Just a Little Bit Married

by Teresa Southwick

  She’d tried his cell phone but only got voice mail. He’d told her service in the mountains was spotty and this was a superbad time to find out for herself that he was right. She’d taunted him about getting to watch the fallout when Ellie learned they were married but she never really planned to say anything.

  It was just something to hold over his head for a little payback. In hindsight it had been pathetically easy for Ellie to get the information out of her, but the result was the same. The cat was out of the bag and there were going to be repercussions. All day it was like waiting for the other shoe to drop.

  In spite of that hanging over her head, Rose had managed to get some work done on Linc’s condo. Themes, sketches, ideas. But it hadn’t been easy to concentrate. The office had a window to the front of the house with the long driveway and she kept looking out, waiting and watching.

  She hoped to warn him that his sister knew their secret. Ellie had been gone all day; her job as an architect kept her pretty busy in this growing town. Rose only hoped she was a little busier today than Linc.

  A few minutes later she heard a car and looked out the window to see his SUV pull in front of the house. He got out, all lean and lithe masculinity. She caught her breath, grateful that she was still sitting in the chair. Sometimes a wave of attraction to the man crashed over her and threatened to buckle her knees. This was one of those times.

  “Pull it together,” she muttered to herself.

  The front door closed and she hurried to meet him in the two-story entryway. He set down his briefcase at the foot of the stairs and draped his navy blazer over the banister. In worn jeans and a long-sleeved powder-blue shirt that brought out the intensity of his blue eyes, he was sexier than sin. That was pretty darn inconvenient since sin was often irresistible. She felt another one of those attraction waves coming on and forced it away.

  He smiled his oh-so gorgeous smile. “Wow. This is a nice thing.”

  “What?”

  “You greeting me at the door after a long hard day at the office.”

  “Don’t make this something it’s not. And you don’t have an office,” she said.

  “It’s just nice to see you. Here at the front door. Just saying...” He walked past her and headed for the kitchen. “How was your day?”

  “Fine.” She shook off the dreamy thoughts that clouded her mind and caught up with him. “But—”

  “Look at us, all domestic and diplomatic.” He flipped on a wall switch and the kitchen’s recessed lights instantly blazed to life. There was a satisfied gleam in his eyes and that was about to change.

  “Linc, we need to talk—”

  He put up a warning finger, cutting off her words. “Let me give you some advice. Those are words no man ever wants to hear within five minutes of walking in the door at night.”

  “Oh, for Pete’s sake. Don’t make this a thing—”

  “I’m not. It’s the truth. Ask Alex if you don’t believe me. A guy doesn’t want to hear it from anyone—man or woman. A conversation starting out like that is going to be a bad conversation. At least let me have a beer first.”

  “There may not be time for that. Quit being weird and just listen to me.”

  He reached into the refrigerator and grabbed a longneck. “Do you want one?”

  “No.” She needed a clear head for this.

  He twisted off the cap and took a pull from the bottle, then met her gaze. “I’m in a great mood. You were wrong before. Alex and I now have an office and we looked at an amazing parcel of land. We’re probably going to make an offer on it. That’s a good thing and I’m just spreading happiness wherever I go.”

  “Oh, brother.” Her voice was wry. “You’re just a regular ‘rainbows and unicorns’ kind of guy. Any second you’ll be tossing glitter.”

  “Make fun if you must. But how exactly is that being weird?”

  “You’re acting as if we’re a couple. All like a husband coming home to the little woman. It’s not natural and yet it sort of falls under the heading of what I need to talk to you about.”

  There was a puzzled look on his face as he studied her. “At the risk of sounding like a ten-year-old, it takes one to know one. You’re the one acting weird. How was your day, really? I sincerely want to know. Think about it this way. I have a personal interest in what you’re doing.”

  Even more than he realized, Rose thought. “I don’t remember you being this wordy.”

  He shrugged. “I’ve evolved.”

  “Well, just stop it.”

  Beer bottle in hand he gestured toward her. “Now that’s a momentous statement. How often does a man hear a woman telling him not to evolve? Next you’ll be telling me not to get in touch with my feminine side.

  In the background she heard the sound of the garage door going up and a car pulling in, and knew time was running out. “Will you just stop and listen to me. Ellie will be here any second—”

  “I suppose so, since this is her house.”

  The inside door from the garage opened and closed. Moments later his sister came into the kitchen with Leah in her arms. She walked straight up to her brother and poked him in the chest with her index finger. “Lincoln Hart, you have a lot of explaining to do.”

  Boom. Time was up.

  Rose sighed. “Now those are words a guy really doesn’t want to hear.”

  He frowned at her, then met his sister’s gaze. “What did I do?”

  “You got married, that’s what you did. Ten years ago, you took vows.”

  His mouth pulled tight for a moment, then his niece poked him in the chest, a perfect imitation of her mother. “See what you’re teaching your child?”

  Ellie set the little girl on her feet and she toddled off to the wicker basket in the family room, where her toys were stored. Her favorite game was to remove every last item from the very large basket and it would keep her busy for a while. That was a good thing, what with the tension arcing between her mother and uncle.

  Rose felt horrible and wanted to do something to smooth out the rift. “This is all my fault.”

  “No,” Ellie said. “My brother gets all the blame for this one.”

  Linc was clearly not happy when he glanced at Rose, and it was the first time she’d ever seen him look like that. Ten years ago there’d never been an angry moment between them. But, as he’d pointed out, he’d evolved. That didn’t make her feel better.

  He set his beer on the island beside him. “Ellie, calm down. You’ll scare Leah.”

  “You’re the one who should be scared. How could you fall in love and not tell me?”

  “Really? That’s where you’re going with this? Because guys don’t talk about every detail of their lives?”

  Oh, boy, Rose thought. That was really a bad thing to say. Any minute she expected his sister’s eyes to shoot fire and reduce him to ashes on the floor.

  “That’s wrong in so many ways that I don’t even know where to start,” Ellie said. “You got married. That’s not just a detail, it’s a life-changer. And I never knew.”

  “I don’t know if it matters, but back then Linc and I agreed to keep us private for a little while,” Rose interjected.

  She wondered, not for the first time, if he’d suggested keeping it secret because he was ashamed of her and didn’t want to tell his family since he didn’t plan to stay married. And maybe she’d agreed to keep it hush-hush out of fear that his family would object to him marrying a nobody like her.

  “You were so young and probably starry-eyed in love.” Ellie gave her a sympathetic look. “I know you’re trying to help, but this is all on Linc. He fell in love and took the step. That’s something you confide to someone you love and have the sort of close relationship we do. Or maybe I’m wrong about that.”

  “No, you’re not. We are close
,” he protested.

  Ellie planted her fists on her hips just as Leah ran over and wrapped her chubby little arms around her mom’s jeans-clad leg. “I told you everything and you didn’t share anything. I’m very angry.”

  “Join the club.” The fire in his eyes when he looked at Rose was not unlike his sister’s expression. “Rose called me a jackass.”

  “Jackass,” the little girl said, clear as a bell. “Jackass.”

  “Wow, thanks for that. You just taught my innocent little girl to swear.” Ellie huffed out a breath. “You get married and separated, then disappear and teach my child to cuss?”

  “In all fairness, Rose is the one who has every right to be ticked off at me—”

  “So do I.” Ellie shook her head. “So do Mom and Dad and the rest of your family. We love you. You grew up and never suspected that you had a different father. Suddenly this stranger shows up and we’re dead to you?”

  “You’re exaggerating.”

  “I’m not. And you were gone for a long time. Without ever saying a word about the fact that you got married.”

  “You were the one who talked me into coming back,” he reminded her. “Only you could have.”

  “That’s not going to work, Linc.”

  “Look, Ellie, you don’t—”

  “If you value your life, do not tell me that I don’t understand. You’re an ungrateful—”

  “The word I think you’re looking for is—” He looked down at the little girl who was staring at them with great interest. “J-a-c-k-a-s-s.”

  “Let’s go with that. Leah doesn’t need to expand her vocabulary with words that would shock moms and kids in her play group.”

  “I would never deliberately do anything to hurt you, Ellie. If you believe anything, believe that. I’m so very sorry.”

  The anger in Ellie’s expression cracked. “Did Rose tell you to say that?”

  “No.” He glanced at her for a moment. “Why?”

  “Because it was exactly the right thing to say and I didn’t think you could come up with it on your own.” She moved closer and put her arms around him, resting her cheek on his chest. “It’s impossible to stay mad and keep yelling at you after that.”

  “Good.” He kissed the top of her head, then looked at Rose, his expression unreadable. “I’ve evolved.”

  “Miracles do happen.”

  “Does that mean there’s any chance that you’re going to keep this to yourself?” he asked tentatively.

  Ellie stepped away and started laughing. “Are you kidding? Have you met me?”

  Just then Alex walked into the room. “Hi.”

  “Daddy!” Leah ran to him and he lifted her into his arms.

  “Hi, little bit.” He kissed and hugged his little girl, then looked at his wife. “How are my girls? Did you have a good day?”

  “It was interesting,” Ellie told him. “You’re taking me out to dinner so I can tell you all about it. Linc has volunteered to babysit.”

  “It’s the least I can do,” he agreed.

  “For so many reasons.” Ellie took the little girl from her husband and handed her to Linc. “If you say the magic words you just learned, maybe Rose will help. And, FYI, Leah has a dirty diaper.”

  Linc sniffed and the look on his face said Ellie wasn’t lying about the diaper. And moments later her parents had left the building.

  On the upside, Rose thought, the secret was out and the world hadn’t come to an end. That didn’t mean he wouldn’t be furious with her for revealing it. The problem now was that she realized she cared whether or not he was angry with her.

  * * *

  Linc had no time to process the fact that Rose not only ratted him out to his sister, but also allowed him to be ambushed by said sibling. The part of his brain not dealing with the potential disaster of changing his niece’s dirty diaper acknowledged that wasn’t fair. She’d been trying to tell him something but he was—how did she put it?—wordy.

  He looked down at Leah, who, thank God, was on the changing table and quietly preoccupied with the car keys he’d given her. “Princess, do you think I’m wordy?”

  She nodded, then held out her little hand and said, “Key.”

  “Right you are. Uncle Linc is going to change your diaper.”

  “I make poop.” She grinned proudly.

  “Yes, you did.”

  He undid the fasteners on her denim overalls and slid them off. Like any good military general planning a mission he assessed supplies. Wipes and spare diapers were stacked beneath the table, at his fingertips. That didn’t make him feel any less like a water buffalo at high tea in this pink room with its pictures of fairies and princesses. The furniture was white and the hand pulls were decorated with pink rosebuds. Leah still slept in a crib, but there was a canopy bed just waiting for her to be old enough to sleep in it.

  But looking around was just putting off the inevitable. He took a deep breath and held it, then undid the diaper and cleaned off the little bottom. Next to the changing table was a magic container that inhibited odors. He dropped it in there.

  “Good news, kid. The worst is done.”

  “Good job.” The little girl clapped her hands.

  “Thank you. Obviously you are showered with positive reinforcement.”

  She was a mirror of her mother. Case in point, poking him in the chest. He knew words of praise were something she heard frequently.

  “Linc?”

  He glanced over his shoulder. Rose was standing in the doorway. “What?”

  “Ellie called and said to give Leah a bath since you’re—” She indicated the clean-up operation currently in progress. “You know.”

  “Yeah.”

  “She told me where the pajamas are and to make macaroni and cheese and green beans for Leah’s dinner. If you’re okay with it, I’ll handle that.”

  “Okay. What about food for the adults?”

  “For you there’s leftover pot roast to reheat. Mine is easy. Bread and water.” She moved to the white dresser and pulled out pink pajamas and white socks, then set them on the bed. “I’ll go fill the tub for her, then get dinner ready.”

  Without another word she left and moments later he heard the sound of running water from the next room.

  “Okay, kid, I’m flying solo on this and would greatly appreciate your full cooperation in this endeavor. Okay?”

  “Okay,” she answered enthusiastically.

  After hearing the water go off, Linc took her into the bathroom and lifted her into the tub. Sitting on the side was a plastic cup, which she grabbed before plopping herself down. After filling it with water she dumped it over her head.

  “’Poo,” she said pointing to a bottle beside her.

  At first he thought she had to go again but eventually realized she meant the container that proclaimed in no uncertain terms that the shampoo would not sting her eyes. He handed it over and kneeled down beside her.

  “Go for it, kid.” She responded with a string of words that he was pretty sure meant thank you and said his name. He loved the way it sounded coming from her. “I’ll wash your hair.”

  “No.” She shook her head and water went flying. “Me. I big girl.”

  “Excellent,” he said. “An independent woman.”

  Linc let her handle things, partly because he never said no to her and partly because this bath thing didn’t have to be perfect. There was soap, water and he was there to make sure she was safe. He called that a win.

  A pink towel was set out by the tub, probably by Rose. Another independent woman. He was still pissed off that she’d sold him out, but had to admit she didn’t jump ship on the babysitting. She pitched in and didn’t have to. This wasn’t in her job description.

  He let the water out
of the tub and that set off his niece.

  “No, Unc ’Inc. Me do.”

  “Sorry, kid.” He put the plug down again, before all the water was gone and let her do it her way. Not unlike the woman who was now making dinner. He wrapped the child in a towel and lifted her out, noting the tangle of her wet hair. “Can you comb your hair?”

  “No. Brush.”

  “Gotcha.” He held her up to mirror height and let her do the job. It wasn’t perfect, but no way he was telling her that. “You look beautiful.”

  In her room he put her back on the changing table. After a couple of tries he managed to get a diaper on her and she insisted on putting herself in the pajamas.

  “Are you hungry?”

  She nodded. “Go see Wo’?”

  “Rose?” When she nodded vigorously he held out his hand and she put her little one into it. “Let’s go.”

  Rose was at the stove filling a three-section plastic plate. She looked at them and a soft expression chased away the frown on her face. “Leah, you look all clean.”

  “She did it all by herself,” Linc said.

  “Good job.”

  Hmm. Was that a chick thing or a mom thing? A puzzle for another time, he thought. “Okay, princess, let’s get you in the chair.”

  It was a joint effort—he set her on it and Rose clicked the plastic tray into place. Then she put the plate and small fork on it and the little girl dug in. The two of them looked at each other and breathed a sigh of relief.

  “Thanks for the help,” he said. “I didn’t expect it.”

  “I’m not the one who walks away, Linc. That’s your default behavior.”

  This payback was starting to get old. Especially after what she did. “Is that why you told Ellie? To get even with me?”

  “Of course not. I—”

  “You promised not to say anything, Rose.”

  “No, I didn’t. I only said it was pretty awesome having something to hold over your head.”

  “And how much you’d enjoy watching when Ellie found out. Well, chalk one off your to-do list. Was it as entertaining as you expected?”

  “Actually, no.” Her look was defiant. “I didn’t like seeing Ellie upset.”