Page 103 of Never Fall Again

Eliza was sound asleep in a man’s arms for the first time in her young life. Her own father had never held her with the same tenderness.

This wasn’t the way a man determined to protect his heart acted.This was the way a daddy cuddled with his baby girl when she was sick.

Landry watched them for another minute before a fuzzy memory hit her brain. She’d helped Eliza get tucked into bed. But obviously she hadn’t stayed there. At some point, either she’d walked down to Cal or he’d gone to get her.

She wasn’t taking any more of those pain pills. They worked, but they worked too well. Landry couldn’t be so out of it that she lost track of her daughter.

She waited for the fear to crash through her at the realization that she’d slept so hard. But it didn’t come.

Because of Cal.

She trusted him with Eliza. When hadthathappened?

She wrapped her robe around herself, held on to the rail, and eased down the stairs.

Cal turned his head and watched her, concern and something else in his eyes. “Feeling better?”

She read his lips more than heard his words. And she didn’t try to respond until she was standing beside him. “Not one hundred percent. Maybe fifty?”

“It’s progress.”

“Definitely.” She pointed to the bathroom. “I’ll be right back.” She closed herself in the bathroom and decided once and for all that tiny house living wasn’t for her. The door was closed, but Cal was just a few feet away. It didn’t feel like she had any privacy.

She took care of business, brushed her teeth, ran a brush through her hair, and returned to the sofa. She waved a hand to encompass Cal and Eliza. “How did this happen?”

Cal’s expression was bemused. “I have no idea. She slept upstairs for an hour or so, then decided I would make a better bed. So here we are.”

His expression turned serious, and he patted the sofa cushion beside him. “Join us?”

“I’d love to.” As soon as she sat, his arm wrapped around her shoulder, and she didn’t fight it when he pulled her closer. She dropped her head to the free spot right above his heart.

This was definitely not what a man who wanted to stay friends would do.

At least, she didn’t think he would. The Quinns and Shaws were an affectionate family. Hugs, pats, and squeezes were regular occurrences between the aunts, uncles, and cousins.

But this didn’t feel friendly. This felt like...she wasn’t sure if she could even think the thought.

Her breathing sped up.

Cal pressed his cheek to the top of her head. “You okay? Comfortable?”

“Mm-hmm.”

Cal didn’t move his head.

Yeah. This wasn’t friend-zone behavior. This was edging into happily-ever-after territory. At least, it was for her. And if she’d read the situation wrong, she needed to know yesterday. But today would have to do. If she was wrong, this had to stop—and stop now—because sheandEliza were already in way too deep with Cal.

The timing was terrible. She was sick. Eliza was sick. His mom was on her way here. What if she said something now, but he wasn’t ready yet? This conversation could ruin everything.

Or it might be amazing.

They sat that way for a full minute before she couldn’t take it anymore. “Cal?”

“Hmm?”

“Um...do you remember when we were talking and I, uh, I told you that even if I ever got to the point where I was willing to take a chance on a relationship again, that I couldn’t imagine ascenario where I would be comfortable putting Eliza’s safety in jeopardy?”

Beside her and around her, Cal’s body had gone from languid and relaxed to tense. Battle ready. But when he spoke, his voice was calm. “I remember.”

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