Page 58 of An Unexpected Match

The only awkward moment had been when he left to take home the babysitter. He’d asked her to wait up for him, but she’d fled to her room like a scared rabbit. She was in over her head and had to protect her heart the best way she knew how.

And a late-night tryst with Brendan Ferguson was not the way to do it.

Luxuriating in the free morning, she stretched and considered what she’d do today. School was over for the semester. For good or bad, she’d done her best on the exams. Now a lazy summer day beckoned. The entire weekend lay before her, but she had no plans, no burning desire to do anything.

She should tell Brendan about her decision to leave, but the urgency she’d felt since that afternoon at the airport had eased. There was time enough to tell him on Monday. He couldn’t do anything about locating a replacement over the weekend. Why worry him with the news before then?

Maybe she’d go to the library and check out some books and then head for the beach. Swimming, reading and maybe a nap sounded like the best way to spend a lazy day.

For a moment, the reality of leaving was almost overwhelming.

She’d grown to love Hailey and Avery. She’d miss them so much. Would another babysitter love them? Would someone else let them paint and encourage them to run and laugh? Or would they follow that strict regimen Ella had followed?

Pushing the disquieting thoughts away for the moment, she dressed in a sleeveless top and shorts. Sandals were all she needed. She’d kick them off when she reached the beach.

Heading for the kitchen a few minutes later, she noticed how late it was, after eleven. Of course, it had been late when they returned home, even so, the day was practically half gone.

She was amazed she hadn’t heard the girls.

Where was everyone?

Glancing out the window, she saw Hailey and Avery playing in the sandbox, a pail of water beside them.

Hailey was fiercely concentrating on building a castle, using the water to soak the sand. Her tongue peeped from the corner of her mouth.

Avery haphazardly dug in the sand, piling up a mound, her attention to the task adorable.

They were chatting away, but Arden couldn’t hear them. Were they remembering their day at the beach last weekend?

She dashed into her room and found her sketch pad. Grabbing a couple of charcoal pencils, she returned to the kitchen and began sketching the girls. Her book was almost full of sketches of the Ferguson family, from her fantasy drawings of Brendan as a Viking to different portraits of the girls. She knew it was the best work she’d ever done.

“Good morning.” Brendan said behind her.

She spun around, startled at the sound of his voice. She hadn’t heard him.

Brendan leaned against the doorjamb, watching her. His hands were in the pockets of his jeans, the pullover shirt he wore delineated the firm muscles of his shoulders and chest.

Arden could happily stare at him all day. Once again her fingers itched to sketch him. This time she’d draw him just as he stood, his confident male assurance contrasting with the casual pose.

Oh, how she was going to miss him.

“Hi.”

“You slipped off to bed too early last night,” he said.

Flustered, she tried not to show it.

“I was tired. I had a great time. Your friends are delightful.”

“Did you eat any breakfast?”

She shook her head.

“It’s so close to lunchtime, I’ll just wait, then get something when I go out.”

“Are you off to someplace now?”

“I’m going to the library.”

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