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She waved a hand, dismissing the concern. “It’s no bother. You’ll find people here in Blackwater Lake are really friendly. Willing to help out their neighbors.”
“That’s good to know.” Also reassuring to learn her biological mother seemed to be a really good person.
Kyle chose that moment to join the conversation. Along with the stream of chatter, he started to wriggle in the cart, trying to pull his legs free and climb out.
“Just where do you think you’re going, Mr. Kyle?” She laughed when he held out his arms. “I think that’s my cue to get a move on.”
“Kids do let you know...”
Emma was just starting to get comfortable, to shake off the urge to run. But Kyle came first and he was obviously getting restless. “It’s time to finish up the shopping.”
“You’re not the only one. I’m due at the diner for the lunch rush. Alan will send out a search party if I’m late.”
Because a member of his family had disappeared once? She couldn’t imagine what that must have felt like.
“I’ve got to get this little one home for lunch and a nap.”
“He seems like a good baby.”
“That’s an understatement. He’s practically perfect.”
Michelle studied her. “You seem really fond of him.”
“That’s what Dr. Flint pays me for.”
“It’s more than that.” The other woman rested a palm on the handle of her basket... “The way you look at him is something a paycheck can’t buy.”
Emma shrugged. “I like kids.”
“So do I.”
“But Kyle is especially easy to like.”
“I can see that.”
Emma glanced at her watch and saw that it was pushing noon. “I’m sorry to keep you.”
“It’s all right.” But the sad, wistful expression that slid into her eyes as she looked at the baby said something was not right. The warm friendliness from moments ago faded.
“Is something wrong?”
“Not really. No,” she said firmly, as if she was working hard to make that the truth. “It was nice talking to you, Emma. I hope we’ll see you in the diner.”
“Maybe.”
She watched the other woman walk away and knew this perfect, happy baby had been a reminder of what was taken from her. At first, she’d been bubbly and outgoing, then they started talking about Kyle. That had made her withdraw. Apparently, she’d learned to cope with the loss and had come to terms with it.
Seeing the change convinced Emma that she was right to keep her identity to herself. She was a grown-up now and couldn’t give the woman back the baby girl she used to be. Shaking up Michelle Crawford’s world all over again just didn’t seem like the right thing to do.
* * *
Justin walked up his front steps and realized he was whistling. He didn’t whistle; he’d never whistled. And it had nothing to do with a radio tune looping in his head because he’d been listening to news on the way home from the clinic. He realized it was a symptom of a condition he hadn’t experienced for a long time. It was called happiness.
Part of the reason was seeing his son content. Growing and thriving in this place that couldn’t be more different from Beverly Hills. The other part was about the woman who was making sure his son was happy.
Emma Robbins.
Just thinking her name produced an image of her in his mind, and the vision was enough to make his senses quiver with anticipation. If she had a flaw, he couldn’t see it. Not only was she easy on the eyes, she took care of Kyle as if he were her own. And she was a great cook. Her inclusion into the household had been seamless.
He jogged up the steps to the front door and unlocked it, then stepped inside. “I’m home.”
Justin felt an irrational impulse to add “honey.” Maybe it was time for a mental health professional to join the staff at Mercy Medical Clinic. A shrink would have a field day with him. Diagnosis: unreasonable romantic feelings where there weren’t any because he was obsessed with having an intensely loving and respectful relationship like the one his parents had enjoyed.
His first marriage had been a failure, which meant he’d already screwed up any chance of following in his mom and dad’s footsteps. That wasn’t a failure he wanted to repeat, but it was hard to remember why when he looked at Emma’s mouth.
“We’re in the kitchen,” she called out.
“On my way.”
Just the sound of her voice, which was two parts silk and one part gravel, made him want to start whistling again. He held back as he walked to his home office and put his laptop on the desk. Then he joined them at the dinner table where Emma sat beside Kyle, who was in the high chair.
“Daddy’s home,” she said to the boy.
“Da—” He didn’t look up, too deep in concentration. With tiny thumb and forefinger he picked up a pea and put it in his mouth.
Emma clapped her hands at the accomplishment. “Good job.”
The boy grinned at her praise, and then went after a small piece of cooked carrot.
“I tried to hold off his dinner until you got home,” she explained. “But he was just too hungry.”
“No problem.” The room was filled with tantalizing smells that made him realize Kyle wasn’t the only hungry guy in the family. “What’s for dinner?”
“Rigatoni and meatballs. Salad. Now that you’re here, I’ll cook the pasta.”
“Sounds good. I’ll just visit with this guy while you do that.”
Her only response was a smile that did amazing things to her mouth. One glance was like touching a hot stove and he pulled back, turning his attention to the neutral subject of peas and carrots.
Justin put a few on the plastic tray. “Here you go, buddy.”
“Da—Da—” After slapping both small hands on the vegetables, Kyle rubbed the mushed goo into his hair and over his face.
Justin laughed and said, “Code green emergency.”
Standing at the stove in front of a pot steaming with simmering pasta and another bubbling with marinara and meatballs, Emma glanced over her shoulder. “That means he likes them.”
“I’ll have to take your word for that because wearing food seems counterproductive to the goal.”
“Just wait and see how much he likes my rigatoni and red sauce.”
Justin groaned. “Dear God—”
“Prayer is pointless. Straight upstairs to the bath for him. It’s why messy meals are at night.”
“A good plan.”
“I try.”
She looked over her shoulder to satisfy herself that all was well before sliding her hands into oven mitts. After lifting the boiling pot of pasta, she poured the contents into a colander in the sink and let it drain.
Five minutes later the two of them were eating salad and Kyle was popping pieces of rigatoni into his mouth and smacking his lips.
“I know what you mean, kid. This is really good, Emma.”
“I’m glad you like it.”
For the first time, Justin had a chance to study her. There were shadows in her eyes obscuring the sparkle that he’d come to expect.
“Is everything all right?” he asked.
“Yes.” She looked up quickly, but her gaze didn’t quite meet his. “Why?”
“Just checking.” He cut a meatball and forked half into his mouth. After chewing and swallowing, he asked, “What did you guys do today?”
“Grocery shopping.” Her mouth pulled tight for a second, then she moved lettuce around her plate without eating any.
He wasn’t imagining the tension. “How did that go?”
“Fine.”
Obviously she and Kyle were home safe and sound. The household supplies were replenished, all of which indicated a successful shopping experience. But he couldn’t shake the feeling that something had happened. Justin wanted to know what, but since it didn’t appear to have any connection to his son, he had no right to grill her like raw hamburger. For all he knew, it could be about her love life.
The background check hadn’t turned up a significant other, although that didn’t mean there wasn’t one. He didn’t like the idea of Emma being in love, but that had nothing to do with Kyle and everything to do with a feeling he’d had little experience with.
Jealousy. He wasn’t proud of it, but there was no denying the truth.
Maybe he’d ask a few questions, after all. “So what did you think of Blackwater Lake’s premier grocery store?”
The expression on her face turned wry. “It’s the only grocery store. And it seemed fine.”
“Kyle wasn’t a problem?”
“Not at all.” She cut a rigatoni and speared half with her fork but didn’t eat it. “How was your day?”
This question had come up every night since she’d taken over from Sylvia, but this time it smacked of changing the subject. There was no subtle way to push harder, so he decided to back off. But he couldn’t resist giving her a taste of her own medicine.
“My day was fine,” he said.
“I’m glad.”
After that, they made small talk while he finished dinner. She ate very little, mostly pushing her food around the plate. When Kyle got grouchy and restless, she jumped at the chance to take him upstairs for a bath.
“I’ll clean up the kitchen,” he said.
“No, leave it for me.”
Emma scooped Kyle out of the high chair and held him against her, oblivious to the red sauce and smashed peas that got all over her shirt. He couldn’t help comparing her to the baby’s mother, who wouldn’t touch her own child if he was less than immaculate.
“You do enough,” he insisted. “I don’t mind squaring things away here.”
She looked as if she wanted to protest but nodded and carried Kyle out of the kitchen and upstairs.
Justin stowed the leftovers, rinsed plates and utensils then scrubbed the pots. The busywork occupied his hands, but his mind raced. He thought about the employees at the clinic, body language and bad mood indicating when someone was dealing with a personal problem. It never occurred to him to get involved, but none of the clinic staff lived under his roof and cared for the child he loved more than anything in the world.
He heard sounds from upstairs—splashing, laughter and baby chatter. There was clinic paperwork to do, but he suddenly felt as if he were on the outside looking in. After drying his hands, he went upstairs and found the two of them in the bathroom where water was draining out of the tub.
Emma covered her front with a thick terry-cloth towel then lifted the baby out of the tub and wrapped him up. She carried him to the nursery then diapered him as quickly as possible. All the red-and-green smears were gone, although she still sported them on her clothes. But Kyle was now a clean boy with neatly combed hair.
“That was quick,” Justin said.
“He’s tired.” With quick efficiency, she put the baby in a small, soft blue one-piece sleeper and picked him up. Then she headed for the glider chair in the corner beside the crib. “It was a busy day. You can see the signs when he’s had it and is ready to go to sleep.”
“I’ll rock him tonight. You take a break.”
“That’s not necessary—”
“I insist. Kyle had a busy day, which means yours was even more tiring. Just take some time and relax.”
She tilted her head and studied him. “Are you sure?”
“Positive.”
“Okay.” She walked over and started to hand the baby to Justin, but he let out a wail and clung to her, curling against her with his face buried in her neck. “I’m sorry. Do you want to just grab him?”
“No.” He moved close and put his hand on the small back. “It’s okay, buddy. I know you’re tired.”
And his son wasn’t the only one. That was as good an explanation as any for his own intense reaction to the warmth of Emma’s skin, the scent of her that twisted his senses into a knot of need. The only good thing was that it pushed jealousy out of the number-one position.
“Kyle?” Emma crooned softly. “Daddy’s here. Don’t you want some man time with him?”
As if he understood, the baby lifted his head and held out his arms. Justin took him and said, “That’s my guy. We’re just going to sit in the glider and have a little chat. I’ll tell you a story. I get the feeling that reading would be a bad idea tonight.”
“I think you’re right about that.” Emma headed for the door. “You’re sure you don’t mind?”
“Yeah, I’m sure. I don’t do this enough.”
The baby clinging to her was proof. On the one hand, he was glad Kyle had bonded with her so completely. The flip side of that was that Justin didn’t have the same connection. It was good to have a reminder that he needed to spend more quality time with his son.
