Uncle Sarge

by Bonnie Gardner

  Rich pushed open the bathroom door. Concern was etched on his strong face. “What do we do? Should we call a doctor? Take her to the emergency room?”

  If Jennifer hadn’t already started to fall in love with him, she would have done so now. She stopped that thought in its tracks. She couldn’t be thinking that. Whoa. When had all those sexual, warm-fuzzies turned to love?

  She shook her head and hoped that Rich interpreted the gesture as the answer to his questions. “No,” she said finally. “Not yet, anyway. I know what to do for a stomach bug, and a doctor wouldn’t tell you anything different.”

  “Are you sure? Don’t they need antibiotics or something?”

  Jennifer liked it that he looked uncertain. “No. Antibiotics won’t help.” Maybe he wasn’t the hard case she’d first assumed him to be. He did really seem to care about the children. She smiled, more at the thought than to be reassuring, but she hoped Rich would see it that way. “I wouldn’t worry too much unless the condition persists. I have to warn you, though, if she’s got it, then there’s a chance Carter will. And I wouldn’t be surprised if you get it, too.”

  His shoulders slumped and he seemed to sag. “I’m gonna get it, too?”

  “It’s a good possibility. But right now, you seem to be fine.” Oh, he seemed more than fine in his T-shirt and those sinfully snug, gray sweatpants. Come to think about it, she’d never seen him when he hadn’t looked fine.

  “What do we do?”

  Jennifer drew in a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Well, first we change the sheets on the bed.”

  “I can do that.” He pivoted and went into the room.

  Then what? Jennifer didn’t have the slightest idea how to proceed. Caitlyn still clung to her like a leech.

  Rich returned from the bedroom with an armload of soiled bedding. “Now what?”

  “I guess we need to make sure we have plenty of supplies. They’re going to need lots of liquids to keep from getting dehydrated. And maybe some children ’s acetaminophen to keep the fever down. Do you have plenty of juices on hand?”

  Rich shrugged. “I’ll check,” he said tiredly. “I have to put these sheets in the kitchen anyway.”

  Jennifer escorted Caitlyn back to the bed and tucked her in. “I know your tummy still hurts,” she said brushing the child’s damp hair with her fingers. “I’m going to leave this bucket right here beside you, so if you feel sick again, you can use it.”

  “Okay,” Caitlyn said, her voice weak and tired.

  “I’ll leave the door cracked so you can see, but try to go to sleep for now.”

  “’Kay,” Caitlyn murmured, sounding drowsy already.

  Congratulating herself for handling it so well, Jennifer tiptoed out.

  “Bad news,” Rich said, coming from the kitchen.

  Jennifer stopped short. “Bad news?” Panic drowned her feeling of well-being. “Please don’t say you’re sick, too.”

  “No.” Rich looked confused. “I didn’t mean to scare you. I just checked the kitchen. We have milk and some soda, but that’s all. You said juices, right?”

  “Well, liquids,” Jennifer clarified. “The soda will do, but not the milk. Just how much soda do you have?”

  “A full jug of cola and another half or so.”

  “That’ll hold us for now, but you’d better run out and get some juice before it gets too late.” She thought a minute. “I’ll make a list.”

  Anything to keep her from looking at Rich.

  She knew he was comfortable in his sweats, but in spite of the distraction of Caitlyn’s illness, to Jennifer, he might as well have been nude. What was wrong with her that she couldn’t look at the man without thinking of sweat-slick bodies twined together and rumpled sheets? She felt heat rise, unbidden, to her face.

  “You look flushed,” Rich said. “Are you getting it?”

  Rich’s observation only caused her to blush harder. “I don’t think so. It just seems a little warm in here.” She looked around for some way to back up her statement. She fanned at her face. “All that steam from the bathroom and all,” she finished lamely.

  Rich shrugged. “I guess.” He blew out a long breath. “Did you make the list?”

  “Yeah. Here.” She handed it to him, careful not to let his fingers touch hers.

  “Thanks,” he said. He lingered by the door as if he couldn’t decide whether to turn the knob. “I mean it,” he said. “Not just for the list, but…for everything.”

  “It’s okay,” she whispered. What else could she say? In spite of it all, she was coming to love those children. Almost as much as their uncle.

  “I won’t be long,” he said, turning the knob. Then he stopped. “God, I’m taking so much for granted. I didn’t even ask you.” He paused. “Can you stay?”

  Chapter Ten

  At least, he’d asked.

  Not that he’d needed to.

  Jennifer nodded, her throat suddenly too tight to speak.

  Not so much because he had asked, but because of what she’d been thinking. How had she gone from trying so hard to avoid the man, to…what?

  Staying with his children?

  Correction. Niece and nephew.

  “I’ll be back as soon as I can,” Rich said. Then he closed the door behind him, and Jennifer felt surprisingly alone. Bereft.

  How had things changed so quickly?

  She wasn’t old enough to worry about her biological clock ticking away, but she couldn’t help wondering how it would be to have children of her own. But why now?

  That was simple. She’d enjoyed playing mommy with Caitlyn and Carter.

  That’s why the urge had struck her. Even if she couldn’t follow through on it.

  Jennifer chuckled. She still had to have another part of the equation. She might be able to raise a child on her own, but it still took two to make one. And, Rich notwithstanding, she still had no likely candidates.

  She might have decided that Rich Larsen was a pretty attractive prospect, but so far, he’d done little to show the feeling was mutual. Well, not much, anyway.

  He’d kissed her like he meant it the other day after the wedding, and just seeing him in that towel earlier had rendered her senseless and all but drooling.

  No—she shook her head. To him, she was just another baby-sitter. That’s all she could afford to think about.

  He appreciated her help with the kids, but he’d done nothing more than express his gratitude.

  Jennifer sighed. For now, that was fine.

  RICH RETURNED from the store to find the living room dim and quiet. He flipped on the light and discovered Carter sleeping in his crib next to the dark television set. Jennifer was nowhere to be seen. Rich turned the light back off and stashed his purchases in the kitchen. Then he followed the sound of running water to the bathroom.

  Jennifer knelt by the tub and was sponging Caitlyn off. Rich backed up, suddenly embarrassed to be watching.

  Jennifer turned around. “You’re back.”

  “Yeah. I got everything on the list. What’s with the bath? Wasn’t she in bed when I left?”

  “Caitlyn was sick again. I thought she’d feel better if I cleaned her up.” Jennifer nodded toward the bedroom. “I pulled off the sheets, but I haven’t replaced them yet. Can you do it while we finish up here?”

  “Yeah. No problem.”

  Kids were so much work, Rich thought as he scooped up the soiled linens and dumped them on the kitchen floor. He grabbed the remaining set of sheets from the hall closet and quickly made up the bed. Thank goodness for fitted sheets. He might have learned to make a bed tight enough to bounce a quarter off it in basic training, but this was much easier.

  “All done,” Rich said as Jennifer ushered Caitlyn back to bed. He watched as she tucked the little girl in and planted a gentle kiss on her forehead.

  “Sleep tight,” Jennifer said.

  “Don’ make the bedbugs bite,” Caitlyn murmured in response.

  They tiptoed out.
<
br />   Rich nodded toward the baby sleeping in the crib in the darkened living room. “What’s with the sleeping quarters?”

  “Preventive measures,” Jennifer said. “I hope.” She gestured toward the kitchen. “I thought, since Carter hasn’t been showing the same symptoms, he might not have been exposed at the same time. Maybe, if we keep him away from Caitlyn, he won’t get it.”

  “Sounds like a long shot,” Rich said, but he admired her thinking. He probably wouldn’t have thought about it.

  “It is,” Jennifer said, sighing. “But I had to try.” She looked up at Rich. “Do you have any idea where Caitlyn could have picked it up?”

  “Beats me. I took them to the park both Sunday and Monday. I suppose they could have bumped into somebody at the wedding reception or at day care before they even came here. I don’t know what the incubation period is.”

  “Me either,” Jennifer said. “But the good news is that it usually runs its course in about twenty-four hours.”

  “Two down and twenty-two to go,” Rich said dryly.

  Jennifer smiled, the gesture lighting up her eyes. “I think the worst is over with Caitlyn. I don’t think she has anything left to throw up. Now you just have to keep her hydrated until she starts to feel her old self again.”

  “That sounds eas—”

  The phone in the living room rang.

  Rich jerked toward the phone. “Who could that be?”

  “Maybe it’s Nick with news about the baby.”

  Then he remembered. “Caitlyn didn’t call her mother, did she?”

  “Oh, no.” Jennifer shook her head. “With all the excitement, we forgot.”

  Rich yanked up the phone. It was Sherry. “Yeah.” He listened a minute. “It’s okay. Caitlyn’s got a little stomach bug, and in all the commotion we just forgot.”

  He listened while Sherry gave him much-needed mother advice. He nodded, even though she couldn’t see him. “Really, Sherry. She’s fine. We’ve got it under control.”

  Jennifer had to smile as she watched and listened to the one-sided conversation.

  “Yeah. Jennifer’s here.” He nodded as he listened. “No, Beverly went into labor.”

  Rich held the phone out toward Jennifer. “She wants to talk to you.”

  She took the phone. “Hi, Sherry. Everything’s fine,” she said before the woman could ask a question. Then she listened. “Yes, just your garden variety stomach bug. I’m sorry we worried you, but we had our hands full.”

  She felt herself blushing as Rich’s intense gaze leveled on her while Sherry inquired after Beverly. Jennifer turned away so she couldn’t see Rich watching her, though she could still feel him looking. “No news, so far. It’s a first child. I guess it takes longer, or so they say. Nick promised he’d call me as soon as the baby’s born.” Jennifer laughed. “Of course, he probably doesn’t know I’m still here. For all I know, there’s a message on my answering machine at home right now.”

  Sherry rattled off a batch of instructions, and Jennifer was relieved to know she’d instinctively done the right thing. “Yeah, we can handle it. Everything’s under control. We’ll let Caitlyn call you tomorrow night. I’m sure she’ll be back to normal by then.

  “You want to talk to Rich again?” She turned back toward Rich.

  He held out his hand for the phone.

  “Okay. Bye.” Jennifer hung up.

  “She didn’t want to talk to me?”

  “Said she’ll call tomorrow if you don’t call her first,” Jennifer said. “Do you have everything under control for now?”

  Rich nodded. “They’re asleep. Go home.” He drew in a deep breath. “I guess I’ll call the captain and beg off duty for tomorrow.”

  Jennifer raised her hands, palm out. “No, don’t do that. Al said things are light at the agency right now. I can take the time off easier than you. I’ll just bring the laptop with me, and maybe I can get some stuff done while the kids are napping.”

  It was a good thing she had a very understanding partner, Jennifer thought. When she’d called earlier to explain why she hadn’t returned from lunch, Al had told her to take all the time she needed. Whether she wanted to or not, she couldn’t help thinking. But, Al was right. Business was slow. He didn’t need her in the office as much as Rich needed her here.

  Rich looked as if he could kiss her, and Jennifer couldn’t help wishing he would, but it wasn’t the time. They had two sick kids in the apartment, if Carter’s teeth counted. Her needs—no, their hormones—could wait.

  “You sure?”

  “Yes, I’m sure, Rich. Stop asking me, or I’m likely to change my mind.” She reached out to pat him on the cheek, but Rich grabbed her hand and dragged her into his arms.

  “Thank you again,” he said as he pulled her close.

  Jennifer felt his hot breath on her cheek while hers seemed to stop. She tried to breathe and finally took in a shallow breath. Rich lowered his head toward her face, and Jennifer knew what was coming next.

  She should have pushed Rich away. She should never have gotten herself in the situation to begin with. She should have run as far and as fast as she could, but she was helpless to stop him. She wanted him to kiss her as much as she wanted to breathe.

  She wanted him to do more than kiss her.

  It was a good thing she was going home, Jennifer thought as Rich’s lips met hers. She didn’t know how much longer she would be able to resist him. And she didn’t care, Jennifer thought as a kaleidoscope of emotions swirled around her head. Her knees went limp as cooked spaghetti, and she sagged against him eager to feel his hard body pressed against her. His kisses were drugging, addictive, and if she didn’t get a handle on her feelings, she was going to find herself in too deep.

  She felt as though she were sinking into a sea of delicious sensations. She was in over her head.

  And she didn’t care.

  Finally, she dragged her lips away from his. It was late. She had to go. But, she didn’t want to leave. She stood there for a long moment, her head resting against his chin. Then, drawing a deep breath, she stepped back. “I—I really have to go,” she said, her voice breathy, her heart beating like a maniacal tomtom.

  “Yeah. It’s time for bed,” Rich said. “I mean…I had a late night last night and I gotta get up early for PT tomorrow.” He stepped back, increasing the distance between them, and Jennifer felt vaguely bereft.

  “Yes,” she whispered, backing closer to the door. “I’ll see you in the morning.” Then she grabbed the knob and resolutely turned it. “I have to go.”

  Then she turned and hurried out.

  RICH CLOSED the door behind Jennifer and wondered, not for the first time, what was going on between them. Every time he kissed her, he felt like he could take on the problems of the world and win. And every time one of those kisses ended, he felt lost. He rubbed his mouth with the back of his hand. Damn, he could still feel her there.

  He heaved a deep sigh. He hadn’t wanted to get involved with a woman. At least, not with the type of woman who was so obviously the marrying kind. But the thought of not having Jennifer in his life was daunting.

  On the other hand, the thought of having someone depend on him for everything was. He’d barely gotten to the point where he felt responsible for himself. He’d had no good role models, no examples of the right way to do it. What was he doing thinking about what he was thinking?

  Maybe it was just because he was so tired. For all practical purposes, he’d been up since just after midnight, working on twenty hours now. If he didn’t get some shut-eye, no telling what kind of delirious thoughts he’d be thinking.

  Yeah, that’s it, he convinced himself as he headed toward Ski’s room to sleep. It was just the exhaustion talking.

  He thought about the pile of stinking laundry on the kitchen floor, but he’d have to go downstairs to the laundry room to wash it. He couldn’t leave the kids alone, so that was out. The only sensible thing to do was to go to bed. Get some sleep.


  If the kids would let him.

  If Jennifer would let him.

  At least he’d removed the distracting poster off Ski’s wall. Of course, the poster wasn’t the worst of his problems. His damned fertile, horny imagination was.

  Every time he lay down and closed his eyes, images of Jennifer lying beside him filled his head. Now that he’d seen the poster, he could imagine how she’d look, naked and rosy in his bed. Since he’d kissed her, he almost knew how she’d feel. He’d seen her with her hair tangled and mussed, and wrapped around his fingers. The only thing he hadn’t been able to do in reality was to put it all together. With him. In his bed.

  He groaned. He’d never wanted a woman as much as her, and damned if he knew what to do about it.

  Rich sighed and turned and tiptoed over to the crib where Carter lay sleeping. He had to see to the kids before he could meet his own need for sleep. He’d found the tooth stuff that Jennifer had gotten for him. If Carter did wake up tonight, maybe he could rub some on his gums and get him right back to sleep. At least, this time he was sort of prepared.

  The phone rang, and Rich stumbled getting to it. Both of the kids were asleep, and he intended to keep it that way so he could join them as soon as he got whomever off the line.

  It was Nick.

  “A girl? No kidding? And you said you thought you were going to have a little soccer player.” He listened a little longer while Nick went on and on about his new daughter.

  Finally, he glanced at his watch and managed an interjection. “Congratulations, man.” He placed the receiver back onto the cradle.

  He yawned and stretched and yawned again as he looked around. Damn, he was tired. In spite of the clutter around the small apartment, there was no way he was going to stop to clean it up. He had an appointment with the sandman.

  He just hoped he’d be alert enough to hear either of the kids if they needed him.

  Rationalizing that he would be no good to them at all if he didn’t crash, he gave up the ghost. He left Caitlyn’s door ajar and his open. Maybe if he got a good nap first, he’d still be able to function if one of them did wake up.