Page 22 of Stick Move

“They make a huge pancake,” she says and holds her arms wide open. “Then everyone has to take a nap.”

“Ooh, I love pancakes.” I wink. “And I love naps.” Although I can’t remember the last time I’ve taken a nap.

She crinkles her nose. “I don’t like naps. Sometimes Daddy still makes me take them. I like when he naps with me, though.” Warmth erupts inside me as I picture the two of them snuggled up. I never really had that with my own dad. He was busy working and I was busy trying to impress him.

I sit beside her on the bed and adjust the pillow behind me. “How about I make pancakes in the morning, and then we can explore the beach?”

“Can Daddy come too?”

“Of course, he can.” Dammit, I probably should have checked with Noah before making any promises to Camryn. I’m not her full-time caregiver just yet. “If he wants to, and if you both can. Your daddy might have other plans, but I’ll check with him to see if we can do that, okay?” She nods and I read the story to her. When I’m done, I shift, and fix the blankets around her as she struggles to keep her eyes open.

“Sweet dreams, Jellybean.”

“Will you stay with me until I fall asleep? Sometimes Daddy does that. So does Grandma.” My heart lurches. The Jones’ are a close-knit family and I can’t even imagine what life will be like for them when Grandma’s disease progresses. I hate the thoughts of little Jellybean losing another person she’s close to.

I slide in beside her and she snuggles in close. I lightly rub her back as she closes her eyes, and I close my eyes too. The next thing I know, a yelping sound reaches my ears and my eyes open. For the briefest of seconds, I think I’m a child again, with my dad sleeping in the room across the hall, but then reality sinks in and as my eyes adjust, I spot a big figure hopping around the room.

“Noah?” I ask as he mumbles curses under his breath. I sit up. “What’s going on?”

“I stubbed my damn toe on the end of the bed. I’m not used to the arrangement of the furniture.” He holds his foot as he continues to hop and there’s nothing I can do to stifle a laugh. “It’s not funny.”

“I know, I’m sorry.” I pat the end of the bed. “Come sit.” He hops over and drops down onto the bottom of the mattress, and it’s all I can do to hold back a chuckle, not because he’s hurt, but because of the hopping and cursing.

He shakes his head at me. “You’re still laughing.”

“No, I’m not.” I bite my lip to get myself together. “Do you think you broke your toe?”

“Yes!”

“Can I see?”

“No.”

“Can you bend it?”

He pulls his sock off and we both watch as he wiggles his toes. “Probably just badly bruised. I can call for the resort’s doctor if you think you need it checked.”

He growls at me, and I turn my head so he can’t see my grin. “They can’t do anything for a broken toe anyway.”

I turn back to him. “They can bandage it to a buddy toe.”

He glares at me and I can’t hold back my laugh. “It’s not funny.”

Ohmigod, this big strong, athletic tough guy has been taken out by a bruised toe. On the ice he’s fearless, tough as nails. Yes, I watch him all the time, but the corner of the bedpost has become his undoing.

My quiet laughter dies down and as he sets his foot back on the floor and as his leg brushes against mine, the atmosphere in the room changes. Our eyes hold and lock for a second, and when Camryn stirs, breaking the moment, I push to my feet.

“I guess I should get going. Thanks for doing the dishes.”

“Thanks for dinner, and for tucking Camryn in.” He stands with me, his big body hovering, crowding, overwhelming all my senses.

Go for it, girl.

What if he rejects me?

What if he doesn’t?

But he might still be in love with is ex.

---