Page 17 of The Biker Needs A Nanny

I pause, staring at the other boxes—the ones that are marked in big magic marker with a single word:Melanie.

Her things. It’s the first time I’ve come face to face with it all since the day I packed them.

Will the damn reminders ever stop coming?

I haul the tree and box down and drop them in the family room.

“There. Happy?”

Grace folds her arms and stares at me until I stalk into the kitchen, grab a beer, and head upstairs.

I won’t join in decorating. I can’t. That box of ornaments is filled with memories. There’s no fucking way I’m opening it.

CHAPTER SEVEN

Grace—

It’s Saturday morning, yet I’m up at six like clockwork. It’s nice with the house quiet, so I pour myself a cup of coffee and walk to the dock. The bay is as still as glass, the only sound that of a seagull flying overhead, heading toward the gulf to feed. I sip my coffee on the pretty wicker set of outdoor furniture arranged under the roof. It’s like a little gazebo at the end of the dock. In front of the structure is a large deck, double the width of the dock with no covering. On it sit two wooden lounge chairs. It would be the perfect place to get sun if it were warmer.

When my cup is empty, I return to the kitchen and dig out the waffle iron I spotted the other day. When I was in town, I stopped at the grocery store and got toppings for Belgian waffles. I’ve got fresh cut strawberries, whipped cream, and chocolate chips, as well as the usual whipped butter and maple syrup.

While I’m at it, I fry some bacon. It's not long before the aroma of hot waffles and bacon brings Lucky and his girls downstairs.

“You did all this?” he asks, staring at the dining room table laden with food. He scratches his bare chest and yawns.

“Waffles!” Ella and Poppy both shout.

“It’s Saturday. I think you deserve something more than a cold bowl of cereal or a protein shake, don’t you?”

He doesn’t say anything but takes his seat.

Not long after their second helping, Lucky leans back in his chair. “Go get dressed, angels. I’m taking you shopping for a present for Grandma and Grandpa.”

That gets a round of cheers, and they scamper upstairs.

“Are they coming for Christmas?” I ask.

“My parents? No, but they’ll take the girls for a long weekend the day after they get out of school.”

“Oh.”

“You’re welcome to join us, but I didn’t know if you wanted a break.”

“A break sounds nice, and I’m sure this is something they’ll enjoy doing with you.”

“I don’t know. They seem to like being around you just fine.”

The jealousy is evident in his tone.

“Lucky, that doesn’t mean they don’t want to spend time with you. You’re their father.”

I stand and clear the table, then wash dishes.

The girls clamber down the stairs.

“We’re heading out. You need anything?” Lucky asks from the doorway.

“Nope. Have fun.”

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