Date With a Single Dad

by Ally Blake

  But when he looked at Elli, those jaded thoughts seemed far away. She had obviously been through a lot and she was still smiling. Maybe he could make things better for her in a way he never could for his mom.

  She put her hand on Darcy’s tummy, rubbing absently, and the bubble burst. How could he be thinking about being with her when Darcy was his first priority? He had to ensure that Darcy stayed with him until she could be reunited with her mother.

  “You’re staying up for a while, then?”

  Elli looked up from her book and smiled. “Darcy’s not ready for sleep yet. If I finish this assignment, I can send it tomorrow.”

  He nodded. “Elli, about the money … you know where the can is. What I’m saying is, take more if you think you’ll need it.”

  “I don’t want to spend you out of house and home,” she replied, but she focused on her book instead of on him.

  So that was it. Did she think he was so poor a few things were going to strap him? “That’s just petty cash, Elli,” he explained, putting his hands into his pockets and smiling. “You’re not going to break the bank. Besides, I trust you.”

  That got her attention and she looked up. “You do?”

  “Is there any reason I shouldn’t?”

  Her cheeks blossomed and he thought once more how pretty she looked.

  “I did think about picking up a few things to spruce up the house a little, but wasn’t sure how to ask.”

  “Of course. I’m hopeless when it comes to decorating. I think it’s a guy thing. I’d be happy for you to pick up some stuff. It might help make things look nicer for when family services does their assessment.”

  He went to the door and rested his hand on the frame, not wanting to leave but feeling silly staying.

  “Wyatt?”

  “Hmm?” He turned back around, fighting the strange urge to kiss her good-night. Maybe it would be best if he just got the hell out of there.

  “I won’t take it all, don’t worry.”

  “Do I look worried?”

  She smiled an angelic smile and he clamped down on the desire that rushed through him. “Actually, yes.”

  “Not about that,” he replied, and before he could change his mind, he closed the door behind him and went to make up the lumpy couch.

  It didn’t matter. He wasn’t going to sleep tonight anyway.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  ELLI DID A QUICK CHECK of the house to quell the nerves dancing around in her stomach. The phone call had come earlier than they’d expected. The social worker from Didsbury was coming in the afternoon.

  She was glad she’d gone shopping early that morning. A cheery new tablecloth dressed up the kitchen and she had also bought matching tea towels and pot holders. Wyatt had finished the chores outside and just after lunch he’d brought in his toolbox and fixed the sagging front door so it opened and closed easily. Now he was taking a shower. Darcy was bathed and sweet smelling and dressed in a new pink two-piece outfit.

  Elli now took a moment to brush her hair and twist it up, anchoring it in the back with a clip. The refrigerator was full and the house tidied. Darcy had enough formula for several days, diapers stacked neatly on the change table, and several cute, serviceable outfits. It had been a bittersweet pleasure shopping for them, picking them up and choosing the patterns and styles. It was something she’d never had the chance to do for William, and it had been fun. She would have enjoyed the day out, regardless, as she’d finally felt she had a purpose. She hadn’t realized how much she’d missed it until she was needed again.

  But all in all she was nervous. Both for Wyatt, who had a lot riding on this meeting, and for herself. She had been with Wyatt at the hospital and now at the house. She knew that she would also have to answer questions. And without knowing what the questions would be, she couldn’t anticipate the answers. It wasn’t even so much talking to a complete stranger. There seemed to be some safety in that. It was airing everything in front of Wyatt. She shouldn’t care what he thought, but she did. His opinion mattered.

  She heard the dull thump of Wyatt’s stocking feet coming down the hall and she took one last glance in the mirror, forcing the worry lines from her face and pasting on what should look like a pleasant smile. She’d taken extra care with herself, too, dressing in navy slacks rather than her usual jeans, and a soft raspberry-red sweater. When she turned he was standing behind her, and the curve of her lips faltered the slightest bit at his appearance.

  He was so handsome. Even in neat jeans and a blue-and-white-striped shirt, he still exuded that little bit of rough danger, of excitement. It was in his deep-set eyes and the just-a-bit-too-long tips of his dark hair. An air of carelessness, when she knew in many ways that careless was one of the last words she could use to describe him.

  It made for an intriguing package.

  “Do I look okay?”

  Worry clouded his enigmatic eyes, and she reached out, putting a hand on his arm. “Of course you do.”

  “Maybe I should have dressed up more.”

  Elli tried to picture him “dressed up” and it wouldn’t quite gel. He belonged in well-fitting jeans and cotton shirts that emphasized his broad shoulders. “I don’t think so. This is who you are. And today of all days, you need to be yourself. You can’t pretend to be someone you’re not.”

  A furrow appeared between his brows. “Not helping,” he replied, and Elli laughed.

  “Who would you trust more? Someone who looked great but was clearly uncomfortable? Or someone who looked calm, capable and comfortable in their own skin?”

  He moved his arm so that his fingers could twine with hers. A thrill skittered down the length of her arm at the simple touch.

  “That’s how I appear? Wow. I didn’t realize these clothes had special powers.” Finally a smile broke through his tense features. “You look nice, too. The red brings out the roses in your cheeks.”

  When Wyatt smiled Elli felt as if a candle had been lit inside her. Maybe because he didn’t bestow his smiles frivolously and they seemed to mean more because of it. “You’re teasing me,” she accused softly, pleased he’d noticed her extra effort. She resisted the nervous habit of straightening her clothing. She’d had the sweater for ages and had never worn it, thinking it too bold. After last night, and with the social worker coming, she’d wanted Wyatt to see her in something other than her normal exciting-as-a-mushroom colors.

  He nodded. “You look as nervous as I feel. You even put your hair up.” His gaze roamed over the twist, held with a clip so that a few ends cascaded artfully over the top. “I like it. It makes you look … sophisticated.” He let go of her fingers. “Too sophisticated for a run-down ranch in the boondocks.”

  But Elli had noticed things in the past weeks, too, even if it had just been from a distance, on the deck of the Camerons’ house. “This place isn’t run-down. You have already made a lot of improvements. It takes time and hard work.”

  Wyatt’s keen gaze caught her once more. “Of anything I expected today,” he said quietly, “I didn’t expect that. I didn’t expect your unqualified support. Thank you, Elli.”

  The sincerity in his voice made her want to hug him, but she could not. Would not. Sure, she could see the differences and yes, she was attracted to Wyatt. But once this “situation” was resolved he would be back to being a full-time rancher and she would be … not at the Camerons’. This was meant to be a time to forge her own new life, not be sucked into someone else’s again as she had been with Tim.

  Wyatt’s kiss last night was just an indulgence in fantasy. It had been lovely, but she couldn’t let it be a life-changing event. She did not want life-changing events. What she wanted was to rebuild and begin again, this time much stronger.

  “You’re welcome. And try not to worry so much. Darcy should be with you. You’re her uncle. It’s not like this is forever, either.”

  She said the words to remind herself as much as him. It would be far too easy to get caught up in the situation and mi
stake it for reality.

  Both of them heard the car turn up the drive, and in concert they turned their heads toward the front door. “This is it,” Wyatt murmured, and the wrinkle reappeared in the middle of his brow as Elli straightened her sweater. There was no time to recheck her makeup. She would have to do as she was.

  Wyatt opened the door and stepped out onto the veranda. Elli noticed that while the paint was still peeling, there were several pieces of yellowy fresh lumber where Wyatt had shored up the steps and floor. Sometimes it seemed he could do anything with his hands and a few supplies.

  A young woman barely older than Elli got out of the car. She was tall and dark haired, the straight tresses pulled back in an elegant sweep. There was nothing about the woman that was ostentatious or over the top, but she was the kind of put-together female who always made Elli feel just a bit dowdy. Now, with only a sheer layer of foundation and some lipstick for makeup, Elli felt the difference keenly. It made her want to fade into the woodwork.

  Come to think of it—perhaps that wasn’t such a bad idea. The less she was in the spotlight today the better.

  She slipped back inside as Wyatt greeted the woman. “Miss Beck, I’m Wyatt Black. I’m glad you could come today.”

  Oh, he was smooth, Elli thought, envying how he could cover up all that nervousness with charm. She heard the higher sounds of the woman’s reply and bit down on her lip.

  The door opened and Wyatt held it for Miss Beck to come through. She stepped inside and looked around briefly before moving to unbutton her coat.

  “I appreciate you being so accommodating,” she said as Wyatt stepped forward to take the coat from her. He hung it on a peg behind the door and rubbed his hands together. Elli watched it all from the living room, where she quietly folded a load of towels she’d taken from the dryer only minutes before. Anything to keep her hands busy and not twisting together as she was tempted to do.

  “There was no reason to put it off. Of course you want to make sure Darcy is well looked after. We want the same things, Miss Beck. The best of care for my niece while her mother recovers.”

  That earned a smile from Miss Beck. “So we do,” she agreed. “Please call me Angela. I can’t quite get used to Miss Beck. It makes me feel like a schoolteacher.”

  Wyatt smiled back and Elli held her breath. Perhaps this wasn’t anything to be so nervous about. Perhaps the caseworker at the hospital had been unusually stern.

  “Like any government agency, there is paperwork that needs doing, and procedure we need to go over. Might I see Darcy first, though?” Angela suddenly noticed Elli in the living room. “Oh, hello.”

  Elli swallowed and felt even shorter than her five feet three inches and every ounce of her despised extra pounds. She tried standing taller and held out a hand. “Hello. I’m Ellison Marchuk.”

  “Elli is helping me out with Darcy,” Wyatt explained. Angela nodded, but Elli didn’t feel any easier. How would it appear? Like a friend? Like a girlfriend? Which did she prefer? She wasn’t sure.

  “Darcy’s sleeping right now, but I could get her up. Or you could peek at her. I’m sure she’ll be up soon.”

  “That would be fine.”

  Elli led the caseworker down the hall to the bedroom. She had made the bed and besides the playpen and change table she’d added a few velvety throw pillows to Wyatt’s bed and a cute mobile of puppies and kittens in primary colors, attached to the side of the playpen. They both peeked over the side. Darcy was sleeping, covered to her armpits with the pink blanket and with both hands resting on either side of her head in a classic baby pose. Elli’s heart twisted as she looked down at the peaceful face. Darcy had no idea of the turmoil going on around her. If Elli could do one thing, it would be to make this as easy on Darcy as possible so she never need suffer any long-lasting effects from being separated from her mother.

  They tiptoed out and Angela turned to Elli. “She’s a beautiful baby.”

  Elli nodded. “And good, too. Well, as good as you’d expect a newborn to be.” She smiled. This woman felt like an ally. It would be all right. It had to be.

  Wyatt was waiting in the kitchen, sitting at the table staring at his hands. When they entered he stood up.

  “Shall we get started?” Angela Beck was all business now and she picked up her briefcase, taking out a file folder. “We need to work through your application first, Mr. Black.”

  The volume of papers she laid out was staggering. Wyatt looked at Elli and she felt his hesitation clear across the room.

  “Is this all really necessary? It’s such a short-term thing, after all.”

  “Perhaps, but perhaps not. We don’t really know when your sister will be able to resume care for Darcy or how long you will be temporary guardian. Does that present a problem?”

  Wyatt’s hands unfurled and he looked her dead in the eye. “Absolutely not. Darcy can stay here as long as it takes. I’m the only family they’ve got and it’s only right that Darcy stay with me until Barbara is well.”

  “Then let’s proceed.”

  Elli went through the motions of putting on coffee while Wyatt and Angela worked through the application. She gave a cup to Angela, then fixed another the way Wyatt liked it and put it by his elbow. His shoulders were so stiff. Despite his easy smiles, she could tell he was wound up tighter than a spring. She put her hand on his shoulder for just a moment and squeezed.

  The hands of the clock ticked on as Wyatt went through his orientation. Elli fed Darcy when she woke, changed her diaper and put a load of laundry in the washing machine. Finally Angela Beck tamped the papers together and put them into her briefcase. “That was great coffee. Why don’t we take a minute and you can show me around, Mr. Black?”

  Elli put Darcy in the new windup swing, and the motion ticked out a rhythm as she tidied up the few dishes in the sink. Wyatt gave Angela a brief tour, outlining how long he’d lived there and what improvements he’d already made to the property as well as what he had planned in the days ahead. “I’d focused more on the livestock and ranch when I first moved in,” he explained. “But Darcy changes things.”

  “How so?”

  They paused at the end of the hall and Elli held a cup in her hand, the dishcloth dripping water back into the sink, waiting for his answer.

  “Having a child under your care changes your priorities, wouldn’t you agree?”

  “I would.”

  Elli carefully placed the cup in the drying rack. Did Wyatt know how rare he was? He wasn’t putting on a show for the social worker as some people might. He was answering honestly, sincerely. No one could dispute his dedication to his niece, surprise appearance or not. He was a man who would do what needed to be done, a man who would do the right thing. He’d do anything for someone he loved, she realized. At personal sacrifice to himself. She didn’t know many men like that.

  “And Miss Marchuk, is it?” Angela Beck’s astute gaze pinned her in place. Elli felt awkward and plain next to Beck’s efficiency. Lord, the woman was well put together. Not a hair out of place, while Elli could feel a few flyaway pieces fraying around the edges of her face.

  “That’s right.” She curbed the urge to say Yes, ma’am. Angela Beck couldn’t be any older than Elli was.

  “How long have you and Wyatt been living together, then?”

  Elli felt her control slipping by the sheer surprise of the question. “Living together,” she repeated, somewhat stupidly, then looked to Wyatt for guidance.

  Angela raised an eyebrow. “Our eligibility requirements state that if there is cohabitation the relationship must be a stable one for the good of the child. We require a twelvemonth minimum.”

  Wyatt couldn’t be disqualified as a temporary guardian simply because she was here. It was wrong. “We’re not living together,” she replied.

  “Oh?” The tone of Beck’s voice said she didn’t quite believe it.

  “Ellison is the nanny,” Wyatt supplied. He sent Elli a dark look and gave his head a slight sh
ake just before Angela turned and looked at him.

  “Your nanny?”

  “Of course. I do have a ranch to run, and I needed help. Elli has agreed to help out temporarily. It’s a much better solution than a daycare. I cannot be in the house all the time, and I can’t take Darcy with me to the fields and barns.”

  “Of course.”

  “This way Darcy isn’t being shifted around to different people each day. She is here, with me, and with Elli. Isn’t it good to have normalcy? I thought a nanny was a far better option.”

  Elli stood dumbly through the exchange. She knew why he’d said it and it made the best sense. But it stung. It stung a lot. Was being in a relationship such a bad thing? Not that they were, but the way he’d put it sounded so cold.

  “A stable environment is definitely one of the things we look for,” Angela replied. She gestured toward the table, inviting Elli to take a seat. “And Mr. Black is paying you, Ms. Marchuk?”

  Elli swallowed, but schooled her features. If Wyatt could do this, so could she. “Yes, we’ve agreed on that arrangement.”

  “Ms. Marchuk, how do you know Mr. Black?”

  Elli couldn’t look at him. She knew if she did it would seem as though she were looking to him for answers. She sat at the end of the table, perching on the edge of the chair. “We’re neighbors. I’ve lived next door to Wyatt for the last two months, ever since he moved in.”

  Angela Beck took the chair opposite, leaving Wyatt standing in the doorway. “And you’re not romantically involved?”

  Elli thought back to the kiss last night, and it was like being there again, feeling Wyatt’s hands on her arms and the softness of his lips against her own. But did a kiss signify romantic involvement? On the surface, she supposed it did. But they had backed off and put Darcy first. And he had just called her the nanny in front of the social worker. The nanny. Not “a friend” or even a neighbor. The nanny. That told her quite clearly where Wyatt’s feelings stood.

  “No, we’re not dating.” That at least was truthful. Until Darcy’s arrival, the sum total of their interaction had been a brief argument in the middle of a pasture. She still refused to look at him, instead seeing the dark blue denim of his jeans in her peripheral vision.