“I’ll think about it.” There were already too many dog grooming and walking places in Chicago. Besides, that wasn’t her dream. She didn’t want to settle in the city. Although, that’s kind of exactly what she’d done.
“So what’s he like? We haven’t had a chance to talk since you took the new job.”
She glanced up at the ceiling. Above her, Griffin was in his bed asleep. She should feel awkward but she didn’t. Okay, maybe a little. “He makes a better fourth impression.” She giggled. “Griff is smart. Witty. A negotiator at heart. Pretty generous. I have his Vanquish at my disposal.”
“Griff huh? Hmmm…”
“Don’t hmmm me. It’s not like that. Besides, he hates dogs.”
“Ooooh. Well…”
Exactly. Emma Kate wasn’t even going to toy with the idea of a romantic relationship with someone who didn’t like canines. They couldn’t be trusted. “Besides, it’s a month long gig. That’s it.” And she wasn’t his type.
“All right. But you never know what the Lord is up to.”
“Not that I don’t love the Lord, but I’m not sure He’s been up to much the past seven or eight years.”
“You know that’s not true.” Briley’s firm voice cut through the line.
Okay, maybe it was Emma Kate who hadn’t been up to much these past years and God was waiting on her to say the word so they could move forward. But moving forward was scary and she was still clinging to her shattered dreams.
Cora Lee was swinging quietly. Peaceful. Sucking her thumb. “Look, Cora Lee is almost asleep so I need to get her back in her bed.”
“Fine. We’ll talk tomorrow night.” She hung up.
She tiptoed upstairs with Cora Lee resting against her. She passed a bathroom, an office, and then a room on the left. She opened the door and switched on the light, shielding Cora Lee’s eyes so she wouldn’t wake.
Whoa.
The room was filled with guitars. Pieces of scrap wood, saw horses, and tools covered the room. Smelled like wood and Griffin. He made guitars? Well, he was a builder. Could he play?
That thought sent her swooning.
She left the room and took a sleeping Cora Lee to the nursery, but the second she lied her down, her head popped up. Great. “Come on kiddo, let’s go get on the couch. Maybe you’ll sleep if we snuggle awhile.” Once she had her in a deep sleep, she’d put her in the crib and head home for a couple hours of shut-eye herself.
Emma Kate grabbed a blanket and cozied her and Cora Lee on the couch. She closed her eyes and prayed she wouldn’t dream. It hurt too much.
Chapter 4
Griffin raised up, grabbed his monitor. Had he slept through Cora waking up? He sprawled out of bed, checked her crib. She wasn’t there. Rubbing sleepy eyes, he hurdled down the stairs and into the living room, skidding to a halt.
Kate and Cora were snuggled up under a blanket from the guest room. Sound asleep. Guess Cora didn’t go back to bed for awhile. Kate had made it clear she wasn’t spending the night. Yet here she was.
Griffin tiptoed into the kitchen, barefoot, and brewed coffee. He eased back into the living room, paused to watch them for a minute. Cora’s pouty bottom lip poked out, making a small O shape. Kate’s slender arm wrapped around her, holding her close. Cora’s hair rustled each time Kate exhaled. Kate was a pretty sleeper, but time was ticking. He couldn’t stand here all day. He rushed upstairs, showered and dressed, choosing the navy blue suit and sky blue dress shirt. Once he was ready for the day, he came back downstairs to sleeping females and went into the kitchen for his coffee.
After pouring his second cup, he heard stirring and glanced up to see a sleepy-eyed Kate drag into the kitchen. He grinned. Half her hair was hanging out of her ponytail and she had a mark across her cheek from the pillow. She didn’t seem to be a morning person.
Griffin was a morning person.
“I smell coffee,” she growled and trudged to the pot.
“I set a cup out for you.” He’d paid attention to her overabundant coffee addiction since she’d become the nanny. Liked it black. Like Griff.
Kate poured a cup and sipped. “I bet I bleed French roast.”
“I bet you do too.”
She turned on him mid-sip. “Sleep tight?”
She might bleed sarcasm too. He held in a chuckle and sipped his coffee. The sunlight streamed in from the breakfast area where he sat, iPad out in front of him. “I did. What happened to not spending the night with strange men?”
“So you admit you’re strange?” She had a little more pep in her voice as she moved to the kitchen island and sat on the bar stool.
He ignored her comment, but held her eye contact. No make-up. Ridiculously wrinkled clothes. Not at all like the women he’d dated. They’d rather put a bag over their heads than let him see them anything less than perfect. Kate was…authentic. It was refreshing.
“I’ll take the silence as yes. She didn’t fall back asleep until after four.”
“Where is she now?”
“I pushed the ottoman up to the couch and put pillows around her. I have some errands to run. Do you mind if I take her with me? I know you have that meeting this morning.”
“Kate, I trust you.” He shrugged. “I mean how can you not trust a woman who makes you aware that you’ve sat in dog pee?”
“Well, in full disclosure, I lied.”
“Well, then forget taking Cora anywhere. You’re fired.” He held a straight face, working not to laugh.
She slipped off the bar stool and pointed at him, sass in her eyes. “I guess I’ll show you how to work the babysling then before I go.”
“Okay, I’m kidding.” He scratched his chin. “But it’s not a bad idea for when I do the pitch. Talk about being serious about family-friendly.”
“You are not exploiting your child for a contract, Griffin Noble. Not on my watch.” She snorted and raised her coffee cup.
Cora Lee wasn’t his child. She was going to end up in a new home. With a good family.
“I saw something last night when I was snooping through your house.”
He chuckled. At least she was honest. “And what would that be Snoopy McSnooper?”
“Your work room. With all the guitars.” She eyed him, curiosity in her eyes.
“I learned to play when I was ten. I built my first guitar when I was sixteen. It’s a hobby.” Making that guitar, and the ones after, had been the best thing he’d ever done. But he’d been expected to build skyscrapers, homes, and resorts which he’d done dutifully. Still hadn’t garnered him approval. Didn’t bring him the quality time with Dad he’d always wanted.
“Interesting hobby. I’m not surprised though. You build things. It’s in your genes, I suppose.”
He’d never looked at it that way. “I suppose it is.”
She moseyed to the table and glanced at his iPad. “Blue prints?”
“Yes. I’ll have to add the doll shop in somewhere.”
“You’re serious about that?” Kate rested her hip on the edge of the table. Griffin rubbed the back of his neck, trying not to gawk at her curves. What was wrong with him? He was a man. Kate was attractive. A woman in every sense of the word. Sweet. Soft. Strong.
“Absolutely. It was a great idea.” The fullness of her lips beckoned him. Good grief, he was acting like he was seventeen again. But he couldn’t tear away from her face.
Kate raised an eyebrow.
Caught.
“I know I look like a disaster.” She mussed with her hair.
“That you do,” he said and closed his iPad. In a powerfully alluring way.
She frowned.
Cora cried.
Kate slid off the edge of the table and hurried into the living room. A few minutes later, she brought her into the kitchen, talking softly, asking if she was hungry. Didn’t look like Cora was a morning person either. She placed her in the high chair next to the table and went back to the counter. “Cereal and fruit time.”
Cora banged
her hands on the high chair and babbled, then caught Griffin’s eye and blew spit bubbles at him. “What? You don’t like fruit?” he asked.
Kate snickered. “I love your baby talk.”
“I love your sarcasm.”
“Good. It’s my first language.” She brought the cereal to the table and put a flowery bib on Cora. “You want to feed her?”
“I’m getting ready to leave.”
“Mmm…hmmm. Men as big and rock solid as you shouldn’t be afraid of babies. Or anything for that matter.”
He’d been telling himself that for years. But he was scared. Of dogs. Of this project not going through. And Kate if he were being honest. She did things to him. Made him feel things he never had. “I’m not afraid. I’m getting my money’s worth.” Griffin rubbed Cora’s head and stood. “I have to go. Be good for Kate.” He looked at Kate and ran his hands across her head, too. Just a feel. Silky but tangled. “And you be good for, Griff.” He winked.
“Neither of us are making any promises, but we’re rooting for you today. You’ve clearly worked hard and smart. You’ll pull out a winner of a resort.” She gave a solid nod and his heart thumped wildly.
So this is what encouragement sounded like.
Kate raised Cora’s hand. “Give Daddy a high-five.”
Griffin froze. “Kate,” he murmured. “I’m not her dad.”
“I beg to differ. She’s nine months old. She lives with you. You’re exactly that to her. And you’re doing a really good job. Taking her in alone shows how much you care. I admire you.” She gave that syrupy smile that connected with him in a way he couldn’t describe. But then he wanted to sink into a hole. If Kate knew the truth, she wouldn’t admire him. She’d think he was a total jackhole.
Swallowing the lump in his throat, he croaked out a simple thank you.
“What time will you be home?”
“I have no idea. Depends on how the day goes.” He grabbed his bag.
“You have a kid now, so keep that in mind.” She pointed an oatmeal laced, purple plastic spoon at him. “Aim for six.”
“You’re bossy.” The look in her eyes and Cora’s tugged at him and he caved. “I’ll try.” That was the best he could do and he didn’t see the point in that. This was all a façade.
Emma Kate cleaned up Griffin’s kitchen, made herself a bagel with strawberry cream cheese, then went upstairs to get Cora Lee dressed. After changing her and packing the diaper bag, she took the jag Griffin had left and headed for her apartment. Griffin surely wouldn’t mind now. If he trusted her with his home and cars, he’d trust her with Cora Lee being around Westley. She hadn’t seen her pooch in twenty-four hours. That was utter neglect.
She toted Cora Lee in her baby carrier up the stairs and unlocked the door. Westley was already barking. He ran to her feet and pawed at her. “I know you missed me, boy.” She hoisted him up as he licked her face. “Where’s Briley?”
“I’m right here. I can’t believe you spent the night!” She spied the carrier and knelt. “Oh, you are the cutest little thing.” She looked up at Emma Kate. “Can I get her out? Please?”
“Of course. And if she likes you, I need a shower.”
“I want deets.”
“He went to bed. I fell asleep on the couch. End of story.”
Briley gently tugged Cora Lee from the carrier. She grinned as Cora Lee grabbed Briley’s lips and squeezed. “She likes people.”
“And what about her uncle? Does he like people?”
Emma Kate rolled her eyes at the innuendo. “I knew you’d make a big deal out of this.”
Briley hugged Cora Lee to her and kissed her cheek.
Emma Kate kicked off her shoes. “I’m not his type. He literally told me that.”
Briley gaped. “Did you come on to him or something?”
“Do I look like that type?” She snorted and held Westley up to Cora Lee. “Can you say Westley?” she baby-talked.
Cora Lee reached out her hand and he licked it. She giggled and grabbed his nose. Emma Kate took her hand and helped her pet Westley. “Gentle. Like this. Remember?” Cora Lee clumsily stroked Westley. “Yeah. Good girl.”
“Okay, he’s not been around kids much so be sure to watch her. I’m going to take a shower.” She put Westley down and headed for the bathroom. A hot shower never felt so good. By the time she got out, wiped the steam from the mirror, and was dressed a cry came from the living room.
Emma Kate rushed in to see Briley kissing Cora Lee’s hand and soothing her.
“What happened?”
“She got a good grip on Westley’s ear and he nipped her. But she’s okay.”
Scooping up Cora Lee, she kissed the small scratch. “Poor baby girl.” She glanced at Westley who was cowering near the recliner. “You have to have patience, little man.” She squatted and Westley crawled to her. She petted him and helped Cora Lee gently stroke him. She squealed with laughter.
“Well, at least she’s not scared,” Briley said.
“She’ll learn and they’ll be fast friends.” Emma Kate guided her hand along his back.
“For a month.” Briley folded her arms. “Emma Kate, don’t get too attached to her. Or him. It’s temporary.”
“I won’t.” But already she’d felt the maternal instinct to snatch up Cora Lee, knowing she could soothe her better than Briley. How could she feel this strongly over a baby in such a short time?
“It’s who you are, Emma Kate. You nurse a broken bird and won’t let it fly away because you love it. You brought home every stray dog and cat as long as I’ve known you. Your heart’s too big.” She sat next to her on the floor. “And that’s not a bad thing. But big hearts hurt big. So please be careful.”
She laid her head against Briley’s. Her own blond hair contrasting to the ebony of Briley’s. What would she have done had Briley not welcomed her into her home when she’d been a broken bird? A stray dog herself. “I’ll be careful.”
After gathering some belongings and an extra change of clothes, just in case, she took Cora Lee for a stroll and came back to Griffin’s.
By six she had enchiladas warming in the oven. The day had gone by and no call from him.
Cora Lee played in her play pen while Emma Kate paced and wondered if she should call Griffin.
No. She wasn’t his mom. Or his girlfriend. She was an employee.
But where was he?
At seven, she fed Cora Lee and ate an enchilada, then put leftovers in the fridge afraid they might dry out in the oven. At nine, she gave Cora Lee a bottle and put her to bed in the crib.
Ten-thirty came and the sound of a door unlocking startled Emma Kate from sleep. She bounced off the couch, disoriented, as Griffin walked into the living room.
He grinned. “How was your day, sleepy head?”
Anger boiled her blood. Not one phone call to check in on Cora Lee. Not even a text to say he wouldn’t make it at six after all. Griffin owed Emma Kate nothing. And for twenty grand she didn’t have the right to blow up his phone and tell him what to do. But all evening she’d seethed on Cora Lee’s behalf.
She stood, arms folded over her chest.
Griffin slowly sat his bag down. He smacked his forehead. “I forgot to call about the meeting with our architects. I think it went well.” He kicked off his shoes. “They liked the doll shop and tea party idea.”
“Griffin, I don’t care about the meeting. You were going to be here at six. You weren’t.”
“You said aim for six. It didn’t happen. We have a ton of work to do before the pitch with Surf N Turf.” He frowned. “I should have called.”
The meeting was a moot point. “Griffin, have you thought about Cora Lee at all today?”
“Yes, of course I have.”
“But you didn’t even call once to check on her. Didn’t even send a quick text. I understand how important your work is. How important you are to the company, but you’re a parent now and she needs to bond with you.”
He raked his h
and through his hair. “I don’t recall me paying you for reprimands. I’m a grown man.”
“Who didn’t even think to call your daughter.”
“Quit calling her that,” he said, his tone soft but firm.
“Why?” She would grow up to call him Dad, having no memories of anyone else. Didn’t he want to be a dad?
“I’m her uncle and…”
She should shut up. Right now. But… “You can’t be a parent, a guardian, if you’re never home. Do you plan to leave her with a nanny all the time? If you do, then you might as well have let her go to foster care. To be adopted by a family who will give her the time she deserves.”
Griffin’s neck flushed. “Well, for once we agree since that is exactly what I’m doing.”
What? Was he joking? His face was sober. “I was running my mouth. I didn’t mean that. You don’t mean that.”
“I do.” He stormed across the foyer and stomped up the stairs.
She chased him straight up, down the hall, and right into his bedroom.
“What are you doing?” he demanded.
She glanced around. Walnut. Earth tones. A few shades of blue. All masculine. Even his king sized headboard. His masculine scent permeated the room. Well, she’d come this far and already said too much. “When did you decide this?”
“The second I found out I had a niece. I work long hours. It’s what I do. I’m leaving in a month to go to St. Thomas and oversee that resort. I’m certain Noble Construction will land it.”
She bit down on her bottom lip and took a deep breath. “So why am I even here? Why is she here getting attached if you only plan to kick her to the curb in a few weeks?”
He narrowed his eyes. “You make it sound worse than it is. I’m working on a trust fund for her. She’ll never want for anything—”
“Except real family! Except you!” How could he do this? “Why did you buy nursery furniture? Toys? Everything? Why?”
Griffin loosened his tie, tossed it on the dresser. “I wasn’t going to take her at all. But I did want to see her. I owed Giselle that.”
Seemed like he owed his sister more than that. Like being a parent to her kid.
Love at First Laugh: Eight Romantic Novellas Filled with Love, Laughter, and Happily Ever After Page 42