Bad Boys of Red Hook [2] You're the One

by Robin Kaye

  “Him?”

  “D.O.G. needs a boy to play with. And look at this one—he’s chubby and cuddly and he doesn’t have a problem lying in my arms with his belly up.”

  “Why would he have a problem lying on his back?”

  “The article said that when you pick out a puppy, if it struggles when you hold them like this, they’re either too timid or too aggressive. Look at this little guy—he loves to cuddle and he likes being touched. He played with the toy and he didn’t spook earlier when I clapped. Besides, he loves me.”

  “That’s not much of a test, Nicki. Everyone loves you.”

  Nicki held the puppy to her chest. “I know. It’s something I have to learn to live with. But this little one—he’s special, just like Skye.”

  The attendant knocked on the door and stepped in. “Have you made a decision?”

  Nicki held the puppy tighter and he burrowed into her neck. “We’d like to adopt this one.”

  “Okay. You’ve already filled out the application and everything is in order, so all you have to do is pay the adoption fee and you can take your puppy home.”

  Two hours later they parked Pop’s Jeep in front of the Crow’s Nest.

  “Logan, tie the ribbon around his neck in a big bow.”

  “Do I have to? He’s going to look like a sissy.”

  “No, he’s not. He’s going to look like a present, silly. It’s blue. He’d look like a sissy if the ribbon were pink.”

  Logan reached over the seat back at an awkward angle, tied the big blue ribbon around the puppy’s neck, and did his best to make a bow that didn’t look like crap. He had to admit, the kid had picked well. For a pup, he was nice and calm. They’d walked all over PetSmart filling up a grocery cart, buying bowls, toys, collars, leashes, puppy food, and even a sweater, until the little guy planted his butt on the linoleum floor and refused to walk any farther. Logan picked him up and the pup fell asleep in his arms—which made it a little difficult to pay the bill, but they’d managed.

  Nicki unbuckled her seat belt and bounced with the puppy in her arms. “Come on. Skye’s probably wondering what happened to us.”

  “Okay, let’s go. I’ll come back later and get the rest of the stuff.”

  * * *

  Skye stood in Pete’s kitchen, picked up the frying pan, and gave the string beans she sautéed in garlic and olive oil a toss. She turned the heat down and counted the plates she’d need to set the table and placed them on the counter.

  Nicki and Logan had been gone for hours, and before they pulled their disappearing act, they’d been whispering behind her back. She didn’t know what they were up to. “Pete, when did you say Logan and Nicki would be back?”

  Pete looked up from his paper and smirked at Bree and Storm. “I didn’t.”

  “I can see you, you know. What’s going on?” The three of them eyed her like some kind of science experiment.

  Bree strolled into the kitchen and stole a string bean out of the pan. “Don’t worry. It’s not as if Logan’s going to do anything stupid like teach Nicki how to drive.”

  Skye opened the oven to check the standing rib roast. It was almost done. “I should hope not. Nicki’s only ten. She’s not even tall enough to reach the pedals and see over the dash—heck, she’s not even old enough to sit in the front seat. Why would he teach her to drive?”

  “I have no clue, but that didn’t stop Storm.” Bree rolled her eyes and shot Storm a disapproving glare.

  He came into the kitchen and wrapped Bree in a bear hug. “You’re never going to let me live that down, are you?”

  “Nope, I plan on holding that stunt over your head for the rest of your life. I’m going to get as much mileage out of that as humanly possible.” She kissed his cheek and returned her attention to Skye. “Logan’s the responsible one. I don’t think you have anything to worry about.”

  Still, Logan and Nicki had been gone all afternoon—she missed them. She’d been home a little over a week and this was the first time she and Logan had been apart for more than an hour. They’d moved into Bree’s old one-bedroom apartment over the bar, across the hall from Pete’s, and planned to stay until they finished renovating the warehouse. The plans were done, and the construction had begun, but it would still be months before they’d be able to move into their loft above the brewpub they were opening.

  “How is the construction coming?”

  Skye shrugged. “Good, I guess. Right now, it just looks like a big mess to me. Rocki is having a great time supervising the construction workers. She’s forever running over there delivering lunch, coffee, and God only knows what else. She has a new fascination for men in tool belts.”

  Slater, who had been sitting on the couch behind his ever present laptop, grumbled something.

  Skye pulled the potatoes off the stove and dumped them into a colander to mash. She gave Bree a knowing look and the two of them tried not to laugh at Slater. When she returned, he’d apologized to her for being an ass. He was still sporting the bruises from his discussion with Logan. He’d been great ever since. Whenever Rocki was around, Slater seemed incapable of keeping his eyes off her, and Rocki didn’t seem to realize Slater even existed. Every other man, sure, but to Rocki, Slater seemed invisible. “Storm, Slater, would you two put a few leaves in the table? Rocki, Francis, Patrice, and the girls should be here any minute.”

  Slater put his laptop on the coffee table and shot off the couch. “Rocki’s coming to dinner? Why?”

  “Because she’s practically a part of the family, and I thought it might be nice for you two to get to know each other better.” Men were so clueless.

  Slater shrugged and Bree pushed Storm out of the kitchen to help.

  There was a commotion in the hall, but Skye didn’t bother looking—she was too busy taking the canapés out of the oven.

  Bree slid beside her and took the tray from her. “I’ll deal with this. I think you’re needed in the living room.”

  “I am?”

  Just then Nicki ran into the kitchen. “Skye. Close your eyes and follow me.”

  “How am I supposed to follow you with my eyes closed?”

  Nicki grabbed her hand. “I’ll lead you. Just keep your eyes closed or you’ll ruin everything.”

  Skye gave Nicki a hug. “Okay. Just don’t let me run into a wall.”

  “I promise.”

  Skye closed her eyes and let Nicki lead her into the living room. “You better make this quick, Nicki. I have to mash the potatoes. Bree, can you take the roast out of the oven to rest?”

  “Sure thing.”

  Skye heard the door open and the sound of Logan whispering to Nicki. She couldn’t keep the smile from her face. She’d been wearing it ever since they’d gotten engaged. She shifted her engagement ring on her finger. It still felt weird—weird but good.

  Logan stepped closer—even with her eyes closed, she knew it was him.

  He pulled her into his arms, standing behind her, and kissed her temple. “Okay, open your eyes.”

  “Surprise!” Nicki yelled, and bounced on the balls of her feet.

  Skye was looking at Nicki’s bouncing, so it took her a second before she saw the little puppy wearing a big bow that was almost as big as he was, sitting at Nicki’s feet. “You bought another puppy?”

  Logan tightened his hold around her waist. “He’s for you. You’ve been missing Pepperoni so much, we thought you’d like to have a puppy of your own. Do you like him?”

  Nicki picked the puppy up and held him out to her. “He’s so small.”

  “Let’s hope he stays that way. The lady at the SPCA said he was a beagle mix, but I have my doubts. Look at the size of those paws.”

  Skye held him close, and the little guy nuzzled her neck, and she rubbed her chin against his bony head. Yeah, she was in love. She drank in his puppy scent and did her best to blink away the tears, but that wasn’t working too well.

  Nicki’s face crumbled. “You don’t like your present?” />
  “No, I love him.” She stepped out of Logan’s embrace and pulled Nicki into a hug. “He’s precious and perfect and sweet. Just like you.”

  “But he’s a puppy.”

  “He certainly is. Nicki. This is the best present I’ve ever been given. Thank you.”

  “I picked him out just for you. I researched it and everything, so he’s going to be the best dog ever—next to D.O.G., that is.”

  Francis, Patrice, Rocki, and the girls all piled into the apartment and the volume rose, but it didn’t seem to bother the puppy, who was happy to watch the proceedings from the comfort of Skye’s arms. “I’ve never seen such a cuddly dog—not that I’ve had much experience, but the only time Pepperoni was cuddly was when she was half-asleep.”

  Nicki smiled up at her when D.O.G. gave the puppy a cursory sniff. “Now we can walk our dogs together all the time.”

  “We sure can.”

  “What are you going to call him?”

  “I don’t know. Let me get dinner on the table and then we can discuss it. Maybe something will come to us. Will you hold him for me?”

  “Sure. I’ll puppy sit.” Nicki took the pup and ran off to play with the dogs and Francis and Patrice’s girls in her room.

  Skye turned to Logan, who still wore a worried look. “Thank you. I love the puppy.”

  He pulled her into his arms and kissed her. “Well, that’s a relief. Nicki has a way of getting her own way, and she was sure you were miserable without Pepperoni.”

  “I wouldn’t say I was miserable, but I did miss my little puggle. I’ve never had a puppy before, though, so I don’t know how to train one.”

  “Yeah, that makes two of us. But it’s okay. I bought a bunch of books and signed us up for puppy school. We start next week.”

  “What do we do until then?”

  “I guess we just have to wing it. Remember, as long as we’re together, there’s nothing we can’t handle.”

  She kissed him again and pulled away. “You’re definitely right. But at the moment, I have a dinner to finish preparing. Boys,” she said a bit louder than her normal speaking voice, “you’re on dish duty, so get the table set. Dinner is in ten minutes.”

  There was a bunch of grumbling, but one look from Bree and they all became very quiet.

  Francis and Rocki handed the utensils and the glasses across the breakfast bar while she made decadent mashed garlic potatoes with heavy cream, butter, and sour cream. The finished product was well worth the calories. She made a skinny version for Pete—she figured she’d mix them half-and-half, so hopefully he wouldn’t notice.

  Everyone piled around the table. Logan poured wine for the adults, and ginger ale for Pete and the kids.

  Skye watched as Pete switched glasses with Bree when Logan wasn’t looking. Pete gave Bree a wink that made Skye think there was an interesting story behind the switch.

  Skye looked at the table loaded with food and all the people she’d grown to love. She couldn’t believe how much love could be contained in one place. She was humbled to be a part of this loud, crazy, loving family, and she wouldn’t have traded them for the world. She looked at the kids, caught Nicki’s eye, and blew her a kiss.

  Pete held up his glass. “Here’s to our growing family.”

  Logan held up his glass and cleared his throat before turning to her. “I have known many, and liked not a few, but loved only one, and this toast is to you, Skye. I love you.” He reached over and kissed her. Rocki and Patrice sighed, the guys rolled their eyes, and Skye kissed him until she heard gagging noises coming from the kids.

  “I love you too.”

  “I fell in love with you the first time I saw you. Skye, you’re the one.”

  Read on for an excerpt from the first

  Bad Boys of Red Hook novel,

  BACK TO YOU

  Available now from Signet Eclipse

  Mug in hand, Bree waited for the coffee to brew. She looked away from the pot when Storm walked through the front door, wearing running shorts and a sweat-stained T-shirt. The sight of him stole all the oxygen from the room, maybe the whole building.

  “Morning, Breezy.”

  “Morning.”

  Storm lifted the hem of his shirt and wiped his face, baring his washboard abs and revealing the treasure trail of dark hair disappearing into the waistband of his shorts. Rounding the breakfast bar, he set two bags of what smelled like bagels and all the fixings on the counter, then grabbed a water from the fridge. As he downed the entire bottle, his Adam’s apple bobbed with each gulp.

  “Coffee?” She cleared her throat, hardly recognizing her own voice. She grabbed another mug and, without waiting for the machine to finish, poured two cups.

  Flashbacks, like grainy sex tapes of the last night she’d seen Storm before he’d left, ran through her mind. Every. Humiliating. Moment. She took a slow, deep breath.

  Storm stared at her.

  She raised her chin and stared right back. He’d changed—physically at least. He was broader and more muscled. His tall, skinny frame had filled out in manhood, and the angles of his face had sharpened. His nose was narrow and a little crooked, probably the result of all the fights he’d gotten into as a kid. His square jaw was more defined, and his neck was corded with muscle. He was solid, heavy, dangerous, and so full of charged energy, he seemed to barely kept it in check.

  Needing something to do, Bree opened the bags and peeked in. “Thanks for picking up breakfast.”

  “Anything to keep you away from a frying pan.”

  She winged her eyebrow as she snatched the first salt bagel she saw, ripped a piece off, and stuffed it in her mouth.

  “I didn’t know what you and Nicki liked, so I got a little of everything—just to be safe.” He pulled his shirt off and dragged it across his neck and chest. “I’ll just grab a quick shower.”

  She stared at his six-pack. Why couldn’t it be a keg?

  “Hello? Breezy? Did you hear me?”

  “Uh, yeah.” She handed him his coffee and watched him walk to Pete’s room. Wasn’t she just chock-full of inspired repartee? She wasn’t out to impress him or anything, but sheesh, she’d sounded like a member of the dim-bulb club.

  Nicki padded out of her room in her Hello Kitty nightgown. “He’s still here?”

  “Shh. He might hear you.”

  Nicki smiled as she climbed onto the barstool. “I can live with that.”

  “What, that Storm is here or that he might hear you?”

  “Both, actually. I bet Pop will be happy to see him.” Nicki tilted her head to one side. “How come Storm’s been gone so long?”

  Bree closed her eyes and rubbed the spot on her temple that throbbed with every beat of her heart. God, she was in no mood for twenty questions. “I’m not sure.” She knew why Storm had left, but not why he stayed away. “I guess you’ll just have to ask him.”

  Bree poured a glass of orange juice and slid it across the bar. “How did you sleep?”

  “Fine after you took Storm down. Man, that was epic. You were like Wonder Woman with a frying pan instead of the rope.”

  “Yeah, that’s me. Wonder Woman with her frying pan of truth.” Bree arranged the bagels on a plate and grabbed another for the whitefish and lox. There must have been seventy-five dollars’ worth of lox, not to mention the schmear. She handed the plates to Nicki. “Why don’t you set the table so we can eat? We need to get down to the hospital, and I’m already running late.”

  Nicki walked around the table, placing the napkins on top of the plates.

  No matter how many times Bree corrected her, she couldn’t break Nicki of the habit. “Food goes on the plate. Napkins belong under the fork or on your lap.”

  Nicki stopped. “When you sit down, the first thing you do is put your napkin in your lap. What’s it matter if the napkin’s under the fork or on the plate?”

  Bree sighed. What was the point? They’d had the discussion thirty times. It never changed the way Nicki set the t
able, and it only served to remind her of Nicki’s first dinner at Pete’s, the day Bree fell in love with the little scamp.

  Pete had asked Bree to come because Nicki seemed uncomfortable alone with him. The poor thing had just been abandoned by the only parent she’d ever known. She was hurt, scared, and thrown into the care of a big bear of a man.

  Nicki had spent the meal hunched over her plate, guarding her food. She’d even hidden some in her napkin for later. Bree’s heart broke every time she thought about it. She placed her hands on Nicki’s shoulders.

  “What?” Nicki gave her that look—a little confused, a little shy, and still, even after almost three months, a little scared.

  Bree pulled her close and held her, resting her chin on the top of Nicki’s head. She loved Nicki as much as she imagined any mother loved her child. She’d always wanted a family—a traditional family like the one she had before her father died. She remembered what it was like when she had two loving parents and then what her life was like after her father had died. She was afraid of being the same kind of single parent her mother had turned into—smothering, obsessive. Bree wouldn’t do that to a child. No, unless Bree found a man and was happily married, she’d never have a child of her own. Many single women had children and were fabulous parents, but the deep fear of becoming like her mother was enough to make her not want to take the chance. “I love you, Nicki.”

  Nicki snuggled in. “For always and forever?”

  Bree held her tighter. “For always and forever. No matter what.”

  “Even if I never put the napkin in the right place?”

  Bree felt a smile tug on the corners of her mouth. The little brat was testing her. “Even then. I love you for who you are, not what you do.” She kissed the top of Nicki’s head and looked up to find Storm leaning against the doorjamb. The curious look in his eye had Bree hugging Nicki tighter. She wasn’t sure what Storm was curious about, but then, she didn’t know Storm Decker—not anymore and maybe not ever.

  It was an affront to all womankind that Storm could take a five-minute shower and come out looking edible when it took Bree an hour just to come out looking not scary.