“You need to stop worrying,” Anna said, coming up behind her. “He’s fine outside, and there’s an alarm on the gate if someone tries to get in without a security code.” She smiled. “At first I thought it was overkill, but the first time Kaitlyn tried to scale the fence, we knew it was a great investment.”
“I’ll bet.”
Anna looked around the room and then faced Teagan again. “Is it possible we’re done? We really got it all set up with time to spare?”
“It looks that way,” she replied, smiling.
“So I meant to call before you came over, but the morning sort of got away from me,” Anna said.
“What’s up?”
“Tonight, Connor—Hugh and Aubrey’s son?—he’s sleeping over along with Aidan and Zoe’s daughter Lily. We were wondering if maybe Lucas wanted to sleep over too.”
Her eyes went wide. A sleepover? Other than staying with his grandparents, Lucas had never had one of those before. “Um…”
“It’s okay if you say no. I completely get it. I mean, you know us, but you don’t really know us,” Anna quickly explained. “We just thought it would be fun. We adore Lucas and he and Kaitlyn pal around a lot, so we figured a sleepover with all of the older cousins could be fun.”
It did sound fun and she had a feeling Lucas would love it.
“Just think about it, okay?”
She nodded and stepped outside, and couldn’t help but smile as she heard her son laughing off in the distance. The backyard was huge, with a massive jungle gym in the corner and a large grassy area for the kids to run around in. It was like a children’s nirvana. As she continued to look around, her uncle came up beside her, kissing her on the temple.
“How are you today? Have we exhausted you yet?” he teased.
“Not yet, but I have a feeling it won’t be long.”
He laughed. Ian Shaughnessy was an extremely mild-mannered man—so much the opposite of her father—and she had missed him all these years they’d lived so far apart. “You’ve got quite the large family, Uncle Ian. How do you keep up with all of them?”
Smiling, Ian said, “It certainly isn’t easy. Luckily, we’re not together all the time, so I have some time to get to know each of the grandkids one-on-one. Even so, I still get them mixed up sometimes, and they all laugh at me. And I don’t mind one bit.”
She hugged him. “You’re a very lucky man.”
“Well, I don’t know about luck, but I know I’m blessed.” He paused and looked out at the yard and watched as Lucas, Kaitlyn, and Brian ran by. “Boundless energy. I wish we could bottle some of it and keep it for when we’re older, like me.”
“That would be nice.”
“So what about you, sweet girl? How are you doing? Have you settled in?”
She nodded. “I have. The house is wonderful and I think we’ve finally unpacked and managed to get everything just the way we want it.”
“Good for you!”
“I’m feeling a little restless though. Summer vacation tends to do that to me. Part of me wishes I had a small part-time job or something to keep busy, but I think this particular summer it’s important for me to be home with Lucas. This move was a big thing for both of us and we’ll both be starting school soon, so…I’m trying to make the most out of our last bits of free time.”
“That’s smart. But remember to take some time for yourself too.” He pointed to where the kids were playing on the jungle gym. “Sometimes it’s okay for kids to play without having their parents right on top of them.”
She nodded, because she understood exactly what he was saying, and thought about Anna’s offer for a sleepover. It would be nice to have the night to herself. She could go home and take a nice hot shower, enjoy a glass of wine out on the back deck, and look up at the stars. Of course, in a perfect world she’d have a giant, spa-like tub to relax in and then someone to curl up in bed with who would—
Stop it! Where the hell had that thought even come from? Teagan had long ago given up on that kind of romantic fantasy. It wasn’t going to happen for her for a very long time, if ever. She’d had her chance, it had been taken away from her, and now this was her life. She was a single mother and there was no room for romance in her life right now. She didn’t even read romances, so why was she suddenly imagining a night with a man beside her?
Out of the corner of her eye she spotted the exact reason why.
Bobby Hannigan.
He strolled into the backyard and all the kids ran over to him—including hers. He scooped them up one by one as he placed a giant blue gift bag down on the ground. She felt herself holding her breath as she watched Lucas talking to him, gesturing wildly. He was no doubt telling Bobby about how much he’d been practicing his T-ball skills. Bobby’s face lit up as he listened, and she knew she was in deep. A ridiculously attractive man who was good with kids? He was practically catnip.
Her uncle gently cleared this throat. “I’ll go see what else my son needs help with. No doubt everyone’s going to start arriving soon.” He kissed her cheek and walked away but Teagan barely noticed.
As if he sensed her stare, Bobby turned to her and smiled. Her stomach felt like it was full of butterflies, and she knew she was blushing because he’d caught her.
And man, did she want to be caught.
Stop it! She had to stop herself from rolling her eyes. This was crazy. So what if he was good-looking? She’d met plenty of good-looking men before, a lot of them since Logan had died. Why was this particular man causing her to act like a hormone-crazed teenager?
Because never mind sex, you haven’t even felt a man’s touch in six years.
Oh, right. That.
“Mom! Mom! Did you hear? Did you hear?” Lucas cried as he ran toward her. She pulled her gaze from Bobby’s and smiled down at her son.
“Hear what, baby?”
“Everyone’s sleeping over tonight! Like, everyone! And Kaitlyn said I could too!”
Nodding, she forced herself to keep smiling. “I was just talking to Anna about that a few minutes ago. We’d have to go home and get you some pajamas and a change of clothes. I’m sure we could—”
“Can’t you do it?” he begged. “I don’t want to leave the party! And can you bring back my T-ball stand? I want to show Bobby how good I’ve gotten and how I always wait for you to tell me it’s okay to hit the ball when we’re playing together. And how I haven’t hit you or anyone in the face ever again! Can you? Please?”
He was breathless by the time he finished his entire speech, and she simply nodded.
“Thanks, Mom! You’re the best!” Then he gave her quick and powerful hug before saying, “I love you!” and running away.
And it was those little phrases that made it all worth it. She’d sneak out at some point to go pick up his stuff and bring it back. Then she’d plan on what she was going to do with all of her alone time tonight.
“Hey,” Bobby said as he approached her.
So many images flashed in her mind of how she’d like to spend her alone time with him, but she kept them to herself.
Painful though it was.
“Hey,” she replied, hoping she sounded casual and not at all breathless.
“So, Lucas says he’s been practicing hitting the ball while not hitting anyone in the face.” He was grinning and Teagan couldn’t help but laugh.
“It’s true. If anything, he’s overly cautious and asks me at least three times if I’m ready and watching the ball.”
He chuckled with her. “I’m glad he’s taking it all so seriously.”
“Believe me, he is. He’s going to sleep over here tonight with all the kids and asked if I could bring his T-ball stand back with me so he can show you all the progress he’s made.” She said it lightly, conversationally, but she noticed his expression change. Heated. She swallowed and tried not to think t
oo much about why. “So, um…yeah. You can expect a full presentation sometime later. Be prepared.”
Nodding, he took a step closer. “I think Quinn may already have a T-ball stand here. You should ask him.”
Her heart was beating like mad and she had to fight the urge to move in closer and touch him. “Thanks. I—I will.” She paused. “But I still need to run home and get him pajamas and a change of clothes.”
They stood like that, and even though Teagan knew people were arriving and there were suddenly more voices in the yard than there’d been just a minute ago, she couldn’t make herself move.
It wasn’t until Anna came up behind her and said hello to her brother that the spell was broken. Embarrassed and more than a little self-conscious, she excused herself and went to see if her parents had arrived.
Fortunately, they had, and it was the perfect armor to keep around her to keep from gravitating back toward wherever Bobby was. Not that she wasn’t aware of his every move. It was like she was suddenly hypersensitive to his presence. After a little while, however, sitting and talking to her cousins, it was easier to get distracted and not think about him.
Her rock star cousin Riley was here, and she found herself sitting with him and his lovely wife, Savannah. He introduced her to his two kids, who immediately took off to go play with their cousins, before he spent time catching up, telling her about the tour he was on right now with his band, Shaughnessy. The only reason he was able to come to the birthday party was because the band had a week off.
“We’re going to be in Myrtle Beach in a couple of weeks, if you want to come to the show,” Riley said.
“You really should try to make it,” Savannah chimed in. “It’s an amazing venue and the band has never sounded better.” She smiled at her husband and Teagan almost felt like she was interrupting a private moment.
“Um, that would be great, but I think Lucas is a little young for me to take to a concert. Since it’s out of town, I’m not sure what I’d do with him for the night.”
Riley grinned. “There’s never a shortage of babysitters in this family, and trust me, I’m old news to them. They don’t come to my local shows anymore.”
“Really? I find that hard to believe,” she commented.
“It’s true. They all came to our show in Raleigh at the beginning of the tour. We had a team of babysitters at the hotel for all the kids. But this time, I don’t think anyone’s planning on coming, so you’d have your pick of cousins to take Lucas for the night. Or maybe your parents wouldn’t mind.”
Teagan wondered if her parents would be interested in seeing their nephew perform in concert and thought they might enjoy it. Not that she’d ever known them to go to rock concerts, but you never knew. Maybe they’d make an exception this time.
“So what do you say, Teagan? Can I put you on the list?”
“What list?”
She looked up and saw it was Bobby asking the question. So much for her radar knowing where he was at all times. He stood right behind her chair and she could feel the heat of his body. She wanted to rest her head back on him or maybe have him put his hand on her shoulder. Something, anything to have some contact.
She was losing her mind. It was the only explanation.
“I was inviting Teagan to the show next month in Myrtle Beach,” Riley said and then his eyes lit up. “Hey, you’re coming to the show, aren’t you?” he asked Bobby.
“I’d planned on it. I mean, as long as I can get some VIP seats.”
Riley laughed. “Dude, anytime. I’ve told you that a million times. But what I was getting at was maybe you could bring Teagan with you. I was just telling her how I’m old news to everyone here and no one’s planning on going to the show. So maybe you could bring her with you so she isn’t going alone.”
“Oh, Riley, that’s not necessary,” Teagan quickly said. “I’m sure—”
“Not a problem,” Bobby interrupted. “I would love to take Teagan to her first Shaughnessy concert.”
She glanced up at him and saw him grinning. Shifting awkwardly in her chair, she forced herself to smile at her cousin. “Actually, I was going to see if my parents were interested, since they’ve never seen you in concert either.”
Bobby’s hand rested on the back of her chair and she could feel his knuckles grazing her shoulder.
“Not a problem,” Riley said, oblivious to her inner turmoil. “I’m sure Bobby would totally be a tour guide to the whole family, right?”
“Absolutely,” he agreed and after that, Teagan had no idea how to get out of the entire situation. She’d talk to Bobby about it when the time got closer, but she didn’t want him to feel obliged to take her anywhere.
Liar.
After that, the party got into full swing, and everyone was eating, talking, and chasing after kids. It was a madhouse, but it was more fun than she could remember having at a kid’s party. There was enough food to feed them all twice, and once all the leftovers were put away, she decided it was the perfect time to run home.
Finding Anna in a sea of Shaughnessys, she tapped her on the shoulder. “If your offer still stands, Lucas would love to sleep over tonight.”
“Oh yay!” Anna cried, hugging her. “I’m so glad!”
“Since we just finished eating and it’s going to be a while before we have cake, I figured now was a good time to sneak out and get his things. Is that all right?”
“Absolutely! And just bring a pillow for him. We have a ton of sleeping bags for him to choose from.”
“Awesome. Thanks!” And with a wave, Teagan made her way through the yard to let Lucas know she’d be back soon, stopping and saying a quick word to everyone before finding her parents so they could keep an eye on Lucas while she was gone.
By the time she reached the gate, she was relieved to finally have some peace and quiet. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d talked so much. Taking a moment to just breathe, Teagan made a mental list of everything she needed to pack for her son—pajamas, a change of clothes, underwear, socks, his pillow, toothbrush and toothpaste, and his T-ball stand. Yeah, that one might not make it back. There was no way they needed to add more activity to the backyard today.
Feeling confident that she had a plan, she walked around to the front of the house and frowned.
Her car was blocked by three other cars.
Cursing herself for not parking on the street earlier, she wondered where her parents were parked. Maybe she could just go grab their keys and take their car. After scanning the driveway and the block, she didn’t see it. And then she realized why—they lived only a couple of blocks away. No doubt they’d just walked over. Still, she could get their keys, walk to their house and…
This was getting way more complicated by the minute.
“Problem?”
Turning, she saw Bobby coming around the side of the house toward her. “Uh…” She shook her head and couldn’t hold back a small laugh. “I need to run home and get Lucas’s stuff, but my car’s blocked. Then I figured I’d just take my parents’ car, but they walked. After that, I was thinking I’d walk to their house and get their car but…”
“Seems like a bit much,” he said, laughing with her. “C’mon. I’m parked right over there. We won’t have to bother anyone and we can get back faster than if you walked to you parents’ place.”
While she knew he was right, she wasn’t sure this was a better solution.
Before she could voice her concerns, Bobby was already across the yard and walking to his truck. The last thing she wanted was to seem ungrateful, and she certainly didn’t want to be gone too long and miss singing happy birthday to Brian, so…
“Teagan? You coming?”
Nodding, she made her way over to him. “I guess I am,” she murmured, more to herself than anyone else, and prayed things didn’t get awkward.
Chapter 5
All day. All day he’d been watching her move around the yard talking to people, smiling at everyone, and he’d nearly gone out of his mind. When he’d found her talking with Riley and Savannah, just standing behind her had been torture. Something had to give—and soon—because he felt like he was slowly going insane.
They were halfway to Teagan’s house when she finally spoke. “I really appreciate you doing this. I feel bad for taking you away from your nephew’s birthday party.”
He shrugged. “It’s not a big deal. There are so many people there, I’m sure Brian won’t even notice I’m gone. He has four other uncles there to distract him, if need be.”
“It’s so weird to me.”
“What is?” he asked, looking over at her. God, she was beautiful. She was wearing a pair of white capris and a teal-blue halter top, and with all that skin showing, she was beyond tempting.
“Having so many relatives so close by,” she said, staring out the window. “I always knew I had all these cousins, but because we were always moving and traveling, I barely remembered what it was like to be around all of them.”
“What about on your mom’s side of the family? Do you have a lot of relatives there?”
She shook her head. “Not really. My mom has one sister who has two sons and we haven’t seen them in years. They live up in Michigan and don’t like to travel.”
“Well, that sucks.”
“It does.” Then she turned and looked at him. “But they were never as fun as the Shaughnessy side of the family. Every time we got together with that crowd, we had the best time. We went on several vacations with them to Myrtle Beach and to me it was more fun than going to Disneyland.”
He chuckled, because he knew what she meant. For as long as he’d known the Shaughnessys, they just had a way of making even the most mundane things entertaining. It was a gift that he realized he’d never really appreciated the way he should have.
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