Chapter 11

eleven

" I don't understand why we have to go." Lottie's whine could shatter glass. And it had been nonstop since Sadie had convinced Lottie to pack up the dolls to go to David's to play with Vangie, rather than play at home together. Not to mention that she'd answered the same question five times already. Not even reminding Lottie about the kittens left at David's place had stopped the questions from coming. Over and over.

But when David called with panic in his voice, Sadie had felt a smidge of guilt. After all, she had cajoled him about babysitting his nieces just two nights ago.

When she'd asked if he'd consider staying in Heritage, he hadn't shut down the option. He also hadn't enthusiastically said he wanted to stay with her. Not that she was ready for that, but maybe she wanted to know if it was a possibility.

At least David had called after she had made the reservations to go stay at the lake house that Jeremy loved after the adoption hearing. "You know we can take the dolls on our trip and have a few days just you and me to play."

That seemed to do the trick, because Lottie grabbed Sadie's seat and shook it. "I can't wait! We'll get to see the leaves. Daddy loved the colorful leaves."

Fall had always been Jeremy's favorite season. Lottie had mentioned the leaves several times lately, and visiting the lake house would give them time away to enjoy some fall foliage and a way to celebrate the adoption.

"Look, Lottie. We're here." The car bounced along the dirt driveway until Sadie parked in front of the old farmhouse. "Maybe Mr. Williams will still have a kitten you can play with."

"I'm really good with the kittens, Mom."

Sadie opened the car door and was met with the cries of a baby—maybe two—and blaring music. The noise intensified as they jogged to the front door. Vangie, her long hair loose and tangled around her face, pushed open the screen door to let them in. As soon as they were inside, she ran back to the couch and jumped up on the cushions, singing. Becca sat on the floor, crying. Snot ran down her face, and her cheeks were tinged red.

Lottie let go of Sadie's hand and ran to jump on the couch with Vangie.

Sadie shook her head and stepped away. She turned the volume of the music way down. She picked up the toddler on the floor. The little girl instantly buried her face in Sadie's sweater. The snotty-clothes phase wasn't one Sadie missed, but Becca's sobs turned into quiet, shuddered breaths almost instantly. "Lottie, why don't you show Vangie the dolls you brought."

A quick cheer sounded, and the girls sat on the floor while Lottie opened her backpack. The toddler in Sadie's arms snuggled closer.

David walked out of the kitchen, a bottle in hand, and a very angry, very loud baby in his arms. His hair stood up straight.

The little girl snuggled into Sadie as she walked toward David.

David silently pleaded for help. The guy was out of his comfort zone. "I might blame you for this. I shouldn't have offered to watch the girls. I don't know anything about babies."

"You can do this."

He shook his head. "You had this room calmed in seconds. I couldn't calm Becca and Isabella at the same time. And Isabella won't take her bottle. I don't know what she wants. I checked her diaper. I've walked and bounced and snuggled and changed positions. Nothing has helped."

Sadie ran a hand down the back of Becca's head. "Where's Isabella's Binky?"

David blinked. "Her what?"

"Her pacifier?"

"Oh! In her diaper bag." David handed Sadie the bottle and hurried from the room. He returned with a pink pacifier and a still screaming baby. "She won't take it."

"She's too worked up. Put it in her mouth and hold it for just a second. See if she will start to suck on it." Sadie watched as he did as she instructed, lightly holding it in place. Then the baby calmed as she sucked on it.

The room quieted, and David's wide shoulders relaxed. The same shoulders that had held her and comforted her Friday night.

David stepped closer, his clean scent mixing with baby powder, his shoulder bumping Sadie's. "Thank you. I don't know what I would have done without you. I told my sisters I'd be happy to give them a date night like you suggested, but I didn't expect for everyone to fall apart at the same time. You saved me."

"I didn't do much." Sadie shifted Becca to the other hip.

"Don't downplay it. Without you being here, Isabella would still be screaming. Becca would still be in tears, and Vangie would continue to turn the volume of the music up even louder because she couldn't hear it over the cries of everyone else. I might've even joined in the sobbing before long."

David sat on the couch, and Sadie handed him Isabella's bottle back. "She may want this now that she's calmed down some. Babies won't always take a bottle if they are too worked up, especially if she normally nurses."

With a hesitation in his motions, David tugged the Binky out of Isabella's mouth and quickly replaced it with the bottle in hand. Sucking noises filled the blessed quiet.

David motioned, and Sadie sat next to him. Becca uncurled herself from Sadie to crawl over to David and snuggled into his side.

Sadie ran her hands down her sweater, noticing the stains Becca had left. Thankfully, they'd wash out. With the older girls happily playing on the floor and Becca snuggling David, Sadie excused herself to freshen up. Just before she left the room, she turned back and snapped a picture of the happy group. David's sisters would want to see this.

So would hers for that matter. She sent it off.

Romee: *gif of Bugs Bunny with heart eyes.

Romee: Girl, that looks serious. Are you practicing for the future?

Toby: I don't understand why you'd send this to me. Clara says awwww.

Sadie tucked her phone in her pocket and stepped into the kitchen to scrub at the spot on her shirt and then wash her hands before returning to the group, where she found David with his back against the couch, his legs stretched in front of him, with Isabella nestled in her blankets resting on his thighs. His bare feet stuck out in front—there was something in his pose that made the moment feel casual, yet intimate. Becca sat on one side of David, holding one of Lottie's dolls. Lottie sat on David's other side, her back against his side. He had his arm around her shoulder. Vangie sat in front of Lottie as they played with the dolls.

The picture of perfection. Sadie pulled out her phone again and snapped another picture. Who wouldn't? Besides, Leah and Caroline would eat this up.

And she'd want to see this picture again, more than just in her dreams. She'd want to remember that for a few brief moments in life, David Williams had needed her. That they'd come together as a team outside the hardware store.

David looked up, the look on his face doing funny things to her insides. Longing for this kind of moment, for a home, a husband who looked at her the way Jeremy had always looked at Bonnie, for children of her own…it struck with a ferocity that took her breath away.

Sadie had given up the dream of a big family when Jeremy had been diagnosed with Machado-Joseph disease. But David watched her with the same kind of look Jeremy had in his eyes when he talked about Bonnie. Sadie would give up all her Sunday afternoon naps to have moments like this—maybe even in this house, with this man.

"Thank you." David mouthed the words to her, but she shook her head. She hadn't done much. Quieted anxious children. He'd kept them calm, made them happy, and loved them.

"Come play, Mom." Lottie patted the floor next to her.

Sadie's throat tightened, but she nodded and made her way over to the girls, sitting across from David, her back to the loveseat. She stretched her legs out, and David's bare foot tapped her ankle.

Feet were supposed to be gross, hairy, smelly things. Not a conduit that could turn a simple touch into something so cozy. So affectionate. So…intimate.

Becca stood up on wobbly legs but quickly waddled to Sadie, plopping on her lap. The little girl snuggled into Sadie, still brushing the doll's long black hair.

A few hours later, when Caroline and Leah returned, the girls were all asleep. Lottie and the kittens—Tres and Cinco—included.

The house was blessedly quiet.

"Oh my!" Leah whisper-yelled. "Look at how cozy you are."

Grant and Caroline walked forward and carefully picked up their girls.

Leah packed up the diaper bag before returning to take Isabella from David. "Did you guys enjoy practicing for the future?"

Sadie rubbed her cheeks to hide her humor. She didn't need to encourage Leah, but sisters all thought alike.

David just shook his head, saying something to Leah as she picked up the baby, which made her laugh. Thankfully, they were able to leave without waking Lottie. She must have really worn herself out playing with Vangie this afternoon.

David and Sadie walked his sisters to the front door and waved goodbye from the porch while Lottie slept on. After his sisters' cars drove out of sight, David wrapped his arms around Sadie's waist and pulled her into a hug.

His clean, masculine scent, his hands splayed on her back—completely captivating. Sadie relaxed, savoring the feel of David's warmth pressed against her.

"I couldn't have survived today without you. Thank you." David's soft, deep rumble rolled through her body.

"There were a few bumpy moments, but it ended strong. You were great with the girls. Lottie, too." Sadie stepped back, needing space. Because this barefoot man had held a baby all afternoon while playing dolls with three little girls until they had all fallen asleep. And she liked it. Liked him.

But David didn't let her go far, his hands tightening on her waist, stopping her retreat.

"It ended strong because you were here. You helped. You always make things better." David's hand cupped her cheek, his calloused palm steady as she leaned into it.

David bent down slightly, resting his forehead against hers. She enjoyed his closeness. His clean scent mixed with baby powder and caramel candies. His familiarity, the newness of the situation, the excitement of his touch.

Slowly, Sadie lifted her hands and rested them on David's chest. It had become so solid. So strong. The kind of constant strength that could support a girl. A family.

"Sadie?" David's breath tickled her face.

"Hmm?" She couldn't quite find words to say.

"If you keep touching me like that, I'm going to kiss you."

Sadie's hands stilled.

What had she been doing?

Her hands on his chest twitched and itched with the desire to move. Again.

David dipped his head to make eye contact as heat climbed her neck. "I'd like to. Okay?"

Okay? It might not be okay if he kept looking at her like that. Her heart picked up speed, and her breath turned short and shallow. If he looked at her like that much longer, she might kiss him . Sadie lifted her face up toward him and hummed agreement.

She closed her eyes in anticipation. David's gentle breath heated her face for a heartbeat, the desire to close the distance almost overwhelming. But this moment couldn't—shouldn't—be rushed. A shiver raced down her spine as she waited.

His body leaned closer still, his nose brushing against hers. It would be so easy to close the gap. Instead, she let the intensity of the moment build. A warm hand slid down her back, tucking her even closer.

Finally, finally , David's lips pressed against hers.

Fireworks exploded behind her eyes. Her body trembled, relishing the gentle pressure of David's hand on her lower back and the one on her face. His touch was featherlight, like the pressure on her lips.

Kissing David was better than she remembered. Better than she dreamed…because after the almost good-night kiss on her doorstep, David's kisses had a starring role in her dreams.

In that moment, the front porch faded away, the concerns of the day gone, worry over the store and money nonexistent. There was only David. The feel of his lips as they moved against hers. He tasted of root beer and caramel candy. Delicious and sweet. The tender exploration of her mouth made her feel treasured and…loved.

She kissed him back with all the longing the day had built up. With all the hope of a future, of a family, of love, and of home.

David pressed her closer, erasing what little space remained between them. A wave of electricity coursed through her body. His fingers wove through her hair as he deepened the kiss. His strong arms familiar and reassuring, new and exciting. His hands confident, and achingly tender.

Sadie slid her arms from his chest and around his neck, running her fingers up into his hair.

A moan escaped from David, and he slowed the kiss, gently moving to Sadie's jaw and up to her ear. He hummed a sound of appreciation that caused goosebumps to race over her skin. She shivered as he worked his way back to her mouth, gently kissing her lips. Once. Twice. A third time he lingered, before he loosened his grip on her back.

Thankfully, he didn't let go, because Sadie's legs wouldn't hold her up.

David's fingers gently moved down her neck, to her shoulder, and then her arm. "Wow."

That wow had stuck with her. Because thirty minutes later, as Sadie tucked a still sleeping Lottie into her own bed, she could still feel the effects of the kiss down to her toes. Wow, indeed.

She pulled out her phone and saw a bunch of messages she'd missed from her siblings.

Anna: Brock and I broke up today. I think it's for good this time.

Toby: Good. He's a loser and you can do better.

Romee: Ouch, Bro. Way to speak your mind there.

Romee: I'm sorry, Anna. Even if Brock is a loser. Toby's right, you can do better.

Anna: This time I'm not taking him back. Leopards don't change their spots, neither do guys.

Toby: Hey now, we're not all bad.

Anna: *Gif of a little girl sticking out her tongue.

Anna: Sadie, let this be a lesson to you. Don't follow in my footsteps.

Sadie tucked her phone away. What could she say? She didn't want to share her happiness when Anna was hurting. But what if Anna was right and heartbreak was the only future they had? But they'd talked things through. The heartbreak in their past was both of their faults, and they weren't the same people anymore. They'd changed, hadn't they?

Sadie touched her lips, the heat of David's touch still warming her skin. Anna had to be wrong. There was no way he would kiss her like that if heartbreak was their future.

David's truck bumped down the dirt driveway of Chet Anderson's house Monday morning before work, the old clock carefully packed in a box secured in his truck bed. Hopefully, Jon hadn't given David bad information, or this trip out to see if Chet could fix the clock would be a complete waste of time.

Thoughts of yesterday's kiss with Sadie still stole his breath and left him wanting to find reasons to do that again. Hopefully, coming through with a repaired clock would earn him some brownie points, and maybe a few more of those kisses.

David's truck bounced to a stop in front of a farmhouse that had seen better days. The fresh paint and fairly new shutters couldn't hide the age of the place. A shack of a barn with a large barn door sat next to the house. Jon had told David that if he wanted something from Chet to bring biscuits and gravy. Thomas had accommodated the request and placed the order in a to-go container.

David held the to-go breakfast and knocked on Chet's door. A bunch of grunting, banging, and grumbling came from within the house before the older man opened it. Chet's wild gray hair stood up on end, and the man looked over David's shoulder at his truck. He held out his hand and gestured for the food. "Why'd you bring me this? What do you want?"

David handed over the container. "Jon said you might know how to fix an old clock."

Chet opened the takeout box and nodded. Then closed it tight, raising an eyebrow at David. "Why would Jon think I know anything about clocks?"

That was the question of the day. "I have no idea. But I don't know anything about clocks, and Jon didn't have any other suggestions, so I figured I'd hunt you down."

Chet narrowed his gaze at David then looked down at the biscuits and gravy. "Since you brought me my favorite meal, I guess I'll take a look. Take it to the barn over there. I'll set this down and meet you in there."

That was Chet. Gruff and to the point.

David backtracked to his truck to retrieve the clock and returned, letting himself into Chet's barn, which was surprisingly neat. A large workbench sat on one side, filled with an assortment of tools that would make any hardware store owner proud. Sadie would love this space.

David set the box on the bench next to a collection of little tools he'd never seen before. The area was practically dust free.

Chet ambled into the barn and used the workbench for support. "Tell me about this clock of yours."

"I found this in my grandpa's barn a few weeks ago."

Chet tapped the side of the box. "Take this thing out of the box for me, will ya?"

David pulled the clock out and set it down.

Chet scratched his chin. "It rattles."

David nodded. "Yeah, about that. Lottie was looking at the gears, but she dropped her tweezers inside. We can't get them out. And Lottie's pretty convinced one of the gears is jammed."

Chet grabbed some magnifying glasses and some tools wrapped in leather that he spread out next to the clock.

"You don't have to stand there and watch me. You'll make me nervous."

David backed up, and Chet expertly opened the clock as he whistled like it was any other day.

"Do you see the watchmaker's logo there?" David stepped up to the workbench. "Lottie says she found a similar marking on Otis, near his back side. I couldn't see it when she showed me, but she's convinced they're connected somehow."

Chet didn't even spare David a glance, simply continued using sharp-looking tools David had never seen before to twist and test each gear. "You wouldn't happen to know if they were connected—the clock and Otis?"

"Don't know. I don't reckon I've seen this clock in person. Seen pictures but not the actual thing. How'd it end up in your grandpa's barn?"

"That's a mystery that will continue, I suppose."

"Like Otis." The man harrumphed. "So, tell me. What's going on between you and Lottie that you're here with the clock and not her."

"Nothing is going on. Lottie's nine." David shoved his hands in his pockets and took a step backward.

"So, this is about her mother." Chet stood up and pushed his glasses on top of his head, his older eyes squinting at David.

"I offered to help. Sadie's got a lot on her plate."

"Sadie? I've heard that name recently. Is that Gary's girl? She got married."

David nodded, and when Chet glared at David, he held up his hands. "She's widowed now."

Chet hummed. "Sorry to hear that. I take it you're helping out, hoping to fill her late husband's spot."

David hadn't anticipated that being thrown out. Fill her late husband's spot? Way to make it sound morbid. Marriage, though…he hadn't actually thought that far ahead. Stay in Heritage? Sadie's words, the look in her eye, the way she'd kissed him last night—he'd like it to be in his future. Not that he'd admit that to Chet.

"Sadie and I share a history. I'm here now and can help. That's what I'm doing."

Chet took David in, watched him, like he was measuring David's words. Uncomfortable though it was, David stood his ground. Didn't break eye contact.

Chet must have found something though, because a rough smile broke out across his face. "I'll call you when I'm done. I don't like working with people staring down my back. And you better figure out a way to tell that girl you love her."

David took a step back. Confess his love? "It may be too soon to call it that."

"Look, David, I may be old, but I'm not dumb. I've got eyeballs and ears. You wouldn't be here if you didn't love her. And it's about time, boy. You've been running from love for as long as I've known you. Now git. I got work to do."

"Thanks, Chet." David didn't know about running from love, but he'd gladly ‘git' from this conversation.

"David?" Chet's voice rang out as David stepped outside the barn.

He poked his head back in. "Yeah?"

"Don't go hurting that girl again. But as I see it, if you're to put this much effort into helping her daughter out, there must be more going through your mind. If Sadie makes you happy, don't bungle your chance with her. You hear me, boy?"

David knocked on the barn door. "I hear ya."

Then he hightailed it for his truck. Because no matter what else Chet had to say, he was right. There were feelings involved. Strong feelings he wasn't ready to name.

David tossed the truck into reverse and hurried over the bumpy road. He had a job to get to, and Sadie would be waiting for him.