Caution

by Tara Mills

  “This was a learning experience for me. I like your style, Chad. I’m sure it would be easier to yell at them but by doing what you did I doubt you’ll have to fight over this again.”

  “No, they’ll just find something else to throw at me.”

  “I suppose that’s parenting, but I have to say, you’re doing a really good job at it.”

  “Thanks.”

  “That said, I need to get going.”

  “Yeah, I’ve got to work tomorrow.”

  “I don’t,” she said, gloating.

  “Hey, you wouldn’t want to hang out with Missy and Kenny tomorrow night, would you?”

  “What’s going on?”

  “I have a game and my mom has a date so she cancelled on me.”

  “Do you want us there with you?”

  “That’s up to you three.”

  “I suppose I can ask them what they want to do.”

  “So you’ll do it?”

  “Sure, why not? I don’t have anything better planned.”

  “Great. Dinner has to be at five if I’m going to get to the field on time.”

  “I’m bringing dinner so have the kids watching for me around four.”

  “You don’t have to feed us.”

  “I want to.”

  Chapter 21

  Piper stopped at the store and picked up a bag of groceries. She was going to hold a little class in the Thomas kitchen.

  Missy insisted on cooking so Piper had her watching the chicken breasts over a low flame while she set up Kenny at the table with a big bowl. He thoroughly enjoyed shredding lettuce into it, a natural at destruction. When it was time to flip the breasts Piper stood behind Missy and helped.

  “Very good, see that color, that’s what you want.”

  Kenny was finished and Piper picked up a few stray pieces of green and tossed them into the bowl then put it aside.

  “Now I have something even better for you,” she said, trying to create a little excitement in him.

  “What?”

  “You’re going to take this grapefruit spoon and pull all the stems off the strawberries. Watch how this works.” She inserted the point under the stem and twisted it free.

  “Hey, I can do that,” he reached for the spoon.

  “Be careful not to squeeze the strawberries, they squish really easily.”

  The chicken was done so she shut off the flame and put the breasts onto a shallow tray. “Get two forks, okay?” She sent Missy to a drawer. When Kenny saw his sister shredding the chicken he wanted to trade jobs. They compromised. Missy would do two breasts, Kenny would do two. The kids were impressed when they saw how fast and perfectly Piper sliced the tomatoes and onions.

  “Smells good,” Chad said, walking out of his office.

  “Dinner’s about ready, why don’t you go wash your hands,” said Piper.

  He smiled at all of them, stopping by Kenny to watch him industriously pulling the last of the chicken apart with forks. Next he wandered over to Missy and watched her put the final strawberry on top of her yogurt parfaits.

  “That’s beautiful, honey,” he told her and kissed the top of her head.

  “Thanks. It’s a parfait, like in the movie Shrek.”

  “Cool. Is there anything I can do to help?” he asked Piper.

  “No, we’re all set.”

  He went to the sink and washed while the others set the table. When they sat down, Piper demonstrated for the kids how to make a wrap. Chad was amazed at how willing they were to eat what they prepared, especially finicky Missy.

  When Piper went on and on about how pretty the tomatoes looked on top of the lettuce Missy took a few and placed them carefully into her wrap. She admired it for a moment herself then surprised her dad by actually eating it. Apparently kids would try anything if you knew how to sell it. He could learn from this.

  Over dinner the kids decided they’d rather stay home and play than go to the field. Chad went upstairs to change, calling a quick good-bye on his way out.

  Back in the kitchen Piper organized a cleaning party and together they tidied up in no time. She felt like Mary Poppins but they didn’t know the movie when she mentioned it.

  “What do you mean you’ve never seen it? It’s a classic,” said Piper in surprise.

  Kenny and Missy looked at each other and shrugged.

  “I’ll have to rent it and we’ll watch it together. How does that sound?”

  Both kids were on board with that plan.

  Once the work was done Kenny went to play with his friend next door.

  Missy looked to Piper. “What do you want to do?”

  Piper grinned. “I want to play with your castle.”

  Missy’s jaw dropped and she asked excitedly, “Really?”

  “Really.”

  Piper noticed the huge castle sitting on the floor in Missy’s room when she put her to bed after the concert and ever since she’d been dying to take a closer look at it. She would have loved something like that when she was a girl.

  They dragged it out into the middle of the floor, tossing toys onto the bed to make room, and opened it up. Piper percolated with excitement when the dolls and animals toppled out.

  “Can I play with her?” she asked, picking up a princess.

  Missy nodded. “Sure. This one’s my favorite.” She held up her own princess doll and they cleared out the mess and set up the scene.

  Piper laughed. “Oh cool, a wizard!”

  “He’s Kenny’s. Here, you need Reginald,” Missy handed Piper a caped prince. “He’s Belinda’s boyfriend.”

  “I have Belinda?”

  “Uh huh.”

  “Where did you get these?” Piper asked, loving everything more and more.

  “Daddy bought me the castle and Grandma found me all the people. I have some of Kenny’s action figures in here too but they’re too small and they don’t bend like these.”

  Missy shifted through the toys for a second. “Look, this is Prince Steven. He’s going to marry Princess Marigold.” She showed off her prince, dressed in gorgeous deep blue with silver embellishments.

  Piper carefully inspected Reginald’s elaborate burgundy costume with its gold detailing and puffed sleeves. She pulled the matching velvet cape up to admire the satin lining. His tights absolutely delighted her. She giggled. “I love these.”

  “Grandma had the outfits made special for me. The clothes that the dolls came with were all wrong.”

  It didn’t take the girls long before they decided to put on a royal ball but then Kenny came back and picked up the dragon puppet, unleashing terror, upturning tables, chairs, even the thrones before flying off with the damsels clamped in his mouth. He was threatening to drop them from his perch, a dangerous height, which was actually Missy’s dresser, but Prince Steven and his best friend Reginald were able to rescue both princesses from the evil beast and return them to the safety of the castle. They closed the toys inside after that and Piper helped Missy push the castle against the wall.

  “Can I come back and play castle again sometime?” Piper asked, walking downstairs with the kids.

  “I’d love that.” Missy smiled up at her. “When I get married I’m going to be a princess just like Marigold.”

  Kenny snorted. “Big surprise.”

  Piper winked at the girl. “Well I think that’s a great idea.”

  “And you can come too and wear a cone hat like Belinda’s.”

  “I might have to do that.” Piper grinned.

  “But I get the crown,” Missy said quite seriously.

  “Of course.”

  • • •

  The kids were already in bed when Chad got home. He walked into the living room and found Piper sleeping on t
he couch. The peaceful look on her face drew him over. All he wanted to do right then was sit quietly and simply watch over her while she slept, like he did sometimes with his kids. Like he used to do with Chelsea. But Piper woke up before he even reached her.

  “You’re back,” she said groggily, dragging herself up.

  “I am.”

  “Did you win?”

  He sat on the arm of the couch by her feet. “Just barely. How did it go here?”

  She smiled. “I want to come back and play again.”

  He laughed. “Anytime.”

  Piper swung her legs around and stood up with a stretch. “I had fun.”

  “I’m glad. Thanks for coming over.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  He walked her to the door and saw her out, aching with the need to touch her again.

  Piper climbed into her car feeling conflicted because he didn’t try to kiss her. She couldn’t tell if she was more relieved or disappointed. Her money was on disappointed.

  Chapter 22

  Joy and Piper both turned when one of Klein’s stockers came running behind their glass cases, breathless and excited.

  “What’s up, Rhonda?” Joy asked.

  “You’ve got to check out the guy at the self-serve donuts. I’m running a temperature here.”

  Piper and Joy hurried to the display case and peeked over the top.

  “Oh baby, you were right,” Joy agreed, appreciating the view.

  Piper knew that ass. When he bent a little for a third bakery box the other two nearly swooned in ecstasy.

  “If the front matches the back I’m gonna faint,” said Rhonda.

  Piper grinned. “It does.”

  They both turned to stare at her.

  “You know him?” Joy asked.

  “That’s Chad.”

  “Oh my god, that’s your Big Daddy?”

  Piper let the possessive Big Daddy remark slide. She didn’t want to deny it and then be forced to watch assertive Rhonda hit on him. She liked the woman. She’d hate to have to kill her.

  “Now my imagination is fried — did you just call him Big Daddy?” Rhonda asked with a moan.

  Joy chuckled. “So the legend goes.”

  “Knock it off,” Piper hissed. “He’s going to hear you two.”

  Just then he turned and walked right towards them with his stack of boxes.

  “Honest to god, my knees are knocking together. I’ve got to go.” Rhonda scurried off, giving Chad a long appraising look before she disappeared down the cereal aisle.

  “Hi Piper, how’s it going?” he asked with a devastating smile, setting his boxes on top of the case.

  Joy cleared her throat and gave Piper a nudge, then a sharp prod with her elbow.

  Piper hip checked her right back. “Good. Chad, this is my friend Joy.”

  He turned his stunning wattage on Joy and she lit up like Broadway. “Hey there, Chad, it’s nice to finally meet you. Did Piper tell you about my party yet? This Saturday?”

  “No,” he said carefully, looking at Piper.

  Piper kicked the side of Joy’s foot. “I was going to last night but I forgot,” she fudged and turned to Joy hoping she’d take a hint. “Shouldn’t you check on that thing in the oven?”

  Joy smiled sweetly, knowing it would annoy Piper. “Nuh uh. It’s fine.”

  Piper sighed and looked at Chad. “So do you want to go with me?”

  “Love to.”

  “Anytime after seven,” Joy added with a big smile. “Piper knows the way.”

  “Great.”

  Piper looked over Chad’s shoulder. “Did you leave us any donuts?”

  He laughed. “A few. I’m just on my way over to the work site and I thought I’d bring the crew a treat.”

  “Aw, that’s so sweet,” Joy gushed, half in love with him already.

  “Don’t work too hard, ladies.” He picked up his boxes. “I’ll see you Saturday, Joy.”

  “Looking forward to it Chad.”

  “I’m going to get you for this,” Piper hissed.

  “Yeah yeah, and my little dog too,” said Joy, waving the threat off before finally turning and laughing at Piper.

  “What?”

  “You know when I said you were crazy? I was so wrong. Honey, I’m serious — seek help.”

  • • •

  Piper called Chad that night to make the arrangements.

  “So I’ll pick you up at seven then,” she said.

  “I’ll be ready.”

  • • •

  When Piper pulled into Chad’s driveway on Saturday night, he was out his front door before she even put the car into park. He locked up behind him then walked around to the passenger side to get in beside her. His smile, his greeting, and the smell of his aftershave were as effective as a head injury at scrambling her brains. It was a challenge just trying to behave normally when every cell in her body was suddenly on high alert.

  Piper forced herself calm. “Were you watching for me?”

  “No, I just know how you time things so I was ready.”

  “Great.” She was already predictable? Not so great.

  It was an awkward ride but at least it wasn’t a long trip. Piper wasn’t exactly immune to the man and his damned aftershave was seriously beginning to piss her off. She tried to ignore it. Fat chance. Piper glanced at her window, desperate to breathe outside air even if it meant choking on exhaust fumes and dealing with the smell of hot baking asphalt. At least she’d be safe from that seductive masculine scent of his but unfortunately if she opened the windows she’d completely screw up her hair. Life was so unfair.

  Piper parked along the curb in front of Joy and Dom’s house.

  “It looks like we’re the first ones here,” Chad said, none too happily.

  Piper pulled the keys out of the ignition. “Does that pose a problem for you?”

  He looked at her. “No, just making an observation.”

  “Come on then.”

  • • •

  Joy threw open the front door and let out a squeal. “Fantastic!” She hooked her arm through Chad’s and dragged him through the house and into the kitchen, leaving Piper to follow after them like a stray puppy.

  The table and counter were so loaded with snacks you couldn’t see the surfaces. A large punch bowl dominated one corner of the table.

  Joy pointed to it. “Spiked, of course. Should have a nice kick.”

  Piper grinned. “Naturally.”

  “Might as well help yourselves. There’s something for every taste here; sweet, salty, sour, and hot.” Joy waved towards the various plates and bowls as she went. “Oh, and there’s a keg in the garage and a stack of glasses — already tapped,” she added looking at Chad specifically.

  “Thanks, but punch will be fine for me,” he said. “Piper?”

  “Sure, I’ll have some punch.”

  They all turned at the sound of the doorbell.

  “And we’re off,” Joy said excitedly. “You two got this?”

  “No problem,” said Piper.

  “Cool. I’ve got to answer that because Dom’s getting dressed.”

  Joy took off and Chad picked up the ladle and a plastic cup. He gave Piper the first glass then filled a second.

  “Let’s get this party started,” he said with a grin and tapped his cup against hers.

  “Cheers.” Piper raised her glass and held it, waiting for Chad to take the first swallow. Knowing her friends, there was no reason they both had to play guinea pig.

  Chad’s eyes were tearing when he came up choking and sputtering. Now she felt guilty. She probably should have given him a little warning.

  “Whoa,” he gasped. “She w
asn’t kidding about the kick.” He fought to breathe through the burn, his hand on his chest.

  “Damn, now I have to taste it.” Piper’s face fell. “This is the true measure of friendship right here. I want you to witness this.”

  Chad blotted his eyes and watched with a comical face as Piper slowly brought her cup to her lips. One whiff of the vapors was enough to make her eyes water but still she took a dainty sip.

  “Oh my god,” she said in a breathless rush, fanning her face. “I have to tell her. This is really bad. She could put someone in the hospital with this. Be right back.”

  Chad picked up a floret of cauliflower and dragged it through the dip, chuckling as Piper disappeared around the corner, her next cough speaking volumes.

  • • •

  While Piper and Joy went to work trying to rescue the punch Chad wandered into the living room. Dominic and another man were picking out music on an MP3 together.

  His host turned. “You must be Chad,” he said extending his hand. “I’m Dom and this is Trey.”

  Trey shook Chad’s hand next. “You must have met Celia in the kitchen.”

  “I did.” Chad said brightly. “So what’s the plan?”

  • • •

  Back in the kitchen Piper took a second wary taste of punch and declared it good. She ladled two fresh glasses and brought one out to Chad.

  Dom laughed. “I guess I should take the blame for the punch. I never drink the stuff so I just poured until it looked right. I didn’t bother tasting it.”

  “It could have peeled paint,” Joy said with pursed lips and gave him an elbow in the ribs. She turned to Chad and Piper. “Come on, I’ll introduce you around some more.”

  Eventually their hosts moved on to circulate among the ever increasing number of guests, leaving Piper and Chad to mingle on their own. Piper felt just as out of place as Chad did, having brought the only other person she knew with her.

  As more people arrived there was an effort to get a game of charades going but that idea fizzled and instead they moved the music out to the backyard and the patio was turned into a dance floor.

  Chad looked at Piper. “Do you dance?”

  “Not unless I’ve been drinking.”

  He laughed and took the glass out of her hand, setting it aside. “Good, we’ve met that condition.”