to food and sweet drinks too.
With a lunge, Denver jumped up and intercepted the thing, capturing it in his big mouth. His jaw flexed once, and he shook his head, rattling his collar.
“Oh my god!” Becca covered her mouth.
“Good boy, Denver,” Shane praised him.
“He ate a bee?” Thalia yelled. “Holy shit!”
Rosie leaned forward to scratch behind the dog’s ears. “Such a good dog. Such a good protector.”
Denver settled back on the ground in front of her as if nothing special had happened.
“Does he do that all the time?” Becca asked Shane.
“Nope.” Shane shook his head. “It’s a new habit since Emma arrived.”
“Wow, he’s like Superdog,” Thalia murmured. She turned to Matt. “Let’s get one.”
“Better a dog than a kid—hey!” Matt ducked as Thalia threw a potato chip at him.
“I can’t believe that doesn’t hurt his mouth.” Becca eyed Denver, totally content at Rosie’s feet.
“He must kill ’em before they know what hit ’em.” Shane shrugged. He leaned toward Becca. “You mind if I throw bags with whoever wants to get beat?”
“Go ahead.” She smiled at his sweetness in asking.
Shane stood up. “Matt, you ready for me to kick your ass at bags?”
“Let’s go.” Matt was on his feet in a second. Becca couldn’t help but think he wanted to get away from Thalia talking about babies and dogs.
But babies, dogs, and Shane were a combo Becca decided she’d never tire of.
After tossing bean bags and eating the cheeseburgers Cruz had grilled very thoroughly, Becca munched contentedly on a cookie. Denver slurped from a metal doggie dish that Rosie had on hand, and investigated the grass beneath the lawn chairs. Becca was about to offer him a cookie when his focus shifted to the front of the house.
Cruz walked out carrying a bottle and Emma, apparently awake from her nap. Rosie had said she wasn’t on a schedule yet, and after the bee incident, Emma had fallen asleep in her mom’s arms. Denver stood, tail wagging, attention on the baby.
She was so darn tiny that Cruz’s entire hand covered Emma’s back. With practiced ease, he sat, shifted Emma, and popped the bottle into her mouth. Denver lay on the grass at his feet.
“Denver goes where she goes, huh?” Becca asked.
“Pretty much,” Cruz said. “I never had a dog, so I don’t know if they all do this kinda thing or if he’s just extra special.”
“’Course he’s extra special,” Shane strode over from his hundredth game of bean bags and took the chair next to her. As far as Becca could, tell he’d won them all. “You guys gonna get a shepherd?”
“Haven’t decided yet, though I gotta say, they’re looking good right now.”
“You’re getting a dog?” Becca asked.
“Yup. Gonna be a large breed, good with kids—lots of kids.” Cruz grinned down at Emma as she clutched his finger. “One that can round ‘em all up.”
“I swear he wants a sheepdog.” Rosie came around the corner and sat next to Cruz.
“Still up for debate.” Cruz gave Shane a pointed look.
“Well, one thing that’s not up for debate is Becca’s cookies.” Rosie got up to put several on a plate. “I’m surprised there’s any left. Here.” She broke one in half and offered it to Cruz.
“Glad you like them,” Becca said.
“Mmm.” Cruz nodded as he chewed. “You can make these again. Oh, she’s done eating.” He set the bottle on a table next to him and shifted Emma to his shoulder. He gave two pats to her onesie-covered back, then she let out a loud burp.
Becca giggled. “Wow.”
“She’s full of all kinds of noises,” Ro
sie murmured. She turned to Becca. “You didn’t get to hold her yet. Would you like to?”
“Oh, um… sure.” Becca took a deep breath. Of course she wanted to. Emma was adorable. But a frisson of nerves flared, hope and fear tangled together. She hadn’t held a baby since losing her own.
Cruz stood and brought her over to Becca. “She’s rested, fed, and dry. So this is the sweet spot of time to hold her.”
Becca held out her arms and Cruz gently settled Emma into her hold.
“Oh, wow.” Becca gazed at the tiny girl, mesmerized. “She’s so light.”
“Yeah, she was a small newborn,” Rosie said. “Now she only weighs about ten pounds.”
Staring down into the child’s blue eyes, seeing her tiny nose and that porcelain, almost translucent skin, snared Becca into what-ifs that she didn’t expect. She hadn’t been around babies much. Maybe that was another reason she told herself it was easier to handle her losses. She didn’t see reminders every day. “Hey, beautiful,” she cooed.
Emma stared up at her as intently as Denver had when he tracked that bee. Denver padded over to Becca’s chair and sat beside it.
“You are the prettiest baby I’ve ever seen.” Becca rested her finger against the baby’s palm and her tiny fingers closed tightly. “You’ve got quite a grip.”
Emma’s pink onesie said “I’m a hug waiting to happen.” You certainly are. And Becca couldn’t help but wonder what her own babies would have looked like, what soft noises they would’ve made, and if their little fingers would’ve been wrinkled or pudgy.
Her eyes brimmed with unexpected tears, and she took a deep breath. She didn’t want to cry here at the barbeque, but she realized something else. A sliver of sadness arrowed through her heart, but stronger than that was a sense of hope. That was what Emma represented. Though Becca didn’t know Rosie and Cruz’s whole story, she guessed their hopes had been realized with this child. And for Becca, one day she would have children. Maybe she’d be adopting too.
She glanced up to find Shane’s attention locked on her. “You okay?” he asked softly.
Becca blinked away the tears and smiled. “Never better.”
