Daddy in the Making. Crystal Green

      â€œSomewhat.” His brow furrowed, as if he were on the edge of saying or thinking something that wasn’t quite gelling for him. “I could really use more of your help, though. You seem to be some kind of key for me.” He added that devastating smile that had gotten her into bed in the first place. “What do you say?”

      That smile tugged at her so hard that she had to grip the counter.

      He added, “There’d even be a good dinner it in for you after you finish with work.”

      â€œThen you’ll go home?”

      He laughed. “I made arrangements this morning to take some time off from the ranch, so I’m not in any hurry. But I swear I won’t bother you anymore after this. I’d just like to wander around town, see if there’s anything else here that’ll tweak my brain.”

      â€œGoody.”

      He ignored her sarcasm. “Don’t tell me you’re not free tonight, Rita. I was sitting right here when your sister said she’d be having a slumber party with Kristy.”

      Shoot. Kim had mentioned the aunt/niece outing right in front of him. But there were a million other excuses to get out of this—like her final dress fitting for Vi’s wedding early tomorrow, for one. Resting her tired feet, for another.

      Yet … She touched her belly. A baby. His baby. Maybe she owed him or her one dinner with the father, just for some closure and a chance to tell him the truth—if she could bring herself to do it.

      She gripped the counter even tighter with her free hand. Thing was, she didn’t trust herself around this man. Whenever he was within range, her blood heated, her heart twirled, her body urged her to do things she shouldn’t even be dreaming of repeating with him.

      Ground rules. Maybe she should just make some for him and for her.

      â€œIf we had dinner tonight,” she said, “it wouldn’t be anything …”

      â€œRomantic?” He nodded. “I understand.”

      She couldn’t decipher his expression, but the sinking sensation in her chest was real easy to read. Had she actually expected him to beg her to take up where they’d left off? He had to be just as wary of coming back to face her as she was to see him, and just because he was here didn’t mean he …

      Well, that he remembered that night and the connection she’d thought they had, even just after several hours together.

      He backed away from the counter, seemingly satisfied now. While putting his hat back on, he said, “What time’s good for you?”

      It’d been a long while since she’d gotten ready to go out socially after work, so she calculated quickly. “Six?”

      â€œSix it is.”

      â€œThere’s a good fish shack by Dempsy Lake, south of town. The Levee, they call it.” It was very public, although a little bit off the beaten track in St. Valentine itself, and usually populated by families during the afternoons she’d been there.

      â€œSounds good.” He sent her that grin again.

      As he tipped his hat to her and went out the doorway, she held her breath.

      And, for the rest of the day, it felt as if she never let it go.