by SJ McCoy
She reached up and pressed a kiss to his lips. “Well, if you’re hoping that I might feel the same way, I can tell you that I do.”
“You do?”
She nodded happily. “I love you, Cal. How could I not?”
He chuckled and dropped another kiss on her lips before spinning her around. She laughed and clung to him, trusting him to keep her upright. She was too giddy to even try.
“I thought you didn’t dance?”
He grinned. “I told you. For you, I’ll learn.”
Chapter Sixteen
“I don’t want to hold you up. There’s no need to wait.” Elle looked stressed, and it made Cal feel bad.
He gave her a reassuring smile. “There’s no rush. It’s not a problem. We’ve got all afternoon.”
She rolled her eyes. “Maybe. But you don’t need to spend your afternoon waiting for me.” She glanced at Teresa. “Sorry.”
“It’s fine, sweetheart. It’s not a problem.”
Skye came out of the living room where Elle had sat her with her book while she ran around getting all her things together. Cal had thought it would be a good idea for them all to go over to Donovan’s house together. Elle had been invited anyway since she knew … he didn’t totally follow the connection, but she was friends with one of the guys from work, or friends with a sister or a girlfriend.
Teresa had stayed the night with him after the Boathouse last night. She’d brought her clothes and things for today, so they’d hung at his place this morning and only come over to her house to collect Elle and Skye just now. He ran his hand over the back of his neck. What he’d thought might be a good idea had apparently become stressful for Elle and that hadn’t been his intention at all.
“Grandpa!” Skye flung herself at his legs, making him laugh.
Teresa looked at him wide-eyed, but he just shrugged and scooped the kid up. “Skye!”
“Are we going now? Mommy said I get to ride in your car.” She leaned precariously away from him to look out through the window, making both Elle and Teresa start toward him as if to catch her, but Cal had it. No way would he let her fall.
“That’s right, sunshine. We’re all going for a ride in my car.”
“Where are we going?”
“To Donovan’s house on the other side of the lake.”
She smiled at him. “Can we go to the beach?”
“Not today, sunshine.”
Her bottom lip slid out. “I want to go to the beach.”
He raised an eyebrow at her. “Did I say we couldn’t go?”
She scowled at him.
“I only said not today.”
“But …” her chin started to wobble, and he knew what came next.
He pressed his thumb against her nose, but even that didn’t raise a giggle.
“When can we go to the beach?”
“Next weekend,” Cal answered before he thought to check that it was okay.
Judging by the expression on Teresa’s face, she didn’t like that idea. “Are we ready?” she asked.
Elle hauled the strap of a big bag over her shoulder and blew out a sigh. “Yeah, finally. Sorry.” She gave Cal a rueful smile. “I never feel like I can go anywhere unless I have supplies to cover any emergency in madam’s bag here.”
He smiled. He knew how it went; he remembered from Darla’s kids. “Let me guess, a change of clothes, possibly two. Juice, a snack, a book, some toys, wet wipes, and a diaper just in case?”
Elle laughed. “Did you watch everything that went in there?”
“Nope. I just know the drill. At least, the drill for good moms who think of everything.” He felt a touch of heat in his cheeks when both Elle and Teresa smiled at him.
“Are you sure you don’t have a son?” asked Elle.
He chuckled. “I don’t.”
She blew out a sigh. “I don’t mean is that how you learned how to be so amazing with kids. I mean if I’m ever going to find myself a man, I want you to give him lessons first on how to be one.”
Cal dropped his gaze. He had the feeling that they could both see the heat in his cheeks this time.
~ ~ ~
When they got to Donovan’s place, Teresa was glad to get out of the car. The whole way here she’d wanted to ask Cal and Elle why she was the only one who was shocked by Skye calling Cal Grandpa. But the little madam had joined in on the conversation the whole way.
It wasn’t that she minded so much. If she was honest, she loved it. But she wanted to know how it had happened. Something must have been said at some point or she wouldn’t be the only one who’d been so shocked.
As she watched Cal get Skye’s stroller out the back of his SUV—and unfold it and set it up, she had to smile. She wasn’t denying that he’d make a wonderful grandpa.
There were cars parked all along the side of the road. She guessed they all belonged to people who were at Donovan’s place. She hoped the neighbors wouldn’t mind. This was only one street over from her rental house, which she now knew would be vacant again in a few weeks. She wanted to believe that rowdy neighbors wouldn’t be a concern for her new tenants.
Cal wrapped his arm around her shoulders as they walked beside Elle who pushed Skye’s stroller. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.” She smiled. “I might have a few questions for you later, though, Grandpa.”
His smile faded, and she’d guess that was the first time it’d occurred to him that there was anything to question about Skye calling him that.
“Don’t give him a hard time, Mom,” said Elle from her other side. “That’s all on me. Skye asked if she could call Cal Grandpa.” She smiled at him. “And I explained that the title, and the position were his for the taking, if he wanted them.”
~ ~ ~
Cal couldn’t hide his smile when Teresa turned back to him. “Is that so?”
He nodded. “It is. And as you now know, I’m applying—for the position and the title.”
He loved the way her eyes danced when she smiled.
“Do you think I might stand a chance?”
She laughed. “I think we all know that you got the job already.”
His heart clenched in his chest. He couldn’t say that he’d ever wanted a family of his own. He loved the role that he’d played in Darla’s kids’ lives, but they were and always would be his sister’s family. Now, walking along the street like this, looking at Teresa, and Elle walking beside her, and little Skye in her stroller, he knew that he’d made some kind of quantum leap and the three of them already were his family. His breath caught in his chest when it hit him that the next thing he wanted to do was to make it official.
He nodded. “I feel as though I should still be on probation.”
She laughed. “As far as I’m concerned you’ve satisfied all the conditions of your probation.”
“Mom!”
Teresa laughed and pushed Elle’s arm. “Don’t blame me, young lady. I was talking about reading Skye stories, and being patient with you. You’re the one whose mind went elsewhere.”
Cal was relieved when Donovan appeared around the side of the house and waved at them.
“Hey, Mr. Callahan … Cal! I’m glad you could make it. Come on around. Everyone’s in the—” He stopped mid-sentence and stared at Elle.
Cal’s jaw clenched and he stood stock still as he watched Donovan’s gaze rove over her. Jesus! He took a step forward, before he knew what he was doing, but Teresa’s hand on his arm stopped him. Her fingers dug in hard.
“Hi, Donovan. Have you met my daughter, Elle? And her daughter,” she waved a hand at the stroller, “Skye.”
Cal finally remembered to breathe. That should be enough, shouldn’t it? The way Donovan had looked at Elle had been a little primal for Cal’s liking. Surely, seeing Skye would be a reminder of where those primal urges could lead—and hopefully a deterrent from wanting to indulge in them.
Shit! Apparently, not.
Donovan came to meet them with a big smile on his face. He reached out to shake with Elle, and to Cal’s dismay, she looked as smitten as Donovan. Shit, shit, shit! Coming here had been a mistake.
“It’s nice to meet you.”
“You, too.” Elle was doing the whole fluttering eyelashes and flirty smile thing that young women did—and that young men lost their minds over.
Cal looked at Teresa. She was beaming. Couldn’t she see it? He was going to have to warn her.
He could feel the muscle twitching in his jaw when Donovan squatted down in front of Skye. He held his hand out with a solemn expression on his face. “Hello, Skye. It’s nice to meet you. I’m Donovan.”
Cal’s heart sank when she giggled and shook hands with him.
“Hello, Dondervan.” She looked up at Elle. “He’s nice!”
Elle and Teresa laughed as if the ice were somehow broken. Cal shook his head, wondering what he was supposed to do.
Skye looked up at him and held her little arms up. “Want out, Grandpa!”
Donovan’s eyes were wide when he looked up at him. He got to his feet and stepped back when Cal came to unfasten Skye and get her out of her stroller. He swung her up onto his hip and was more grateful than was reasonable when she wrapped her little arms around his shoulder.
He could hardly warn Donovan off Elle, but he was grateful that through Skye he could show him that they were … he let out a breath. What were they? What was he? He was acting like a protective father, but it was hardly his role to play.
Teresa was watching him with a puzzled look on her face. He gave her a sheepish smile. He had a feeling she knew what was going on. But at least she wasn’t mad at him.
“Do you want a drink?” Donovan asked.
“Thanks, I’d love one.”
Cal watched as Elle followed him around the side of the house.
Teresa caught hold of his hand. “Did you just do what I think you did?”
He cringed. “What did you think I did?”
“You got jealous—”
“No!” Jesus. How could she think that he was jealous … that he … that Elle …? He shook his head in disbelief.
She laughed. “I don’t mean like that! Don’t worry. I don’t think you’re after my daughter. I meant that you went all protective. Like …” She blinked a few times and swallowed. “Like her father.”
He nodded. “I’m sorry. I know it’s not my place. But I can’t help it. Obviously, she’s not my daughter, but she’s your daughter, and you’re my lady and …”
She reached up and kissed his cheek. “I love you.”
He leaned down to kiss her but was stopped by a sloppy kiss on his other cheek. “I love you, too, Grandpa.”
He had to swallow. Hard.
Teresa chuckled and linked her arm through his. “Come on, big guy. This is far too much emotion for you to have to deal with. Let’s find you Manny and Ryan and you can drink beer and talk guns, huh?”
He had to laugh as he followed her. How could she know him so well—and still love him anyway?
~ ~ ~
It was dark by the time they got back to Teresa’s place. Skye was fast asleep in her car seat, so Cal unfastened it and carried her inside in it.
Elle gave him a grateful smile when they got inside the house. “Thanks so much. I can take it from here. You guys should get going.”
“Do you want me to bring her upstairs?”
Elle glanced at Teresa. “I can do it. We hogged your whole afternoon and evening.”
Teresa went to her and put her hand on her arm. “You didn’t hog it, sweetheart. We all had a good time—together.”
She looked at Cal and he smiled and nodded. “We did.” He started up the stairs. “And there’s no point in you waking her up just to carry her up to bed.”
Elle hung back and looked at Teresa. “You’re staying at his place again tonight, aren’t you?”
“Unless you want me to stay here. I don’t mind if …”
“No. I don’t need anything. I’m good. And I might be busy tomorrow, too.”
Teresa raised an eyebrow. She had a feeling she might know who with. But Elle shook her head. “That’s not what I’m talking about. What I’m saying is that you should go with Cal and get him to explain to you about why Skye’s calling him Grandpa. And why I said it’s okay.”
Teresa frowned at that, but Elle just waved her hand. “Talk to him. I’d better get up there and rescue him from madam before she wakes up and wants to keep him.”
Teresa chuckled. “She does seem to have a thing for the good-looking guys.”
Elle dropped her gaze.
“It’s true,” said Teresa. “She’s besotted with Cal, and she seemed to have quite a thing for Donovan today, too.”
“Yeah.”
“Would I be right if I guessed that she’s not the only one?”
Elle shrugged.
“Come on, sweetheart. It was obvious. You’re not going to admit it?”
“Sure, he’s nice. He’s a good-looking guy but …”
“But what.”
Elle rolled her eyes and blew out a sigh. “I have Skye and I need to get up there to her so you can have Cal back.”
Teresa touched her arm as she started toward the stairs. “Donovan seemed as taken with Skye as she was with him. And as Cal is proving, not all men run scared from little kids.”
Elle shook her head. “Yeah, Cal’s awesome with her. But he only has to step up and be her grandpa. That’s a bit different.”
Teresa knew what she meant. Any guy who came into Elle’s life would be stepping into the role of father to some extent, and that was a big ask. She was hopeful about Donovan, but … She shrugged. “Sorry, sweetheart. I know.”
Elle kissed her cheek. “I’ll see you tomorrow. Love you, Mom.”
“I love you too.” She blew out a sigh and sat down at the island, wishing that life could be easier for her daughter, but not knowing how. Of course, life was more difficult as a single mom, but neither of them would ever wish that she weren’t one. Skye was far too precious a gift to wish that things had gone differently.
She jumped and then relaxed when Cal’s hands came down on her shoulders. He did that so well; for such a big guy it was amazing how he could move around without making a sound.
“Are you okay?”
“Yeah. I’m tired.”
He closed his arms around her and rested his chin on top of her head. “Do you want me to go and leave you to get some sleep?”
She turned around and looked up at him. “If you want?” That hadn’t been the plan, but if …
He gave her a stern look, one that she’d seen him use on the guys to great effect, but he’d never tried it on her before.
“What?”
He narrowed his eyes. She’d guess it was supposed to be intimidating, but it just made her laugh.
“Don’t you try your bully tactics on me, Blake Callahan.”
He chuckled. “Yeah. I should know better. You’re made of stronger stuff than most men.”
“Thank you.”
“I just. I don’t want to go home and leave you here. I want you to go with me. But you said you’re tired. So, I wanted to give you the option.”
She reached her arms up to him and closed her eyes when he wrapped his around her. She buried her face in his neck and understood why Skye did that whenever she got the chance. He felt so warm and reassuring, he felt like home, and he smelled wonderful. His big arms felt like a safe place, and she never wanted to leave them again.
He held her that way for a long time before he asked. “Is that your way of saying goodnight?”
She lifted her head. “No. It’s my way of asking you to take me home.”
There went that smile again. “Isn’t this your home?”
She looked up into his eyes. She’d told Nina that she didn’t want to lead him there, but she need
ed him to know that she was open to it. “The way it feels these days, Cal. Home is wherever you are.”
A little sound escaped from his lips as he crushed her to his chest. His fingers found their way into her hair and closed around the back of her neck. Then his lips found hers in the best kiss yet. It made the rest of the world melt away, as if they were the only two people who existed in the universe, and even better than that, his mouth told her without words just how much he loved her. She hoped he could hear how much she loved him right back.
They only broke apart when Elle cleared her throat behind them. “Sorry, guys. I didn’t know you were still here.”
Teresa loved that Cal didn’t look embarrassed, he didn’t even let go of her as he smiled at Elle and said, “Neither did I.”
Less than half an hour later, she snuggled back against him as he closed his arm around her in bed. He nuzzled his face into her neck and kissed her.
“I know you’re tired. I’ll see you in the morning.”
She turned over to face him and pressed a kiss to his lips. “Not so fast, mister.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Hey. I was trying to be a gentleman. You said you were tired.” He drew her closer and the feel of him, hot and hard against her made her want to drop the question she’d been about to ask.
She pressed herself against him. “I’m never too tired for that. You wake me right up, but there’s something I need to ask you first.”
“What?”
She smiled. “Grandpa.”
He shrugged. “Skye asked if she could call me that. Elle said it was okay.” He closed his hand around her ass, making her close her eyes and almost give in.
“Elle said you’d explain it to me.”
He sighed. “Okay. Elle told me about her father. About what he has Skye call him and his wife.” He frowned and his arm tightened around her. It felt more protective now, it wasn’t about sex anymore. “She also told me that he used to call you Grandma—that he was mean about it before you ever were a grandma. As if you were like an old lady.”
Teresa hid her face in his shoulder.
“Hey.” He tucked his fingers under her chin. “Look at me, Terry.”
She had to. She loved it when he called her that.