Pixie immediately got the hint. She took a seat at the table and turned the paper toward him. “Cort said you already sent the down payment and the prorated rent for the first month, so all I need is your ID, and then if you’ll sign here, I’ll give you the basic rundown and leave you with the keys.”
Brogan knew he’d chased her off, but he’d tackle that issue another time. Right now, he needed to unload the car and get Shayna settled.
He held the baby close and withdrew his driver’s license from his wallet.
Pixie was quick to confirm his ID. After he’d signed the paper and she’d put it in her purse, she sent a worried glance toward the baby. “Do you need help bringing a few things inside?”
“I’ve got it, thanks.”
“You’re sure? I wouldn’t mind …”
She had her face turned up to his while she nervously twirled two fingers in her long pale hair. Damn, he wanted to spill his guts, to tell her the important role she could play in Shayna’s life. Now was definitely not the time, though, not if he wanted full success. “I appreciate the offer, Pixie. Really, thank you. Right now, I think I just want to get my bearings.”
Still, she hesitated.
He smiled. “I promise, we’ll be fine for tonight. How about tomorrow you stop by and give me that rundown, maybe tell me a little about the town and where to find what?”
Nodding, she said, “Sure. Will noon work?” Without waiting for his agreement, she said, “Emergency numbers are on the fridge. I’m going to add my number real quick, just in case something comes up.” Using the pen she’d given him to sign the four-month agreement, she jotted a number at the bottomof a long list that included police, fire department, hospital, and food delivery. As she hurriedly turned away to head for the door, she said, “Remote is with the TV. Outside lights are automatic, dusk to dawn. Hot water doesn’t last too long, which is something I found out the hard way, so you might want to shower before doing any laundry. Oh, and Cort likes to make sure the basics are already in the kitchen cupboards, and some necessities are in the fridge. If you need anything else before noon tomorrow, just let me know.”
After saying all that, she practically clamped her mouth shut and rushed off as if being chased.
In case he’d somehow made her uncomfortable, he trailed more slowly behind her. The last thing he wanted from her was wariness.
“See you tomorrow,” he said as she all but jogged to her van.
With a careless wave, she got in the vehicle and left.
Brogan stood there with the baby in his arms and watched as her taillights went down the road, then turned into another driveway. She was nearby, yet there was some property between them. A nice arrangement.
Presumptuous as it might be, he already imagined Pixie in their future, his and Shayna’s. She had a good heart; that much was clear. She wouldn’t deny them.
The only problem might be Cort. Pixie was obviously close to the man. Because Cort had a military background, he was bound to be protective. That meant he wouldn’t like Brogan’s plans.
The baby stirred, rubbing her button nose against his shirt, stretching a bit, then settling in again. He decided he’d deal with the issue of Cort when it became necessary. He wouldn’t let anything stand in his way.
“Now,” Brogan said, his palm moving up and down the baby’s narrow back. “It’s time for you, Sugar—and our freshstart.” He brushed his mouth over her downy crown, inhaled her sweet, comforting scent, and headed back inside.
It was time to get started.
Pixie kept remembering how bizarrely she’d acted last night. Chatty when she usually wasn’t. Bossy about his baby, as if he hadn’t already proven his competence. She’d been ridiculous.
A call from Cort saved her from further self-castigation. She set Andy in his playpen and answered the phone by saying, “Aren’t you supposed to be off having fun?”
“We are,” he countered. “Marlow told me to say hello.”
“Hello to you both.”
“I just wanted to check whether the renter showed up.”
“Yes, he’s all checked in. Did you know he has a baby?”
After the briefest pause, Cort said, “I wasn’t aware, but it’s not a problem.”
Bull. Cort researched everyone who stayed at the lake house. More so, now that she and Marlow lived nearby. “Did you know he’s a Navy SEAL?”
“Yes, it was in the background info he gave in his rental application. But how do you know?”
“He told me.”
