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“Excellent choice! I need to go check on a few people, but I will be back before you leave.” I head out to check on a few other patients and before I even realize it, it’s been 45 minutes.
When I peek my head back in the room, Penny has a bright purple cast and Landon is hunched over writing on it.
“What’s going on in here?”
“Lando is writing his name on my cast! I didn’t know you can do that. Daddy wrote his name and drew a heart, too! Can you put your name on it, too? Oooh, can I have your celly number so I can call you?”
Before I can even answer, Cash is fast to respond. “Pen, you can’t ask everyone for their phone numbers. Chayse can sign your cast, though.”
“Why not? I likes her and want to color her arm again.”
“I’m flattered you want my number, but I am so busy, I don’t know how good of a friend I would be. I spend a lot of my time here trying to help people get better. But, I’d absolutely love to sign your cast.” She gives me a nod and I make sure I write my name nice and neat for her.
Just then, we get another incoming trauma. This is the perfect out so that I don’t have to see how sad I made Penny. She really is so sweet, and I know we would have fun outside of the hospital, but that just isn’t in the cards. Besides, I wouldn’t mind having a little fun with her dad, and if he had my number, I would definitely be tempted to head down that road which is such a bad idea.
“Alright little lady. There are more people who need my help so I have to go, but Landon will get you squared away to head home.” I give her a hug and am surprised when Cash stands to address me before I run out.
“Thanks so much for taking such good care of Penny and making sure she wasn’t scared. Sorry I was such an ass when we first met.” He smirks and I see one of those dimples playing peek-a-boo. Damn, does that dimple do things to me, specifically to my nether regions. Taking his outstretched hand, I feel that electric buzz fly up my arm and tingle down to my fingers. Let’s just say my hand isn’t the only thing that’s tingling now. My cheeks flush and I need to get out of here before I do something embarrassing like giving him my number.
“Alright, well it was so good meeting you and I hope you heal up really quick.” Rushing out of the room, I avoid Landon’s stare that I can feel burning in the back of my brain. I’m sure I haven’t heard the end of it when it comes to Cash Fowler.
Chapter Five
Cash
Ican’thelpbutstare as Chayse makes her way out of the room. Shaking her hand had my heart racing and my cock hardening. I’ve never had a reaction like this to anyone, including Ashley, Penny’s mom. I run my hand over my beard and am startled when I hear a throat clearing. I turn to see Landon staring at me with a shit eating grin on his face. He totally busted me checking out his best friend, but at least he doesn’t seem pissed about it.
“So, mister growly bear daddy, are you single?” His grin makes me believe that he’s up to something. But, before I even get a chance to answer, he dives right back in. “I’m just curious because a certain redhead bomb shell friend of mine definitely is and could use some extracurricular activity outside of her job if you know what I mean.”
I can’t help but laugh at how bold Landon is. “I am single, but I’m not looking for anything right now. I have Penny and my contracting business is really blowing up. I don’t really have time to date anyone, and I don’t know that I’m willing to bring anyone into Penny’s life that isn’t going to be around for the long haul.”
“I totally get that. Chayse doesn’t really want a relationship right now either, but the girl seriously needs a break from this place and the tension between you two was hot, if I do say so myself.”
I just shake my head and chuckle because there’s no denying I find Chayse attractive. Hell, he just caught me checking her out a minute ago. Would I like to spend some more time with Chayse and get to know her, of course. But I wasn’t lying when I told him I need to focus on my business and Penny. I’d be open to having a casual fling, but I have a feeling Chayse is the type of woman I could easily become addicted to, and I really don’t want that for my life right now, if ever.
That little girl sitting in my truck giggling at the show on her tablet is my world, and I won’t have her getting attached to anyone who isn’t going to stick around. Sure, we hear from Ashley at least once a month, but their relationship is more of a fun aunt or big sister than that of a mom and daughter. Penny knows that Ashley is her mom and that she loves her in her own way, but she’s never actually experienced having a true mom in her life and she’s starting to notice. In the past, she’s been fine with just me, but she’s starting to realize that her family is different than some of her friends at preschool. Of course, Ashley was nowhere close to make it to muffins with mom so my mom gladly stepped in. But it left Penny with a lot of questions. She loves Ashley, but I know it’s only a matter of time before she’s asking or telling me that she wants a mother.
Unfortunately for my baby girl, I just don’t think that’s in the cards for me any time soon. Of course, I date and have an occasional hook up, but that’s all separate from Penny. Nobody has come close to me even considering introducing them to my daughter. Plus, it’s been just the two of us and I love the relationship we have. Maybe that makes me selfish to not want to share her with someone else, but it is what it is. Not to mention, I’ve been going at it alone all this time, minus the help from my family and Reid, that I don’t even know if I’d be willing to let someone step in and co-parent with me.
Even if I didn’t have my reservations about dating where Penny is concerned, my business is finally starting to pick up momentum. Reid and I have been busting our asses and it’s finally starting to pay off. We are able to employ a full crew and not have to worry about any unforeseen mishaps on a job setting us back to penny pinching for the next few months. Our name and reputation is finally getting around and it’s so exciting. If we keep going at this rate, Reid and I won’t have to be on the job site every day, or we can pick and choose and focus more on the areas we love, like me and working with wood.
Choosing to ignore his last comment, I turn to Landon to see when we can break free of this place. I’m ready to get home and relax, put some food in our bellies, and have a snuggle fest with my little girl. “So, what do we need to do to spring us from this place?”
“You just need to sign some paperwork and then you will be good to go. Don’t forget to set up a time to come in and get her x-rays in a few weeks. Oh, and before you go, what kind of contracting does your company do? Is it commercial or do you do residential as well? I have a friend who is flipping a house but is very busy and it’s been slow going. They could really use some help.”
“We do both, but residential is honestly my favorite. Especially if the homeowner is renovating an older home to bring it back to its glory. I love doing woodwork and bringing it back to life.”
“I think you might be perfect for this job then. It’s an old craftsman that needs quite a bit of TLC, but the woodwork in the house is insane. It’s got amazing pocket doors and gorgeous hardwood floors. Well, at least I think they will be gorgeous once they are sanded down and refinished.”
“That definitely sounds like it’s right up my alley. I love the challenge of bringing all of that gorgeous craftsmanship back to life.” Digging in my wallet, I’m annoyed with myself when I can’t find a business card. I forgot I handed my last one out the other week and didn’t grab anymore to replace it. I know I have some in my truck that I can run out and bring back in for him.
Luckily, I find one of Reid’s hidden behind an old library card. “Here, I’m all out of my cards at the moment, but here’s my best friend, and business partner, Reid’s card. Have your friend give him a call and we will come do a walk through so that we can get them an estimate. We’ve got our whole team working on a big reno right now, but we’re at a point where Reid can handle that, and I could get started at your friend’s house pretty quickly if everything looks good.”
“Seriously? That would be perfect. I will make sure I have them call Reid and set up an appointment. Whether they want to admit it or not, they need the help if they want to have the house done within the next century.”
I signed the paperwork while we were talking, so Penny and I are all set to go. Landon brings in a wheelchair and helps get Penny situated. He insists on walking us out to my truck, and the two chatter away like they are old friends. When we make it to the truck, Penny is visibly upset, and I’m worried her leg is starting to hurt her again.
“What’s wrong, Pen? Does your leg hurt?”
