I've Got You, Babe (Must Love Babies)

by Lynnette Austin

  For a second, those Kewpie-doll lips drooped. Then, wrapping her arms around Tucker’s legs, she asked, “Can he sleep with me?”

  “We’ll have to talk to your mother about that.” Since Elisa stood in the kitchen doorway, he lifted his eyes to hers. “What do you say?”

  “I doubt it matters what I say. I have a sneaking suspicion he’ll end up in her bed regardless.”

  “Smart mama.”

  Daisy wrapped her arms around Elisa’s legs. “Thanks, Mommy.”

  She tousled the little girl’s hair. “You’re very welcome.”

  One hand clutching Lug Nut’s ear, Daisy Elizabeth turned to Tucker. When she held out her arms, Tucker picked her up. She patted his head. “Your hair isn’t soft like Mommy’s. It’s all tickly.”

  “And it’s dirty. Me too. I stink.”

  Daisy giggled. “No, you don’t, Tut.”

  “Why don’t you clean up before we eat?” Elisa nodded at the bag. “I’ll set that in the kitchen. Up high,” she added, catching Lug Nut’s interest in it.

  Daisy’s arms in a stranglehold around his neck, he leaned toward Elisa and gave her a peck on the cheek. “You’re an angel.”

  “A pretty angel.” Daisy leaned to kiss her mama’s cheek, too.

  “You got that right.” Unable to stop himself, he fixed his gaze on Elisa and went in for one more kiss. Her cheek wouldn’t do this time, though. Those lips had been on his mind all day.

  She didn’t pull away.

  Her lips were soft and sweet. His eyes closed, and the kiss lasted longer than he’d meant.

  Daisy patted his cheek. “I want a kiss, too.”

  Breathing labored, Tucker pulled away, meeting Elisa’s eyes. He said a quick prayer of thanks when he read desire in them, a desire that matched his own.

  “Tut?”

  “Yeah.” He gave Daisy a buss on the cheek, then set her on her feet. Glancing toward the pup, he said, “See if you can keep him from eating the sofa while I’m upstairs.”

  “I think we can handle that. Here. Take this up with you.” Elisa, looking slightly dazed, handed him a tall, cold glass of sweet tea.

  “Oh yeah, an angel through and through.” He fought the urge to steal another kiss, grabbed the tea, and loped upstairs to the lure of hot water and soap.

  * * *

  When he strolled from his bedroom, showered and changed, he felt like a new man. From downstairs, he heard voices, giggles, and Lug Nut’s yapping.

  Passing Elisa’s open bedroom door, he stopped. The room smelled different. Sexy. Would he ever stand in this doorway again without smelling her? Without imagining her in his bed?

  Without remembering the taste of those sweet lips?

  He stared at the open suitcase on the bed. At the lingerie on top with its lace and soft colors—so feminine—and all worn next to her skin. His knuckles whitened on the doorframe. Dangerous thoughts.

  When he hit the bottom step, Daisy and Lug Nut were hunkered on the floor together. She was telling him a story about a frog named Archie, so Tucker moved into the kitchen.

  “I need to say this.” Elisa’s face flushed.

  “If it’s about that kiss—”

  She laughed. “No. That?” She sighed. “Well, let me just say that you seem to do everything well. Very well.” A blush traveled up and over her face. “This is about the other night. I want to say thanks. I dumped a lot of heavy stuff on you, way more than you ever bargained for.”

  He flashed back to her body against his, her curves beneath his T-shirt, and took a deep breath. “It was my pleasure. I mean—”

  She chuckled, and he gave in to a grin. “I think we both needed an ear, Elisa. You helped me, too, so don’t give it another thought.”

  He knew he wouldn’t listen to his own advice, though. Throughout the past two days, he’d found himself thinking about Elisa and Daisy and what a raw deal they’d had. That guy she’d married had been a real loser.

  She nodded at the bag. “Tomorrow night’s my turn.”

  “Good enough.”

  “I hope so,” she muttered.

  “Why don’t we eat al fresco tonight? I’ll wipe off the table.” He grabbed a cloth and stepped through the back door.

  Outside, he stopped, eyes closed. Elisa Danvers fanned a fire in him that he’d thought long dead. Even his house held a different aura. He wasn’t certain how he felt about any of it. He sure hadn’t had a moment’s peace since she and her daughter had wheeled into the Wylder Rides parking lot.

  And work? Whew. But in a couple of days, they’d have the Vette finished and Murdoch on his knees, weeping with gratitude.

  Right now, he needed to feed his girls.

  Whoa. His girls? Nope. Never.

  Guests. They were guests, plain and simple.

  When he stepped back inside, Elisa was sitting on the sofa, Daisy Elizabeth tucked in beside her, Lug Nut at their feet. They were reading The Princess and the Pea. The scene was way too domestic, and he didn’t dare let himself get caught up in it. Once he had her car fixed, they’d be gone and his life would settle back into its routine.

  “Ready to eat?”

  “I am.” Elisa closed the book. “Did I tell you Tansy Elliot stopped by with her daughter, Gracie Bella, after she closed her bakery for the day?”

  “No,” Tucker said. “But her husband was at the shop today. He said she’d probably come visit.”

  “The girls got along great. So good, in fact, that Tansy’s picking Daisy up Saturday afternoon for a playdate at their house.”

  “Gracie Bella’s got kitties,” Daisy said. “I like kitties.”

  “And I really liked Tansy,” Elisa said.

  “She and Beck are both great people. He runs the local lumber yard and hardware store.”

  “That’s what she said. Your client flies in day after tomorrow for his car, doesn’t he?”

  “Yep.”

  “Is it done?”

  Holding his thumb and index finger a paper-width apart, he said, “We’re this close. Gav’s putting in another hour or so tonight, and we’ll work like dogs tomorrow. By the time Murdoch shows up, that car will be a thing of beauty and run like a charm.”

  “Good.”

  “Want to help me set the table, little one?”

  “Yep.” Daisy bounced to the edge of the sofa and crawled off, Lug Nut on her heels.

  Following Tucker into the kitchen, she peppered him with questions. “Have you seen Gracie Bella’s kitties?”

  “Nope, I haven’t had that pleasure.”

  “How come you were all dirty?”

  “Because I was working.”

  “Mommy doesn’t get dirty when she works.” She scrunched her face. “Except when she works in her garden. Do you have a garden?”

  “Sort of.”

  “Mommy wouldn’t let me go outside by myself ’cause of the water. I could fall in.”

  “That’s true.”

  “Did your mommy let you play outside?”

  He held his hands over his head and mimicked an exploding bomb, sound effects and all.

  “Why’d you do that?” she asked.

  Instead of answering, he handed her paper plates.

  “We’re eating outside tonight.”

  “But not by the water.” She looked at him solemnly. “’Cause I don’t want to drown.”

  “What is with this preoccupation with the water?”

  “What’s pweopation mean?”

  “It means let’s get this done.”

  “’Kay.”

  He grabbed napkins, silverware, and the food and followed her and the dog outside. Elisa carried their drinks. The evening was one of those fall nights when all seemed well with the world—if you didn’t count a nonstop chatterer underfoot and a barking do
g who chased shadows across the lawn.

  Inside five minutes, they sat around the table on his back patio, enjoying their take-out.

  “This is wonderful, Tuck.”

  He nodded, studying her. Elisa definitely needed someone to take care of her, but he wasn’t the one to do that. He was a catch-and-release guy from the get-go.

  For tonight, though, they could all simply enjoy the evening. Even Lug Nut seemed to appreciate the peace. He curled up beside Daisy’s chair, tail thumping loudly in the grass as crumbles of Dee-Ann’s meatloaf accidentally-on- purpose rained down on him.

  Tucker ignored it. For every piece that went to the pup, a bite or two went into Daisy’s own mouth, and that was good enough—until Lug Nut jumped up and ran across the yard with a piece of meat in his mouth.

  “Where’s he going?” Daisy asked.

  “I don’t—Oh no!” Tucker slid back his chair.

  Lug Nut was digging a hole in the yard Tucker had worked so hard to restore.

  “Lug Nut! Stop!”

  “Stop, Luggie.”

  Daisy started across the yard, but Elisa grabbed her. “Stay here.”

  A yipping Lug Nut followed an angry Tucker back to the table. “Stupid dog.”

  “He’s not stupid.”

  Tucker hung his head. “No, he isn’t, Daisy, but don’t give him any more food, okay?”

  “What was he doing?”

  “Burying his meatloaf. For later.”

  “Why?”

  “Because he’s a dog, and that’s what they do.”

  “Oh.”

  “Yeah, oh.”

  Lug Nut remained hopeful, though, and stayed close to Daisy for the rest of the meal. A couple of times Elisa shook her head, and a bite of food that had been making its way to the dog went into her daughter’s mouth instead.

  The stream was running after yesterday’s rain. It was a happy sound, especially when combined with Daisy’s delighted giggles as she and Lug Nut chased fireflies around the yard after dinner. Elisa had added a candle to the table, and the flickering light danced off her hair. He reached across the table and took her hand, kissed the palm, and smiled when she didn’t pull away.

  * * *

  When the air turned chilly, they decided to call it a night. Elisa made coffee and plated the apple pecan cake Tansy had brought while Tucker, Daisy, and Lug Nut cleared the table out back. Their happy chatter made her almost unbearably sad.

  Daisy had never known her father. Lately, with daddies coming to preschool to pick up her friends, she’d been asking about her own. Now her little girl was fast falling for this man who’d taken them in. If they stayed much longer, leaving would break her heart. Their hearts.

  Luke had made so many promises. He’d claimed he’d love Elisa for eternity and beyond. Never having had love, she’d fallen hook, line, and sinker. Then, when she needed him most, he’d walked without so much as a backward glance. He’d abandoned her, just like her parents had.

  She’d survived before, and she and her daughter would do fine when it came time to leave here.

  When Tucker and Daisy walked into the room, she almost recanted that idea. Tucker Wylder could be featured on the cover of People magazine’s Sexiest Man Alive cover with those high cheekbones, that narrow waist, and broad shoulders. Though he claimed to be ex-military, the man still had Marine written all over him.

  A tattoo peeked out from the sleeve of his T-shirt.

  “Can I be nosy?”

  “Depends. What do you want to know?”

  “Your tattoo. What’s it say?”

  An embarrassed flush reddened his neck. “Mama.”

  “Mama?”

  “I got it on my twenty-first birthday, and I was drunk as a skunk.”

  “And it was your mother you thought of.”

  He shrugged. “Guess so.” He peeled back the hem of his sleeve to show her the black and gray infinity sign with the word Mama incorporated into it.

  Right then and there, Elisa permanently lost a tiny piece of her heart to this rugged guy who loved his mother. Lucky him to have a mother who loved him back.

  “I’ll confess to snooping today,” she said.

  His brows shot up.

  “I saw the swing you’re making. It’s gorgeous.”

  “It’s for her.” He tapped his tattoo.

  “For your mom? A lot of heart-work’s gone into it, hasn’t it?”

  “You mean hard work?”

  “No, heart-work.”

  He shrugged, but Elisa knew she’d hit the bull’s-eye.

  “This is none of my business, either, but it’s probably something I should have asked before. Do you have a girlfriend, Tucker? Someone who’s upset about Daisy and me staying with you? For a few days,” she added quickly.

  “No. The answer’s that simple. There’s no one.” His brow arched. “Why do you ask?”

  “I don’t want to cause you any problems.”

  Those hazel eyes turned cool. “You’re not. As a Marine, I had no control over where I went or when I went. What I ate or when I slept. Now I own a big house and I live alone. That’s the way I like it. Nobody makes decisions for me, and there’s nobody I’m accountable to.”

  * * *

  If he were Elisa, he’d run like hell. She’d asked a simple question, and he’d pretty much shut her down. Without a word, she’d moved into the living room.

  Tucker went back to the door and held it open. He whistled, and Lug Nut bounded through, headed to his water bowl. While he lapped happily, Daisy bounced into the kitchen, dragging a blanket.

  She apparently hadn’t gotten the memo to stay away from Oscar the Grouch.

  “Can I have some cake?”

  The dessert Elisa had plated sat on the counter. “Sure.” Maybe he could use it to make amends. “Should we go in and keep Mommy company?”

  “Uh-huh.”

  Elisa eyed him warily when he walked into the living room.

  “I come bearing gifts and an apology. I’m sorry.”

  “There’s nothing to be sorry for. What you do and when you do it isn’t my business. You were one hundred percent right.”

  “Still—”

  “It’s okay,” she said.

  Her daughter threw her a cat-that-ate-the-canary smile. “Tut said I could have a piece, so I picked the biggest one.”

  Elisa shook her head. “That’s my little conniver.”

  Daisy twirled on one foot, her plate wobbling.

  “Sit down with that, Daisy, but not on the floor. Lug Nut can’t have any.”

  With a sigh, she sat down on the footstool.

  Tucker held out a plate to Elisa. “I brought one for you.”

  “Oh, I’m full. I don’t think—”

  “A bedtime snack.”

  One bite and she made a small sound of pleasure. “It’s like a piece of heaven in my mouth.”

  “Yeah, it is.” With effort, he shook off his mood. He noticed Daisy had abandoned her cake. “What have you got there, shorty?”

  “My doll. But I can’t get her dress on.” She dropped it on his lap.

  Dress her doll? A live grenade wouldn’t be any scarier.

  “I can do that,” Elisa piped up. “Bring Cindy to me, baby.”

  “No,” she whined. “I want Tut to do it.”

  “Tuck’s worked all day. He’s tired.”

  Daisy stomped her foot, the sweet little girl disappearing as bedtime drew near.

  “I’ve got it.” One deep breath, and he picked up the doll. Flicking a finger at her shorn locks, he said, “I think Cindy needs a trip to Frenchie’s.”

  “Who’s Fwenchie?” Daisy asked.

  “The beauty shop.”

  “But Cindy’s already bootiful.”

  “Y
es, she is.” He couldn’t help himself. He glanced at Elisa as he said it. Big mistake. Her eyes turned misty. Sliding the dress over the doll’s head, he said, “I think it’s time both you ladies head up to bed.”

  “I’m not tired.”

  He turned the doll and, with fingers suddenly big and clumsy, managed to slip the tiny buttons into even tinier buttonholes. “Mommy said something about baking tomorrow. A shame you won’t be able to help her.”

  “Yes, I can.”

  Tucker slowly shook his head. “Nope, I’m afraid not. In order to help you need eight hours of sleep. That’s the rule.”

  “I can do that.”

  “I don’t think so.”

  “Why?” The little girl’s eyes had grown huge.

  Tucker turned his wrist to check his watch. “You’d have to go to bed now, and you said you can’t.”

  “Yes, I can, can’t I, Mommy?” She grabbed her doll off his lap and scooted toward the stairs. “Help me put on my pajamas, Mommy.”

  Elisa and Tucker shared a moment of victory.

  “Chalk one up,” she said softly.

  * * *

  When she came back downstairs, he frowned. “What’s wrong?”

  “Me.”

  “You?”

  “Yes, me. I mean, what am I going to do? I’ve wrestled with this till I can’t see straight. I have a child I’m responsible for. But I have no job and no home. How could I have let this happen?” She buried her face in her hands, but she didn’t cry. “And that sounds so pathetic.” She made a frustrated sound. “Sorry. It’s not your problem, Tuck. I’ll figure it out.”

  He made the mistake of taking a good look at her and saw the tears pooling in her eyes. Her hand trembled as she swiped at them. “What? You need some juice or something? One of those glucose tablets Doc gave you?”

  “No.” Big fat tears rolled down her cheeks. “I try so hard, but this…this was a serious mistake. If I’d passed out at the wheel, we’d have wrecked. Daisy could have been—” Her voice broke.

  Feeling as clumsy as an ox, he laid his hands on her shoulders. Women and tears about unmanned him. Then she burrowed into him, her tears wetting his shirt, and he pulled her closer, wrapping his arms around her.

  “Shhh. It’s okay. Daisy’s fine. You’re fine. According to Doc, all this goes with the territory. The hypoglycemia scrambles your brain and makes you confused. It’s not your fault.”