Yours for Christmas (Fool's Gold series) (6 page)

Bailey stared at all the fantasy setups, with gauzy bedding and fluffy pillows. “I so want to get her this,” she murmured. “But it’s silly. I need to find something she can use until she goes to college. In a few years, she’ll hate her princess bed.”

Kenny wanted to tell her to go for it, but he knew that wasn’t practical. Bailey worked for the city. It wasn’t as if she was going to suddenly double her salary in the next few years, and furniture cost money.

“Bedding isn’t that expensive,” he said. “What about getting a more sensible setup, then buying a fun princess comforter. That wouldn’t cost much to replace in a couple of years.”

She nodded slowly. “I could do that. Add some pillows.” She smiled at him. “How do you know about bedding making a difference in a room?”

“I have sisters and a mom.”

“They’ll be so pleased to know some of what they said got through.”

Her gentle teasing made him want to pull her close. It made him want to kiss her and maybe buy whatever she thought Chloe would like...his treat. Instead he stuffed his hands into his pockets and jerked his head toward the rest of the floor.

“Let’s go be practical.”

A little while later, they stood in front of what looked to be the perfect compromise.

“Are you sure?” Bailey asked, then nibbled on her bottom lip.

“Positive.” Kenny pushed a few more buttons on his phone, then turned the screen toward her. “Look. There are all kinds of hardware available.” He pointed to a bright daisy knob. “These are eight dollars apiece but you only need seven or eight of them. You could change them out if you needed to.”

She nodded slowly, as if working through the problem. “I like the natural a lot. It’s a pretty color and a nice, neutral backdrop for her room. She wants it painted lavender.”

The bedroom set was both whimsical and practical, he thought, studying the design. A unique bunk-bed set. The bottom was a full-sized bed with a small night table tucked next to it. On the left side were stairs leading to a twin upper bunk that went across the top of the full, so the beds formed a
T
. The best part was the storage. Each stair was a drawer and there was a big drawer under the full-sized mattress.

“It’s more than I had planned to spend,” she murmured. “But with the free financing for a year, I could make it work. I just think this one is perfect.”

He moved next to her and put his hand on her arm. For a second he allowed himself to get lost in the feel of her warm skin. Then he shook off the guy moment and focused on the problem at hand.

“Don’t shoot the messenger,” he began. “Taryn wants to get you a housewarming present and she put me in charge.”

Bailey stared at him. “I don’t know if I should laugh or be afraid.”

“That was my reaction, too. I know she would really like to get Chloe a great princess bedding set. Like that one we saw by the stairs.”

They’d seen it on the way in. It was all ruffles and lace, done in various shades of pink, blue or purple. There were matching pillows and a great lamp.

Bailey surprised him by turning away. “Did Taryn really say that?” she asked, before holding up her hand. “Never mind. I know the answer. She is so nice to me.”

She turned back and he saw tears in her eyes.

She drew in a breath. “If it was for me, I would have told her no, but for Chloe, I accept. I’m going to get this one. She’ll love it and it will last her through college and she can have friends over.”

He couldn’t help himself. He put his arm around her and drew her close. “You’re a good mom, Bailey.”

“I think I’m like most moms out there. We love our kids and want the best for them.”

For a second, she leaned into him. He felt the weight of her body and wanted to pull her even closer. He wanted... Well, he was clear on that and how he couldn’t risk it. Not just for himself, but for Bailey, too. She was the kind of woman a man got serious about, and he knew the danger of that.

“Let’s go talk to the sales guy,” he said, steering her in that direction. “While you’re filling out the paperwork, I’m going to check online for some princess-worthy drawer pulls.”

CHAPTER SIX

K
ENNY
WAVED
J
ACK
into the office. His business partner sat down and waited until Kenny hung up the phone.

“You make your calls?” he asked.

Jack nodded. “They mostly don’t care. For some reason they think you can do as good a job. Idiots.”

“You’d be happier if they were threatening to leave the company?” Kenny asked with a grin.

“You know it.”

Jack was leaving Score at the end of the year. Although he’d been a founding partner with Taryn, he’d been offered a coaching job at Cal U Fool’s Gold. And not just any coaching job. He was going to start the football program, from the ground up. A challenging project, but one Jack would see to the end. Kenny was confident the Cal UFG Warriors would have a winning season within three years of their first game.

In the meantime, Jack was contacting all their clients and letting them know he was moving on. Kenny followed up to assure them that he was committed to staying with Score. So far no one had minded about the change.

“It’s going to be strange not to be here anymore,” Jack told him. “But I’m excited about what’s ahead of me.”

“Let me know if you need any help.”

“You want to coach?”

“No,” Kenny said with a laugh. “But I’m happy to listen and offer advice.”

“Sam said the same thing,” Jack admitted. “You’re good men.”

Kenny held up a hand. “You’re not going to turn into a woman, are you? And start talking about your feelings?”

“No. Sam and Dellina and Larissa and I are thinking of going up to Henri’s for a fancy dinner.” Jack rolled his eyes. “Larissa says they decorate the whole resort and she wants to see it. Dellina agrees. Sam and I are going along because we love our women. You two want to join us?”

Kenny frowned at his friend. You two? As in...

“You and Bailey,” Jack clarified. “Before she left, Taryn mentioned the two of you were working on the toy drive together. She’s fun, right?” He shook his head. “Or is it a problem because of Chloe?”

Because Jack knew about Kenny’s past and how he avoided single mothers.

“We’re friends,” Kenny said. “I could ask her if she’d like to go.”

“It’s up to you. You could fly in one of your models. Of course the dinner would be wasted. Doesn’t it bother you how they only fake eat? No actual food passes their lips.”

“Just because you’re engaged to a regular woman now, don’t pretend you didn’t date models in your day.”

Jack’s smile turned smug. “I dated everyone in my day. I’ve matured and I know better now. I have the best woman on the planet and I’m going to do everything in my power to make her happy for the rest of her life. That and win a national football championship.”

“As long as you have your priorities,” Kenny said. “I’ll talk to Bailey and let you know what she says.”

“Good.”

Jack rose and left.

Kenny tried to return his attention to his computer, but what he saw instead of the screen was Bailey. He would like to take her to the dinner. As long as they were both clear on the rules.

* * *

B
AILEY
WATCHED
K
ENNY
carefully tighten her daughter’s skates. There was something so sweet and sexy about a big guy helping a little girl, she thought. Those large hands and those little skates. Not that this was anything but friends getting together, she reminded herself. Kenny was a good guy. Good enough to warn her that he wasn’t interested in her romantically.

For a brief moment, she allowed herself to fantasize about telling him she didn’t need the romance. That an hour or two in his bed was all the holiday cheer she needed. But as fun as that sounded, she knew it was completely unrealistic. She’d only been with one man in her life. And that was her husband...after the wedding. She was old-fashioned.

As much as she might miss the things a man could do to her body, she couldn’t do those things lightly. She might not have to be married the second time around, but she knew she would have to be in love. And falling for Kenny would be an emotional disaster.

So she would simply enjoy the sight of him kneeling on the ice while Chloe tried to stand on the slippery surface, all the while balanced on a blade.

Her daughter hung on to his hands as she got her balance. Bailey finished with her own skates and stood. She wobbled a bit, then found her center of gravity and moved toward Chloe.

Her daughter stared at her. “Mommy, you can skate!”

“Sort of. It’s been a while, but it’s coming back.”

She moved to Chloe’s side and held out her hand. “Let’s try moving. It’s easier than standing still.”

Kenny stood. He, of course, had no problem skating. He moved with a grace and sureness that she admired. At the same time she wondered what it must have been like to be so physically gifted. Not that she would ever know.

He was on Chloe’s other side. Her daughter took his hand and together the three of them started across the ice.

The rink had been set up at the far end of the resort’s parking lot. There was a canvas structure with sides that could be rolled up when the weather was cold enough—like tonight. The temperature had to be in the twenties. They could see their breath and the stars overhead. So far it had been cold, but they hadn’t gotten snow.

“Try bending your knees a little,” Kenny was saying. “It’ll help you balance. If you start to fall, don’t wave your arms. Get closer to the ground. Lowering your center of gravity will help keep you balanced.”

When they both stared at him, he shrugged. “I used to have Rollerblades. I can’t help it. I’m good at stuff like this.”

Chloe pulled free of their hands. “I want to try it on my own.”

She moved her legs and skated a little away from them. She was surprisingly steady. Either Kenny’s athletic prowess was rubbing off, or Chloe had inherited her skill from Will.

The three of them made a few turns around the rink. There were other families out, along with teenagers on dates and younger kids in groups. Chloe caught sight of a couple of her friends and asked if she could skate with them.

“Sure,” Bailey told her. “Just don’t leave the rink.”

“I won’t,” Chloe called over her shoulder as she hurried away.

Kenny sighed heavily. “They grow up so fast.”

Bailey laughed. “They do.”

He tucked her arm into the crook of his arm, which meant they were skating close together. She told herself to go with the moment and not read too much into his actions. He was, after all, basically a nice man.

“I have confirmation on the bedroom set delivery,” she said. “It’s the Monday before the move.”

“That’s good. So she’ll have it for her first night in the new house.”

Bailey nodded. She still couldn’t believe her good fortune—being able to buy her very own house. Whatever else happened to her in her life, she would always have that accomplishment.

“There’s going to be a dinner,” Kenny said abruptly. “With Jack and Larissa and Sam and Dellina.” He looked at her. “I’d like to take you. It’s at Henri’s.”

Bailey stopped and looked at him. Henri’s was a fancy restaurant, at a very nice hotel up on the mountain. Something hot and hopeful bubbled to life inside of her.

“If we could go as friends,” he added carefully.

The bubbles all popped. She forced herself not to let her disappointment show.

She should be grateful, she told herself sternly. Kenny had told her he had issues with her being a single mom and they made sense. He wasn’t playing games or trying to trick her or being anything but friendly, open and honest.

“Dinner sounds like fun,” she said. “I don’t have a thing to wear, but I’ll figure it out.”

“I have a spare jersey.” He winked. “It’ll be really big on you but with a belt and some accessories...”

She swatted at his arm. “Thanks, but no. And for the record, a belt
is
an accessory.”

“Really? I thought it was just a belt.”

They stared at each other for a second. Tension crackled between them—at least on her side. She doubted he noticed. Although if he did, maybe he would kiss her. Because while she wasn’t up to casual sex, a kiss could be nice. It had been a long time between kisses.

Worried he could read her mind, she quickly turned away. Too quickly, it turned out, as her foot slid out from under her.

She instinctively raised her arms as she tried to find her balance. Kenny reached for her but she was too far away. She staggered a couple of steps, started to fall, then felt a pain in the side of her ankle as she went down.

Her first thought was that the ice was both cold and hard. Her second was that she looked like an idiot. Ankle concerns came in a distant third.

Kenny knelt next to her. “Are you okay? What hurts? Your wrist? Your hip?”

She tried to figure out how to stand without falling again. “I’m okay. I lost my balance.” Probably not in an elegant way, either. She shifted to put her weight on her skates, only to gasp as searing heat ripped through her left ankle. Okay, that wasn’t good at all.

Kenny reached for her foot. “You hurt yourself.”

“Just a little.”

“You winced.”

“I’m wimpy.”

He had her skate off in five seconds and then removed her sock. The skin around her ankle bone seemed a little puffy, but it was a small price to pay for the feel of those strong, large hands touching her.

Kenny had her move her toes, then her whole foot. The sharp pain had faded to something fairly dull.

“I’m pretty sure I can stand,” she said, reaching for her sock.

“Let’s get you to a bench and take it from there.”

He put the sock back on her foot, then stood and reached for her. She shrank away.

“What are you doing?”

“Helping you to your feet.”

She was tall and carrying an extra twenty-five pounds. “I’m okay. I’ll just crawl over.” The bench wasn’t that far away. “I don’t want you to hurt yourself.”

He scowled at her. “I can bench-press over three hundred pounds. I can get you to your feet.”

His tone said he’d been insulted. This probably wasn’t the time to explain she didn’t doubt his strength—that she was more concerned about her own personal bulk. Either way, the ice was really cold and she could see Chloe skating toward them.

“Okay,” she said quietly. “I appreciate the help.”

He bent down and actually picked her up. Like she was as light as a rag doll. Then the man carried her to the bench.

It all happened so fast, she didn’t know what to think. Once second she was on ice, the next she was perched on the bench.

Chloe hurried over. “Mom, what happened?”

“I fell. I’m fine.”

“She sprained her ankle,” Kenny said. “I want you checked out. We’re going to the hospital. They’ll take an X-ray, just to be sure.” He pulled Chloe close. “Don’t worry, kid. I’ll be with both you every step of the way.”

* * *

O
NE
X-
RAY
, a car ride and second trip in Kenny’s arms as he carried her up to her apartment later, Bailey found herself relaxing on her bed. The E.R. doctor had confirmed a mild sprain. Bailey was to take it easy for a couple of days. She had crutches, a compression bandage and instructions to use ice and an anti-inflammatory. The doctor had assured her she wouldn’t need the crutches more than a day or two. He’d also been impressed by Kenny’s skill in wrapping the compression bandage. No doubt the former NFL player had a lot of practice.

Kenny and Chloe disappeared into the kitchen only to return a few minutes later with a tray of hot chocolate and several cookies on a plate.

“We need a snack,” Kenny told her.

Chloe climbed up next to her mother while Kenny sat in the chair by Bailey’s small corner desk. He dwarfed the furniture, which should have looked silly but for some reason she found comforting.

Bailey accepted the mug of hot chocolate and wondered at the improbability of the situation. She’d thought about getting Kenny into her bedroom and it had happened. But somehow this was not the scenario she’d fantasized about.

“Are you feeling okay?” Chloe asked anxiously.

“Honey, I’m fine.” Bailey stroked her daughter’s hair. “I fell and I feel foolish. My ankle will be a lot better by tomorrow.”

“You have to use crutches.”

“Not for long. People get hurt and then they get better.”

Chloe nodded, but didn’t look convinced. Bailey was sure it was harder for her than for most kids. She’d already lost her father—she wouldn’t want to see her mother as vulnerable.

“I’m staying,” Kenny announced.

Bailey blinked at him. “Excuse me?”

“I’m going to sleep on the couch.”

A thrilling thought, but no. “That’s not necessary. I’m mobile.”

“What if you need to get down the stairs in the middle of the night? Your apartment is on the second floor and there’s no elevator. I’m staying.” He shrugged. “You can’t say no. You’re not in a position to throw me out. You can barely walk.” He winked at Chloe. “I can’t see your mom putting me on her shoulder and hauling me down the stairs, can you?”

Chloe giggled.

“So it’s agreed.”

Bailey opened her mouth, then closed it. Unexpected tears burned in her eyes and she knew if she spoke, she would lose control. The last thing she wanted was her daughter to see her cry.

It was Kenny, she thought, smiling and hoping neither of them noticed the sheen of moisture. Actually it was his actions. He was taking care of her and it had been so very long since she’d had a shoulder—however temporary—to lean on.

* * *

W
HILE
THE
SOFA
looked comfortable enough, Kenny knew it was going to be a long night. Although he had a nice pillow and plenty of blankets, there was no way he came close to fitting. Even if he didn’t have his feet hanging off the end, he was still not going to get any rest. Mostly because where he wanted to be was in Bailey’s bed, not her living room.

No way, he reminded himself. There were dozens of reasons—the most important of which was in the smaller, second bedroom. Chloe. A bright, sweet kid whom he adored. But at the end of the day, he wasn’t going to start to care about her only to lose her. Only a fool would expect a different outcome.