McCabe's Baby Bargain

by Cathy Gillen Thacker

  It was so to the point, in fact, that she was sure they’d be able to get through the rest of the month without getting any closer when, of course, all hell broke loose, and she had one of the worst nights ever as a new mom and temporary puppy trainer.

  So, an hour before they were to meet, she called Matt and left a message on his voice mail, telling him that evening’s training was off.

  Thirty minutes later, her doorbell rang.

  Matt was on the other side.

  He looked as if he had been in the shower when she called. His hair was still wet and smelled of shampoo, his clothes clean and rumpled. His handsome face etched with concern, he asked, “What’s wrong?”

  And for once, she had no idea at all how to answer that.

  * * *

  Silence stretched between them. Matt caught the fleeting glimpse of unhappiness in Sara’s eyes.

  “Nothing,” she finally said.

  Wary of adding to her distress by saying or doing the wrong thing, he looked down at her. He had never seen her looking so bedraggled. Or fatigued. She had spit-up and drool and what appeared to be baby food smeared over her loose white blouse. Her fair skin was unusually pale, her jade eyes were red and puffy—as if she’d been crying a lot—and her golden-blond hair was escaping from the knot at the nape of her neck, going every which way.

  All of which combined to make him wonder what in heaven’s name had been going on over here, since he had seen her the previous day.

  She’d been completely pulled together, as usual, then.

  His heart going out to her, he walked all the way inside and shut the door behind him. Closing the distance between them, he put a comforting arm around her shoulders. “Didn’t sound like nothing, darlin’,” he pointed out gruffly. In fact, in the recorded message, her voice had been clearly distraught.

  She extricated herself deftly and eased away. Spying a soiled disposable diaper on the coffee table, next to the impromptu changing area on the sofa, she picked it up and carried it to the trash. “I didn’t get any sleep at all last night.”

  He could see that, too. If he looked past the puffy redness, he could see the circles beneath her eyes.

  Clearly, she’d been through hell.

  A second later, he began to realize why when Champ let out a happy bark, did a little leap and then scrambled up and over the three-foot wooden side of the whelping box. Free, and deliriously happy to be so, the puppy came skidding toward the two of them at full blast.

  Simultaneously, Charley—who’d been sitting in his high chair—let out a wail.

  Sara scooped up Champ before he could head for the foyer staircase. She started to hand Champ off to Matt. Then appeared to abruptly remember their deal. She took care of Champ, he wrangled her baby.

  A furiously wiggling Champ in hand, she sent a distressed look back to the now wailing baby. Tears gathering in the corners of her eyes, she sighed and said to Matt, “Would you mind?”

  No wonder she was exhausted. And appeared at her wit’s end. He would be, too.

  “I’m on it.” He went over to pick up the still-sobbing Charley. Who stared at him through tear-blurred eyes.

  The six-month-old baby looked every bit as tired and stressed out as his mommy.

  Only Champ was full of energy. Sara carried the writhing puppy outside and set him down on the grass.

  Matt followed, baby in his arms. “Charley teething again?”

  Sara made an empathetic face. “No teeth have come through his gums yet, but I think he still is.” Her shoulders slumped. “That’s not the problem.”

  Matt moved close enough to inhale the faint scent of lilac clinging to her skin. “Then what is?” he asked, tamping down the urge to take her in his arms and hold her close as she needed to be held right now.

  She retorted, “Champ finally figured out how to get out of his pen!” Aware the puppy had finished, she snapped a leash on him and guided him back inside the house.

  So he had just witnessed.

  Unsure whether it was frustration or fatigue causing her to respond so emotionally, he pointed to the large wire dog cage in the corner of the living room that, so far as he could discern, anyway, had gone unused. “You’ve got a crate right there,” he said, while Charley curled up against him, peering over his shoulder.

  “Yes.” Sara perched on the back of the sofa, leash still in hand. She looked down at the adorable puppy now resting at her feet, like the perfect little angel he apparently had not been. “And every time I put Champ in that crate, he goes crazy, barking and trying to get out. Which in turn makes Charley start to cry. The more Charley cries, the more Champ barks.”

  Matt was beginning to see why she appeared so completely wrung out. “And this went on all night?”

  She drew a deep bolstering breath, the action lifting the swell of her breasts in a way that reminded him of all the things he was forbidden to do, as per the terms of their bargain. “Yes.”

  Matt pushed away the yearning to make love to her. One day things could change—in fact, he hoped they would—but right now they had immediate problems to solve. He shifted Charley to his other shoulder. “What are you supposed to do to stop that?” Charley nestled his head in the crook of Matt’s neck.

  Sara smiled at the way her son was cuddling up to Matt. She came closer, looking a little more tranquil now. “Get Champ used to the crate.”

  Matt noticed how soft and kissable her bare lips were. Remembering how sweet she tasted, he said, “And you haven’t been able to do that so far.”

  She flexed her shoulders. Linked her hands behind her neck, stretched in a way that made her physical fatigue all the more apparent. “No.”

  Resolved to help her, Matt mulled all this over. “He’s okay when you put him in his little crate in the car.”

  “I know.” She pointed to the airline-style plastic crate she used for travel that was next to the door to the garage. “And I tried putting Champ in that last night and it didn’t work, either.”

  “Why not?”

  She huffed out a breath. “Do you think I would be this exhausted if I had figured that out?”

  He flashed her a crooked grin. “Sorry. Didn’t meant to imply—”

  “I’m ineffective?” Sara frowned as more hair fell out of the schoolmarm bun at the nape of her neck. She removed the elastic that had been holding it. Her hair spilled to her shoulders in a golden cloud, and she combed her fingers through it, still voicing her frustration with unchecked emotion. “Well, apparently I am, at least when it comes to training a puppy.”

  Champ seemed to know he was in trouble. He sighed loudly, and put his chin on his outstretched paws.

  Aware this would be a lot easier if there were two adults and one puppy and one baby, Matt continued walking an increasingly drowsy Charley back and forth. “You’ve never done this before?”

  “No.” Sara sighed and stared down at the leash in her hands. “My parents didn’t allow pets when I was growing up. I didn’t have time for an animal when I was in vet school. And when I got married, my husband informed me he didn’t really want a pet. So, I never got one.”

  A fact, Matt noted, that seemed to frustrate and disappoint her.

  Sara’s soft lips twisted in a self-effacing moue. “I’ve delivered puppies and kittens and taken care of them in a veterinary medicine setting, but the rest of it is all new to me.”

  It wasn’t like her to just give up on searching for a solution. Unless she was as privately depressed as she seemed to assume he was. “Did you ask the people in charge of the puppy-raising program?”

  She looked down her nose at him. “Yes. Of course I asked. They said that I need to leave Champ in the crate until he stops barking and then take him out. Praise him for good behavior. Give him a chance to run around and relieve himself and get some water. And then put him back in. If he barks
or otherwise misbehaves, ignore him. When he’s quiet, take him out.”

  Made sense. “Has that worked?”

  Sara threw up her hands. “Not so far. He never stops barking, and Charley won’t stop crying.” Without warning, the tears she’d been holding back streamed down her face.

  “Hey,” Matt said, wrapping his free arm around her shoulders and pulling her in close, the way a good friend—not a lover—would. “I’m here now. It’s going to be okay.”

  Sara sniffed and buried her face in his shoulder. “I don’t see how,” she muttered against his shirt.

  Deciding the hell with the rules of their baby bargain, Matt ran a hand down her spine, soothing her as best he could with one hand. “I’ll supervise Champ, get him to calm down and maybe even sleep for a while, too,” he promised, as Charley, alert to the sound of crying, leaned over to look at his mother, perplexed.

  “How?” Sara cried, even more distraught.

  Matt had always been good at problem solving. “You leave that to me,” he told her firmly, then seeing that Charley was about to burst into empathetic tears, said, “Why don’t you take Charley upstairs? So both of you can get some rest.”

  Sara straightened. “It’s too late in the day for a nap.”

  Clearly, Matt didn’t think so.

  “Dinner will be in another hour...”

  “I’ll wake you whenever you want.” He handed her the baby and took the leash. “Go.”

  She paused, clearly tempted, yet worried, too. She looked deep into his eyes. “Are you sure you want to take care of Champ?”

  “Yes,” he said, and found to his amazement, it was true.

  There were larger issues at stake right now than what had once been the stuff of his nightmares.

  Seeing her doubt, he pointed out, “I’ve been around Champ all week. And it hasn’t been a problem. In fact, it’s gotten easier for me every time I’ve seen him.” He squared his shoulders. “This will be another way of getting back in the saddle, so to speak.” It didn’t mean he had to fall in love with the little pup, or even get emotionally attached.

  Sara glanced down at Champ, who was now settled next to Matt’s feet, gazing upward adoringly.

  She started to relax.

  Ready to do what was needed for all concerned, Matt cupped a hand on her shoulder. “Everything down here will be fine,” he reassured her gently. “Now go. Sleep. I’ll take care of Champ.”

  * * *

  Sara woke several hours later to the smell of something delicious—and no barking. Beside her on the king-size bed, a pillow framing either side of him, Charley yawned and stretched. Sara sat up and saw it was seven thirty.

  As she’d feared, they were way off schedule. Which wasn’t such a problem for her, but it might be for Charley. And Champ...

  They would just all have to make-do. Hopefully, with Matt’s continued help.

  She ran a brush through her hair and put on a clean shirt, then carried Charley to the nursery for a diaper change. When he was changed, they went downstairs to find Matt in the kitchen, the leash attached from the pup’s collar to his belt. Champ was lying on the floor beside him, watching Matt intently, the scene so calm and cozy it brought sentimental tears to Sara’s eyes. Surreptitiously, she wiped them away. She must still be way overtired, although she admitted, the nap had done her good.

  Matt turned to greet her with a smile. She did her best to smile back. Gesturing at the slow cooker on her counter, she asked, “What’s this?”

  His gaze radiated casual affection. “Beef stew. I put it on this morning.” He came closer, inundating her with the fragrance of his soap and cologne. “Champ and I took a ride over to the Silver Creek to pick it up while you all were napping. Brought it back and plugged it in here to continue cooking.”

  Sara put aside the notion of what it might be like to have him here with her like this every evening. As much as she might need and want the help, it wasn’t part of their bargain. Hence, it wasn’t going to happen.

  Ignoring the new skittering of her pulse, she lifted the lid. Saw chunks of beef, potatoes and carrots simmering in a rich, thick gravy. She shook her head in admiration. “Well, it looks and smells amazing.”

  He grinned proudly. He took a spoon out and scooped up a bite. Blew it softly to cool it, then offered it to her. “It’s my mom’s recipe.”

  Sara tasted the delicious entrée. Grinning, she gave him the thumbs-up. “You really cooked this yourself?” she asked. As they stood there, side by side, it was all she could do not to think about kissing him again.

  “I did. I like to have something good waiting for me at the end of a long day in the field.”

  As she met his eyes, a new spiral of warmth slid through her.

  “I also brought over half a pecan pie and makings for salad. I figured since I was inviting myself for dinner, I should contribute.”

  Charley reached out and grabbed the sleeve of Matt’s shirt in his small fist. Ignoring the tender look he threw her son, Sara swallowed through the dryness of her throat, and said, “I’ll owe you a home-cooked meal, then.”

  His eyes locked on hers. He responded with lazy pleasure. “I’ll take you up on that.”

  Deciding she had been ensnared in Matt’s keen gray-blue gaze for too long, she said, “Mind holding Charley for a minute while I get his dinner ready?”

  “My pleasure.” Matt shifted the little boy into his arms, grinning as Charley gurgled and patted Matt’s broad chest with the flats of both hands.

  Sara warmed the chicken and vegetable baby food in the microwave, spooned it into a trisectioned baby dish, and added a little applesauce, too. She nodded at Champ, who was still resting at Matt’s feet. “How did you get him to be so quiet and calm?” Since the pup had discovered his ability to be a little escape artist, he’d been brimming with adrenaline and the need for adventure.

  Matt shrugged. “Simple. He’s really tired. We did some leash training around the yard when we got back.”

  Sara turned her attention away from the compelling sight of her son snuggling up to Matt. So this man was not just strong and protective, he was amazingly tender, too. So what? That didn’t change anything between them. And if she allowed herself to think it would, they’d both be in big, big trouble.

  She went to find a bib for Charley. “Thank you. I know this wasn’t exactly the bargain we made.”

  Matt’s eyes tracked her every step as she moved around the kitchen. “Deals change. Especially in emergencies.”

  “As much as I loathe to admit it, this was definitely an emergency.”

  He soothed her with a look that was sexy and self-assured. “Nothing a little sleep for everyone wouldn’t cure.”

  Sara frowned. “The problem is, how am I going to get Champ to be quiet tonight?”

  Matt shrugged. “If you want, I can manage his crate training, too.”

  Sara paused in the act of filling a sippy cup with milk. “You know how to do that?”

  Matt nodded. “None of the strays we’d ever brought in had ever been in a crate, so yeah. I could do it. Take him home with me, if you want.”

  Sara was tempted. Really tempted to just back out of the commitment she’d made. “Everyone signs a contract when they agree to help raise a puppy. To have Champ anywhere else overnight, I’d have to request formal permission.”

  Matt’s eyes darkened. “Which you’d rather not do.”

  Sara sighed and admitted ruefully, “This is already embarrassing enough. I’m a veterinarian. I should be able to handle a puppy.”

  Empathy colored his low tone. “You’re also a new mother. Taking care of an unhousebroken puppy and a baby simultaneously is a lot.”

  Oh no. “Did Champ...?”

  “Yep. I found the cleaning supplies. Although,” he said, lifting one strong hand, “it’s really my fault. I know
what happens when they start to sniff and circle. I just wasn’t fast enough.”

  Was there no end to this man’s generosity? Now that he had started to rejoin the community, anyway. “Well, thank you,” she said softly, realizing that she may have misjudged him completely.

  His gaze warmed. “No problem.”

  Sara measured Champ’s food into his dish. She petted his head gently, smiling when he wagged his tail, then set it down in front of him. Straightening, she went over to wash her hands, then took Charley from Matt and settled him in the high chair. As long as things are suddenly so cozy between us... “Can I ask you something?”

  “Sure.” He winked, teasing. “Not sure I’ll answer...”

  Oh, cowboy, Sara thought as his low husky murmur sent another wave of desire rippling through her. She settled in front of her son and began to feed him. Then turned back to Matt, her demeanor as calm as it was curious.

  Once again, their eyes locked. Held.

  “Why did you come over here in such a hurry this afternoon?”

  Chapter Six

  Why did I rush over here this afternoon? Matt asked himself as he got the makings for the salad out of the fridge.

  So many reasons...

  Darkness had fallen outside, but the kitchen lights cast a warm and cozy glow that made the room feel close and intimate, and Sara look all the prettier.

  He let his gaze sift over her, taking in the honey-gold hair falling over her slender shoulders, the subtle rise and fall of her breasts beneath her loose apricot tunic. Refusing to let his gaze go any lower, he said, “You sounded really distraught on the phone when you left the message canceling our plans.”

  She tilted her head. “So you thought something was wrong.”

  His gaze lingered briefly on her lush, kissable lips. Returned to her eyes, thinking how relaxed she was now compared to how she had been when he’d arrived. Chuckling, he rolled up his sleeves and walked over to the sink to wash his hands. “Wasn’t it?”