“You’re free from the bondage of the stroller. Enjoy yourselves.” She narrowed her eyes. “Just don’t start crawling or anything. Okay? Let’s see what else is in the bag.”
Unfortunately, not much. She used up the small container of Cheerios within the first fifteen minutes and fifteen minutes after that, both boys had lost interest in the small set of blocks. She pulled out a musical toy and helped them work that over for several minutes.
Peekaboo killed a few more minutes, but then Bridget started to feel a little panicky. She needed more snacks and toys if she was going to keep the little darlings entertained. Grabbing some blank paper from Ryder’s desk, she gave each boy a sheet.
Travis immediately put it in his mouth.
“Let’s try something else,” she said and crumpled the paper.
He smiled as if he liked the idea. Great, she thought. More paper. She crumpled a few sheets into a ball and tossed it at them. They loved that. They threw paper all over the room.
After a few more minutes, Travis began to fuss, stuffing his fist in his mouth.
“Hungry?” It would help so much if they could tell her what they needed. Luckily two bottles were also stuffed in the bag. She pulled out one and began to feed Travis. Tyler’s face crumpled and he began to cry.
“Great, great,” she muttered and awkwardly situated both boys on her lap as she fed them both their bottles.
They drained them in no time. Travis burped on her dress.
Bridget grimaced. A second later, Tyler gave her the same favor.
At least they weren’t crying, she thought, but then she sniffed, noticing an unpleasant odor. A quick check revealed Travis had left a deposit in his diaper.
Ryder opened the door to his office prepared for screaming, crying, accusations from Bridget. Instead the boys were sprawled across her lap while she sang a medical magazine to the tune of Frère Jacques. He had to admit it was pretty inventive. His office looked like a disaster zone with papers strewn everywhere and he smelled the familiar, distinct scent of dirty diapers. He must have wrinkled his nose.
She did the same. “I didn’t think it would be considerate to toss the diapers into the hallway, so they’re in the trash can. I bundled them up as best as I could.”
The boys looked safe and content. That was what was important. “It looks like you had a good time.”
“Not bad,” she said with a smile. “Considering my resources. You’re really not set up for babies here.”
“I can’t agree more,” he said and snatched up a few wads of paper. “What were you doing?”
“Playing ball with paper. It worked until Travis was determined to eat it.” She gingerly lifted one of the boys in Ryder’s direction. “So, when do we have our discussion?”
He tucked Tyler into the stroller and followed with Travis. Ryder was tempted to name a time next year but knew that wouldn’t be fair. Better to get it over with. “Tonight, at my house,” he said. “Do you like Chinese?”
“I prefer Italian or Mediterranean,” she said, frowning as she rose to her feet. “At your house?”
“It’s the one and only time I can guarantee for the foreseeable future.”
She sighed. “It’s not what I hoped for. How am I going to have your undivided attention?”
“Maybe we’ll get lucky and they’ll go to sleep,” he said.
Four hours later, Bridget could barely remember what she’d said or eaten for dinner. The boys had taken a nap in the car on the way home and woken up cranky. She suspected they hadn’t gotten enough of an afternoon nap. Although she resented the fact that she wasn’t getting Ryder’s undivided attention during their discussion, she couldn’t really blame him. In fact, despite the fact that he was clearly a strong man, she could tell that caring for the twins was wearing on him. He loved them and would protect them with his life, but the man needed consistent help.
It was close to eleven before the twins truly settled down.
“I’d offer you a ride to wherever you’re staying, but I can’t pull the boys out of bed again,” he said, after he had made the trip up and down the stairs five times.
His eyes filled with weariness, he raked a hand through his hair. Her heart tugged at his quandary. The urge to help, to fix, was overwhelming. “My security is always close by. He can collect me. It’s no problem.”
“I keep forgetting you’re a princess,” he said.
“Maybe it’s the baby formula on my dress,” she said drily.
“Maybe,” he said, meeting her gaze. The moment swelled between them.
Bridget felt her chest grow tight and took a breath to alleviate the sensation.
“I’m sure you’re tired. You could stay here if you want,” he offered. “I have a guest room and bath.”
Bridget blinked. She was tired, but staying here? “I don’t have a change of clothes.”
He shrugged. “I can give you a shirt to sleep in.”
The prospect of sleeping in Ryder’s shirt was wickedly seductive. Plus, she was tired. “I’d like to get your nanny situation in order for you.”
“That would be a dream come true,” he said. “Everything I’ve done so far hasn’t worked.”
“There may be a fee for an agency,” she said. “I’m not sure how it works here. I’ll have to ask my sister.”
“I took the first and second suggestions that were given to me and they didn’t pan out. It’s imperative that I have excellent care for the boys.”
“I can see that,” she said. “But do you also realize that you will have to make some adjustments as time goes on? Later, there will be sports and school activities where parents are expected to attend.” Bridget remembered that neither of her parents had attended her school activities. Occasionally a nanny had shown up, but never her parents. “Have you figured out how you’ll address that?”
He frowned thoughtfully. “I haven’t figured out much. I haven’t had custody very long. It’s still a shock to all of us. I know the boys miss their mother and father, but they can’t express it. I hate the loss for them. And I’m not sure I’m such a great choice as a parent. I’ve been totally dedicated to my career since I entered med school. Add to that how I’ve been filling in for Dr. Walters and it’s tough. I don’t want to let down my residents or the twins.”
Bridget studied Ryder for a long moment. “Are you sure you want to step in as their father? There are other options. There are people who would love to welcome the boys into their—”
“The boys are mine,” he said, his jaw locking in resolution. “It may take me some time, but I’ll figure it out. The boys are important to me. I held them minutes after they were born. I would do anything for them. We’ve just all been thrown a loop. We’re all dealing with the loss of my brother and sister-in-law. I will be there for them. I will be.”
She nodded slowly. “Okay. I’ll try to help you with your nanny situation.”
He paused and the electricity and emotion that flowed between them snapped and crackled. “Thank you.”
She nodded. “It’s late. I may need to borrow one of your shirts and I should talk to my security.”
“No problem,” he said, but the way he looked at her made her feel as if he’d much prefer she share his bed instead of taking the guest bed alone.
Bridget took a quick shower and brushed her teeth with the toothbrush Ryder supplied. Pushing her hands through the sleeves of the shirt he left in the guest bedroom