7. Lake

LAKE

I momentarily forgotmy worry as I took in the duo walking toward me.

Bronson looked at ease with my child in his arms and happiness was written all over Stormi's face in the form of a megawatt smile. They were a sight that had my heart racing faster with every step they took, closing the distance between us.

My daughter was my everything and I found myself thinking that maybe one day she could be his too.

"I found Uncle Bronson," my daughter announced excitedly, breaking me from the spell that seeing the two of them together seemed to have put me under.

In a total mom"s voice, I replied, "You know the rules about going outside without me or my permission."

That radiant smile of hers vanished and she ducked her head slightly. "Sorry, Mommy."

The softly spoken, ‘Mommy', and her sullen face, made me feel like the Grinch. I hated stomping her joyful spirit. She'd been looking forward to seeing Bronson since the moment she'd woken up.

It was non-stop; he was all she'd talked about.

While for me, after the way the evening before had ended, with every mention of his name my stomach tied itself into more and more knots until I felt twisted like a pretzel.

Stormi looked up at me. "You were busy on the phone and…" She paused and her brows furrowed in concentration. "Well, I can't say one of the words but you told someone you were up a poop creek and sounded upset."

Bronson made a strangled noise and when my gaze snapped to him, it was obvious he was trying to hold in a laugh. Rolling my eyes, I looked back at my daughter.

"If Embry had heard you, you would be out some money for having a potty-mouth. That's what I heard her call it at the party." Her tone was stern as if she was scolding me and I had to bite my cheek from laughing.

However, the hunky man who held my daughter wasn"t able to contain himself this time, and a deep chuckle ripped free from his muscled chest. Even though I was also amused, I gave him an annoyed look because of the way the sound of his laughter made me feel, sending goosebumps skating across my skin.

He does not affect me. He does not affect me.

Maybe if I said it enough times, my mind, body, heart, and soul would all get the memo.

"Mommy." Stormi's sweet voice broke in and my attention refocused on her. "Maybe Uncle Bronson can watch me?"

"What in the world?" I shook my head and glanced at Bronson, who had his brows raised in question. "Baby, Bronson has his own stuff going on. We'll be fine."

I had not been expecting her to blurt that out and there was no way I wanted to bring him into all our problems. Letting him drive us home the night before and come again to take me to my car was pushing the limits already.

Bronson had the ability to break me all over again if I allowed him to burrow his way back into my heart. Not that he'd ever really left, but I'd learned to deal with the fact that past memories would be all I would have.

"Tell me what's going on and let me help," Bronson said, piercing me with his mesmerizing green eyes.

I stood there, captivated, and nothing came out of my mouth. How after all the years that had gone by, could one look from him make me feel like a teenage girl with a silly crush? Maybe because he had been my first crush and the only guy I'd ever had any true feelings for.

"My babysitter Gretchen is sick and mom is going to miss work," Stormi blurted when I didn't answer. "And she is going to be late if we don't get a move on," she added, matter-of-factly.

She was right on both fronts but I hadn't been planning to spill my guts to Bronson. Or have him offer what he had next.

"I can watch this crazy girl for you," Bronson said, tickling Stormi's side with one hand and making her squeal with laughter.

"Yes!" my daughter yelled, throwing one arm in the air in triumph.

My eyes nearly bugged out of my head. "W-What. Y-You can't," I stammered, completely floored by the offer. "Have you lost your mind?"

He flashed me a smile that probably made all the ladies swoon. "Not crazy, I just want to help. Let me help you, Cupcake."

Stormi giggled when he dropped the nickname. I, however, wasn"t sure how I felt when he used it. It brought back so many memories. Good ones for sure, but then anger and sadness sunk in when I remembered how he threw them all away.

"If you don't want me to stay here with her, I could ask one of my friends to help." He shrugged his shoulders. "I'm sure Ruby, Capri, or any one of them would gladly let her stay with them."

This was nuts. I looked at my watch. Time was ticking. I should've probably just called in, but I knew this late notice was not something I could do to them.

Maybe I was the crazy one because I was seriously considering his offer. I adored all the women at the party and saw how wonderful they were with their children, but I still didn't know them that well.

In a half whine, half pleading tone, my daughter interjected, "But I want Bronson to play here."

That floored me because the others had kids and yet she was asking for him instead. After hemming and hawing for a few moments, I finally asked Bronson, "You really want to stay at my house with her?"

"I offered, didn't I?" he replied.

Biting the inside of my cheek, I stood there thinking.

"You can trust me, Lake," he added, as if reading my mind.

I'd just been wondering exactly that. But in the end, I knew deep down that I could trust Bronson. He may have broken my heart at one time, but he was a protector and he'd keep my baby safe.

Please don't let this be a mistake.

"If you're sure, I will take your help and thank you."

There went that smile again. And I was thoroughly affected.

"You got it. Now let's get you to your car and on the way you can tell me everything I need to know."

Bronson set my daughter down and she took off running into the house. "I'm going to get a couple of things, be right back!"

I turned to head inside. "Let me grab my purse and jack—,"

"Hey," Bronson interrupted, causing me to look back over my shoulder at him.

"Yes?"

"You look really good in your uniform, Cupcake." He winked and my face flushed with heat.

Quickly, I turned away so he wouldn't see the way he made me blush but his deep chuckle told me he'd caught it anyway.

I was definitely the crazy one.

Because I liked the way he still made me feel, even after so many years.

On top of the fluttery feeling in my stomach that he was provoking, I was having a hard time not longing to have my best friend back.

CouldI go through with it?

I wrapped my daughter in a fierce hug. "Give me a kiss goodbye."

Stormi let out an exaggerated groan. "Mom, you already kissed me a thousand times."

The adults around us laughed and I looked at them as I released her. Ruby, Lyric, Patience, and Bronson all seemed quite amused by my sassy pants child as they stood by the door watching our exchange.

Having had only a handful of adults I trusted Stormi with for so long, it didn't make it easy to let new people in. However, after meeting everyone at the party and also having crossed paths with Ruby at the hospital, I had a feeling that each and every one of them were good people.

Still didn't make it easy leaving my world behind, even if it was just for work.

Plus, I wasn't letting her stay with everyone. I was leaving her with Bronson.

How the heck did this happen?

I glanced across the room where Gramps sat in his chair, with Autumn and Patience"s son sitting below him, quietly playing together.

"I don't think it was a thousand times," I replied to Stormi, with an eye roll.

With my eyes still on Gramps as I spoke, I couldn't help but see the twinkle in his gaze.

"You want your girl to stay here with me, I got you covered," Gramps said, giving me a wink. A laugh tumbled from my lips and it felt good, relaxing me.

My eyes went to Stormi who watched me with pleading eyes. I knew she wanted Bronson to care for her. I wasn't sure what her quick attachment to him was and it scared me a bit, but I'd already told her that he could stay with her.

I glanced at Bronson who studied me and then nodded, with a reassuring expression on his face. After knowing him for so long, I knew he would, one take care of her, but two, he was also saying he'd go with whatever I felt was right or was comfortable with.

How was it after all this time, I could still read him like an open book?

"Thanks," I told Gramps with a warm smile.

He was a character, charmer, and one heck of a man. Ruby was a lucky girl to have him. To even have family around must have been amazing. I shook off the sadness that tried to worm its way into my heart when thinking of my parents being gone.

"I think Bronson's got this one," I added, turning to the man himself, who was grinning.

"Well, we can always save his sorry a—" Lyric stopped and cleared his throat. "I mean, butt, if he needs it," he added, jokingly.

Stormi started to snicker and everyone looked her way. "Nice save," she said, looking at Lyric. "Embry would have been sad she missed the money."

We all started laughing. My daughter seemed to be very taken with Embry and the way she managed to take the gang"s money. The girl was stealthy and had some bionic ears, that's for sure.

"That girl has gotten enough of my money," Lyric told Stormi, making her giggle.

It was time for me to get going. Part of me wondered what it would feel like to go home and hang out with Bronson and my daughter, but I knew I needed to get those thoughts out of my head.

He left you.

I had to keep reminding myself how torn up I was when he left. The broken heart I nursed for years and the anger that plagued me, were not things I wanted to experience again.

"I better get going to work. It was great seeing you guys again," I told everyone.

All of a sudden, I found myself wrapped in a hug. Ruby gave me a good squeeze before letting me go. "You'll have to get together with me and the ladies soon. We'll figure something out."

Shocked, I only nodded at first. They'd said the same thing the evening before at the party, but I thought maybe they were just being polite. I had a few friends from work, but that was about it, and we didn't get a chance to hang out much. Any free time I had was spent with my daughter. But the idea of spending some time with the ladies sounded nice.

"And it begins," Lyric said, causing Ruby to smack him playfully in the stomach.

"What begins?" I asked.

Bronson grabbed my hand, pulling me toward the door. "Ignore him. Let's get you to the car for work, so you're not late."

I let him drag me away because I couldn't concentrate on anything but the tingle that shot through my palm and up my arm at his touch. I knew he was just trying to get me out of there but I couldn't help my reaction.

"Bye," Stormi told everyone cheerfully as she followed.

"See you later," I yelled over my shoulder.

I not only heard Lyric and Ruby laugh, but Gramps chuckled too.

"Why are they laughing?" I asked as we made our way to my car.

After we stopped next to my door, Bronson let go of my hand. "Lyric is just being a goof."

I was about to question him more but Stormi wrapped her arms around my legs and hugged them tight. "Bye Mom."

Looking down at her, I shook my head. "You ready to get rid of me that bad huh?" I dropped to my knees and grabbed her, tickling her playfully.

She was crazy ticklish and laughed uncontrollably. Once I let up, I gave her one last hug and kiss before standing.

"Okay, you remember the rules, right?" I asked Bronson.

He let out a deep chuckle. "How can I forget when you only went through them five times on the way here?" The smile he wore was devious. "Bedtime is at midnight, three scoops of ice cream is a go, and Die Hard is the movie to watch."

Following Ruby's lead, I smacked Bronson in the stomach.

"Oof," he let out on a grunt.

"Behave," I warned as I got into my car. "I'll call you two later."

Rolling down my window, I started the engine and waved as I pulled away. That was when I heard Bronson yell.

"Talk to you in five minutes!"

The amusement in his voice was clear.

But I smiled knowing he was probably right.