“Wait.” Kayla hurried after her. “Where are you going?”
Damn, her daughter was fast.
Penelope jumped off the bottom step, racing toward the front door.
“Penelope. Stop.” Kayla jumped from the third step, hurtling the coffee table to beat her daughter to the door. She gathered Pene in her arms. “You know you never go outside in the front yard.”
Penelope frowned.
“Where do you think you were going?”
Her expression said, Oh please!
“Penelope, where were you going?”
She snorted. “Ian’s.”
“And why were you going to Ian’s?”
Her defiance melted, her tiny body becoming soft and pliable. “I miss him.”
Truth was, Kayla missed him too. Since she’d informed him, in no uncertain terms, her problems weren’t his, he’d left them alone. He’d listened to her. Well, hell. She hadn’t really meant for him to walk away and never look back. It was true, her problems were hers and hers alone, but she had to admit she kinda liked having him around.
“I visit Ian.” Penelope wriggled in Kayla’s arms. “I be back.” She went about the task of trying to unlock the door, pouting when she couldn’t quite reach. “Open door, Mommy. I visit Ian.”
She couldn’t very well have her daughter pounding down Ian’s door unannounced. “How about we call him?”
Pene considered that for a second and a half then nodded. She grabbed the phone off the coffee table. “What his number?”
Yeah, she was so not going to go there. Pene was a smart cookie. Kayla retrieved her cell out of her back pocket and searched through her contacts.
“There he is!” Penelope screamed, punching her finger at the picture of Ian.
The phone started to ring and Kayla activated the speakerphone. Pene squawked her enthusiasm, jerking the phone away and putting it up to her ear.
“You’ve reached Ian. Leave a message and I’ll call you back.”
“Ian. I miss you.” The sincerity in her voice stabbed Kayla in the chest. “Come see me. Lo’ you. Here, Mommy.” She handed Kay the phone.
With nothing to add, Kayla disconnected the call. “What should we do now? You hungry?”
“Yeah, I hungy.”
“I miss you.”
Those three little words brought Ian to his knees.
Keeping his distance over the last four days had been hell on earth. Although he’d gone to the gym and flirted relentlessly with Denali, he’d missed the Black family something fierce. To know they’d missed him too, cracked the foundation of the wall he’d erected to protect his heart.
He looked at the clock. Damn, he’d slept like the dead.
He needed to pick Denali up in two hours, which meant, if he hurried, he had a few minutes to stop next door and give sweet Penelope the hug they both craved.
Twenty minutes, a shower and shave later, he stood on the Black’s front porch. He raised his hand to knock, second-guessing the wisdom of stepping onto the property. His knuckles hovered in front of the door.
You’ve come this far, pussy. His inner cheerleader had a point. Oh, good hell, what was he afraid of? He’d been invited. Obviously, Kayla knew her daughter reached out to touch him.
Knock, knock, knock.
He blew a breath through pursed lips as a stomp, stomp, stomp accompanied Sadie’s, “I got it!”
Her face appeared in the long window next to the door. She squealed in chorus with the release of the lock. The door flew wide and Sadie launched herself at him. “Ian! I’ve missed you!”
He wrapped his arms around the little girl strangling his waist. “I’ve missed you too, Sadie.”
“Ian!” Penelope’s chubby feet slapped against the wood floor.
He freed himself from Sadie’s hold just in time to bend down and scoop Pene into his arms. She death-gripped his neck, burying her face into his shoulder. “I miss you.”
“I know. I got your message.”
Tiny hands clamped onto his cheeks. She got in nice and tight, her expression stern and serious. “I miss you.”
“I missed you, too, honey.”
“I lo’ you.” She kissed his cheek.
He chuckled, smoothing her wayward curls away from her face. “I love you, too.”
“Then why you not come?”
He wasn’t sure how he knew, but Kayla watched the exchange. He glanced up and met her gaze full-on. He didn’t have a damn thing to be ashamed of. He’d done nothing wrong, except maybe care a little too much.
She didn’t blink, a challenge in her blue stare.
Maintaining the silent game of chicken, Ian kissed the top of Penelope’s head. “Just giving you guys some space.”
“I no’ want space.”
“Me either, kid.” No blinking.
“Hey girls.” Well, he’d be damned, she could speak. “Why don’t you go play in the backyard with Chase?”
Although formed as a question, Kay’s tone made the words a non-negotiable statement.
“See you, Ian,” Sadie said with a wave.
Penelope kissed his cheek. “Say bye afore you go.”
As she slithered down his leg, he promised, “Will do, princess.”
When the kids were finally outside, Kayla turned and started toward the kitchen. Uncomfortable. Damn. Should he follow her or tuck his tail and run?
She paused at the doorway, huffing a breath. “Do you want something to drink?”
“I’ll just go.”
She shook her head, at least looking repentant. Her lips rounded and her cheeks puffed. “I’m sorry. For the other day. For just now. Crap, I’m a freakin’ mess. Just when I think I’ve got a handle on things, I get blind-sided again.” She extended her hand to him, beckoning him to her. “I could use someone to talk to, and I’ve got that beer you like.”
Now that he’d gone clean again, he’d cut beer from his diet. But the sentiment warmed him. “I’ll stick with water.”
She smiled. “I got that too. Give me thirty minutes?”
He glanced down at his Timex. “If you’re really nice, I’ll give you sixty.”
She ran her finger over heart. “I promise.”
A few minutes later, Ian sat at the head of the table, opposite of Leon’s always empty spot, and Kayla plopped down in the chair to his immediate left. A bottle of Dasani sat in front of him, a can of Coke Zero sweated in front of her.
He tipped the bottle back, licking the drops off his bottom lip. “So, what’s blind-sided you now?”
“I was offered a job.”
His brows furrowed with the confusion he felt. “That doesn’t sound like a bad thing.”
“It’s not.” She took a sip from her can. “It’s just complicated.”
“Explain.” He ran his finger over the wood grain in the oak table.
She did; great opportunity, awesome benefits, incredible pay. “But the hours are when I need to be home with the kids.”
“What about daycare?”
She shook her head. “I don’t want some stranger watching my kids.”
“Do you have a choice?” He actually watched as her hackles rose to the innocent question. “Come on, Kay. No situation will be perfect. The ideal died right along with Leon.”
She bristled against his harsh words. He expected the lioness to erupt out of her, clawing and scratching, once again sending him from her domain. Instead, she sighed. “I know.” Her fingers plowed through her hair. “I know. I know.” Her fist lightly pounded the table. “Dammit, I know.” Her gaze sought his, holding it tight. “Nobody loves those three as much as I do, and I want the very best for them.”
“You’re right. Nobody can ever love those three little people as much as you do.” He didn’t bother to remind her how much he loved her children. “Of course you want the very best for them. But sometimes the best for all of you doesn’t appear to be the ultimate in awesome. Kay, those kids are resilient. They’ve bounced back really well.�
��
“I’m the one who’s a train wreck.”
“I didn’t say that.”
“You didn’t have to.” She smiled weakly at him, her eyes misty. “Thank you for not giving up on us.”
“I’m here for—”
A blood-curdling scream had them both jumping to their feet and sprinting to the back slider. Kayla yanked it open, running out into the chaos of her back yard.
“I’m sorry. I’m sorry.” Chase crouched over Sadie. “I didn’t mean it. I’m sorry.”
Sadie lay on the ground under the swing set. She held her head, blood spurting from between her fingers, surprisingly calm.
Ian ran back into the kitchen and grabbed a dishcloth from the counter. He hustled back to Sadie, pressing the cloth against her forehead. She awkwardly crawled into his lap. Silent tears trickled down her cheeks, landing on his jeans.
“I’m sorry, Mom.” Chase’s frantic apology oozed his remorse.
Kayla took her son by the shoulders. “Tell me what happened.”
“She wanted to spin. I wound her too tight, I guess, ‘cause as she was unwinding the swing went crazy and she slammed into the pole.” He started to cry. “I’m sorry, Sadie.”
Sadie brushed the towel out of her eyes and smiled. “It’s okay. I’m fine.” She pushed at Ian. “It doesn’t even hurt anymore.”
Ian shook his head. “Let me see your head.”
She squared her shoulders and looked him right in the eye as he pulled the cloth away. Although the blood no longer tried to set long distance records, the cut was deep, right at her hairline above her right eyebrow.
“How is it?” Kayla asked from over his shoulder. Her next gasped breath actually spoke, answering her own question.
“Yeah, I think so, too.”
“Come on, guys, looks like we’re headed to the emergency room.”
“I can stay with Chase and Penelope.” He glanced at the other two kids. “It’ll be easier on both of you if it’s just you two.”
And just like that he blew the hell out of his date with Denali. Yet, as relief replaced Kayla’s exhausted expression, Ian didn’t have a doubt he’d made the right decision.
“Thank you, Ian.” She ushered Sadie toward the garage, the girl flip-flopping with each step. “I’ll call you when I know something.”
“No worries.” He wrapped an arm around Chase’s shoulders. “We’ll be here.”
The door to the garage closed with a light slam, then the rumbling of the exterior door’s decent sounded.
Chase finally came inside, closing the slider. “Do you think she’ll need stitches?”
“Yeah.”
“Oh man.” He sank down into the chair at the table, his head dropping into his hands. “I didn’t mean—”
Ian put his hand onto the boy’s shoulder. “I know. It was an accident. Sadie knows it too, so does your mom. Things like that happen, man. At least it’s in a place she can hide with her hair.”
Chase’s misery eased. “I guess that’s a good thing.”
“Yeah, definitely a good thing.” Ian took his phone out of his pocket. “Hey, I need to make a quick call. Give me a second.”
Chase lifted a shoulder that said whatever.
As he called up Denali’s number and put the phone to his ear, Penelope asked, “Who you callin’?”
He answered her, but only by saying, “Hey, Denali. It’s Ian.”
“Hey,” her husky voice purred. Not that she’d intended to verbally seduce him, husky with her was just par for the course.
“I’m sorry, but—”
“Yeah, I don’t like those words.”
He chuckled. “An emergency came up and—”
“Oh no,” she gasped.
“My neighbor’s little girl smacked her head and had to be taken to the ER. I’m playing babysitter with the other two.”
“I could come over and help.”
Yeah, ‘cause that would thrill the hell out of Kayla. “Thanks for the offer, but I don’t think that’d be a good idea.”
“Got it.” No bitterness. She really did get it. “Rain check?”
“Absolutely. I’ll call you.”
“Anytime, Ian. Anytime.”
No misconstruing that. “Later.”
He disconnected the call to face two sets of inquiring eyes. Chase frowned. “Sorry to ruin your date.”
Penelope snorted. “You had date?” She shook her head, propping her hands on her hips. “Ian no date. Ian Mommy’s.”
“Oh. No, sweetheart. Your mom and I are just friends.”
She laughed, her blond curls swinging wildly. “Silly Ian.”
Ian looked at Chase for clarification. The kid only rolled his eyes. Didn’t matter. Ian didn’t belong to Kayla any more than the beautiful mother of three belonged to him. He’d be wise to remember that.
The doorbell rang and Penelope took off on a run. She was still fiddling with the lock when Ian joined her. Heaven help them when she was tall enough to reach. He released the latch and opened the door.
On the porch a lady with red hair and green eyes blinked up at him. She stepped back, looked at the numbers on the side of the door. “Hi, um, is Kayla here?”
“Nope.” Chase moved around Ian. “She took Sadie to get stitches.”
The woman inhaled her concern. “Oh no.”
“She just had a little accident,” Ian told the stranger. “Who are you?”
“Oh. I’m sorry.” She held out a hand. “I’m Rhonda White. My husband and Leon were partners. I worry about them. We worry about them. I wanted to check on Kayla and bring some cookies by for the kids.”
“Cookies!” Penelope reached for the plate.
Ian reached for her hand. “Pene. That’s not polite.”
The little girl frowned. “Sorry.”
“No worries,” Rhonda said. “Here, you can have them.”
Penelope took the plate and ran toward the kitchen with Chase hot on her heels, laughing all the way.
“The kids look good.”
Ian glanced in the direction they’d gone. “Yeah, they are good. As good as can be expected.”
“How’s Kayla?”
“As good as can be expected.”
“Are you her brother? ‘Cause I saw you sitting with them at the funeral and I—”
“No, I’m her neighbor.”
Her eyes widened, but she schooled her expression. “Oh, well, I’m not sure how you fit into all of this, but—”
“I’m her neighbor, and her friend. Nothing more.”
She held up her hands. “I didn’t mean to insinuate…” She bit her lip and looked over in the direction of the kitchen. “Here’s the thing, she has completely shut us out. All of us. The whole world. Except for you, it seems.” Her brows rose. “As I said, I’m not sure how you fit into all of this, but you stay right where you are. Take care of her. Because she won’t let any of us even close.”
Ian’s scowl relaxed. “I’m not going anywhere. She’s a hell of a woman, dealing with a shitty situation. She keeps trying to push me away too. I’m just too stupid to leave.”
Rhonda laughed. “Well, stay stupid. She needs you.”
Ian snorted. “Don’t let her hear you say that.”
She stuck out her hand. “We’re here if she needs us. If you need us. Good luck.”
“Thanks, we’re all gonna need it.”
Eight
The last time Ian remembered watching the Disney Channel the programming had consisted of Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and animated movies they both starred in. Times had changed. Now, he sat flanked by two kids and watched a family with dysfunctional parents and a baby needing luck. Strange as it was, Ian had to admit to chuckling a couple of times.
His phone rang and he shuffled Penelope around so he could fish it out of his pocket. “Hey.”
“Hey,” Kayla said. “How are things?”
“We’re good.” He brushed a palm over Pene’s head. She snuggled deeper int
o his side. “How’s Sadie?”
“The bleeding stopped. She’s playing Candy Crush on my phone. They’re saying it’s going to be hours before they can look at her.” She huffed. “It seems everyone in all of Las Vegas decided they needed to come to the ER tonight.”
He groaned in a show of solidarity. “I’m sorry.”
Penelope giggled at something on the television.
“Don’t worry about us.”
“If you want to bring the kids—”
“Huh-uh. None of that, Kay. The kids are fine. I’m fine. We’re all fine. Do what you gotta do with Sadie. Take as long as you need.”
“It could be very late.”
“Believe it or not, I know how emergency room visits work.”
Her soft sigh screamed exhaustion. “Thanks, Ian.”
“Glad to help out. What time’s bedtime?” He laughed at Chase’s glower.
“Put Pene down about eight-thirty. Make sure she has her night-night underpants on.”
“Got it. What about Chase?”
“He can stay up ‘til we get home.”
“I’ll put him to bed at ten. How’s that?” Ian winked at the boy.
“Oh, I should be home before then.”
Ian laughed. “Did you forget where you are?”
She chuckled. “Good point. Please make sure they brush their teeth.”
“You got it. Don’t worry about us. We’ve ordered pizza, so dinner is taken care of.”
“Thanks. I’m not sure what I’d do without you.”
“Luckily, you don’t have to find out.” He wasn’t sure whether or not she heard his last statement. It was probably for the best if she hadn’t.
“You ordered pizza?” An incredulous pucker formed between Chase’s eyes. “When did you order pizza?”
Ian held up his phone and punched in a few numbers. “Right now.”
“But you told my mom you’d ordered it. Past tense. You lied.”
Past tense? “What your mother doesn’t know…” He paused and looked into the blue eyes so like Leon’s. “Scratch that. You’re absolutely right. A lie is a lie and you should never lie to your mother. Or me.” He wasn’t quite sure why he felt inclined to tack himself onto the instruction, but there it was.
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