Colton Family Showdown. Regan Black

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СКАЧАТЬ turned toward town, eager to put her car in the rearview until he remembered their next stop wasn’t the office, but the baby store. “You can use one of the ranch trucks while they fix your car,” he said.

      “That’s really generous,” she replied. “I appreciate it.”

      “I gave the garage my phone number.”

      “Oh, I should have thought of that.”

      “It’s not like you won’t be within reach when they call.” His palms itched at another poor choice of words. Admittedly, his new assistant and nanny had a sweet and wholesome beauty. Although they’d be working closely, she couldn’t be within his literal reach. The wayward thoughts only proved he’d gone too long without a date. Forget the sex—the lack of dating let him fall out of the practice of having a casual, appropriate conversation with a woman.

      “Did you bring the nursery list?” he asked. “I still can’t believe I’m doing this.”

      “It’s on my phone,” she replied. “I promise to make it as painless as possible. With the right things on hand, it will be so much easier to care for Baby John. Do you have a budget in mind? Some things on my list are handy, not necessities.”

      “Whatever he needs,” Fox said. “Whatever you want. Don’t worry about the money.”

      “That’s not the only factor.”

      He rolled his shoulders, but the tight muscles wouldn’t loosen. Why would someone drop this kid at his door? “Like you said, I can pass on the gear to the real father when we find him.”

      “Mmm-hmm.”

      “What does that mean?” he demanded as he pulled into a parking space in front of the store. “I’m not good at this.”

      “Talking?” she queried.

      “Yeah.” It was at the top of the list of things he handled poorly.

      Her auburn eyebrows, several shades darker than her hair, scrunched up when she frowned. It was pretty cute instead of intimidating. He should not be noticing those details and he absolutely shouldn’t be charmed by them.

      “You’re great at talking. I’ve seen videos of your lectures.”

      “I can talk horses and genetics until people pass out from boredom. People themselves, small talk and all the rest of it, I’d rather avoid,” he confessed.

      “Wow.” She blinked several times. “That’s... Wow.”

      He decided he didn’t want any clarification on the “wow.” “I’m overtired and overwhelmed.” He took a deep breath. “Like I said, don’t worry about the budget. Let’s just get in there, do what needs done and get back to the ranch.”

      She straightened her shoulders so abruptly he thought she might give him a salute. “Count on me.”

      He carried Baby John in the car seat, hoping that would make it easier for her to gather what she deemed necessary for baby care. He sure didn’t know the difference between one type of bottle and another or the benefit of zipper pajamas over the ones with a thousand snaps.

      The last time he’d been this close to baby gear was when his sister had been expecting. For Wyatt and Bailey, he’d shopped online and had the gift and a gift card delivered to their house. He’d never thought he’d be bringing baby gear into his home.

      He followed Kelsey through the store section by section as she added items to the cart. This wasn’t at all how he’d shop for a baby, given the choice. This wasn’t how he’d do anything, actually. He preferred to research, skim consumer reviews and dig deep into product testing and results. After several minutes of watching her, he realized she wasn’t just shopping according to her list. She seemed to be mentally going through her anticipation of Baby John’s day. She chose more bottles, similar to what had been dropped off with him. She found diapers in his size and picked up a box of the next size up. They had a quick debate about the convenience and necessity of a changing table. He finally agreed because it looked like the shelves would be a good place to stow the baby’s supplies.

      Cruising through the bedding options, she turned to him. “I don’t think you should invest in a real crib and he’s too big for a cradle.”

      “You want to keep him in the hay bin?”

      “No.” She drew out the word and then her rosy lips pursed. “I’m thinking one of these things.”

      He belatedly realized they were standing in front of a display of portable cribs that boasted all sorts of features and colors. He wanted to cover his eyes or run away.

      “It’s safe, removes the hassle of assembling a real crib and we can take it to and from the office. Also saves you money and a potential fight later.”

      “Fight?” What the hell was she talking about?

      “Well, the safe bet is that someday your wife will want to decorate a nursery without hand-me-downs.”

      “I’m not married.” Wives typically expected children and he had no intention of taking that leap.

      Kelsey cocked her head. “Not now. I just...”

      He latched onto the more immediate concern of having the baby in the office. “Get two,” he said brusquely. “One for the nursery and one for the office. We’ll get tired of packing up that thing and hauling it up and down the stairs.”

      Her lips parted and closed. “Okay. Do you have a color preference?”

      “Lady’s choice.”

      “All right.”

      As she turned around to study the options, he studied the mass of glossy, rose-gold hair that was twisted into a bun and secured just above the column of her neck. Her skin reminded him of sweet cream. He yanked his gaze back to the chubby-cheeked baby.

      Kelsey chose two sales tags from the display and moved on without another word. Surely they had enough by now. He was wrong. She paused in an aisle filled with bright colors and happy babies pictured in and around various bath seats. What fresh hell would he be asked about now?

      To his immense relief, she made her choice without quizzing him. She selected towels and washcloths, soap and lotion. He saw a hooded towel with a goofy horse face and added it to the cart. She didn’t notice.

      “Do you have a rocking chair?” she asked as they walked by a row of over twenty rockers in various colors and fabrics and styles.

      “If you count the one on the porch,” he said. “I can clean it up for you.”

      “That works. Thanks.”

      He noticed the way her hand lovingly caressed a glider with simple curves in a clear, walnut stain. It reminded him of an antique bentwood rocker, despite the bold daisy-print cushions.

      “Bailey obsessed about the rocker in her nursery,” he said. He spotted a glossy white finish with a jungle-print fabric. “I think that’s the one she chose.”

      Kelsey СКАЧАТЬ