“No,” she grumbled. “As crazy as it sounds, I just wanted to see you.” Because she didn’t want his head to swell, she added, “And Breanna.”
He answered with a lazy grin. “Really?”
“Yes, really,” she said sharply, hating it that he’d forced her to admit what she was still trying to understand herself. Coming here had definitely been a bad idea, she decided before she rose. “As it’s plain you have everything under control, I’ll leave you two—”
“Wait.” He lowered the footrest and stood. “Don’t go. Stay for dinner.”
“I shouldn’t.”
“Why not? It won’t be fancy—I’ll grill a few burgers—but I hate eating alone.”
He looked so hopeful that she hated to disappoint him. And for what? To go home to an empty house where she’d spend the rest of the evening wondering what he was doing? Her plan may have allowed a fifteen-minute visit, but what would another hour matter? Besides, she was hungry and she wasn’t fond of dining alone either…
“A hamburger sounds perfect. While you’re fixing dinner, I’ll wake Breanna.”
He visibly winced. “Do you have to?”
“If she sleeps too long now, she won’t sleep tonight,” she warned.
He shuddered. “In that case, wake her.”
“I thought you’d see things my way.”
“One thing, though,” he said before she headed down the hallway, “if she isn’t happy about having her nap cut short, make sure she knows it was your idea and not mine. I’m already operating at a disadvantage and I don’t need any more points against me.”
Maggie laughed at his droll tone. “Your wish is my command.”
If only that were true. Joe gazed appreciatively at the sight Maggie presented as she walked away. If he’d thought she looked great in jeans, she was positively breathtaking in her knee-length khaki skirt. Her shapely legs with those miles of soft, tanned skin were more than his extremely vivid imagination had conjured up. The urge to tiptoe after her and haul her into his bedroom grew strong, especially when his mental picture included seeing her stretched across his sheets with her lips parted invitingly.
Dammit! He shouldn’t be thinking along those lines. She was his partner, for heaven’s sake, not one of the groupies who hung around the sports bar where he and the rest of the guys went on the weekends! Unfortunately, in spite of his mental scolding, in spite of her being his professional “other half”, he still wanted her in the worst way.
And between Maggie’s honesty and his suspicions, the feeling was mutual.
He was sweating before he went outside to stand in the late afternoon sun to tend the barbecue grill. As he struck the match, he realized his attraction to Maggie had sparked and grown to the flaming stage just as quickly as the wooden stick in his hand.
He hadn’t been celibate over the years, but he certainly wasn’t the Casanova the guys at the station thought he was. He was too picky to be indiscriminate when it came to female companionship. Normally, though, he sought out women who were experienced at the flirtation and seduction game when he needed to scratch that particular itch, but in spite of his selectivity he couldn’t remember a single one by name or face since he’d met Maggie.
She simply outshone them all.
Her smile was genuine; her laugh came easily. She didn’t try to impress him with her words or her actions; everything she said was sincere and open and honest and her actions were an extension of her principles. She possessed a lively mind, was quick to defend those she considered weaker and wasn’t afraid to disagree or challenge him.
If he looked hard enough, he could find similarities between her and Dee, but as comfortable as he’d been with Deanna, Maggie simply made him feel alive.
Which was why seeing Maggie when he’d woken up had been as exhilarating as receiving an unexpected check in the mail. Just as extra funds gave one a bit of financial breathing room, Maggie’s unplanned arrival did the same. Granted, his day hadn’t been all bad, but something had been missing.
It had been Maggie, which was why he’d alternated between counting down the hours until tomorrow and reaching for the phone.
Now, with her here, life was suddenly good—not because he would relinquish his parenting duties but because of the way she made him feel.
His simple meal of burgers and oven-baked french fried potatoes came and went, but he deftly maneuvered her into staying longer.
“You have to watch little Bee playing in her sandbox,” he coaxed. “She’s mesmerized when sand gets between her toes.”
Maggie’s laughter reminded him of wind chimes swaying in a light breeze. “Admit it. You just want me to be the one to drag her out of there when it’s time for a bath.”
He pretended affront. “Who, me? Would I do such a thing?”
She laughed. “Yes, you would.”
“OK, guilty as charged, but if you stay, I solemnly promise I won’t ask you to be the bad guy.”
“I appreciate your consideration,” she said wryly, “but I really should go home.”
Joe hated to see her leave. “What could be better than sitting outside on a nice night like tonight, listening to the birds chirp and watching the sun set?”
“I’ve been gone all day. I have laundry waiting, a house to clean…”
“All of which will still be there tomorrow,” he coaxed. “How does the saying go? ‘Housework is never done’?”
She bit on her lower lip in obvious indecision.
“Come on,” he wheedled. “What’s more important than spending time with a friend?”
Slowly, she nodded, her smile weak. “What indeed?”
CHAPTER SIX
JOE DONATELLI was like pure milk chocolate, Maggie thought as she puttered around her kitchen the next morning, preparing for the moment when he arrived. She’d always been careful to limit herself to one small piece when the craving struck, but too much of it ruined her waistline. Likewise, too much of Joe wasn’t a good thing.
She was simply too weak to resist temptation.
While she knew the dangers and understood the risks of over-indulgence, she simply hadn’t been able to tear herself away after dinner last night to go home where she belonged.
As it had turned out, she’d stayed long enough to wash the dishes while Joe had put Breanna to bed. When a sense of déjà vu struck her, she dismissed it.
The situation with Joe was different, she’d told herself. It had a beginning and an established end. There wouldn’t be any surprises or unexpected developments because no promises had been made or implied and there were certainly no expectations of either. In a few weeks Joe should be more than capable of handling his daughter on his own and she would walk away, her heart and soul intact. The only emotion she’d feel would be satisfaction for a job well done.
Yes, she’d mapped everything out; the situation was under control. With that control came the freedom to sit back and savor each moment with Joe and his daughter while she built a store of fond memories.
As she glanced out the window, her heart skipped with anticipation as she saw the man occupying her thoughts strolling up the walk with a diaper bag slung over one arm and a little girl perched on the other.
She greeted them just as Joe had bent down far enough for Breanna to lean out and press the doorbell. “Hi, you two. Are you ready for a fun day?”
Breanna leaned forward, her arms outstretched as she jabbered away. Maggie took her, then addressed Joe. “I hope you remembered to bring a change of clothes for Breanna, otherwise she’ll be a fright when you take her to your appointment.”
His shoulders slumped and he slapped his forehead. “Aw. I didn’t. I only remembered extra diapers and bottles of formula.”
Sensing Joe’s disgust with himself and afraid he’d see it as another inadequacy in a long string of inadequacies, she tried to minimize the damage. “Diapers and formula are good. As for her clothes, we’ll save the dirt-digging for later, after your trip to the hospital.”
“I can run home,” he began.
“Not necessary,” she assured him. “I was going to buy a new ceiling fan for my bedroom this afternoon but we’ll do it now. The one I have makes a horrible racket and my dad’s coming over this weekend to replace it.”
“I can do that for you,” he offered. “I may not be a licensed electrician, but I can install a ceiling fan. After playing Mr. Mom, I’m ready to take on something I can handle with my eyes closed.”
Her eyes lit up. “Great. As much as I love my dad and appreciate everything he does, he isn’t the handiest man to have around the house. I usually end up calling in someone else to finish the job he started,” she said ruefully.
Joe smiled, grateful not only for the opportunity to repay Maggie a favor but also to tackle a project for which he was suited. After completely missing the mark when he hadn’t thought to bring a spare set of clothes for Breanna, this handyman chore couldn’t have come at a better time. “Then what are we waiting for? We’ll call in at my place on the way so I can pick up my toolbox.”
An hour later, with toolkit in hand and the new ceiling fan unboxed, he flicked the wall switch in Maggie’s bedroom. The blades began to turn and as Maggie had warned, the motor made the most horrible grinding noise he’d heard in a long time. “Ouch.”
She laughed as she held Breanna on one hip. “I told you it sounded awful.”
“And you were right.” He looked at Breanna. “Wasn’t she right, squirt?”
The little girl giggled and held out her arms.
“Sorry, kiddo, but you’ll have to wait until I fix this for Maggie.” So, with the two of them looking on, he began to work.
As he unwound screws and attached wires, his sense of worth slowly returned. Mechanical things were so much easier to deal with than a little person. Everything worked according to a set series of laws that were really quite simple—no power, no operation. If he made a mistake, he could undo it and start again.
Children, on the other hand, didn’t come with instructions and they didn’t operate in the same logical and orderly manner as equipment did. More importantly, there weren’t opportunities for do-overs.
The responsibility was overwhelming, as was the temptation to renege on the bargain he’d made with Dee and with Maggie. Yet, he couldn’t go back on his word. Not yet, anyway.
Twenty minutes later, he was gently trying to convince Breanna to swap a kitchen spatula for the screwdriver she’d commandeered out of his kit. Instead of handing over his tool, she smiled and giggled as if she thought they were playing a game. He suddenly realized how far the little girl had come since the morning he’d first brought her home when she’d clung to her bunny with both arms and hardly made a sound as she stared wide-eyed at her new surroundings.
Today, however, she’d left Mr. Bugs on Maggie’s bed and was exploring everything from the contents of the closet to what lay behind the dust ruffle. She’d also checked out Joe’s toolbox, banged his wrenches like they were drumsticks instead of expensive tools, and emptied most of his screwdrivers and other assorted items onto the carpeted floor as if they were her toys, too.
He couldn’t credit Breanna’s adjustment only to the passage of time. In his opinion, the major factor was Maggie herself. Her ready smile, her soothing voice, her gentle touch had been just what the little girl—and he—had needed.
He realized something else, too.
Whenever he’d helped his various foster-parents with their projects, he’d always felt as if he were somehow intruding, as if he were there on sufferance, an outsider looking in. Today, however, with Maggie and little Bee in this family setting, he had a taste of belonging, as if he were part of something bigger than himself.
He likened the feeling to the camaraderie and the close-knit bond he’d formed with the guys at the fire station, but this seemed far more personal, far more intimate. Whatever it was, though, he wanted it to last. He simply had to convince Maggie to stick around longer than their agreed-on month. Considering how she seemed to dote on the little girl, maybe it wouldn’t be too difficult. In fact, she had probably become far more emotionally involved than she’d intended to.
“All done,” he said cheerfully, as he picked up Breanna to stand under the silently running fan and watched her wide-eyed delight at the breeze ruffling her hair.
The smile on Maggie’s face was equally dazzling. “Thanks, Joe. I can’t thank you enough.” She stood on tiptoe and brushed a kiss against his cheek.
Joe recognized opportunities when he saw them and this was opportunity with a capital O. He instantly snaked his free arm around her waist and pulled her close. Her breathless “Oh” disappeared against his mouth as he deepened his kiss and he savored her softness, her honeyed fragrance and her taste.
Falling under her spell, his grip tightened until she was plastered against him. Her lips parted to allow him in and he didn’t hesitate. The urge to crawl inside her skin grew strong and the thin layer of clothing between them seemed like too much of a barrier.
His hand splayed across her back and his fingers meandered up and down her spine, causing her to quiver as she leaned into him. Her open palm rested on his biceps with a touch that seemed to burn into his muscle. Oh, how he wanted her fingers, her mouth and her gorgeous body all over his, and then he wanted to reciprocate, taking hours and hours to explore every delectable inch of her.
Breanna suddenly squirmed and protested, effectively dousing his lustful flames but not completely eliminating the embers. As he pulled away to notice Maggie’s dazed expression, satisfaction filled his soul. “For a payback like that,” he said, flashing her a lazy grin, “any other handyman projects I can do for you?”
Her face turned pink as she put a half-step’s worth of space between them. “None I can think of at the moment.”
“A pity.” He pretended a sigh. “If you do, let me know.”
“You don’t mind? Handling repairs, that is?”
He was certain his grin had turned feral because if there was one thing he didn’t mind, it was kissing her until her toes curled. Whatever task she found would be worth the reward. “For you? Not at all.”
Breanna cupped his face in her tiny hands, turned his chin in her direction, then bussed his cheek before she cocked her head as if to study his response.
“Do you want some of this action too, little missy?” he teased, and blew a strawberry against her neck.
Breanna chortled and wiggled in his arms. “More,” she demanded, and he complied.
“You’ve made remarkable progress with her,” Maggie commented.
“Progress? Maybe. Remarkable? Hardly. I feel more like the horse still standing at the starting gate while the others are halfway around the track,” he confessed.
“Compared to the first day I saw you together, you’ve both come a long way. If I was going to guess, I’d say that holding her while she napped made a difference. Sleeping with a guy changes a girl’s perspective, you know.” She grinned.
His imagination took off as he thought about how he’d like to test that theory with Maggie. “It may have changed Breanna’s, but I prefer my bed partners to be a lot older. About twenty-seven years older.”
“I’m gratified to hear that,” she said wryly, her faint blush suggesting that she’d connected the dots he’d supplied, “but the point is, she’s starting to trust you.”
“Let’s hope so.” If he accomplished nothing else, he intended to accomplish that. He didn’t want Breanna to lose her faith in people like he had, because it was nearly impossible to regain.
At that moment Breanna twisted herself out of Joe’s hold and dove toward Maggie before he could stop her. A painful heartbeat later he relaxed as Maggie laughingly caught and hugged her before smooching her forehead.
He’d seen spontaneous acts like this before between his foster-mothers and their children and the sight had always been bittersweet. He may never have experienced them for himself, but even as a kid he’d known what had prompted
them.
Love.
Oddly enough, he was jealous of his own daughter.
“I’d say she trusts someone else, too,” he said casually.
Maggie gave in to Breanna’s demand and set her on the floor, where she toddled back to Joe’s toolbox. “Perhaps to some degree,” she said, straightening, “but you’re the constant in her life. I’m not.”
“You’re around her almost as much as I am.”
She grew thoughtful. “Maybe, but she shouldn’t learn to depend on me.”
“Why not?”
“Because our agreement only covered a short period of time in which I would help you learn how to be a father. After that, I won’t be in her life.”
That wasn’t what he wanted to hear. “Ever?”
“Maybe not ever, but definitely not on a regular basis.”
“I disagree,” he said. “In fact, I predict you won’t be able to stay away.”
She raised a sculpted eyebrow. “Oh?”
“You won’t, because you love her.”
Until he’d said those words aloud, he hadn’t realized the difficult position in which he’d placed Maggie. He’d seen her affection for the little girl, but he hadn’t understood the strength or the depth of those feelings until today. In spite of the possibility that he might relinquish his guardianship, that she might lose Breanna as she’d lost Zach and Tyler, she’d still fallen in love with the little girl.
That was the difference between them. He insulated himself to avoid getting hurt because he expected the worst. Maggie, on the other hand, waded in and gave all of herself in spite of an uncertain outcome, because she hoped for the best. Suddenly he felt guilty for putting her in this potentially ill-fated position because he’d never wanted to hurt her.
Her expression froze for an instant. “Don’t be ridiculous, Joe.”
He didn’t let her dismissive tone or her denial stop him; he pressed on because he knew he was right. “If you didn’t, you wouldn’t have dropped by yesterday to check on us and you wouldn’t have spent the whole day worrying about how we were doing.”
Emergency: Parents Needed Page 9
