5. Chapter 5

Chapter 5

London

W hat a night. I went from making love, to terror, to moving house, all in the middle of the night. I thought I'd seen everything. Not so much. But I hate to admit it. Cooper's neighborhood and house is beautiful. Sure, it's the middle of the night, but as we pull on to his street, and I see what I can only guess is Colton's ranch, I can't help but smile. He's got white Christmas lights weaved into the picket fence that encircles the perimeter of the property. They cast a warm glow all over the home, the land, even the road. The large trees at the front of the ranch house are laced with more white lights, placed perfectly in the tree.

There are no horses in sight, but I gather that they're in the stable for the night, and I can hear the soft whinnying as we turn the corner. "I see what you mean about the horses." I say to Wade, as Bean sleeps across my lap in the back seat.

"They're not just pretty."

"No, they aren't."

"You ever ride?"

"No. Never been around horses before."

"You'll love them. The kid will, too."

"You think he'd let her learn to ride one?"

Wade peers at me through the rearview mirror. "He'll insist on it."

We pull up to what I assume is Cooper's house, since I see his truck and Dalton's Escalade pull in ahead of us. It's a big house. Enough room for three families, let alone just me and Bean. "You don't have to worry about him making all sorts of racket in the basement." Wade volunteers. "We usually practice in the garage, and usually it's in mine."

"Oh, I'm not worried. I enjoy hearing you guys play."

"Thanks." Wade says, parking the car closest to the door. "Coop's opening up. You go on in and get the kid settled. We'll take care of the rest."

"Thank you.So much."

"Don't mention it, darlin'."

I pick Bean up and carry her inside. The quiet alone is comforting. No shouting, glass breaking, tires squealing, nothing. Just total, serene, peaceful quiet. "The guest room is just to your left, if you want to put her in there for now." Cooper calls to me, as his interior light comes on. Dalton's already got half my stuff out on the driveway. I'll admit I left abruptly. Not much aside from the clothes on mine and Bean's backs came with us. It's not like there was a choice. For a long time, all my valuables have been in a safe deposit box, where nobody can get to it. Anything else sentimental, was put in a locker, away from any danger. None of that is here with me. Just me, Bean, and a few replaceable essentials. That's it.

When I knew that trouble was coming, I prepared for the worst. And I have no regrets. Frankly, everything I need is right here. Just my baby and my wits. Which I finally think I'm gathering. I turn on the light to the first room I see, not bothering to look around much, until I get her in the bed. Her little body just squishes into the puffy blankets, unscathed. And I wonder how long she'll sleep so soundly like that. There's a lamp on the side table, and I decide that that's a better alternative than leaving her in total darkness.

I look around and see that the place is tidy. For a single guy living in it, it's impeccable. Immaculate. Not a speck of dust is anywhere to be found. The door opens and they start hauling in my stuff, placing it in a neat pile in the living room. The house is modern and well kept, with polished wood flooring, fresh light, chocolately colored walls, a wood fireplace, galley kitchen, and a butcher's block countertop on an island in the center. The smell of fresh cookies fills my nose, and I notice a plate on the counter, with what looks like cookies that would almost still be warm to the touch.

I'm impressed. I don't even see a drum kit anywhere. And I wonder if his bedroom is as tidy, or if he's one of those guys that keeps everywhere anyone would see clean, but his room is so messy and disorganized, you would have to make an effort to open the door, with all the crap pressed up against it. "That's good for now, boys." Cooper states, slightly winded, from walking in and out, with loads of my stuff. "I'll move it downstairs in the morning."

Wade lifts a hand, pointing a finger at me. "You be sure and let us know if that landlord of yours gives you any problems getting out of the lease."

"He won't. But that's because I didn't sign one." I answer.

"Smart girl." Dalton says, cocking his head to the side.

"Thank you all so much for this." I say tritely. "I don't know how I can ever repay you."

"Stay the hell out of that part of town is all." Dalton says. "And let us know if you get into any more trouble."

"I will." I nod.

"You be sure and let Colton know this little lady and her kid are here. He'll be all over that with the horses." Wade suggests.

"Thanks. I will." I smile. "And thank you again."

They clap Cooper on the back, and he nods in thanks, and they leave, closing the door quietly behind them. "Bean all set up in there?" Cooper asks me.

"Sound asleep. A hail of gunfire could have gone off tonight and she wouldn't move an inch."

"Well, that's good. Gosh, when I used to babysit these kids as a teenager, the baby would wake up and wail at the drop of a hat." He chuckles. "I had to march up and down the halls with the baby in my arms for hours to get him to go back to sleep."

I frown, thinking about how awful that must have been. "I'm sorry to hear that. When Bean was a baby, she was wonderful. She only cried when she was hungry or if she needed to be changed. And even then, it was a specific cry."

"Yeah? How come you didn't have any more?" He asks, organizing some of the bags on the floor.

"I always wanted to, but James, well…he wasn't interested." I lift a hand. "Oh, don't get me wrong, he loved Bean, just, she was enough for him."

"If I had one like her I'd have a dozen." He states, giving me a sideways glance, with a sexy little smile.

"Is that why you became a music teacher?"

"Half that and half because I love music, and I think it's important for kids to be exposed to it at a young age. My folks had me playing every instrument going. If it weren't for that, hell, I don't know what I would have done with my life."

"Do your siblings play, too?"

"They all did a little here and there, but nothing now. We all had piano lessons. I was the only one that stuck with it. Learned all kinds of instruments. Learned to sing."

"I've heard you sing backup. You have a nice voice." I smile.

He blushes. He's adorable. "What do you need for tonight, darlin'? What can I get you?"

"I think I'll sleep with Bean if it's all the same to you. That way she isn't scared when she wakes up." I suggest, not letting the guilt of tonight set in. Yes, we made love, yes, he's helped me tremendously tonight, but my daughter comes first, and I think if he's who I think he is, he'll understand completely. After all, that's half the reason why he insisted that I stay with him; to keep Bean and I both safe.

"Absolutely. I've got another room, plus, like I said, I've got an in-law suite in the basement if you both want to stay down there. It's small but it'll be perfect for just the two of you."

There. He is who I thought. I grin warmly again. "Thank you. You're very sweet."

He purses his lips into a tight smile. "The house isn't much, but the neighborhood is sure a lot safer."

"No, the house is beautiful. I'm surprised you can afford the rent."

He shrugs. "The landlord doesn't charge me much. I keep the place up to snuff, inside and out, pay on time, and he only charges me five hundred a month."

My jaw drops."Really?That's it?"

"That's right. That includes utilities. I don't have cable though, love. And no landline."

I wave. "I never did, either."

"Anyway. I'll call him in the morning and let him know that there are two more occupants in here now. See how much more he'll charge me. But if I know him well enough, I'll say he won't charge a dime more. He's been telling me to bring a lady friend in here for ages." His face changes. "That's not what it sounded like. He's got a big family is all. Married young. Figures everyone should be that way. And I'll be sure to let him know that you're not staying here for romantic reasons. I'd never mislead like that, love."

His voice is so sincere, it makes me smile. This man, this lovely man, he's got a heart of gold. It's so refreshing. "I trust you."

He smiles warmly and walks over to me. He plants a soft kiss on my forehead. "Why don't you go on to bed? Bean's going to be up, and you'll be in no condition to be a good mama if you're a wreck." He points up the hallway. "My bedroom's the first door on your right. I'll leave the door open in case you need anything."

"Thank you." I kiss him on the mouth chastely. He kisses me back and makes a playful smacking noise, which makes me smile. He knows that now isn't the time to reminisce about our earlier lovemaking. And I appreciate that. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight, love. I'll help you go through all your stuff in the morning." He says with a wink.

"Okay.Thanks."

I climb into bed next to Bean, without bothering to brush my teeth, not realizing how exhausted I am, until I hit the sheets. I'm still in my clothes when I wake up in the morning to voices coming from the living room. It's Bean out there, talking to Cooper. "But our house has a Christmas tree." Bean complains.

"Well, what's say we take care of that today, hm? In fact, how about we go down to the basement right now and get the tree and decorate it?"

"Okay!" She gushes.

I smell pancakes coming from the kitchen. Who knows how much sleep Cooper got. He must have been up for a while to have made breakfast already. A moment later, I hear him wrestle something up the stairs, and Bean is dragging something behind her. "There, darlin'. You open that bag and pick out which decorations you want, while I put this up, okay?"

"Okay!" She says, and I can hear the excitement in her voice.

I lay there, listening to them working together, and I drift off again. I'm not sure what time it is when Bean trots into the bedroom, bringing a plate of pancakes and a glass of orange juice on a tray, and she sets it on the dresser. "Morning, mommy." She says when she sees my eyes open. "I like this house a lot better than the other one."

"Yeah?" I ask groggily, as she climbs up on the bed with me, sitting next to me, cross-legged.

"Uh huh. Cooper says that there's horses that live up the street, and the old man that lives next door is really nice. He has a grandson about my age. He said the man that owns this house loves kids and he'll let me live here for free." She nods emphatically.

"He said that?"

"Uh huh. And we put up the Christmas tree and all the decorations, and Cooper is going to teach me how to play the piano."

"Well, you know, he is a music teacher."

A ‘v' forms between her brows. "Well, of course, mommy. He is my music teacher."

"I know that." I drape a lock of hair over her ear. "And it's not weird that you're living with your music teacher?"

"Nope. It would be weird if he wasn't nice. But Cooper is so nice. He even let me make the pancakes."

"I see that. You did a lovely job."

"Mommy?"

"Yes, baby."

"Am I going to get to see daddy for Christmas? He always buys me a big gift."

I smile. " We always bought you a big gift. It wasn't just daddy. And Santa Claus always brought you a thousand gifts as well." I answer, hoping to quell her curiosity. The last thing I want is for her to see her father where he is. "And after all, Christmas isn't just about getting big gifts. We've been through this."

She looks down, frowning. "You're right. I'm sorry." Gosh, sometimes Bean is at least ten years older than she should be. But with James and I divorcing when she was so young, it's forced her to grow up some.

I pat her on the leg. "It's okay, baby. Christmas is important when you're a child. I get that."

Her face lights up. "Oh, but Cooper knows how to make Christmas cookies! We can make a whole bunch of them!" I always suck at baking. It's kits all the way for me, and even those I manage to screw up.

"Well, there you go."

"And we can get a gingerbread house!"

"Gosh, if Cooper's that good, maybe he knows how to make one."

"As a matter of fact, I do." Cooper states, standing at the door. "My mama has a special recipe." He's in jeans and a t-shirt, and he's showered and ready for the day, making me feel like a heel, still in bed. But he's so sexy I could die. His lean muscles hug the shirt like it was made special for him, and his big blue eyes stand out a mile the way he's standing, with the morning sun peaking in from the front window.

"Bean said you spoke to your landlord?" I query, getting out of bed, still in my clothes from last night.

"Yeah. He says that a lady would only help brighten the place up." Cooper grins.

"And he's not worried about the increased utility costs?"

"Tommy's a rich man, London. The only reason why he keeps this place is because it's by the ranch. Great land. I don't think you realize how much land I have here. It should have been a ranch. In fact, I think that's what Tommy was going to do with it at some point in time, but he invested elsewhere and just kept this house for another investment."

"What does he do?"

"Well, exactly that. He's got houses all over. Not just in North Carolina, either. Far as I know, he owns a hotel, too. Not here, though. Some of the properties he makes a killing on, and others, he just keeps as investments. He trusts me and he doesn't have to worry about me tearing the place up or letting it go to pots, either. I do all the landscaping myself, all the upkeep and renovations, and as much as I make a lot of noise and I have a bunch of drum kits in the garage, that's the worst of it. Having you and Bean living here is no difference to him."

"But he can't be making a profit charging you only five hundred dollars a month. I mean, gosh, my utility bills alone back home were nearly twice that much."

A look crosses his face. "Well, I don't know where you came from, love, but here the cost of living isn't that much. In the city is a whole other ball game, but here, out in the country, it's way different." He changes the subject, looking at Bean. "What do you say we let your mama eat her breakfast while we start making some of them Christmas cookies you were so excited about?"

Bean's face lights up. "Let's go!"

I watch him take her hand in his. She practically runs out of the bedroom. Not that James wasn't a good father, because he was, but after all that this child has been through between the divorce, ultimately losing her father, moving to a different city, and now moving to yet another house overnight, I have to hand it to her, she's so resilient it makes my head spin. It takes so little to keep this child happy. I'm so grateful. My only worry is that if Cooper and I take too many steps, if what we have turns into a relationship, that it might be too much for her.

As I sit there, I wonder if it would be a mistake to get involved with him. He said so himself that just because we're living under the same roof, he has no expectations. His sole purpose of us living here is for safety.

…but I soon learn that it's so much more than that.