His Lullaby Baby

by Airicka Phoenix

  “Well, who do you think built that treehouse for Kari?”

  Addy blinked. “You did?”

  Toby nodded. “For her birthday.”

  “Wow!” She chuckled. “It was really nicely made. I’ve only seen it once, but even I wanted to live in it.”

  Toby laughed. “Maybe I can make one for Hanna once we’re done with the porch.”

  Addy shrugged. “Maybe.” She stopped and glanced at the shelves around them. “So, which wood would you recommend?”

  Toby considered that while casting furtive glances at the planks around them. “Teak is the best, but the cost is astronomical. The wood you have now is pine. Pine is soft and inexpensive, but it’s not durable and you’ll be here in a few short years to redo it over again. Cypress or redwood would be your best bet.”

  “Which ones are those?”

  He took her to the proper racks and stepped back as she surveyed her choices.

  “I really like the redwood,” she decided.

  “I like the redwood, too,” he admitted. “The color will look very nice with the outside of the house.” At Addy’s nod, he asked, “Is that the one you want?”

  “Yes, please, but I would like to do some changes to the porch layout, if that’s possible?”

  “Yeah, for sure.” He left her side to limp over to the binder Mr. Holloway kept hanging off every shelf in the place by hooks. The book was full of catalogues dating back to the starts of evolution. The newer ones were at the back, but he unattached the whole thing and brought it over. “There are some great ideas in here, unless you already know what you want?”

  Addy shook her head. “I don’t, but the front porch is the first thing people see when they come over, so I want it to look really nice and eye catching.”

  Toby bobbed his head slowly. “That makes sense. Okay, well…” He dumped the book down on the planks and flipped it open with the hand not holding his cane. “There’s some good ones in here. Just have a look and let me know. Most of those also have measurements and number of planks you’ll need so that’ll help, too.”

  Addy glanced over to where Hanna was pulling chunks of wood out of a bargain bin and building a castle on the floor. She looked about ready to tell the girl to stop, but decided against it. She turned her attention back to the book and began flipping through it.

  “Oh! This one is gorgeous!” she gasped.

  It was a sprawling work of art hugging the entire house in rows of soft, pale wood. There was a porch swing and a whole path around the side of the building to the back where there were benches built into the railings of the patio and a gazebo and even a hot tub. It continued off on one side for a patio built on slabs of stone. The stones led in a winding path to a cozy sitting area equipped with an outdoor fire pit. The set up was perfect for large get-togethers and parties, but there was a homey feel to it that even Toby had to admit he liked.

  “This one!” she breathed, running slender fingers over the picture. “It’s perfect. Macy has a patio set that would look beautiful with this and I can get a pretty table for the patio and have cookouts in the summer during peak season. Oh, and that fire pit … the kids would love that. They could have campouts and roast marshmallows.” The joy in her voice tugged at the corner of his mouth. The happiness reflected in the flush in her cheeks and lit the light behind her eyes. She caught her lip between her teeth and turned the page to look over the required items and the price listed at the bottom. She visibly blanched. “Oh my goodness!” she gasped. “I should have checked first.” She pressed a hand to her chest. “Maybe in a few years.”

  “Wait.” Toby set his hand over hers before she could flip away. “I like that one.”

  Addy sighed. “I do too, but I would have to take out a mortgage just to afford—”

  “I think you should do it,” he cut in. “Not the second mortgage, but get that one.”

  “I can’t afford that one.”

  He took the book from her. “That’s the one,” he told her quietly. “I’ll make it happen. Trust me,” he murmured when she opened her mouth. “You’ll have that porch.” He set the binder aside. Then he took her hand to keep her from reaching the catalogues again. “Hanna, come on, sweetie.”

  Hanna’s head jerked up, her brown eyes questioning. Toby expected a fuss, maybe even a protest, but she quickly dumped her blocks back into the bin and hurried over to them.

  “Are we leaving? Did we buy a new porch?”

  “Yes and yes.”

  With a grin, Toby motioned her onward before following with Addy’s tiny fingers clutched in his. He felt like he was holding a baby bird, fragile and so precious. Part of him didn’t want to let go, but once they left the solitary confines of the back and entered the ever watchful eyes of the town, he let her go, but only long enough to slip that hand around her waist to settle on her lower back. Even that was dangerous, but his hand had grown its own mind and didn’t care about the wagging tongues of the ever watching. Nevertheless, he forced it to drop away once they hit the front. Mr. Holloway glanced up when they approached the counter. His bushy eyebrows migrated north as his blue eyes jumped from Addy to Toby.

  “Back already?”

  Toby set the blank notepad and pen on the table. “Yup, Addy found the porch of her dreams in the catalogue.”

  Mr. Holloway reached under the desk and pulled out a matching binder and set it down. He waited as Toby flipped it open and showed him the page.

  “That’s a real good choice,” Mr. Holloway agreed. “Now, it’s going to take me about a day to get all of this together for you, but I’ll call you.”

  Thanking him, Toby tugged Addy and Hanna to the door and out into the autumn morning. The spicy scent of spices and pumpkins wafted down the street from the bakery. It danced around them with its tempting little fingers. He wondered if he could bribe Addy into getting a couple of donuts. He was starving.

  “I shouldn’t have picked that one,” she blurted suddenly. “It will take me thirty years to pay Mr. Holloway back and—”

  “Will you stop?” He offered her a half smile. “I told you to trust me.”

  “Yes, but I don’t know what that means!” she cried. “Trust you to do what?”

  He guided her and Hanna to the truck. “To take care of it.”

  Addy dug her heels in and whirled around on him. “You’re not paying for my porch,” she warned him. “I don’t want your charity or your pity, or whatever—”

  “It’s not charity and it’s definitely not pity.” He yanked open the backdoor and helped Hanna into her booster. “The inn is a historical landmark. As an upstanding member of this town, I feel it’s my duty to partake in its upkeep.” Hanna properly belted in, he slammed the door and turned to the woman watching him. “Besides, I didn’t say you weren’t going to pay for it.”

  There was a pink flush in her cheeks before she turned her face away. It was covered by tendrils of hair the wind lifted to conceal her expression, but Toby felt a thrill go through him as it always did at the knowledge that he affected her.

  “I don’t like games,” she murmured quietly. “I don’t like…” Her arms lifted and closed around her slight frame. “I don’t want to owe you anything, Mr. McClain, so I’m asking you to please not toy with me.” She turned back to him, her face set in firm determination. “Tell me what you want.”

  You.

  The word jumped out at him before his brain could even formulate another thought. It took even him by surprise before he caught himself.

  “I need a place to stay.” He stuffed his hands into his pockets. “Free labor for room and board.”

  Addy’s lips parted in silent shock.

  Toby plunged on. “I don’t eat much. I’m reasonably clean. I’m quiet. I can get you references if you like.”

  She shook her head. “I don’t understand. Why can’t you just rent a place in town?”

  “Because I’d like to stay at the inn, especially since I’ll be working on it. Saves me time tr
aveling.”

  It wasn’t entirely true. He could get a place before the end of the day if he really wanted one. But his mind was made up. She fascinated him and he wanted more of her.

  “I don’t know,” she whispered. “Can I think about it?”

  He wasn’t sure why, but her request didn’t surprise him. Part of him had actually anticipated it.

  “Absolutely.” He reached for the passenger’s side door and tugged it open. “Take as long as you need.”

  She started forward only to stop and peer at him. That close, her chin was forced up and her body heat washed over him.

  “Are you sure about this, Mr. McClain?”

  “Like I said, logically it makes the best sense if I—”

  “No, I mean is this a one person job? It seems like a lot to do for someone who … someone in your position,” she amended gently.

  Amusement tugged at his mouth. “There is no way I can build an entire porch alone,” he admitted. “But I’ll have help, and for the love of God, stop calling me Mr. McClain.”

  Color rose up the smooth column of her throat to flood her face. “I’ve been thinking about that and I’m not sure that’s a good idea.”

  Putting his weight on the cane, he leaned his body forward a notch. “And why is that?”

  Heavy lashes swept downward, concealing her eyes from him. “Because things have to stay strictly professional between us. Calling you by your name will complicate things.”

  “It’s only a name.”

  Her head rocked slowly from side to side. “It feels like a lot more.

  Chapter 4 ~ Addy

  Willa arrived promptly at four with the entire gang in tow for the last riding lesson of the season. The children stampeded through the house in a flurry of raised voices and hurried feet. They went straight through the kitchen and out the backdoor without a word to Addy. Willa stopped at the island and smiled at her.

  The McClain women had always intimidated her. They were all so ridiculously beautiful and successful in a way that made other women feel inferior and inadequate, not that they had ever done anything to make Addy feel that way. But the three she had met, Willa, Calla and their mother Lily, were blonde, blue eyed, and beautifully willowy with skin like porcelain and the kind of aura that radiated strength and determination. She had always admired that. Of the three, the only one she felt semi comfortable around was Willa. Unlike her sister who exuded confidence and sexual appeal, Willa was sweet and dainty, like a fairy princess.

  “Hey Addy,” she said. “Are we late?”

  Dusting her hands on a rag, Addy shook her head. “No, you’re just in time. I was finishing up our after riding snacks.”

  Blue eyes surveyed the small clutter on the counter between them. Pink lips curled.

  “I love glazed pretzels!”

  Addy nudged a freshly glazed pan closer. “Help yourself. I have enough to last a month.”

  Willa took one and popped it into her mouth. She moaned as she chewed.

  “So good!” She swallowed. “You really have to reconsider my offer to have your desserts sold at Under The Willow. The town’s people need you and your talents.”

  Addy had been reconsidering her decision, more seriously now that she had a seven figure porch to consider. She’d thought about getting a loan from the bank, but that would require ID and questions, two things she was unable to provide. Part of her wished Macy was still around. The woman could fix anything. But she wasn’t and the responsibility of the inn fell on Addy.

  “I would really like to talk to you about that when you have some time,” she told the other woman.

  Willa ceased chewing and stared. “Really? You’ve changed your mind?”

  Addy tried not to act too desperate. She smiled with all the calm she could muster.

  “I might have, if we could really talk things over.”

  “Yes!” Willa laughed, delighted. “Absolutely!” She brushed her fingers over her beautiful wool coat and reached into her purse. She dug out her phone and quickly flipped through it. “I have an article I’m writing for the paper all this week, but how about this weekend?” She lifted her eyes to Addy. “Saturday … oh, wait…” She hissed through her teeth. “Weekends are family time. Okay, what about Monday?”

  Addy nodded. “Monday sounds great.”

  Willa stuffed her phone back into her purse. “Great! I can come right over with Kari after I drop Owen off at school. Does that work for you?”

  Addy agreed without a second of hesitation. She knew it was a big step, joining forces with the likes of the McClain’s, but it was a necessary evil. Her inn needed it. Plus, how bad could it be? It was just selling her baked goods to the one—and only—café in town. It didn’t change anything.

  “I hear you’re getting your porch redone,” Willa cut into her fretting.

  Addy blinked. “I only just decided yesterday. How did you—?”

  Willa chuckled. “Toby called Damon and Jared in to help.”

  “Oh!” She nodded slowly. “He did mention getting help. I guess I just never asked who.”

  Willa’s smile faded. “Is that a problem?”

  “No! No, it’s perfectly fine. I mean, if it’s okay with you … and Damon.”

  Her smile returned. “Of course!”

  Hanna and Kari took that moment to rush into the room, rosy cheeked and out of breath. They slammed the backdoor and stumbled to the island.

  “Mommy, Owen hit Colten!” Kari cried. “They’re fighting.”

  “What?”

  Willa reached the backdoor before Addy and threw it open. They both hurried onto the porch and squinted across the field to where the group stood waiting to get their horses. Even from a distance, raised voices carried in with the wind. The screaming was unintelligible, but anger vibrated through every shout. Willa and Addy jogged down the steps and sprinted the distance to where the group stood in a tense circle around the two scuffling across the ground.

  “Hey!” Willa broke through the circle and grabbed her son by the back of the jacket. She hefted him off his cousin. “What is going on here?”

  “He started it!” Owen shouted, jabbing a finger at a glowering Colten. “He said I was a baby because I don’t like sleeping in the dark.”

  Colten heaved himself up onto his feet and dusted off the seat of his pants. His face was a bright scarlet beneath the freckles and his eyes were the gray of an approaching storm. He stared at the other boy with pursed lips and an angry bruise blossoming along his right cheek.

  “You are a baby!”

  “Colten!” Willa shot him a warning glare. “You’re older and should know better!”

  Colten said nothing.

  Willa turned her attention to her son. “As for you, what have I told you about letting that head of steam get the better of you?”

  Blue eyes lowered to the ground. “To not to.”

  “Right.” Willa straightened. “Now, I want the two of you to apologize. Then I don’t want to ever hear that you two were fighting again, understand?”

  Both nodded and muttered, “Yes ma’am.”

  Exhaling, Willa made her way back to where Addy stood. “I am so sorry.”

  Addy shook her head. “Don’t be. Kids are kids. Nothing you can do about that.”

  Willa checked her watch. “I need to get to the café, but I will pick up the troops at six.”

  Addy walked her back to the house. They cut through rather than go around. Both took the same length of time, but it just seemed easier.

  At the front door, Willa paused and glanced back. “Call me if you have any trouble with those two.”

  “Which two?”

  Toby hit the last step on the stairs and joined them. He was leaning a little too heavily on his cane, Addy noted. His knuckles were white around the grip and there was a sheen of sweat across his brow.

  “Are you all right?” she asked.

  Toby waved her concern aside. “Oh yeah, so which two?”

 
“Colten and Owen,” Willa muttered. “They’ve been down each other’s throats for days and I just don’t get it.”

  “They’re kids,” Toby justified. “Just let them beat it out of their system.”

  “Toby!” Willa gasped, outraged.

  “That is how men handle their problems,” he stated evenly. “We use our fists then buy each other a drink. It’s normal.”

  Willa groaned. “Please don’t tell them that.” She sighed. “I have to go. Don’t let him near the children,” she told Addy, pointing a finger at Toby.

  “Hey!” Toby protested. “I am fantastic with children.”

  Chuckling, Willa opened the door and stepped out. “I’ll be back later.”

  With a wave, she jogged down the steps. Addy watched her get behind the wheel of her minivan and pull out of the driveway before shutting the door.

  “Riding lessons are about to begin,” she told the man next to her. “Will you be joining us?”

  “You paid for six weeks and there are no refunds.”

  The third voice in their group made even Addy jump. She squeaked and pressed a hand over her startled heart.

  “Sean!” She stared at her son sitting behind the desk, quiet and so small she hadn’t even noticed him. “What have I told you about being so quiet?”

  “I’m always here,” he reminded her.

  Composing herself, Addy nodded. “You’re right.”

  “Why are you always here?” Toby cut in. “Why aren’t you out there riding or playing with the other kids?”

  Sean squinted at him. “Because someone needs to man the front when Mom’s not here.”

  “So you just sit there?”

  “I do homework,” he corrected, gesturing to the books and papers open in front of him. “It’s nice and quiet when everyone leaves.”

  Addy could tell Toby didn’t get it. Sean wasn’t like normal children and that confused a lot of people.

  “Why don’t we get the kids situated?” she suggested.

  Toby looked like he had more questions, but he relented and followed her back towards the kitchen.

  “Is that normal?” he asked once they were alone. “I mean, I don’t know kids very well, but normally, they like being with other kids and having fun.”