Margaret Daley - A Mother for Cindy

Earlier she hadn’t really had time to assess the man who had been partially hidden by his daughter. The impression of anger and the need to get the man and his daughter to safety had been all she had focused on. Now her attention was riveted to him. His rugged features formed a pleasing picture and only confirmed his sense of power—and danger. When she looked into those incredibly dark-brown eyes, she felt lost in a world only occupied by them.

One of his brows arched. “Come to finish me off?”

His deep, raspy voice broke the silence, dragging Jesse away from her thoughts, all centered around him. “No.” She swallowed several times. “No, I brought you and your family some cookies.” She thrust the plate at his chest, nearly sending her offering toppling to the porch at his feet.

With a step back, he glanced down at the plate of cookies.

“They’re chocolate chip,” she added, conscious of the fact that he was now staring at her. Not one hint at what was going on in his mind was revealed in his expression. “I wanted to welcome you to Sweetwater—properly.”

Finally he smiled, deep creases at the corners of his eyes that glinted. The gesture curled her toes and caused her heart to pound a shade faster. My, what a smile! His wife sure was a lucky woman.

“And earlier wasn’t a proper welcome?”

“I’m sorry about not warning you concerning Fred and Ethel. Everyone knows to stay away from my backyard at this time of year. I meant to. But you know how it is. Time got away from me what with the order I needed to fill.” Realizing she was babbling, she clamped her mouth closed, trying not to stare at his potent smile that transformed his face.

“Fred and Ethel are pets?”

“I raised Fred after a pack of wild dogs got his mother and father. A friend gave me Ethel for Fred. He really can be a dear.”

“A dear? I don’t think our definition of a dear is the same.”

Despite his words, amusement sounded in his voice, and Jesse responded with a grin. “Well, not at this time when he’s playing he-goose. You know males and their territory.”

The man laughed. “I suppose I do.” He took the plate and offered her his hand. “I’m Nick Blackburn and I’m sure my daughter and I will enjoy these cookies.”

No wife? Jesse wondered, slipping her hand within his and immediately feeling a warmth flash up her arm from his brief touch. “I’m Jesse Bradshaw. Are you and your daughter going to be here long?”

“Two months.”

She remembered the little girl’s pale face and plea to her father. “Is your daughter okay?”

“Cindy is happy as a lark now that she’s sitting in front of the television set watching her favorite show.”

“How old is she? I have a son who just turned eight.”

“She’ll be seven later this summer.” He stepped to the side. “Please come in.”

When she’d come over to his house, she’d had no intention of staying. She still had that order to complete. “I’d better not. I can see I interrupted your exercises.”

“Your interruption gave me a good reason to call it quits.”

Again she looked him up and down, assessing those hard muscles that could only have come from a great deal of work. He had to exercise a lot or his body wouldn’t be in such perfect shape. She began to imagine him pumping iron, sweat coating his skin. When she peered into his face, she found him staring at her, and she blushed. She didn’t normally go around inspecting men.

“Well, uh,” she stammered, searching her mind for something proper to say, “I’d like to say hello to your daughter and explain about Fred and Ethel.” Jesse stepped through the threshold into his house. She felt like Daniel going into the lion’s den, as though her life were about to change.

“Would you like a cup of coffee or iced tea? I think Boswell made some yesterday.”

“I’ll take a glass of iced tea if it’s not too much trouble.”

He gave her a self-mocking grin. “I’m not great in the kitchen, but I believe I can pour some tea.”

“Is your wife home?” Boy, that was about as subtle as a Mack truck running someone over.

He turned and headed toward the back of the house, still limping slightly. “No, she died.”

“Oh,” Jesse murmured, feeling an immediate kinship with her new neighbor. Her husband had been deceased for the past four years and she still missed him.

She followed Nick into the kitchen and stood by the table. He took two glasses from the cabinets and retrieved a pitcher from the refrigerator. After pouring the tea, he handed her a glass and indicated she take a seat.

He tilted the glass to his mouth and drank deeply of the cold liquid. “This is just what I needed. It’s unseasonably warm for the end of May.”

“Are you from around here?”

“No, Chicago.” He massaged his thigh.

“I noticed you’re favoring your right leg. I hope Fred or Ethel didn’t cause that.”

“No. I just overextended myself while exercising. Sometimes I take my physical therapy a step too far.” He shrugged. “I guess you can’t rush Mother Nature.”

Jesse chuckled. “I agree. Some forces have their own time frame.”

“Like Fred and Ethel.”

“Definitely forces to be reckoned with.”

“Yes, I have a few bruises to prove that.”

“I really am sorry. As I said earlier, I’ve been working hard to finish my latest order and before I realized it, two days had passed since you all moved in. I should have come over that first day and warned you.”

“Well, consider us warned.” Nick sipped some more tea, draining his glass. “Do you want any more?”

Jesse shook her head, realizing she hadn’t drunk very much. She watched him go to the refrigerator and refill his glass. He still favored his right leg. “You said something about physical therapy. Did you have an accident?”

A shadow clouded his dark eyes, making them appear almost black. His jaw tightened into a hard line. “Yes.”

A naturally curious person, Jesse wanted to pursue the topic, but his clipped answer forbade further discussion. “Are you here for a vacation?” she asked instead.

“Yes.” Again a tight thread laced his voice.

“This is a nice place to take a summer vacation. Do you fish?”

“No, never had the time.”

“Maybe Gramps can take you and your daughter out fishing one morning. He loves to show off his gear and favorite spots on the lake.”

Nick didn’t respond. He made his way back to the table and eased down onto the chair across from Jesse. “I’m afraid I’ve lived in the big city all my life. The great outdoors has never appealed to me.”

“Then why did you come to Sweetwater?”

“The Millers are friends of mine. Since they weren’t going to use the house this summer they offered it to me. It met my needs.”

She opened her mouth to ask what needs but immediately pressed her lips together. Nick Blackburn was a private man who she suspected had opened up more in the past fifteen minutes than he usually did. Whereas anyone meeting her for the first time could glean her whole life history if he wanted. She wouldn’t push her luck. Besides, he would be gone in two months.

“Daddy, I’m hungry. When’s Boswell gonna be back?” Cindy asked, entering the kitchen. She came to a halt when she saw Jesse sitting at the table with her father. Her eyes widened, fear shining bright in them.

“Don’t worry. I left Fred and Ethel at home.” Jesse smiled, wanting to wipe the fear from the little girl’s expression. “I came over to bring some cookies and to tell you how sorry I am about my geese this morning. When they’re guarding their nest, they can be extra mean.”

“I just wanted to pet them.” Cindy’s eyes filled with tears. She stayed by the door.