Page 23 of Risky Game

Not good. Not good at all.

Chapter 8

Logan

I shouldn’t have carried her to bed last night. Hell, I shouldn’t have stayed on the back patio after Ruby fell asleep. I’d gone inside to use the bathroom and when I returned, it was clear she was asleep. I should have nudged her awake right then, gotten her to bed. Instead, I turned on my heels, went inside to grab my iPad, and I spent hours watching practice and game film, reviewing the lines and plays. Tweaking the strategy for the final preseason game. I filled my notes app with reminders and things to do and specific players to speak to as soon as we hit the field and made more notes to go over with the offense and defense coaches.

And I did all of it while creeping on Ruby like a pervert. Long, uninterrupted glances while she slept with her head back on the outdoor couch, head facing the backyard, gave me a complete view of her body, the way her lips parted as she breathed, and the gentle rise and fall of her chest.

Yeah. That was bad enough.

But deciding to pick her up and carry her upstairs like she was my child? Or my wife?

Crossed the line. One hundred percent. And the fact I touched her cheek, brushed my finger along her temple once I had her in that bed because I’d wanted to lean down and see if her lips were as soft as they’d looked all night?

Goddamn, I needed my head examined. Perhaps I should go back to the nanny agency and find some grandmother figure who’d teach Amelia how to crochet and knit and bake or something.

Ruby was a distraction I didn’t need and one I couldn’t afford.

I’d spent all day thinking of her, the feel of her body in my arms. The way that once I tried to wake her up and she didn’t move an inch and I held her in my arms, she’d curled into my chest. The way she glanced at me in that bedroom, half asleep, eyes barely opened, and given me a smile that had my heart tightening.

She was beautiful, so much wiser and confident than I’d been at her age. And she seemed so kind, so gracious. So forgiving. The way she’d talked about her mom, her life, and she never once seemed angry or bitter.

She wasn’t only way too young for me to be thinking these things about. I was beginning to think she was way too good for me.

A week. I’d give this time before I made any final decisions. There was nothing I could do with Amelia’s plane already landed, at the gate, and I was pacing back and forth where they’d exit soon. Nothing could change except for my resolve to stay away from Ruby as much as possible. I’d given her the night off so I didn’t have to worry about seeing her. She’d be back sometime tomorrow, so she and Amelia could meet. Amelia would change everything.

She’d keep Ruby distracted and help me keep my focus. She’d be the icebreaker I needed, because hell, my little girl had already been through enough. She didn’t need me to screw up with her new nanny and lose someone else in her life.

“Daddy!” My cheeks split into a smile as soon as I heard that sweet, loud voice. I couldn’t see her behind the crowd of people, but she must have seen me because soon, little hands were shoving people out of her way.

They glanced down at her, scowled, and then smiled because who could not smile at the tiny little bundle of waist-length, curly blond hair demanding she get through them.

And soon, she was there, running to me with her little backpack flopping behind her, and I crouched down to grab her.

My favorite arms in the entire world wrapped around my shoulders and the heels of her feet dug into my hips.

“Daddy! You’re here and I missed you and the plane ride was so much fun and even if I was scared, the lady who sat next to me was so nice!” I was racing to follow every one of her rushed, shouted words when she cupped her hand over my ear and whisper-shouted, “She even gave me extra pretzels and cookies even though she said that was a no-no!”

“Did she?” I leaned back, brushed her hair off her cheeks, and hugged her fiercely.

Behind her, a flight attendant smiled at us, headed directly toward me. “Please tell me you’re Mr. Caldwell.”

“I am. Thank you so much for keeping my daughter safe.” I held out my arm to shake her hand and the woman took it.

“My pleasure. She’s a treat.”

“So were those extra cookies!” Amelia shouted.

Her volume rose and fell with her sleep schedule. Maximum when she was awake, zero when she slept was pretty much all we’d ever gotten out of her. But missing it? Not hearing that raspy little shout all day long, God, I missed my little girl.

The flight attendant gave her a shocked look and glanced around. Several adults were hiding smiles or brazenly dishing them out. Amelia charmed everyone.

I had no reason to be worried about how she’d react to Ruby.

“Here’s her other carry-on, Mr. Caldwell.” The attendant slid her neon green suitcase to my side. “I’m told there will be luggage to pick up in baggage claim for her, as well.”

Vanessa had included that in the flight information she posted, but I appreciated the reminder. “Thank you…”

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