Baby on the Bad Boy's Doorstep (Shadow Creek, Montana)

by Victoria James

  “That’s handy,” he said, resting the carrier gently in the base of the cart. He took the empty cart from her and they made their way across the lot. “So I have no idea what to buy, you know.”

  She laughed, her breath causing a billow of frosty air in front of her. “Don’t worry about it. Lily and Julia already gave me a list of the essentials. Of course, this would have been a lot more fun if it was Target, but I guess it’ll be okay. At least the store is empty this time of night.”

  They walked through the automatic doors and made their way to the large baby section. Haley took out her list and began pointing to where they needed to be and what they needed to buy. She was picking out onesies and receiving blankets, and having the time of her life when it dawned on her that this was what she’d always dreamed of doing. Except for her own baby. She hated that she blinked back tears as she picked out little sleepers. Then there were plenty of fuzzy winter clothes and she gasped at the adorable velour sleepers. She held one up to Connor who didn’t seem as enchanted as she was. “Why are the feet attached? I’d hate to have my feet trapped all night.”

  She tried not to laugh at him because he said it so earnestly. “I think babies like it. We don’t want her getting cold.”

  He gave a nod, like what she was saying made sense. He wasn’t really one for conversation she noticed. She motioned for him to keep walking. She was shopping with Connor. “Why don’t you pick something?” she asked a few minutes later. Maybe she was being too bossy.

  He ran a hand over his very nicely stubbled jaw. “That’s okay. I don’t want her looking back at baby pictures and hating me for ugly clothing decisions.” He was smiling when he said it, and she stood there looking like an idiot. The bright Walmart lights highlighted his hard features and the flecks of blue in his eyes. Really, it was amazing how good he looked. Who looked that good under fluorescent lights?

  She smiled at him. “I just realized I’m throwing all this stuff in the cart without asking you your opinion.”

  The grin he gave her now was a different one. Sort of a slow, lazy, mischievous one that lit his eyes as well. That grin also made it difficult for her to remember how to breathe. “It’s okay, I don’t feel bullied.”

  She burst out laughing, and his smile widened. Her stomach refused to settle. She could barely handle the aloof, unapproachable Connor at Sunday night dinners, but this engaging, funny Connor was off the charts. It occurred to her that she hadn’t even looked at price tags. She had no idea what his financial situation was like. Starting from scratch like they were doing was expensive. “So, I, um…I was kind of buying whatever looked cute, but I didn’t even ask what your budget is and maybe we should be looking at sales or…”

  “I’m okay. Let’s pick the stuff you think she needs and don’t worry about it.”

  “Oh, okay,” she said.

  “How adorable! How old is she?” They both turned in the direction of the voice. An elderly woman was peering into the shopping cart, and then she looked up at them.

  “Uh, a month,” Connor said.

  “I always love seeing young couples and babies. I remember those days. Sometimes it feels like it was just yesterday that I was making my way through the grocery store with my babies.” She started coughing, and Connor flicked the car seat cover down so Rosie was completely covered. Haley tried not to laugh. Those were impressive instincts for a guy who’d just found out he was a dad.

  “Well, you kids take good care of that precious bundle.” The old woman patted Haley’s hand and walked away slowly. Haley stared at Connor and tried not to reveal the emotions coursing through her.

  “Did we get everything on the list?”

  Haley blinked and opened the crumpled list in her hand and smoothed it, trying to make herself look normal. “Um, almost. I think we have enough clothes for now. We have diapers, formula, bottles, sterilizer, wipes. We need some of the bigger stuff like a car seat and a bassinet or something for her to sleep in. Oh, and this chair thingy that both Julia and Lily swear by.” She looked at her cart—at some point during their shopping expedition Connor had gotten another cart. “I don’t really know how much this is going to be, though…” she said, her voice trailing off.

  “It’ll be fine,” he said, taking the lead and grabbing the cart with baby Rosie in it.

  “Okay, let’s get out of here. Oh wait,” she said, stopping in the middle of the aisle. He turned around and her stomach did a little flip-flop. Connor was very much not her usual type—mostly because in her circle she was surrounded by highly educated, suit-wearing, degree-waving professionals, like David. Not that it had ever really meant much to her. She glanced at the coffee display next to her and remembered why she’d stopped him. “Do you have coffee? I think we’re going to need lots of it.”

  “I think that’s the last of the load,” Connor said, closing the front door with his foot as he placed another five bags on the front rug.

  Haley tried not to look nervous now that they were back at his cabin. While she stayed inside with baby Rosie, he’d been going back and forth from his truck bringing in the endless boxes and bags of baby supplies. She’d used the opportunity to look around the small cabin. It looked as though it had been recently renovated.

  The living area was basically one large room with a kitchen on one end, with a large island and chairs, while the other side had a large stone fireplace and two dark leather couches and an armchair. The coffee table was dark wood and without a thing on it, same for the matching side tables. A large window in the kitchen and sitting area overlooked the wooded front yard. The kitchen, even though not huge, had dark, Shaker-style cabinets, with gleaming white stone counters. The appliances were stainless steel and looked as though they’d never been used. In fact, the entire place barely looked lived in. There wasn’t even a television. The kitchen table was also empty—not even a crumb. She hadn’t ventured into the bedroom, not wanting to appear nosy. All in all, the place was gorgeous, just empty and devoid of any personal touches. This also meant that she’d gotten no further glimpse into who Connor really was.

  She was also trying to not second-guess her impulsive decision. But she trusted Connor. She had seen him over the last few months, seen the way he interacted with the Baileys, and she knew he was one of the good guys. She just needed to remind herself of that.

  “She’s still sleeping?” he asked, taking off his jacket. She tried not to appreciate the way his clothes clung to his body or the way his dark five o’clock shadow clung to the hard lines of his jaw. Connor was masculine in a way that made her feminine side go on high alert. The strange thing about him was that for all his toughness and oozing testosterone, he didn’t really intimidate her.

  “She is,” Haley said, coming forward and grabbing a few bags. She placed them on the island and began sorting the contents by type: baby toiletries, kitchen stuff, clothes.

  “I don’t even know what half of this stuff is for,” he said, picking up the bottle sterilizer box.

  “I know, thankfully I have enough friends with babies to know what this is. Whatever else, we can ask Jack and Lily over for a tutorial. Or there’s always Google.”

  “Good idea,” he said, opening the bassinet box. “I’ll start putting this thing together so she has somewhere to sleep tonight.”

  “Perfect. Oh, I guess I should get a load of laundry going so I can wash the sheets for that bassinet.”

  He nodded and stood. “I’ll show you the laundry room.”

  She grabbed a stack of clothes and sheets. “Grab that laundry detergent,” she said.

  He grabbed the giant bottle of baby detergent and led her to a room off the kitchen. It was small, the same cabinets and counter as the kitchen, and had a stacked washer and dryer. There was one bottle of detergent and one box of dryer sheets. He flicked on the under-cabinet light. The small space suddenly felt very alive and very intimate, and she was aware of his size as they stood huddled up together in the semi-lit space. He smelled fresh
and masculine, and she found herself staring at his strong forearms and hands as he helped her open the packages and take the labels off the clothes. “Are you tired? I can do this if you’re wiped.”

  “No way,” she said as she started loading the washer. “That’s why I got the giant coffee. This is going to be a long night for sure. Plus, remember you hired me as a nanny? This is part of the job.”

  He leaned against the counter, and she tried not to touch his hands as he handed her two sets of sheets. Her hand trembled slightly. Maybe this was the aftermath of her marriage. This she hadn’t counted on. Sure, she’d learned to be afraid of David, but she hadn’t really counted on being intimidated by other men. She stared at the control panel and tried to push aside her thoughts of David and just concentrate on the laundry. “Okay, well if you need any help, I’ll be in the other room assembling that bed thing.”

  She smiled, but didn’t turn. She didn’t need eye contact with him. She was going to have to protect herself from whatever charm he exuded. A few minutes later, with the laundry on, she walked back into the great room to find Connor already standing the bassinet up. “Wow, you made quick progress,” she said.

  “It’s easier than it looks.” He made a few adjustments and then stood there, looking quite pleased with himself. “What do you want me to do next?”

  She looked around the room. “We bought a lot of stuff, didn’t we?”

  He rubbed the back of his neck. “I was taking orders from you. I had no idea babies need all this.”

  “I know, kind of crazy. Why don’t we figure out this sterilizer thing and clean the bottles so we’re ready to go?”

  “I’m on it,” he said, walking into the kitchen to where she was standing.

  “How about we place this over in that corner,” she said. “And then we can use the cupboard above for the bottles.”

  He nodded, and looked at the instructions, getting the sterilizer running while she washed out the bottles and then stacked the formula. “I feel like we’re working against the clock. We need to have food and a bed set up before Rosie wakes up,” she said, accidentally bumping into him as she brought the bottles over. “Oops, sorry,” she mumbled backing up like a weirdo. Seriously, she needed to pretend like there was nothing wrong with her.

  He reached out to grab her arm, because she knew it looked like she was going to fall over her own feet. She needed to get herself together. It was the whole mix of Connor and being alone with him.

  “You okay?”

  She nodded rapidly. “Yup.”

  He gave her a look that made her suspect he didn’t think she was okay at all and then started placing the bottles on the sterilizer. “Okay, this is good to go. I’ll get the first round going so that it’ll be all ready.”

  “Done. What do you think about installing that changing table adapter to the dresser in your room?”

  “Okay, let’s go.” He grabbed the bag with the changing pad and she followed him into his room. She tried to pretend like she wasn’t overly curious to see what it was like. But, like the rest of the house, there weren’t any personal details. There was another large window in here, but because it was dark out she had no idea what it overlooked. A king-size bed sat in the center of one wall; it was made, a plain navy comforter on top. A matching walnut-colored night table with an alarm clock and a Kindle. Interesting. No television in here, either. So, he was a reader? She never would have guessed that. She walked over to where he was setting up the safety straps on the changing table cushion to the dresser. “Okay, done,” he said a few seconds later.

  “We’re in good shape if Rosie wakes up. Why don’t you get some sleep? I’m going to throw those sheets and clothes in the dryer, and then spend tomorrow setting things up properly.”

  He shoved his hands into the front pockets of his jeans and she tried not to notice how well they fit him. “I don’t want to bail on you.”

  “You’re not. You have to work tomorrow. Remember, you hired me?”

  He ran a hand over his jaw. “Yeah, but still.”

  “Seriously. Go to bed. I’m fine. I don’t even know what her routine is yet. She might sleep for hours. Remember what Lily and Jack said? Sleep when Rosie sleeps.”

  “Okay, okay. Why don’t I move the bassinet in here and you can take my room?”

  Her heart started hammering and she was sure her face was betraying her. His room? Sleep in his bed? The tingling started in her body. Oh she was a mess. “No, no. I’ll be fine on the couch.”

  “Seriously. It makes more sense. If I have to get ready for work and eat breakfast, open the front door, she’ll wake up. If you guys are in here, you’ll be able to sleep without me disturbing you. I’ll grab some clothes and hit the couch.”

  “But what if I’m up warming up bottles in the night? I’ll wake you up.” There, that was a good argument.

  “I sleep like a log. Nothing wakes me up.”

  She narrowed her eyes on him. “I think you’re just saying that.”

  “I set two alarms.”

  She sighed.

  “I’ve got fresh sheets in a box in the closet. Why don’t you grab your bag, get your things set up in the bathroom and all that, and I’ll replace the bedding?”

  She was flustered with all the thoughts and mentions of his bed. What did he wear for pajamas? What was she going to see when he was asleep in the other room?

  “Why does it look like you’re trying to come up with an argument?”

  “No, no,” she said, waving a hand. “I just feel bad.”

  “Take my room,” he said, walking to his closet.

  “Okay, fine. But you can change your mind anytime,” she said, leaving the bedroom.

  Chapter Three

  Connor had been in hellish situations before, but nothing had prepared him for the sound of a baby’s continuous cry deep into the night.

  This baby never slept. Ever. Well, it felt like it anyway. This was only night two. He had just fallen asleep five minutes ago. He’d thought Rosie had as well. He had no idea how the heck she was awake again. Before he could open his eyes, he heard Haley tiptoeing across the family room.

  “I’m awake,” he said, sitting up.

  This whole Haley-in-his-house situation was another issue. It was one thing to want a woman and not have to worry about acting on it because it wouldn’t ever go anywhere. But having said woman in his house, sleeping close by, wearing cute little T-shirts, at night, was a whole other story. Also, the other thing he hadn’t counted on was how much he liked the way she spoke to Rosie.

  It was hard referring to Rosie as his daughter. Sure, he wasn’t in denial. He knew who she was. But he couldn’t think of himself as a father. He just thought of her as Baby Rosie. Right now, she was crying so loud he didn’t think he remembered what quiet sounded like.

  “Shhh, Rosie. It’s okay.” Haley crossed the family room and walked into the kitchen and nestled her against her chest, her little face against Haley’s neck. Haley walked around the room, one hand making a circular motion on Rosie’s back with a little tap every two circles or so. He felt like he should take notes because a few minutes later a very loud belch erupted from a very little baby. They both laughed.

  “Let’s hope that’s all that was bothering her,” Haley whispered. “I had come in here to get a pacifier, but I think we might be good now.”

  He gave a nod. “I changed her after she ate. But I didn’t hear a burp.”

  Haley nodded, a lock of light brown hair falling over her shoulder. “The burp is a must,” she said with a soft smile. He had no idea how she handled all this so calmly. It was like she’d raised a bunch of kids before. She gave Rosie a kiss on her bald head and continued rubbing her back.

  Haley stood in the dark room and they stared at each other, listening to all sorts of gurgling from Rosie. In some weird way, he found the sounds…sweet…also terrifying. He had no idea what to do with a baby. “I think she’s settling down,” Haley whispered.

&n
bsp; Even though the room was dark, the moonlight shone through the window and seemed to highlight everything he wasn’t supposed to notice about her. Kind of like a sick joke from the universe. Her clothes weren’t exactly revealing—they were baggy—but there was no hiding what he already knew was a gorgeous figure. Her smile was what always got him though—her smile and her eyes. She had a warmth and a sweetness about her that seemed to beckon him. It wasn’t usually the traits he looked for in a woman, and yet now he couldn’t seem to get enough. Of her.

  Every week, as Sunday approached, he’d get happier and happier, knowing he’d see her at the Baileys. They hadn’t even had a real conversation, except for the night of Gwen and Luke’s wedding. He now knew that night had been brought on by loneliness and alcohol, because she had never shared anything personal about herself again. If anything, she’d distanced herself from him. He knew she’d been married before. He knew her husband had been a douche. He’d gathered enough information to piece together that Haley had walked away from the marriage. She had a kindness that couldn’t be faked. She fit in with the Baileys. He didn’t.

  “You can go back to bed. I can watch her if you’re wiped,” he said. The fact that he’d given her his bed was kind of like sweet torture.

  “You do remember that you’re paying me to be her nanny, right? You have to wake up at five for work. I think she’s settling. She has to sleep at some point during her first year of life,” she said with a laugh.

  He chuckled. “Here’s hoping.” Except he felt bad. He also wanted to be close to Rosie, even though he wouldn’t know what to do if she needed something, but still. “I guess I feel like I should be doing something for her.”

  Tears appeared in Haley’s eyes, and he had no idea why. She sat in the armchair across from him, and looked at him like he was a saint. He shifted on the couch; that expression made him uncomfortable.

  “That is so sweet,” she whispered, a little sniffle at the end.

  He ran a hand through his hair. “I want to make sure I know her. Tomorrow I’ve got to be at work because Jack and I are starting a new house, and I can’t bail.”