Rent-A-Dad

by Judy Christenberry

  Maybe she could think of him as the brother she never had.

  She looked at him out of the corner of her eye and dismissed that idea as ridiculous.

  * * *

  DAMN, HE’D ALMOST BLOWN IT. Russ hadn’t meant to be so hard on her, but his frustration had overpowered his good sense.

  And he’d hurt her.

  He’d seen those tears in her eyes. She’d tried to hide them, but he’d seen them. At least she seemed to have recovered, which gave him an enormous sense of relief. Melissa had a good sense of humor, but he hadn’t been sure it could overcome his ugly remark.

  They finished folding the clothes in no time. Melissa put them away and he didn’t offer to help. After all, he didn’t know where they belonged, though he watched her carefully so he’d know where to find things in the morning.

  “What now?”

  She gave him a guarded look, as if wondering whether she could refuse his help. He kept a smile on his face.

  “I need to prepare more bottles.”

  “Maybe Mandy and I will just watch you. I think I’d probably get in your way in the kitchen.”

  “She can sit in her high chair,” she offered, “if you have something else you want to do.”

  “Nope. I’d like to play with her. It’s a novelty, remember?”

  She nodded before lifting Mandy from the bed and handing her to him. They’d come a long way from last night, when she was reluctant to let him touch Mandy.

  When they reached the kitchen, he sat down at the table, Mandy in his lap. “Do you play any of those baby games with her?”

  “Baby games?”

  “You know, this Little Pig Went to Market, or Ride a Little Horsey?”

  She stared at him. “I thought you didn’t know anything about babies?”

  “I don’t, not really. But I remember some from—I guess from the ranch.” He frowned. He hadn’t been around babies much at the ranch. Most of the boys were older when they came there. Where had he heard those rhymes?

  “I probably learned them from television.”

  “Or maybe your mother—”

  “No!”

  Mandy let out a little sob, alarmed by his sharp tones. He cuddled her against him, soothing her. More calmly, he added, “No, I don’t remember anything about my mother.”

  “Really? I thought you were taken to the ranch when you were four,” Melissa commented as she opened a can of formula and began pouring it into the bottles.

  “I was, but I don’t remember anything before then.” He’d never tried to remember. The sound of a soft voice played in his head, chanting Ride a Little Horsey. Was that Mrs. Duncan? Had he heard her playing with one of the other boys?

  “Yes, I play those games with her,” Melissa said, a sad look on her face as she stared at him.

  At least she’d stopped asking him questions he didn’t like.

  “Okay, Mandy, we’ll make a cowgirl out of you yet.” He sat the baby on one knee, his hands around her tubby little middle, and bounced her gently while he chanted the rhyme. At the end, he lifted her into the air and she squealed, a beaming smile on her face.

  “I thought she was supposed to fall down, not fly up,” Melissa said with a smile.

  “I learned it this way, and Mandy likes it,” he told her with pride. “Let’s go again, sweetheart.”

  For half an hour, he and Mandy played together while Melissa prepared the bottles then mixed muffins for breakfast the next morning. When she’d finished, she checked the pantry and refrigerator and made a grocery list.

  “You’re pretty organized,” he commented as Mandy subsided against him, chuckling.

  Melissa smiled at her baby. “You’ve really entertained her. I’ve never heard her laugh so much.”

  “Me, neither. She’s a real sweetheart.”

  “Yes, she is,” Melissa agreed as she turned back to her list.

  “So we’ll go grocery shopping tomorrow?”

  She opened her mouth and Russ could see the protest coming. He held his breath, not wanting to fight with her again.

  “Well, I’ll go. You can come if you want, if you don’t have anything else to do.”

  “Nope. Mandy and I will be happy to go with you. Besides, we can get the tire on your car repaired at the same time.”

  His smile broadened when she nodded without protesting. Good. She was willing to accept his help.

  “Do you go to the mall much? I noticed they’d built one near the photography store.”

  “I visit the stores that carry our cards occasionally. You know, to see how things are selling, to ask them for ideas. They’re the ones who encouraged me to focus on cowboys, as well as the mountains.”

  “Do you travel to all the shops that carry your cards?”

  “No,” she said with a chuckle. “My cards are sold all over Wyoming. I’d never get any work done if I did that. Though, when I got my first order, I drove almost a hundred miles to hand-deliver them, just so I could see them in a store.”

  A reminiscent smile curved her lips and he thought she’d never looked more beautiful.

  “I understand,” he assured her. “I felt the same way about the first building I’d designed that was actually built. For weeks, I drove out of my way to work just so I could pass by it.”

  They smiled in mutual understanding.

  Mandy slapped the table, distracting them.

  With a sigh, Melissa said, “I’d better bathe Mandy and put her down. It’s almost her bedtime.”

  “You run the water and I’ll go gather up her diaper and clothes,” he said, standing. Mandy snuggled against his chest and laid her head on his shoulder. His heart expanded until he was sure it would burst. “We’d better hurry before she goes to sleep.”

  Things were working out well, Russ decided as he hurried down the hall with the baby. He and Melissa had more in common than he would have thought.

  His smile dimmed, however, when a new thought occurred to him. It wasn’t even eight o’clock. What were the two of them going to do after they’d put Mandy to bed?

  The idea of spending the rest of the evening alone with Melissa brought some interesting possibilities to mind that made his pulse rate accelerate.

  CHAPTER NINE

  AFTER MANDY WAS ASLEEP, the awkwardness was even worse than Russ had expected. What was he supposed to do with the rest of the evening? Melissa, too, seemed uneasy.

  Finally, she ventured, “I really need to do some paperwork, if—if it won’t offend you.”

  “Offend me?”

  “You’re my guest. I should—”

  “No. Do what you need to do. Are you going to work in your office?” He wanted to protest. He didn’t want her to shut herself away from him.

  “Actually, I usually work at the kitchen table. My office has gotten too cluttered lately. Do you need anything to eat or drink before I start work?”

  “Do you have a sketch pad, a ruler, pencil and eraser?” he asked, suddenly knowing how he wanted to spend his evening.

  She supplied him with all he asked for and he sat down across from her at the table. For several hours, they worked together in silence, exchanging smiles occasionally.

  When she closed the books she was working on, he laid down his pencil. “Tired?” he asked, wondering how she managed to keep going. Her day had begun with an emotional upset and she hadn’t stopped since then.

  She smiled and shook her head no. “No more than normal.” As she stood, she glanced at the paper he’d been sketching on. “What’s that?”

  He looked down at the drawing he’d made. “Plans for a house. I’ve been designing office buildings and work space for so long, I wasn’t sure I could still design a house that would be efficient.”

 
“May I see?”

  When she bent over his work, he felt a strange tremor of nerves pass through him. He hadn’t felt that sensation in a number of years.

  “What a lovely home!” she exclaimed, her face beaming. “It’s beautiful.”

  He showed her the intricacies of the design he’d created with all the joy of a proud papa. She asked questions, drawing out his explanation. As they bent over the table, his shoulder brushed against hers and the longing to wrap his arms around her flooded him.

  He stepped away, frowning.

  “Oh, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to keep you—I’m sure you’re tired,” she said, unconsciously repeating his earlier words.

  “No more than normal,” he replied, smiling as he did the same.

  “Well—” she drew in a deep breath “—I guess it’s time to call it a night. Are you going to build that house?”

  “I design office buildings. This house doesn’t belong in Chicago. It belongs here, in Wyoming.”

  “Yes, you’re right. I guess maybe someday you’ll find a buyer for it.”

  He shrugged, rolling up the paper as he stood there, waiting for her to move. He was afraid if he moved before she did, he’d take her into his arms.

  “I’ll say good-night if you don’t need anything else.” She backed out of the kitchen.

  He remained where he was. “Good night.”

  “Good night,” she returned, a soft smile on her lips. Then she ran down the hall.

  He dreamed of her all night.

  When Russ awoke the next morning, he immediately checked on Mandy. She hadn’t yet stirred, so he hurried and dressed for his morning jog, then went to the kitchen to prepare her bottle.

  “I’m getting good at this,” he muttered to himself. He almost didn’t know whether to be horrified or proud at his expertise with a baby.

  Leaving the bottle on the kitchen cabinet, he opened Mandy’s door again. This time the baby was standing in her bed, holding on to the edge. When she saw Russ, she reached out for him and cooed.

  “Sssh, sweetheart,” he whispered. “We don’t want to wake Mommy.”

  After changing her diaper and clothes, he carried her to the kitchen to pick up the bottle before settling into the big leather chair in the living room. He and Mandy spent a quiet time while the baby drank her formula.

  Melissa’s house faced east and sunlight crept in, illuminating the room with a warm glow. The peace of the moment filled him. His mornings in Chicago were rushed, hurried, tense, as was his day at the office.

  He could get used to starting his day with Mandy in his arms.

  After burping her, he wrapped her in a blanket and strapped her into the umbrella stroller. Then, before they set out for their jog, he carefully wrote a note to Melissa, explaining what he was doing. She’d probably figure it out on her own, but he wasn’t taking any chances this morning.

  After easing the door shut behind him, Russ took a deep breath, the crisp air filling his lungs.

  “Mandy, my girl, are you ready? Hang on tight,” he warned, and started down the sidewalk, concentrating on his morning exercise.

  Fifteen minutes into his jog, his mind refused to remain on his legs pumping, his muscles heating up. Instead, he thought again of the previous evening. And his pleasure in Melissa’s company. He forgot the jogging, the fresh mountain air, the lazy clouds in the sky as he concentrated on Melissa’s sweetness.

  When he and Mandy turned the corner at the end of the block and slowed to a walk to cool off, Russ was relieved to discover there was no distraught Melissa wondering where her baby could be.

  He carried the stroller up the steps and into the house, noting Mandy’s closed eyes. He could put her in her bed, but he feared he’d wake her. Deciding to chance it, he pushed her down the hall and into her room. There he unstrapped her and carefully lifted her out of the seat, cuddling her against his chest. Then he laid her down in the bed.

  If she stayed asleep, he’d have his shower.

  He’d almost made it to the door when she called to him.

  “Da-da-da-da.”

  “Sweetheart, Daddy was going—I mean, I was going to take a shower.” He walked back to the crib. Russ sighed, wondering how Melissa managed to shower and wash her hair when her daughter demanded so much attention.

  Being a parent wasn’t as easy as it seemed.

  * * *

  MELISSA TURNED OVER and crossed her arm over her eyes to shut out the light. She didn’t want to get up. But, of course, Mandy— Once again she realized Mandy hadn’t awakened her before sunrise, as was her usual schedule.

  She smiled as she checked her watch. Eight-thirty. Two mornings in a row she’d gotten to sleep late. And this morning, she knew her child had not been kidnapped.

  Shoving back the covers, she swung her legs to the floor. She owed Russ Hall a great deal. Today she’d try to repay him by encouraging him to do what he wanted to do, whether it included her or not. He’d earned some freedom.

  She stretched, slipped on her robe and headed for the bathroom. The only bathroom. She couldn’t help thinking about the wonderful house Russ had designed last night. Three bathrooms, four bedrooms, a study, plus a normal living room and family room, kitchen and dining room.

  A sunken tub. The master bath had had a sunken tub. She could imagine soaking in a real bubble bath, not the goop from yesterday, luxuriating in peace.

  Mandy shrieked.

  Melissa smiled. So much for luxuriating in peace. She washed her face, combed her hair and headed for the kitchen.

  “You’re up!” Russ exclaimed. He stood leaning against the kitchen cabinet, Mandy in his arms, wearing his jogging shorts and nothing else.

  She drew a deep breath and averted her eyes. The man’s body was a lethal weapon to a woman’s unsuspecting heart. She couldn’t deny the attraction that filled her every time she got close to him. But it was physical, nothing else.

  “You hungry? Sit down and I’ll fix you breakfast,” he offered, moving to put Mandy in her high chair.

  “No, I’ll fix—”

  “You promised to let me help, remember?” he said, stiffening.

  She didn’t remember if she’d actually promised out loud, but she’d certainly vowed to accept his help. She wanted to make sure she wasn’t being a martyr like her mother.

  She reached for Mandy. “Okay, you fix breakfast. Mandy and I will watch.”

  He seemed surprised at her acceptance and she almost reassured him that she’d be glad to cook.

  “Uh, I don’t suppose you could delay eating until after I’ve grabbed a shower?” he asked, looking embarrassed. “I was afraid to leave Mandy alone after our jog.”

  “Of course I can wait. I appreciate your taking care of her while I slept in. You’ve gone way beyond the call of duty. Go take your shower. We’ll be right here when you’re ready.” With breakfast already prepared. And no distracting half-naked man to bother her.

  “Oh, I’ve already fed Mandy her cereal. And I’ll hurry.”

  “Take your time.”

  She put Mandy in her high chair and cut up pieces of a banana to keep her happy. Then, when she heard the water of the shower running, she began cooking bacon and eggs to go with the muffins she’d prepared last night. By the time Russ appeared in the kitchen doorway, his face clean-shaven, dressed in pressed jeans and shirt, breakfast was on the table.

  “Hey, I was going to cook!” he protested.

  “I didn’t have anything else to do while you were showering,” she said. “You wouldn’t want me to be bored, would you?”

  He grinned. “Okay, you win this round. So lunch is my responsibility.”

  “Good enough.”

  He acted as if he’d suddenly remembered something. In the process of sitting down, he
froze midway. “And dinner.”

  “Dinner?” Melissa repeated.

  “I’m responsible for dinner, too.” He sat down and reached for the salt and pepper, not looking at her.

  “It will be my turn for dinner. I’ll—”

  “Nope. I’ve already made plans.”

  “Oh, of course, I didn’t realize what you meant. Will you need to borrow the car?” She’d promised herself that Russ would have the day free to do what he wanted. It was ridiculous to be hurt that he’d made plans without her.

  “We’ll need the car.”

  She frowned. “There aren’t too many restaurants that handle children well. Mandy and I will stay home. But you feel free to go where you want.”

  “I’ve made plans, and they include you.” He gave her a charming smile, as if he knew she’d be pleased.

  “Who does ‘you’ include?”

  “Only you. We’re not taking Mandy.”

  Panic filled her. “But I haven’t arranged for a sitter.”

  “I know that. I’ve learned a lot since I got off that plane. I called Mrs. Tuttle a few minutes ago. She’s going to take care of Mandy while we go out to eat.” This time his smile was triumphant.

  “Oh, no! Mrs. Tuttle gets too tired if she keeps Mandy very long. I don’t think—”

  “Melissa, parents leave their children with a sitter all the time. There’s no reason not to go out for one meal. Mrs. Tuttle said she’d take a nap this afternoon, and I promised we’d be back before ten. It’s all settled.”

  She jumped up. “Don’t you think you should’ve consulted me before you made all these arrangements?”

  “No, because you would’ve argued with me. Just like you’re doing now. When’s the last time you had a nice dinner out without Mandy?”

  Melissa slowly sank into her chair as she frantically tried to remember such an evening. Which was ridiculous because there wasn’t one. She’d felt guilty leaving her baby with Mrs. Tuttle while she went to work, much less to play.

  “I don’t go out often. It’s expensive.”