Page 122 of Daddy By Design

“Not the specifics, but that old place had to have at least one, right?”

“You believe it?”

“Sure, why not? Crescent Cove isn’t your average town, so why wouldn’t we have a ghost too?”

I laughed. “She’s definitely not a… oh, is that a cold spot? kind of ghost. She was tossing books at Nolan like they were in a fight. Not that I blame her. He makes me want to chuck things at his head sometimes too.”

Macy’s eyebrow spiked. “Is that right?” She glanced over my shoulder. “You making friends again, No?”

I turned around and found Nolan just outside the screen door. His shaggy hair was freshly washed, and he wore a Halloween graphic T-shirt over ancient black jeans. He had a case of beer under his arm.

He opened the door and his gaze slid over me. His eyes were hidden behind his usual dark sunglasses, but I could still feel his attention travel along every inch of me. I’d put on a short dress with built-in shorts under it—and pockets, because damn right.

Handily, those pockets hid my fisted hand, thank you very much.

“Is she talking about Harriette again?” He set the case on the kitchen island and gave Mace a half hug as he slung his arm around her shoulders.

“Yes, mostly about her tossing books at your head.” Mace grinned up at him.

He grunted. “Probably just uneven floors.”

“Please,” I muttered.

“Got room in the fridge for a few of those?” He pointed to the beer.

“Bottom shelf.”

“Cool.” He pulled out four and went to the fridge.

“Mr. Nolan!” Michael started to open the door.

“What’s left on that timer, pal?”

The door slapped shut again and he sighed. “Five minutes.”

“Scram!”

He blew out a sigh. “Come with me, Mr. Nolan! You can see my Nerf gun.”

Nolan grabbed two beers from the island. “I’m pretty good with a Nerf gun. You sure you want to do that?”

My stomach flipped at the change of his gruff voice for the little boy.

“Yeah!” Michael practically vibrated on the porch. “I have a bulze set up.”

Nolan shot a look at Macy.

“He means target with a bullseye.”

“Oh, got it.”

“That’s what I said!” Michael said, full of all the exasperation a five-year-old could muster.

Nolan grinned and his face transformed from the gruff and staid to one with a hint of pure joy. Not all the way, but definitely more than I’d ever seen. “Prepare to be trounced, little man.”

He glanced over his shoulder at me before following the happy chatter of his nephew.

Once he left, Macy leaned on the kitchen island and gave me a long look. “You banging my brother?”

---