Teresa Southwick - From Maverick to Daddy

Caleb found the grill on the wooden deck just outside the kitchen’s sliding glass door. After lighting it, he cleaned and prepped the grill.

Lily came outside. “Can I watch?”

“Sure. Just don’t get too close and burn yourself.”

“I won’t.”

He threw the meat on and closed the lid, waiting for the sizzling and smoking to start. In spite of his teasing, very little skill was involved in cooking burgers and Lily kept up a running commentary while he flipped and checked. There was a time when he’d have thought all the chatter would make his ears hurt, but she was sweet and funny and cute as could be.

When the patties were cooked all the way through, he put them on a plate. Lily opened the slider and he brought everything inside, then set it on the table. “Mission accomplished.”

“Smells good. Mmm.” Mallory closed her eyes and drew in a breath. “I’m starving.”

Caleb drew in a breath, too, but for different reasons. The realization hit him like a wrecking ball that he was hungry, too. But it had nothing to do with food and everything to do with thoughts of her that he couldn’t seem to shut down. This was getting more complicated than he’d expected. The dinner invitation had caught him off guard. That was the only explanation for why he’d accepted. On the drive over he’d rationalized that it wouldn’t be a problem. He’d been wrong.

Now he needed to get out as soon as possible. Right after dinner, if possible.

“I think we’re ready. Lily, did you wash your hands?” Mallory looked at the little girl, the mom look Caleb remembered from his own childhood when no rebellion would be tolerated.

“I’ll do it now.” She went to the kitchen sink and stood on tiptoe to do as ordered.

When she was finished they all sat at the table and put the stuff they wanted on their burgers. Caleb wolfed his down, but Mallory and Lily ate at a snail’s pace. That probably had something to do with all the talking. Sharing details about the day. What they were going to do over the weekend.

In his little house not too far from the ranch, mostly he ate dinner by himself. Sometimes there was a woman, but he could truthfully say there were no children. This was new and felt as different as walking on the moon.

Finally the two of them had eaten until stuffed and he was nearly home free. He would wait an appropriate amount of time, then plead an early start to his day tomorrow before taking his leave. It was only polite to help with cleanup, so he and Lily cleared the table while Mallory put away leftovers. Plates and utensils were stacked in the dishwasher and counters cleaned off. He was about to say good-night when Lily clapped her hands.

“I have an idea. We should play a game.” She looked at her aunt. “It’s not bedtime.”

“You’re right. What game did you have in mind?” Mallory asked.

“Caleb, do you like word games? Like Scrabble? Aunt Mallory just taught me to play and it’s my favorite!”

He’d been told he was pretty good with words, but that had to do with charming the ladies, not keeping score and tallying up the numbers on tiles. The thing was, if he said no, she would come up with something else. Best to tell the truth, then follow that quickly with how disappointed he was that he couldn’t stay.

“I do like word games,” he said, “but—”

“Me, too.” Sheer joy and excitement glowed on Lily’s face. “I’ll go get the game.”

After she raced out of the room, Mallory met his gaze. “Seriously, Caleb, you don’t have to play.”

There was something in her eyes, an expression that said she expected him to go, was ready for him to let them down.

It was the damnedest thing, but now he just couldn’t do it. “That’s okay. I’d really like to stay if that’s all right.”

The corners of her mouth slowly curved upward into a smile. “She’d really like it if you did.”

An hour and a half later, Caleb shook his head after losing badly. “Lily, I think you cheat.”

“No.” But there was mischief in her eyes.

“You make words up,” he accused.

“Maybe,” Mallory said smiling sweetly, “you’re better at grilling burgers than Scrabble.”

“You’re probably right.” He stood and headed for the front door. “I really need to get going. Work starts early on a ranch.”

“Could I help sometime?” Lily begged.

“That’s a conversation for another day,” her aunt interjected. “It’s time to get ready for bed. Say good-night to Caleb and get started, ladybug.”

“Okay.” She threw her arms around him in a hug, then looked up. “Good night. Thanks for coming to dinner.”

“Thanks for having me.”

After the little girl headed down the hall, Mallory opened the door and leaned against it. “That meant a lot to her, Caleb. It was nice of you.”

“I had a great time. In spite of the fact that your niece cheats.”

“Competitive and ruthless.” She laughed. “It was very sweet of you to humor her. Thanks, Caleb. Good night.”

“’Night.” He put his hat on, then stepped out onto the porch.

The door closed behind him and he had the strangest feeling. He’d been antsy to get going and now that he had it felt like being out in the cold. In the end he’d really enjoyed himself, except the part where he kept thinking about Mallory without her clothes on.

That was damned inconvenient.

* * *

Every other Friday after work, Mallory took Lily to Bee’s Beauty Parlor for a pedicure—special girl time. Sally Cameron, the operator who always did their toes, was somewhere in her twenties, a pretty brunette with big green eyes. She always knew the latest Rust Creek Falls gossip about what couple just broke up and who was going out with who. Although Mallory had told her sad story about getting dumped two years before, Sally never quite believed she wasn’t interested in dating.

She and Lily were lounging side by side in the big chairs, dangling their feet in warm, swirling water. Sitting on a low stool, Sally leaned over Lily’s foot. Apparently the signal for spilling news was when she lifted the little girl’s foot out of the water and started to remove the old polish.

“So what’s new with you, cutie?”

“I get to ride a horse,” she announced proudly.

“That’s not for sure,” Mallory reminded her.

“Almost for sure.” There was no raining on this child’s parade. “Travis said I could and he owns the ranch.”

“Travis Dalton?” Sally asked.

“Yes,” Lily said eagerly. “Aunt Mallory works for his dad and he invited us to dinner. We met everyone. Mary, his wife, and Lani and Lindsay and Anderson. He’s the oldest and always looks like this.” She sat up straight and folded her arms over her chest, then put on a very serious face.

Mallory laughed. “He’s awfully good-looking but does come across a little stern. I suppose it comes with the territory—being the oldest, responsible and in charge of ranch operations.”

“Think about it.” Sally was using nail clippers and didn’t look up. “He’s not only got to ride herd on horses, cattle and other ranch employees, but also Travis and Caleb.” She looked up for a moment. “Don’t get me wrong. Those two are really good at their jobs, but younger brothers are always going to challenge your authority. They look for any weakness, then take advantage.”

To get comfortable, Lily shifted in the big leather chair. “I met Caleb first at where Aunt Mallory works.”

Mallory was still trying to forget what her niece had said to him that day. “He was there to take his father out for a beer.”

“Then,” Lily went on, “at his dad’s house I met Travis.”

Sally was using the file to smooth rough edges. “He’s my personal favorite. What with all the women flocking here to Rust Creek, I keep waiting to hear someone has snatched him up. A shotgun wedding wouldn’t be a surprise. Or an elopement. So far, nothing.”