by Elle James
If he, Lyla and Kate were a real family, this was the kind of place he’d want to come home to.
Chuck pulled into the driveway and turned off the truck engine. “Let’s check it out for a few minutes, make a list of what we need, and get to the diner for that breakfast I promised.”
Kate nodded and pushed open her door before Chuck could jump down and hurry around to her side. He chuckled softly. Apparently, she was used to opening her own doors.
Which was just as well because, whenever he was close to Kate, he struggled for words and his libido reminded him of how long it had been since he’d been with a woman.
He had to remind himself that his reaction to Kate was purely chemical. Nothing he could stop. But he’d have to minimize its effects to avoid any complications in their relationship. Kate and Lyla were a job, nothing more.
He opened the back door to the truck, unbuckled Lyla’s seat belt and set her on her feet in the grass.
She shot off like a rocket toward the house. “It’s yellow. Our new house is yellow,” she cried. She was up on the porch and swinging on the porch swing before Kate or Chuck could warn her to wait until they checked it out.
Kate smiled. “She likes the color. Rachel also likes yellow.”
Chuck stared at Kate, amazed at the transformation a simple smile could make to a woman’s face. For a moment, the worry and heartache were gone. In that fleeting moment, Chuck could see how beautiful Kate was.
Then the shadows returned, and Kate looked at Chuck. “I hope Rachel is all right.”
“I do too.” He shifted his gaze to Lyla, swinging on the porch. “A child needs her mother.”
“What if Rachel doesn’t come back?” Kate touched his arm. “What if something awful has happened to her?”
He covered her hand with his. “My mama always told me, Don’t borrow trouble.” Chuck gave her hand a comforting squeeze. “Take one day at a time. I’m sure Hank’s working on finding your sister.” He nodded toward the house. “Let’s get moved in and start looking like a family.” Drawing her hand through the crook of his elbow, he led her to the front door. If anyone was watching through a window, they’d see a man, his wife and their small daughter.
All the way across the yard to the front door, Chuck used his SEAL skills of situational awareness, scanning the area for potential threats. No matter how good it felt to have a beautiful woman on his arm, or to hold a child in his arms, he had to maintain his focus. These two people were only his to protect, not to fall in love with.
Chapter 4
Kate held tight to Lyla’s hand as she brushed past Chuck and stepped through the door.
The interior of the house was perhaps as quaint as the exterior. The rooms had been freshly painted and smelled like new.
Fortunately, the house came furnished, so they wouldn’t have to invest in couches, beds and other items. What was there appeared to be rather dated, but lovingly cared for. A floral-print, overstuffed couch and a lounge chair in a coordinating, solid burgundy graced the original hardwood living room floor and faced what appeared to be a working fireplace. The coffee table probably dated back to the late 1960s with dainty crocheted doilies spread across the surface.
Paintings on the wall depicted snow-covered mountains and fields of wildflowers. A picture window looked out over a backyard of lush, green grass and rose bushes planted along the fence line.
“This is really cute,” Kate commented. She strolled through the living room into the kitchen where a retro table stood with a Formica top and metal legs. The chairs were covered in bright-red, shiny fabric.
“I feel like I stepped into the past on the set for one of those family shows from the fifties,” Chuck said.
“I know. But I like it. It makes me think of a simpler time.” Kate studied the antique gas stove and the deep, white, porcelain sink. “I bet there’s a clawfoot tub in the bathroom.” She hurried to the only bathroom in the three-bedroom house to find what she knew would be there. “Ha! See?” She stood back and let Chuck lean into the bathroom.
A huge old clawfoot tub stood against the wall with a shower curtain hung on a circular rod above.
Lyla ducked between their legs and ran to the tub. “Can I have a bath?”
Chuck laughed. “If we’d had a tub like that when I was a kid, I would have loved taking a bath.” He patted Lyla’s head. “Later, darlin’, we have to unload stuff from the truck and go get some breakfast.”
Kate’s stomach rumbled, reminding her that she hadn’t eaten since the night before.
Chuck left them in the hallway and made a quick inspection of the rooms and closets, probably looking for bogeymen hiding out there.
Kate did her own appraisal. The house had three bedrooms. Two of them were set up with beds. One had been used as an office with a large desk and office chair, no bed. The smaller bedroom had a twin bed and a matching dresser. The master bedroom wasn’t very large but had a queen-sized bed in the middle of the room and a long, low dresser with a mirror. The bed was made up with a blue and white comforter. White, lacey curtains hung in the windows. Two beds, two adults and one child. If Kate and Chuck were really married, the bed situation would work.
But they weren’t, and it wouldn’t. Kate stared at the bed that would fit a husband and wife, and her pulse beat faster. Her imagination took flight. She could picture lying in that bed with Chuck. He’d take up most of the space with his broad shoulders and long body. It would mean sleeping up against his hard muscles, pressed close to keep from falling off the bed. What woman would complain?
“We’ll need to run by the hardware store for a deadbolt lock and a few replacement locks for the windows.” Chuck’s voice jerked Kate back to reality.
“We can do that,” Kate said. She spun away from the master bedroom and forced a smile to her face while her heart pounded against her ribs.
“I’ll unload the boxes, then we can leave.”
“I can help,” Kate offered, following him to the door.
“Just keep an eye on Lyla.” He nodded toward the toddler peering through the picture window into the backyard. “It won’t take me long. There isn’t much.”
“Can I go outside to play?” Lyla asked.
“Not yet, sweetie,” Kate said. She went to stand beside Lyla and stared out into a yard that would be the perfect size for a swing set.
Lyla reached up and slipped her little hand into Kate’s. “I’m hungry.”
“We’ll go to the diner in just a few minutes.” She knelt on the floor. “Do you think you’ll like living here with Mama and Daddy?” Kate figured she’d better start training Lyla to call her and Chuck by their pretend titles. The sooner she did, the better their cover would be.
Lyla tilted her head. “Yes. It’s pretty.” She ran to the couch, pulled herself up onto the cushions and patted the space beside her. “Come. Sit down. It’s soft, too.”
Kate sat beside the little girl and smiled. “You’re right. It’s very soft and comfortable.”
Chuck carried in the boxes Sadie had sent and laid them on the floor in the front entryway.
“Daddy,” Kate called out, making it a point to call Chuck Daddy. “Sadie said there was a doll in one of those boxes. I don’t suppose you see it, do you? Lyla might like to take it with her to the diner.”
Chuck stopped halfway through the front door, his eyes widening. For a moment, he remained as if frozen in time. Then he drew in a deep breath and entered, set down the box he’d been carrying, and dug into the one beside it. A moment later, he held up a soft doll with a ruffled dress and bright, blond hair. “Is this what you were looking for?”
Lyla squealed and launched herself off the couch. She ran toward Chuck with her arms reaching out for the doll.
He held it out of her reach. “What do you say?”
She stopped and stood as straight as an arrow and said, “Please, may I have it?”
Chuck dropped to one knee and handed her the doll. “Yes, you may.”
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br /> “Say thank you, Daddy,” Kate prompted.
Chuck remained kneeling in front of Lyla.
“Thank you, Daddy,” Lyla said and clutched the doll to her chest. “She’s beautiful. I’m going to call her Sarah.”
Chuck’s jaw tightened, and he closed his eyes as if he was in pain. Then he pushed to his feet and left the house.
If she hadn’t witnessed his reaction to Lyla, she might have missed the fact Chuck was affected by the little girl’s words. What had upset the former SEAL? That she’d called him Daddy? Or that she’d named the doll Sarah?
He was back a few seconds later with the last box. Once he set it on the floor, he stood straight. “Are you two ready for breakfast?”
“Yes!’ Lyla ran toward the door.
Chuck scooped her up into his arms and waited for Kate to join them. Then he walked with them out to the truck and helped them inside.
Kate liked that he took the time to adjust the seat belt across Lyla’s lap and worried that she didn’t have a car seat. He cared about the child who wasn’t even his. She imagined he’d be the same with his own children. At his age, he should have had a family of his own. Kate wondered why such a good-looking guy was still single. Not that she was in the market, but she was curious about the man who was pretending to be her husband.
Perhaps that evening, she’d ask him a few questions and get to know him better. It would help to make their pretense more believable. At least, that’s how she’d pose the questions. It wouldn’t hurt to get to know the man better.
On a professional level, not a personal level, of course.
She studied him out of the corner of her eye as he slid into the seat beside her. Yeah, a purely professional level. Getting personal would be dangerous.
Chuck drove the few short blocks to the only diner in town. He’d been there a couple of times, by himself and with other members of the Brotherhood Protectors. The food was good, and he didn’t have to cook it.
His chest still hurt from what Lyla had said. First, she’d called him Daddy. Then she’d named her doll Sarah. Where she’d heard that name was a mystery. But it hit him square in the heart. Sarah had been her daddy’s girl. She could do no wrong in his eyes and he would give his life to have her back. But that could never be. She’d died years ago, and he thought he’d gotten over it.
But he knew it was all a joke to think you ever got over losing a child. He never wanted to forget her, and why would he? The memories he had were good ones. He held onto them because he’d loved Sarah with all his heart.
He pulled up in front of Al’s Diner, mentally pulling himself together. Now wasn’t the time to stroll down memory lane or start feeling the heartache of loss all over again.
When he shifted into park, he opened his door and dropped down out of the truck. By the time he rounded the hood, Kate had already climbed out and was unhooking Lyla’s seat belt.
“You’ve got to let me open doors for you,” Chuck said softly enough only Kate could hear.
“Why?” she asked and lifted Lyla out of the truck and into her arms.
“Because that’s what husbands do for their wives.”
She stared at him as if he’d grown a horn. “Really? In this day and age?”
Chuck ground his teeth together. “My mama taught me to treat ladies with care and respect. Opening doors is a part of that.”
Kate’s eyes narrowed. “Just how old are you? Ninety-three?”
A frown pulled Chuck’s brows together. “I might be older than you, but I have a lot of life left in me.”
“I’m sure you do.” Kate’s mouth curved into a smile. “Better get all that living in while you can. Your days are numbered.” Then she winked. “You know I’m yanking your chain, don’t you?”
He shook his head. “I believe you say exactly what you mean.”
When she turned with Lyla in her arms, he smacked her ass.
“Hey,” Kate spun around and glared at him.
“What?” He held up his hands. “I’m just doing what a husband would do with his wife. Good job acting like you’re offended.” He gripped her arm and pulled her up against his chest. “Now, kiss me and look like we’re making up.”
He bent his head and captured her mouth with his.
She didn’t have time to protest, and he liked that he’d caught her off guard.
When he stepped away, he moved back far enough she couldn’t slap the smile off his face.
She raised her hand, all right, but not to slap him. Instead, she stared at him, pressing her fingers to her kiss-swollen lips.
When Chuck was sure Kate wouldn’t slap him, he leaned close to Lyla’s ear. “How’s my sweet little girl? Want a kiss, too?”
“Yes, please,” she said and presented her cheek for him.
He bent close to land a noisy smack on Lyla’s petal-soft face.
She giggled and raised her shoulders. “That tickles.”
“Oh, yeah?” Chuck blew a raspberry on her neck.
Lyla squealed and giggled again.
Chuck glanced over the top of the child’s head. “Now, we look like a family.” He held out his elbow.
Kate hooked her arm through his and walked with him to the entrance.
As soon as they entered the diner, a man wearing an apron stepped out of the kitchen. “Have a seat, your waitress will be with you in a minute.” He pushed through the swinging door into the kitchen, yelling, “Daisy! Need you out front.”
“Coming!” a feminine voice called out. A blond-haired, blue-eyed waitress backed through the swinging door, carrying a huge tray laden with plates of food. “Grab a seat anywhere. I’ll be right with you.”
Chuck steered Kate and Lyla to a booth in the back corner of the diner. He guided them onto one of the bench seats and took the other, facing the entrance.
A few moments later, Daisy plopped laminated menus in front of them. “Good morning,” she said with a big smile. “I’m Daisy. I’ll be your server. What can I get you to drink?”
Chuck chose coffee, Kate chose hot tea and asked for a cup of milk for Lyla.
“Got it,” Daisy said. “Be right back.”
The pretty, young woman practically sprinted back to the kitchen. Moments later, she appeared with the glasses balanced on a large tray.
Once she’d set down their cups and glasses, she pulled out a pad and pen. “What melts your butter today?” she asked.
Kate ordered a yogurt and a cup of fruit.
Chuck ordered two eggs over easy and toast.
Kate leaned toward Lyla. “Would you like eggs or cereal?”
“Cereal, please,” Lyla said. “The kind with the marshmallows.”
“Cereal, it is—with the marshmallows,” the waitress said with a smile. She pocketed her pen and reached for the large tray. When she had it perched at her shoulder, she grinned. “You’re new in town, aren’t you?”
Kate returned her smile. “We are.”
“Are you visiting or staying?” Daisy asked.
“We’re thinking about staying,” Chuck responded. “We’re renting a place now but will be looking around to buy.”
“Looking for a house in town? Or a piece of property a little farther out?”
“In town,” Chuck said.
“A little farther out,” Kate said at the same time.
Chuck laughed. “We haven’t decided. Since we’re new around here, we’ll leave the decision open until we’ve seen a few places.”
“Out in the country gives the little ones a place to run wild, but in town they can go to the park and play with other children.” Daisy shrugged. “It’s whatever you prefer. People around here make it happen.”
“What about you,” Kate asked. “Did you grow up in Eagle Rock?”
Daisy nodded. “Yes, ma’am. But a lot of my friends lived out of town. I visited some of the ranches around here and learned to fish, hunt and ride horses. So, I guess I didn’t miss much.”
“Eagle Rock is pretty sm
all,” Kate remarked. “What keeps people from leaving?”
Daisy shifted the tray at her shoulder. “Many of the young people leave. Some go into the military, and then come back later. Me…I’m limited by money. Soon as I get enough, I’m off to college.”
Kate nodded. “Good for you. Even if you come back to Eagle Rock, you’ll come back with more than you left with.”
“That’s what I figure. But I plan to learn a lot and see the world before I come back.”
“Admirable aspirations,” Kate concurred.
“Well, I’d better get back to it. We’re shorthanded today.” Daisy rushed back to the kitchen with their order and emerged with another tray loaded with food. She delivered the food to a large family at a set of tables and refilled their glasses. A few minutes later, she appeared at their table again, this time with their food.
She set the plates in front of them. “Anything else I can get you?”
“No, thank you,” Chuck replied. Though Daisy was nice, she was standing in the way of him studying every person in the diner.
Once the waitress left them, Chuck lifted his fork, stabbed the fried eggs and a piece of toast and brought it to his lips. He bit into the savory flavor and glanced around the diner, studying every face, committing them to memory.
The family at a table on the other side of the diner had the typical mother and father. What wasn’t typical was the fact they were accompanied by a cool eight children. How their parents could afford to feed that many at a diner was beyond Chuck.
A couple of middle-aged men in jeans and jackets sat in a booth two over from the one where Chuck sat. They wore shirts with matching company logos embroidered on them. Before them on the table lay blueprints of a building.
Two gray-haired women sat at a table sipping tea, and four young men wearing reflective vests, jeans and work boots filled another booth, all drinking coffee and eating big platters of eggs and pancakes.