Matters of the Heart (4 page)

“Whatever’s
easiest for
you.
”

“There’s
plenty of closet space, and the dressing table has four generous size drawers.”

“It looks
perfect.”

It really
did. It was small but homely, and so neat and clean too. She wondered if he had
a cleaning lady or perhaps his mother stopped by every week.

“And before I
forget, let me show you where the bathroom is.”

She followed
him out in the hallway and across the way.

“Sorry that
we have to share this. My only rule is I get to use it first thing in the
morning so I can be ready and off to work by eight.”

“No problem.
Like I said, whatever works best for you is fine with me.”

“If you want
to take your coat off or even unpack, go ahead. I’ll be downstairs. Can I get
you some coffee or hot chocolate?”

“Hot
chocolate’s my favorite, and I’ll be right with you.”

Lucy watched
as he went down the stairs. As she made her way back to the bedroom, she peeked
in at one opposite the bathroom. It was obviously Brad’s. She stood at the
door, hoping he didn’t come back up the stairs and catch her looking. He had
more photos on the dresser and a few paintings of horses, and what looked like
Montana
landscapes. The
bed was queen size and was covered in a masculine-looking plaid quilt. His
sheriff’s jacket and cowboy hat hung from the back of a chair. A pair of cowboy
boots was parked underneath it, and on the nightstand stood a lamp, alarm
clock, and book.

She felt
guilty just standing in the door way being nosy, so she hurried back to her
room and took off her coat. She’d unpack later but now she really needed that
hot chocolate to warm her.

When she got
downstairs she looked around but couldn’t see Brad. She heard a noise coming
from the back of the house and guessed he was there, and that it was probably
the kitchen. Lucy found him pouring hot water into two mugs and stirring
vigorously with a spoon. He looked up.

“Great
timing,” he said. “You like marshmallows?”

“Love them.”

“Me
too.
Let’s take these drinks through to the living room and we can sit and relax
before Presley wakes up.”

He sprinkled
a handful of mini marshmallows on top of the drink and handed her one of the
mugs. The kitchen also looked neat and clean and she guessed that maybe he did
have a cleaning lady. Or maybe he had a girlfriend…she hadn’t asked about that.

She followed
him through to the living room and he gestured for her to sit on the couch.
There was a fire burning and the whole place was small but seemed cozy and
comfortable.

“I was
wondering if you could come shopping with me when Presley wakes up so we can
pick out some things for her. A few people at the office have given me a crib
and changing table that belonged to their own kids but they’re old and worn and
I’d like her to have her own stuff.”

“Sure I can
do that.”

“And maybe
you can tell me what other stuff she’ll need, like clothing and toys.”

Lucy nodded
as she took a sip of the most delicious chocolate she’d ever tasted.

“And
how about vaccinations?
Is she up to date with those?” she asked.

 
“I know this sounds terrible, but I don’t
know. I mean with her mother dumping her on me like that I’ve got no medical
history for her.”

“Anyway you
can get hold of her to ask?”

“She left no
forwarding address which I assume was intentional. Not that I want to see that
woman ever again.”

“Then I
suggest we hold off until she’s due for another round of them just in case
she’s already been vaccinated.”

“She won’t
get sick, will she? I mean if she hasn’t her shots?”

Lucy shook
her head. “She’s not going to be around other children that much, and don’t
worry, I’ll keep a close eye on her. Any sign of problems and we’ll get her to
the doctor.”

“I haven’t
taken her for a check-up. Do you think I should?”

“Probably
a good idea.
I can do that for you.”

“Great. I’ll
make an appointment with Dr.
Willougby
.”

There was
silence for a few minutes. Brad crossed his leg over the other and Lucy noticed
him eyeing her over the rim of the mug as he drank the hot chocolate.

He looked
more handsome than he had in his office the day before. And for the first time
since they’d met, Lucy sensed she might have a tough time keeping business and
pleasure separate.

“I was
thinking that maybe we can grab something to eat while we’re shopping. There
are a couple of places in the strip mall. Do you cook at all?”

“I’m great
with breakfast and I also make a mean chili.”

“And my
specialty is steak on the grill. And yes, I still cook on it during snow
season. And I have takeout menus for just about every eating establishment
within a five-mile radius. Good news is that most of them deliver.”

She laughed.
“Then I guess we won’t starve.”

“Nope, have
no fear of that.”

Presley chose
that moment to wake up screaming.

Brad got up
and so did Lucy.

“Sit down,
this is my job now,” she said.

****

Brad thought
it was of the most beautiful images he’d seen as Lucy came back downstairs
cradling Presley who had miraculously stopped crying.

“I’ve changed
her but I think she probably needs her bottle. If you want to show me where
everything is, then I can feed her for you.”

“Sure, it’s
out here in the kitchen.”

Lucy followed
behind whispering to Presley as she did so.

“I hope I’ve
been doing everything correctly. I mean mixing the formula and heating it in the
microwave,” said Brad.

“She looks
the picture of health so I think you have.”

She handed
him the baby while she set about making the formula. She looked to be an expert
at it, and in what seemed like mere minutes, the bottle was ready, she’d taken
Presley, sat at the table, and his daughter was contently feeding, and wrapping
her fingers around the bottle as she sucked.

Lucy looked
so at ease as she held his daughter. She’d tied her hair up in a ponytail today
and wore a black sweater and blue jeans. She was gorgeous. But like he’d
assured his daughter, he had it under control. The last person who’d enticed
him between the sheets was Presley’s mom.

Once bitten, twice shy.

Lucy chose
that moment to look up at him.

She smiled.

His legs grew
weak and his heartbeat picked up to an almost uneasy beat.

I can’t, I must not… not this time because she
works for me
.

“Did you say
something?” asked Lucy.

Shit, he
hadn’t said that out loud without noticing, had he?

He shook his
head.

“There, she’s
all done.”

Lucy put the
bottle down and lifted Presley, put her over her shoulder, and rubbed the
baby’s back. She giggled and tugged at Lucy’s hair.

“Are you
ladies ready to head to the store for some shopping?” asked Brad.

“I am. How
about you, Presley?” asked Lucy, lifting her up in the air as she giggled
again. “I think that’s a yes, Daddy.”

He took
Presley while Lucy went upstairs to get her coat, mittens and purse. While he
got ready, she dressed the baby in the snow suit, and by the time he’d returned
she’d placed her in the baby carrier.

They stepped
onto the front step, and Brad locked the door.

“When we come
back, why don’t you bring your car into the garage? There’s plenty of room even
when I park the SUV in there.”

“Are you
sure?”

He nodded.
“That way you won’t have to shovel snow off it if you want to go out someplace.
And if you do, just let me know. I don’t expect you to be with us 24/7. I mean
if you ever have a date or something.”

He looked for
any sign or reaction that might indicate that she had a boyfriend. He couldn’t
imagine a pretty girl like her not having lots of guys asking her out. He
unlocked the SUV, thinking how he’d react if she brought one home and he saw
them together.

What am I even thinking about something like
that for? It would be none of my business what an employee does.

“Do you have
a car seat for Presley?” she asked him.

“Nope and as
sheriff, I know I have to buy one and soon. How about we look for one while
we’re out?”

“Sounds like
a great idea.”

“I’ve been
putting her in the carrier on the back seat with the seat belt across the top
of it and then driving real slow.”

“How about I
sit in back with her this time?”

He pulled the
front seat down and Lucy climbed in and took the carrier from him. As she
reached across for the seat belt her coat pulled up off her legs and he caught
sight of her backside. That, like the rest of her, it was cute and enticing.

Once both she
and Presley were secure, he got into the driver’s seat, started the ignition,
and then backed out of the driveway.

“Look
Presley, it’s snowing again. Maybe your daddy will build you a snowman,” said
Lucy as they headed down the road.

“I haven’t
made one of those for years.” He pulled out onto the main road and headed for
the mall. Pine Ridge, being a smaller community, didn’t have a huge one, but
just enough stores that he could find everything he needed for Presley without
having to drive to
Helena
.

“I see you
have a fitness center,” said Lucy when they drove by a sandy-colored building.

“Yeah, just a
small one, a couple of treadmills and bikes and that’s about it.”

“Do you mind
if I play my yoga DVDs in the morning? I started last year and I’m hooked on
it. It’s great, stretching out to start the day.”

“Be my guest.
Please treat the house as your own home.”

He glanced in
the rearview mirror and could see her looking out, observing everything as they
drove by a few of the stores.

“Are you from
Helena
?” he
asked.

“Yes, five
generations of us.”

“My great
grandfather came from there. He worked in the copper mines.”

“Mine too.”

“I’ll have to
show you some photos one day,” said Brad.

“I’d love to
see them.”

Brad put on
his left signal light and turned into the parking lot. He got out and opened
back the door, noting how the snow was falling at a quicker pace now. He held
Lucy’s hand as she got out so she didn’t fall on the icy blacktop in the
parking lot.

“Why don’t I
carry this, as
it’s
slick underfoot,” he said.

He took the
carrier from her and they headed toward the entrance. Once inside she took it
back from him and he put his hand on the small of her back to show her which
way to head. He held it there longer than he should have but he couldn’t help
himself. Her body was warm and it just felt so right resting there.

She turned
and smiled at him. He smiled back and it was at that moment he realized that
resisting her was going to be the toughest thing he’d ever had to do.

Chapter Four

Brad loved
his little girl.

Even though
she’d only been in his life a short while, it was evident the way he held her,
looked at her, and yes, he was already spoiling her. Brad was every woman’s
dream guy. The baby’s mother should be certified insane to one, leave him, two,
turn her back on this beautiful baby and the gorgeous family they could have
been.

Lucy stood
outside the baby store with Presley while Brad took all the purchases out on a
cart ready to load them into the SUV. They now had a crib, changing table, car
seat, and enough clothing to fill a closet twice. He’d even bought her two
dolls, a teddy bear, a mobile to hang over her crib, and two toys, that when
she was old enough, would teach her about colors and numbers. If Lucy was any
judge, Presley had a great life ahead of her with this guy.

“I’ll just
get these loaded and when I come back we can go get something to eat.”

He was easy
to like, and she guessed just as easy to fall in love with so she’d have to
keep her guard up. Getting involved would complicate the whole
employer-employee thing and she needed a job right now or her car would be
repossessed.

She played
peek-a-boo with Presley while they waited and couldn’t help but laugh when the
baby giggled at her.