Matters of the Heart Read Online Free Page B

much, and don’t
worry, I’ll keep a close eye on her. Any sign of problems and we’ll get her to
the doctor.”
    “I haven’t
taken her for a check-up. Do you think I should?”
    “Probably
a good idea. I can do that for you.”
    “Great. I’ll
make an appointment with Dr. Willougby .”
    There was
silence for a few minutes. Brad crossed his leg over the other and Lucy noticed
him eyeing her over the rim of the mug as he drank the hot chocolate.
    He looked
more handsome than he had in his office the day before. And for the first time
since they’d met, Lucy sensed she might have a tough time keeping business and
pleasure separate.
    “I was
thinking that maybe we can grab something to eat while we’re shopping. There
are a couple of places in the strip mall. Do you cook at all?”
    “I’m great
with breakfast and I also make a mean chili.”
    “And my
specialty is steak on the grill. And yes, I still cook on it during snow
season. And I have takeout menus for just about every eating establishment
within a five-mile radius. Good news is that most of them deliver.”
    She laughed.
“Then I guess we won’t starve.”
    “Nope, have
no fear of that.”
    Presley chose
that moment to wake up screaming.
    Brad got up
and so did Lucy.
    “Sit down,
this is my job now,” she said.
     
     
    ****
    Brad thought
it was of the most beautiful images he’d seen as Lucy came back downstairs
cradling Presley who had miraculously stopped crying.
    “I’ve changed
her but I think she probably needs her bottle. If you want to show me where
everything is, then I can feed her for you.”
    “Sure, it’s
out here in the kitchen.”
    Lucy followed
behind whispering to Presley as she did so.
    “I hope I’ve
been doing everything correctly. I mean mixing the formula and heating it in the
microwave,” said Brad.
    “She looks
the picture of health so I think you have.”
    She handed
him the baby while she set about making the formula. She looked to be an expert
at it, and in what seemed like mere minutes, the bottle was ready, she’d taken
Presley, sat at the table, and his daughter was contently feeding, and wrapping
her fingers around the bottle as she sucked.
    Lucy looked
so at ease as she held his daughter. She’d tied her hair up in a ponytail today
and wore a black sweater and blue jeans. She was gorgeous. But like he’d
assured his daughter, he had it under control. The last person who’d enticed
him between the sheets was Presley’s mom.
    Once bitten, twice shy.
    Lucy chose
that moment to look up at him.
    She smiled.
    His legs grew
weak and his heartbeat picked up to an almost uneasy beat.
    I can’t, I must not… not this time because she
works for me .
    “Did you say
something?” asked Lucy.
    Shit, he
hadn’t said that out loud without noticing, had he?
    He shook his
head.
    “There, she’s
all done.”
    Lucy put the
bottle down and lifted Presley, put her over her shoulder, and rubbed the
baby’s back. She giggled and tugged at Lucy’s hair.
    “Are you
ladies ready to head to the store for some shopping?” asked Brad.
    “I am. How
about you, Presley?” asked Lucy, lifting her up in the air as she giggled
again. “I think that’s a yes, Daddy.”
    He took
Presley while Lucy went upstairs to get her coat, mittens and purse. While he
got ready, she dressed the baby in the snow suit, and by the time he’d returned
she’d placed her in the baby carrier.
    They stepped
onto the front step, and Brad locked the door.
    “When we come
back, why don’t you bring your car into the garage? There’s plenty of room even
when I park the SUV in there.”
    “Are you
sure?”
    He nodded.
“That way you won’t have to shovel snow off it if you want to go out someplace.
And if you do, just let me know. I don’t expect you to be with us 24/7. I mean
if you ever have a date or something.”
    He looked for
any sign or reaction that might indicate that she had a boyfriend. He couldn’t
imagine a pretty girl like her not