“No, you don’t,” Dani protested, laughing. “But yeah, we’re fine. Take your time.”
On her way to the den, the doorbell rang. No one could come up without going through the reception desk downstairs, so this must be the delivery from the drugstore. She pressed the intercom button and waited for confirmation just to be sure.
After the young teenager unloaded all the baby paraphernalia in the foyer, Dani tipped him well and sent him on his way.
“This is it, Peaches,” she said, bending down to pick up the smallest package of diapers. “I hope I did the math right. This has to last us until the snow melts or your mama shows up, whichever comes first.”
Of course, it didn’t take a genius to guess that Ophelia was probably snowed in wherever she was hiding out. It was creepy to think a woman like that had been watching as Nathaniel and Dani spotted the infant carrier for the first time. What would she have done if the two of them had walked away? She must have been relying on the decency of human nature. Even so, Dani would never have left her own baby in such circumstances. It was too risky.
She wandered back to the den and spread an afghan on the thick carpet so the baby could have tummy time. Peaches was very mobile already and trying her best to sit up. No signs of any bottom teeth poking through. Dani guessed the little girl was about five months old, maybe six.
As the baby played with a rattle from the drugstore, Dani stretched out beside her and leaned back on her elbows. It was a strange feeling to be a guest in her boss’s home. Definitely outside the parameters of their usual interactions. Up until today, she’d had no clue where he lived.
Now, suddenly, everything was different.
When Nathaniel reappeared, his hair was damp and he had ditched the clothes the baby had desecrated.
“Much better,” Dani teased, telling herself her heart wasn’t beating faster.
He grinned, the sudden smile taking her by surprise. Her boss was more serious than playful as a rule. “Is it still Friday?” he asked, leaning a hip against the arm of the sofa. “I feel like we’ve fallen through the rabbit hole.”
“Still Friday. I’m guessing your life isn’t usually so tumultuous?”
“You could say that.” He raked both hands through this hair. “I shouldn’t have dragged you into this.”
“Look at it this way. You probably saved me from being stranded on the side of the road. At least I’m safe and warm and dry.”
“What a testimonial. Have you called your family yet?”
“Yes. I told them I was staying with a friend and that I would check in again tomorrow.”
“Let’s hope we don’t lose power.”
“Bite your tongue. That’s not even funny.”
“I wasn’t joking. If we do get ice on the back end of this thing, the situation could get dicey.”
“Oh, goody. Something to look forward to.”
He cocked his head, his lips twitching. “How have I never noticed what a smart mouth you have?”
“I’m always deferential in our work environment.” She smiled demurely, astonished to realize they were flirting. Of course, with a baby between them nothing could happen. But still...
Nathaniel stood up to pace. She was beginning to recognize his signature mood when he was agitated. He did it occasionally at work, but it was more pronounced on his home turf. “Is she getting sleepy?” he asked. “When should we put her to bed?”
“How should I know? Do you have work you need to do? You might as well let me take care of her for the moment. It’s not like I can go anywhere.”
“I know, I know. And I’m sorry.”
“Quit apologizing, Nathaniel. Humility doesn’t become you.”
“Ouch.” He squatted and rubbed the baby’s tummy, his gaze pensive. “She doesn’t look like me, not even a little bit.”
The non sequitur betrayed his inner turmoil. Dani felt her heart squeeze. “In my experience, babies this age rarely look like anybody but themselves, Nathaniel. Don’t torment yourself. Until you know for sure, she’s just a baby.”
“I suppose.” He glanced sideways at her. “Go on to bed, Dani. I’ll come get you if I get in trouble.”
“You promise?”
“I do.”
* * *
Nathaniel sighed beneath his breath. Hopefully Dani didn’t realize how completely out of his element he was. He had learned long ago—while earning his stripes in the business world—never to show fear. He could negotiate with the baddest of the badasses. What he didn’t know how to do was take care of a helpless human. Little Peaches was so damned fragile.
He scooped her up. “Here’s the thing, kiddo. I need you to cut me a break tonight. I’ll feed you and change your diaper, but you need to sleep. That’s what babies do.”
The little girl stuck a thumb in her mouth and stared up at him, unblinking. What was she thinking? Did babies think about anything?
After turning out the lights, he carried Peaches to his bedroom and surveyed the furnishings. As far as he could tell, the most important thing was to keep the kid confined. He knew it was dangerous to put her in his own bed. After getting out of the shower earlier, he had spread a sheet on the soft carpet and surrounded it with several wooden chairs. He’d probably be awake all night worrying about the kid, but he’d survive.
Fortunately, the baby had worn herself out playing with Dani. All it took was a few circuits around the bedroom with Peaches on his shoulder, and gradually her little body went limp. He crouched and laid her in the makeshift bed. Poor kid. She should be with her mother right now. It was impossible not to think about the marked differences between Ophelia and Dani. One woman was self-centered and flighty...the other generous and dependable.
At one time in his life, he had assumed all women were self-centered. His mother had taught him to believe that. It wasn’t true, though. God willing, this little sweetheart would grow up with kindness in her heart.
On a normal evening, he was awake until after one. Tonight, that was a luxury he couldn’t afford. Stripping down to his boxers, he climbed into bed, stretched out on his back and exhaled. What a hell of a day.
It was impossible not to think about the fact that Dani was sleeping in his guest room just down the hall. He liked and respected her. In recent months, he’d stumbled upon another feeling he couldn’t, or wouldn’t, acknowledge.
Dani deserved to find a man who would put her first, a man who would be happy to settle down with her and create a normal family life. That man wasn’t Nathaniel. He’d certainly never experienced such a thing as normal in his formative years. All he knew was work and more work. That focus had propelled him to the top of his career. Given his long hours and his absolute refusal to date anyone remotely connected to New Century Tech, his options for meeting women were limited.
Loneliness and sexual hunger had been to blame for his hookup with Ophelia when they met at a conference. It had taken less than forty-eight hours for him to figure out that she was a narcissist and incredibly high maintenance. He’d broken off the relationship before it started, but perhaps the damage had been done.
The prospect of co-parenting with Ophelia for the next twenty years was daunting. Depressing, even. But if Peaches were his daughter, he would suck it up and be the best damned dad he could be. Never would he make that sweet little girl endure the kind of childhood he had experienced.
Unbidden, his thoughts returned to Dani. After seeing his father’s life ruined years ago, Nathaniel had forged ironclad rules for his own business relationships.
That