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Lucas quieted her trembling.
“I know you didn’t,” Addy murmured, lifting a hand and stroking Charlotte’s back again. “But you are a large man and somewhat frightening to a small girl.”
“I apologized. I don’t know what else to say.”
Addy cuddled the little girl who’d sank into her, snuffling but no longer sobbing. Something tender awoke within her toward the child. Having her mother leave her with someone she didn’t know had to be traumatic. “I know you don’t know what to say, but you have to try on her shoes. She’s young and missing her mother. She doesn’t understand what’s going on, only that you scare her with your scowls and anger.”
Something in his eyes softened, something different glowing within. “But I don’t scare a big girl like you, do I?”
Lucas watched Addy as she held Charlotte, her elegant fingers stroking the child’s back. Rich hair fell in dark hanks around her serious face, and he had to practice extreme self-discipline not to slide his gaze to her bare thighs. Something about the turn of a calf, the delicacy of a knee and the sleekness of a woman’s thigh got him every time. Total leg man.
The glimpse of the curve of her breast covered by the child’s golden ringlets wasn’t helping any.
And why had he just asked her that?
“ShouldI be afraid of you?” Addy asked, her gaze earnest and steady. Flirty hadn’t worked on her.
“No. I don’t know why I said that.” He didn’t. He wasn’t a flirt. Quite the opposite. Yet, he’d tested those waters.
Addy held his gaze, giving nothing away. “Charlotteis afraid, Chris is out of control, and from what little I’ve seen of the oldest, you’re the enemy.”
Of course she was right, but could he out and out admit he was a failure? “Charlotte has said time and again I’m big… but I’m not much larger than her father.”
“But Ben’s her father. You’re a stranger to her.”
He shoved a hand through hair in need of a trim. He hadn’t had time before he left Rotan to drop by the barber. Moment of truth. “Okay. You’ve got me. I don’t know what the hell I’m doing.”
Addy’s lips twitched, but her gaze didn’t hold victory. Wasn’t like she hadn’t clued into his incompetence within seconds of meeting him. “Takes a big man to admit it. No pun intended, of course.”
He allowed his lips to curve upward by a centimeter. “It’s obvious.”
“Pretty much.” The child had stilled in Addy’s lap and lay heavy against her body, seemingly content to have her warmth and calming influence. Again, he was struck by the way Addy soothed those around her even as she herself often looked spooked.
Why did she continue to look toward the door? Maybe he made her nervous and subconsciously she ushered him toward the exit? Yet her words didn’t rush him out, and she’d invited him into the living area.
“I thought I could handle a few kids—maybe not the evil cat that jumps on my legs in the middle of the night—but it’s not like the kids are in diapers. I should be able to do this.”
“You think they’re easier when they can move around and back talk you?”
Okay, that made sense. “Point taken.”
“Maybe I can help you out a little.”
His gaze jerked to hers. “You’ll help?”
“Sure. As much as I can.”
“How?” Sweet relief blanketed him. Addy seemed capable and sincere—two qualities he appreciated in his fellow man, or rather woman. If there was any lemonade to be had after the lemons Chris had given by crashing into a greenhouse, this was it.
“Well, first, all the children should help us rebuild the greenhouse for two reasons: first, they can get to know you better; and, second, they’ll be easy to keep an eye on. At some point, you and I can sit down and go over their schedules and see where I, or even my aunt Flora, can help out. For example, Aunt Flora’s an excellent cook and would likely be happy to save you from pizza every night.”
“Who’s Aunt Flora?”
“I’m Aunt Flora.”
Lucas swiveled his head to where an older woman stood in the doorway of the living room, wearing a sombrero, a pair of bright pants, and sweatshirt that read “I may be old but you’re a moron.” She looked like a cross between Lucille Ball and perhaps an escapee from an asylum.
“Lucas, this is my aunt, Flora Demarco,” Addy said nodding toward the woman.
