Chapter 29
Cody tied and retied his tie at least five times. He wanted everything to be perfect. He’d hoped that after swimming and flirting Paige would see how good they could be together as clearly as he did. However, he was disappointed when Paige had pointed out he was the boss. Still, it felt like they’d crossed a bridge. Tonight he wanted to show her that he saw her as the desirable woman she was, and not just as Addison’s mother. That’s why he’d made special arrangements for Addison while the two of them went out with Gabe and MaKayla.
At six on the dot, he answered the door for Noah. “Thanks for coming.”
Noah sauntered in. “I had to cancel a date, but my niece is worth it.”
Cody’s hand slid off the doorknob. In all the time he’d thought of Paige as Addison’s mother, he’d never once thought of Noah as her uncle. Or Paige’s parents as Addison’s grandparents. Yet the words rang true as toast the minute he heard them, and despite his first surly impression of Noah, Cody liked the idea of him being Addison’s uncle. Noah had gone out of his way, several times, to help Paige with horses and moving. He’d been a mite overprotective at first, but Cody couldn’t blame him. And when it had come time to finding a babysitter, Noah was the obvious choice.
Paige had other siblings. He tugged on his shirt cuff. By the end of the night, he planned to know Paige’s life history, dreams, and everything from her favorite flavor of cake to her favorite pair of shoes ... though on the shoes he could take an educated guess, as a pair of silver-tipped boots appeared on the landing.
Paige and Addison came down the stairs. Paige looked stunning in a flowing skirt and tight shirt. She had on chunky jewelry, and Cody wondered if she’d made it herself. Her hair hung in controlled chaos, just the way he liked it. She smiled shyly, ducking her head under Cody’s scrutiny.
He took a moment to evaluate Addison’s outfit. She had on a skirt much like Paige’s and a pair of boots that were clunky. They didn’t exactly go with the outfit, but he found Addison’s desire to imitate Paige adorable.
Noah cleared his throat, and Paige broke eye contact. She smiled. “What are you doing here?”
Addison hugged Paige’s side.
Noah bent over and peeked around Paige’s other side. “I thought I saw a princess …”
Addison giggled and scooted in front of Paige.
Noah stood up and scratched his head. “I could have sworn …”
Addison clutched her hands together.
Noah stuck his nose over Paige’s shoulder. “There she is!” In one swift move, Paige stepped aside and Noah scooped Addison up to swing her around.
Cody smiled. It looked like a routine they’d done before.
Noah stopped twirling, and Addison put her hands on his shoulders. “Princess Addison, will you rescue me?” he asked.
Addison’s face grew serious. “From what?”
Noah placed his cheek against hers and stage-whispered, “Boredom. I need someone to watch a movie with and pop popcorn with and eat ice cream with—are you up for the job?”
Addison frowned. “I can’t. I have to go to dinner with Daddy and Penny Paige.”
Noah’s shoulders slumped, his back slouched, and he stuck his bottom lip out. Addison looked expectantly at Cody. Paige jerked her head toward Noah, indicating he should step in.
Cody started, like an actor who barely remembered his lines. “Maybe you could stay with Noah, just this once.”
“I’ll get the popcorn. Dad hides the caramel in the back.” Addison took off toward the pantry.
Paige cocked out her hip. “All this time you’ve had caramel popcorn, and I had no idea.” She tsked.
Cody lifted both palms. He thoroughly enjoyed the fact that her lighthearted teasing was directed his way.
“Come on. We’d better get out of here before I find out you have cinnamon bears in your nightstand.”
Cody placed his hand on the small of her back to guide her out to the garage, making a mental note to stash something gummy in his top drawer.
They opened the door, and he turned back to offer a discreet wave goodbye. Noah was busy reading the instructions for the caramel popcorn, and Addison was digging through the pantry. No doubt she was in search of his jelly bean stash. Oh well; it was a small price to pay.
Once settled into the drive to the restaurant, Cody noticed Paige was anything but settled. She plucked at her skirt and crossed and uncrossed her legs. Trying to put her at ease, he asked, “Tell me about this camp. What kinds of things are you doing with the kids?”
Paige leaned back and folded her hands in her lap. “I’ve picked a theme for each day. Monday is birds. We’re going do some fun activities in the arena that should help the kids learn to guide the horses with their legs while their arms are flapping.”
Cody felt his instincts kick in. “Make sure you let Badger out, and maybe Christopher should be there. It’s not uncommon to have snakes in the yard and Badger is always the first to find them.”
Paige shrugged. “If it will make you feel better, I’ll invite Badger. The kids will love him anyway. After that we’ll have berries and nuts for a snack—you know, bird food. And if there is time, we’ll make feathered masks the kids can take home.” She tapped her foot. “I might switch things around and do the craft first. That will grab their attention.”
“Have you had any interest?”
Paige grinned so big she could have run the car with the wattage in her smile. “Four girls signed up, and I closed registration this morning.”
“I’m impressed. That’s pretty good for the short amount of time.” He shook his head. “I don’t know what I’d do with five Addisons running around. I have a hard enough time keeping track of just one.”
Paige laughed, and the sound was like heavenly music as it rolled over Cody. “The trick is to keep them occupied. Downtime is your enemy.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.” He glanced at the clock. They still had fifteen minutes of drive time. “So, tell me about your family …”
Cody spent the rest of the ride listening to Paige describe her hardworking, and big, family. Her love for them was evident in the softening of her eyes and the way her hands flew about as she described her brothers’ antics or her sisters’ pranks. The more she talked, the more Cody wanted to meet them.
***
The minute Cody handed his keys to the valet, Paige’s nerves came back full force. She’d been a bit defensive explaining her idea for the camp, but Cody had seemed genuinely interested and not at all judgmental, which was … lovely.
Talking about her family came easy. She could have gone on for hours and not run out of material in that department. But now that she was back to thinking and acting the part of a blushing bride, she found she was truly blushing. Mostly because, since their swim this morning, she was acutely aware of the muscles under her hand as she held Cody’s arm to walk into the restaurant.
She didn’t have much time to compose herself before meeting Cody’s friends, as they were waiting in the reception area. She shook both their hands, hoping her smile looked natural, because her teeth were starting to feel dry and itchy.
MaKayla was stunning in a cream-colored wrap dress with emerald accents. She had long dark hair and a professionally polished demeanor. Paige could tell right away that this woman was comfortable in the boardroom. She wanted to tug on her bohemian-style skirt, but refrained from fidgeting.
Gabe took her hand with a twinkle in his eye. “You have knockout hair,” he said, with a wicked half smile sent Cody’s direction.
“Knockout?” Paige asked.
“It’s the kind that knocks guys to their knees.”
Cody pushed their hands apart with a that’s enough glare at Gabe, and said, “I think our table’s ready.”
MaKayla walked with Paige, leaving Cody and Gabe to follow. “What was that about?”
Paige shrugged. “I have no idea. But this hair makes for some strange conversations. I’ve learned to l
et them roll off my back.”
“What’s the strangest?”
“No contest—I had a guy ask if he could use it for pillow stuffing.”
“He was serious?”
“Completely.”
MaKayla made a face as she took the seat next to Paige’s, with Gabe on her other side.
The guys had started a conversation on the upcoming football season and looked like they were digging in for the long haul. MaKayla scooted her chair closer to Paige. “I’m so glad you came. Last time we met for dinner, I had to listen to the best running back debate.” She sighed. “Looks like it’s quarterbacks tonight.”
“Why? Was Cody’s date into football too?” Paige was curious about the women Cody normally dated. More importantly, she wondered if she fit the mold.
MaKayla gave her a look that said she’d stepped off the crazy truck. “Cody never brings a date, unless it’s Addison.”
“Oh.” Paige turned to her menu. Cody never dated? Well, it made sense. He had been so in love with Kylee that her death must have crushed him. And he’d been particularly clear about marrying her for Addison’s sake. He never said he needed or wanted a bride. All he’d ever asked her to do or be was Addison’s mom, and that wasn’t a chore in any way.
So what am I doing here? Couldn’t Cody come alone like he normally did? Why include her if she wasn’t supposed to be his wife? Why not leave her home with Addison and bring Noah?
She turned to ask Cody if he’d ever had the chicken parmesan, and placed her hand on his wrist to get his attention. He cut off midsentence at her touch and turned to her. When their eyes met, he winked. Feeling her face turn the same shade as her hair, Paige slipped her hand under the table and ducked.
With only a brief pause, Cody went back to his conversation on the Destroyers’ new quarterback. “I’m telling you, his head isn’t in the game.”
Paige took a sip of ice water.
“Just because he’s a mess off the field doesn’t mean he can’t get it together before kickoff,” said Gabe.
“Young’s got the experience,” said Cody.
“And the running game. Dumont may be able to throw, but he hesitates to tuck and run,” added Paige. All eyes turned to her, and she licked her lips. “What? Aren’t girls allowed to watch football?”
Cody closed his eyes as if he were offering a prayer of gratitude. “I can’t believe you just asked that.”
MaKayla rolled her eyes. “I may be sending Gabe to your place on Sundays.”
“He’ll have to get there early. Once my brothers see the big screen in our living room, they’re going to stake their claim.” Paige bit her lip. Cody had invited Noah over, but that didn’t mean he was ready for her whole clan to descend upon his extremely clean and noticeably white living room.
Cody smiled warmly as he brushed Paige’s hair over her shoulder. “We’ll invest in some extra chairs.”
Paige tingled. Visions of her and Cody hosting her entire family filled her with joy. She smiled up at him and moistened her lips. Cody’s hand rested on her back. Paige felt herself leaning his direction, and cleared her throat before she fell into his chest.
Cody smiled and withdrew his arm. Paige looked away.
“How is Addison adjusting?” asked MaKayla.
Thankful for MaKayla’s tact, for she had to have seen the exchange between Paige and Cody and Paige’s ensuing shy spell, Paige gushed about Addison. “She helped me paint my room this stunning Caribbean blue, and she’s so polite.”
“Tell them about the camp.” Cody gestured for her to talk, but Paige was momentarily made speechless by the obvious pride in his eyes. He didn’t miss a beat. “She’s organized a week-long day camp for kids Addison’s age. With only a few days for signups, the camp is full.”
“That’s wonderful!” MaKayla exchanged a look with Gabe.
“You should hear what she has planned. I mean, I want to go to this camp.”
The more Cody bragged, the warmer Paige’s face felt. Thankfully, the waiter appeared to take their order before she burst into flame. While Gabe and MaKayla asked about the chef’s special, she leaned over to Cody and said, “I thought you didn’t like my idea.”
“What made you think that?”
“You totally scorned it when I first mentioned it.”
Cody shook his head, his eyes remorseful. “I’m sorry that’s the way it came across. I’ll watch my tone.” He put his hand over hers, and goose bumps trailed up Paige’s arms. “It’s a brilliant idea and you’re going to do great.”
He released her hand, and Paige stopped herself from groping to get it back. Her mind swirled, and it had nothing to do with the menu options. She always felt like the camp was a good idea, but Cody’s initial reaction had sown seeds of doubt—seeds she’d worked hard not to feed, but like weeds, they grew in the worst soil.
With one complimenting swoop, Cody had whacked down the doubts. If he’d said she was brilliant in front of MaKayla and Gabe, Paige could have easily written off the comment and Cody as two-faced. But what he’d said had been for her ears alone, and that meant more to her than a thousand public declarations. Feeling good all the way down to her pink passion toes, Paige gave Cody’s arm a light squeeze before ordering the chicken parmesan.
***
Cody kept his eyes on the waiter’s face even as he felt his world shift at Paige’s touch. Her purposeful contact had the same effect on him as it had the day outside the barn, when it carried him to another level of awareness. It took every ounce of concentration to stay focused on Gabe’s argument that Roman Walker could outplay Dumont—which was ridiculous. But for the life of him he couldn’t think of a single intelligent reason why the seasoned player should start in the first game.
As the meal progressed, Cody kept an eye on Paige. MaKayla was adept at drawing even the grumpiest old men into conversation, and Paige was nothing like an old man. Not in attitude, not in age, and definitely not in looks. The way her hair shone in the candlelight should be illegal, it was so beautiful. And her laugh, throaty and female, did funny things to his stomach. He was grateful the girls were getting along, but he was getting tired of sharing Paige’s attention. However, she seemed to be having a good time and he didn’t want to pull her away.
When the dessert cart came around, he could have easily forgone the sweets and planned to take the long way home, but he decided that Paige deserved some girl time.
***
Paige eyed the giant slice of chocolate mousse cake in front of Cody.
MaKayla moaned.
“We’ll share,” Paige said as she set a slice between her and MaKayla.
MaKayla nodded. “I’m going to have to run morning and night to work this off.”
Paige fell back into her seat as the dark cocoa and blueberry filling hit her tongue. She sighed. “I’ll have to swim to Hawaii—but this cake is so worth it.”
Cody half laughed, half choked. He took a sip of water. “I promise not to tell Landon if you don’t.”
“I’m not telling!” Paige’s heart did a shuffle step at Cody’s boyish grin. They’d just shared their first inside joke.
Gabe said something about touchdowns thrown, and Paige turned back to MaKayla. Feeling like she’d monopolized most of the evening by talking about her camp and Addison, Paige asked, “How did you and Gabe meet?”
MaKayla’s eyes flicked to Cody accusingly. “He didn’t tell you?”
“No.” The cake suddenly tasted like hay cubes in Paige’s mouth. A hundred horrible thoughts flashed through Paige’s head. Paige prepared to hear the worst.
MaKayla glared once more at Cody. “Pamela Jones.”
Paige set her cup on the table, catching the edge of the plate and spilling the small amount of water left. Using her napkin to blot it, she exclaimed, “You were a BMB bride?”
MaKayla tipped her chin up and laughed. “Is that so hard to believe?”
Gabe slung his arm over the back of MaKayla’s chair. Obviously t
hey were way more comfortable with each other than Paige and Cody were. Gabe and Cody had ceased discussing passing games, and Cody was watching Paige intently; she could feel his gaze on her face, but had to get to the bottom of this.
Paige leaned closer. “I thought you two were, you know, a normal married couple.”
MaKayla put her hand on Gabe’s chest. “We are—now. We didn’t start out that way.”
Paige folded her arms. “I don’t believe it.”
“Why not?” asked Gabe.
Every insecurity in Paige lined up against every perfect feature on MaKayla and came up grossly lacking. Paige gestured to MaKayla. “Look at her. She’s way too refined and put together to be a mail-order bride. I’m not buying it.”
“It’s true. Pamela found me working at a hotel and recruited me.”
Paige wilted. “She found me at a horse auction.”
Cody barked a laugh, and soon the others joined in.
Paige shook her head, her insecurities fading in the acceptance she saw in Cody’s eyes. “That doesn’t sound very good, does it?”
Gabe leaned forward. “Obviously it was a thoroughbred auction.”
Paige tipped her head. “Thanks—I think.”
They laughed again, and this time Paige joined in. Despite all their money and success, no one at the table took themselves too seriously, and Paige felt comfortable mingling.
Paige put down her cup without drinking. “I can’t believe Pamela picked me when she has women like you to choose from.”
MaKayla shook her head. “First off, the more I learn about Pamela, the more I realize she never makes mistakes. Second, you’re stunning. I love your hair. In fact ...” She eyed Cody as he dug through his wallet for his credit card. “Your beautiful hair was one of the first things Cody mentioned to Gabe.”
“My mom always said my hair was a force of nature.”
MaKayla laughed. “It is, in the best of ways. There isn’t one guy in this restaurant who didn’t follow you across the room.”
The Country Bride: Billionaire Marriage Brokers Book 4 Page 20
