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“Uncle Ace is good with all the kids.” Bailey shifted Kyle in her arms. “I’m sure he and Kyle won’t be any different.”
“As long as I don’t turn green, grow horns, a snout, and tusks by the time he’s big enough to know the difference,” he said in a teasing tone.
“Then he’llreallylike his Uncle Ace.” Charlee grinned at Ace. “How could kids resist a green, tusked, horned, and snouted uncle?”
“And you?” He gave that cute smile she adored.
She considered him for a moment. “The green isn’t so bad, and I could live with the horns. But I can’t see kissing a snout, and the tusks might hurt. Sorry.”
Ace burst out laughing and Bailey looked from Charlee to Ace and back. “Are you two dating?”
Charlee shrugged. “Maybe.”
Ace looked amused, but there was something else in his eyes she couldn’t read. Something…distant.
He put his arm around Charlee’s shoulder. “We were at happy hour when Seth called. The nachos were great.” He pointed to the baby. He interrupted the end of our meal.”
“That’s kids for you,” Seth said. “They interrupteverything.”
Bailey looked wide-eyed at the two of them. “You’redating?”
“I don’t know if you can call it that.” Heat crept up Charlee’s neck. “We just had fun at the cabin, so we were continuing that.”
“Uh-huh.” Bailey glanced at Seth. “Do you believe her?”
He shook his head. “Not a chance.”
Charlee’s face burned. She hadn’t planned on things coming out this way. Ace didn’t seem to be himself, not saying a whole lot to rescue her or otherwise.
What’s wrong with him?Something was definitely wrong.
“You must be tired.” Charlee rested her hand on Bailey’s arm. “When are they letting you out of this place?”
“Day after tomorrow.” Bailey sank against the pillows, definitely looking exhausted now. “I could use a nap now.” She looked at Seth. “Can you get the nurse?”
He leaned down and brushed his lips over hers. “Be right back, honey.”
“I’ll come back and visit with you and the baby tomorrow.” Charlee stood as Seth left. “I’ll call first and make sure you’ve had enough rest.” She took Bailey’s hand and squeezed it. “I want to get a chance to hold Kyle, if he hasn’t already had too much company.”
Ace leaned down. “Be good you little bugger.”
Bailey looked down at her baby again. “Yes, Kyle is going to like his Aunt Charlee and Uncle Ace a whole lot.”
Charlee and Ace left the room, side-by-side, silence between them. “What’s going on?” Charlee looked up at him. “Something’s bothering you.”
He shrugged. “Got a lot on my mind.”
What changed since we were at Nectar’s?She mentally shook her head. Nothing. Ace had seemed quieter after talking with his brothers, so maybe something was going on that Ace wasn’t ready to talk about.
It was dark by the time they made it out of the hospital, after nine p.m.
Charlee gathered her coat tighter around her. “Your family makes beautiful babies.”
Ace grunted and she shot a glance at him. What was going on?
He drove her straight home, but there was nothing between them on the drive that told her he wanted to start where they’d left off. He walked her to her front door, and she didn’t bother to ask him in—she already knew he’d decline.
She unlocked her door then faced him. “Thanks for the drink and nachos.”
