“Now they think anyone who goes to the hospital is going to die,” he guessed.
She nodded again. “I’ve tried to explain that it wasn’t the doctor’s fault—that it wasn’t anybody’s fault—but they don’t seem to believe me.”
“Which one is Mrs. Dunford?”
She smiled. “Across the street. Always outside at 7:00 a.m. in her housecoat, watering her flowers. She has a magic touch with geraniums.”
“And gingersnap cookies,” he said.
“She baked you cookies?”
“She wanted to welcome me to the neighborhood.”
“More likely she wanted to set you up with her granddaughter.”
“Then she should have gone for chocolate chip—they’re my absolute favorite.”
“I’ll be sure to let her know.”
He shook his head. “I’d prefer to get my own dates—although even Brittney thinks I need some help in that regard.”
“Brittney—the nurse who looks like she’s fifteen?”
“She’s seventeen.”
“Then she’s not a nurse?”
He laughed. “More like pre-pre-med. Actually, Brittney’s a high school co-op student who also happens to be my niece.”
“She’s been fabulous with the boys.”
“She plans to specialize in pediatric medicine.”
“That’s quite an ambition.”
“She’s very determined. And she’s one of the most sought-after babysitters in town.”
“I’ll keep that in mind if I ever find myself in need of one,” she promised, certain Brittney would have graduated from medical school before that would ever happen.
So she was more than a little surprised when Matt said, “How about Friday night so I can take you out to dinner?”
Chapter Four
For a minute, she just stared at Matt as if he’d spoken in a foreign language. And with every second that ticked away during that interminable minute, he wondered if he should rescind his impulsive invitation.
He wasn’t usually the impulsive type, a truth that was proven by the fact that he’d kept the condo he’d lived in with his wife and child for three years after they’d gone rather than take a hit on the downturned real estate market. Or maybe he just hadn’t been ready to move on until now.
But he was ready now. And if Georgia agreed to go out with him—even just once for dinner—it would hopefully convince his niece to put her matchmaking efforts on hold.
“Are you asking me out … on a date?”
Except that her question, along with the skepticism in her voice, made him question whether he truly was capable of getting his own dates.
It can be a nightmare if things don’t turn out.
He ignored the echo of Luke’s words in the back of his mind. While he trusted that his brother had his best interests at heart and believed that there was some legitimacy to his warning, Matt couldn’t deny the instinct that was urging him to get to know Georgia a whole lot better.
“Let’s not put a label on it,” he said instead.
“So it’s not a date?”
“It isn’t anything until you say yes.”
She considered for another few seconds, then shook her head. “I can’t.”
“You can’t have dinner with a friend? A neighbor?”
“I can’t leave my kids with a stranger—even if she is one of the most sought-after babysitters in town.”
But he thought that, for just a minute, she’d been tempted.
“Quinn and Shane seem to like her just fine,” he pointed out.
“She’s been great with the twins,” she said again. “But Pippa is another story. There are certain things that no one but Mommy can do for her.”
Okay, he didn’t need to be hit over the head. At least, not more than once. And if his gaze automatically dropped to her breasts, well, he made a valiant effort to yank it away again.
Not so quickly that she didn’t notice—as was attested by the color flooding her cheeks.
“Okay, then, how about dinner at my place so you’re not too far away if you’re needed?”
“Look, I appreciate the invitation, but I’m doing okay. You don’t have to feel sorry for me because I’m on my own with three kids.”
“Is that what you think—that I feel sorry for you?”
“I don’t know what to think,” she admitted. “But it’s the only explanation I can imagine that makes any sense.”
“Maybe it did occur to me that a few hours away from your responsibilities might be appreciated,” Matt allowed. “But I don’t feel sorry for you. In fact, I think you’re lucky to have three beautiful children, and that they’re lucky to have a mother so obviously devoted to them.” Because he knew from firsthand experience that there was nothing quite like the bond between a parent and child—and that nothing else could fill the void when that bond was broken.
“I am lucky,” she said softly. “Although I don’t always focus on how very lucky—and I don’t always know how to respond to unexpected kindness.”
“You could respond by saying you’ll come to my place for dinner on Friday.”
She shook her head, but she was smiling. “You’re persistent, aren’t you?”
“That’s not the response I was looking for,” he reminded her.
“I’ll come for dinner on Friday,” she finally agreed. “If Brittney is available—and willing—to watch the kids.”
“Is seven o’clock good?”
“Shouldn’t you check with the babysitter first?”
“Brittney will make herself available,” he assured her.
“Then seven o’clock should be fine,” Georgia said.
“Any food allergies or aversions?”
She shook her head.
“Favorite food?”
She smiled. “Anything I don’t have to cook.”
It was a long night for Georgia.
She gave Shane some children’s acetaminophen to take the edge off of the pain, but she could do nothing to combat his frustration. He was usually a tummy sleeper, and he didn’t like having to stay on his back with his injured arm elevated on a pillow, even if it was what “Dr. Matt” had recommended.
And she didn’t have any better luck settling Quinn. While he’d been happy enough to wheel his brother around the hospital and indulge in ice cream, neither activity had succeeded in completely alleviating his worry about his twin.
But aside from checking on Shane and reassuring Quinn and nursing and pacing with Pippa, what really kept Georgia awake through the night was second-guessing her agreement to have dinner with her sexy new neighbor.
He was a genuinely nice man who was wonderful with her kids, and if those were the only factors to consider, Georgia wouldn’t have hesitated to accept his invitation. But Matt Garrett made her feel things she hadn’t felt in a very long time—if ever before—and