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It wasn’t until much later that Jesse was able to escape Pip’s veterinarian chair of torture. But as soon as he did, he was bombarded with little five-year-old girls hugging his legs and pulling on his tail and pleading with “the big fuzzy dog” to give them piggyback rides. Jesse had always been a sucker for cute little girls. His sister Adeline had completely wrapped him around her little finger.
Thankfully, before his fur became too matted by sticky fingers and his back gave out, Liberty hollered.
“Birthday cake time!”
The little girls raced off, squealing with delight, while Jesse followed much more slowly. As he came around the corner of the blow-up bouncy house, he saw Liberty lighting the candles on a cake that was decorated with animal paw prints on the side and a toy stereoscope and shot syringe on top.
He should be pissed at her. She was the reason he was wearing a silly dog costume with floppy ears and a long tail he kept tripping over. Of course, it was his own fault. He shouldn’t have agreed to a bet where winner chooses the forfeit. Nor should he have gotten so distracted by the way Liberty’s wet swimming suit had ridden up one butt cheek that he didn’t care about winning the race to his truck and instead lagged behind enjoying the view.
He smiled. And damned if the view hadn’t been worth wearing a sweltering dog costume. That and the way she laughed every time she saw him in the costume. Even now, when her gaze lifted and those green eyes landed on him, she smiled so brightly it took his breath away.
Be careful, Jess.
The warning had popped into his head frequently in the last few days. Each time, he reasoned with his mind. He liked Liberty. He liked her a lot. But that’s all it was. He enjoyed being around her, but only because they were so much alike. They were both driven and competitive. They were both business minded. And they both weren’t interested in getting married and starting a family. She had told him so herself.
Which was why there was no reason Jesse needed to be careful. Neither one of them wanted to end up on a couch for family movie night. In fact, today, he’d gotten the distinct feeling Liberty didn’t like kids. She had done a great job at pulling the party together. She’d been the perfect hostess, making sure both the kids and adults were having a good time and had plenty to eat and drink. But there was a look she got in her eyes whenever she was around the little girls. A terrified look like she couldn’t get away fast enough.
“Would you mind if I took a picture of you holding my baby?”
He turned and saw a woman standing there holding a blanket-wrapped bundle.
“Hi. I’m Tammy Sue. You must be Jesse Cates, Liberty’s new beau.”
Jesse blinked. “Beau? Umm . . . well, I don’t know if I’d call myself—”
Tammy Sue cut him off before he could continue. “When I heard she was dating Corbin Whitlock’s friend, I was more than a little worried—we all know what a scoundrel he is. And I’ve known Liberty ever since she was born. I want her to get the kind of man who will do right by her. Not some lowlife drifter who is only interested in getting into her panties. But after today, I realize just what kind of man you are. My husband would never—ever—dress up in a ridiculous dog outfit for me.” Her eyes narrowed. “Even though I’ve given him three kids and the best years of my life.”
Jesse wasn’t sure what to say to that. So he just nodded, which caused his floppy ears to swing and Tammy Sue to smile.
“Just so cute.” She handed him the bundle.
Since he had babysat Adeline when she was a baby, he had no fear of holding infants. Although once he accepted the bundle, he grew a little concerned. The kid was the size of a football.
“He’s just a month old,” Tammy Sue said. “Isn’t he the sweetest nugget?”
Nugget was accurate. Jesse pinned on a smile hoping Tammy would quickly snap the picture and take her tiny son back. But as soon as she lifted her phone, bloodcurdling screams came from the bounce house.
Tammy Sue’s eyes widened. “I’ll be right back. Thomas! Heather! Mama’s comin’!”
Jesse started to give her the baby back, but then realized she couldn’t very well climb into the bounce house with a newborn. A newborn who started fussing as if he knew his mother was gone.
Jesse bounced him. “It’s okay, sport. Mama will be back in just a second.”
Unfortunately, when Mama crawled out of the bounce house it was with two toddlers who looked like they had been in fight club. The girl had scratches on her arms and the boy had a bite mark on his cheek. They were both still screaming bloody murder.
“I’m sorry,” Tammy Sue said. “Would you mind watching Douglas while I take care of these two ornery kids?” She didn’t wait for a reply as she dragged her two screaming kids toward the house.
“What in the world is going on?” Liberty came hurrying up. As soon as Jesse turned to her, she burst out laughing.
“I’m glad you’re so amused. Here. Your turn.” He handed her Douglas.
“What’s this?” She giggled. “Did one of the girls give the big ol’ fuzzy dog their doll to babysit?” Douglas released a fussy wahhh and Liberty’s smile faded. She glanced down at the baby and all color drained from her face.
Like all color.
“Liberty?” He reached out and took her arm. “Are you okay?”
She lifted her eyes to him. There was the fear again. But also a deep pain that cut right through him. “Take it . . . please.”
