Page 104 of Always a Bridesmaid
Violet went to smack his arm but seemed to realize he was holding a baby. Between her teeth she said, “I’ll get him back for that later. Yes, I will.”
Isla beamed at Violet the same way Ford couldn’t help doing whenever he was around her.
Okay, maybe he could do this. He just had to focus on Violet. On how he felt about her.
Vaguely, he heard the chime over the door, followed by, “Aww, how precious.”
Lucia Murphy strolled farther into the store. “I come early to sneak a cupcake before Priscilla gets here, but this is another sweet treat I no expect.” She added a chef’s kiss noise. “Bellissimo.It so nice seeing you two happy and together, like a picture-perfect family. Now you can settle down and have your own adorablebambini.”
What started as a nervous laugh came out as more of a hacking sound, and Ford quickly handed Isla to Violet. “I’d, uh, better go see if Maisy needs any help.”
“Do you have a tranquilizer in your paramedic bag?” Violet asked. “Because I think that’d be the most effective method to subdue her.”
“I heard that,” Maisy called. “And FYI, Dad and Mama are on the way, so steel yourself.”
Violet cast Lucia a sidelong glance, assumedly because she didn’t want people knowing she had to prepare herself to deal with them. Which was why she neededhimhere, so he’d better get his head straight.
Lucia lifted a finger to her lips. “Do not worry. It will be our secret.” She brushed her hand over Isla’s hair and flashed Violet a smile. “As long as you hook me up with extra brownie bites.”
“You’re incorrigible.”
Ford tried to smile but wasn’t sure he pulled it off. The words “picture-perfect family” ran through his head until it throbbed from them.
He wasn’t ready for a family.
Didn’t even know if he wanted kids.
Babies were cute—that wasn’t exactly a news flash. Didn’t mean he was ready to give up his adventurous lifestyle for a routine that included diapers and feedings while the prime of his life passed him by.
What about poker nights? Training dogs? Being able to take off to the mountains on a whim for several days at a time. People with kids didn’t do that. Hell, married dudes didn’t get to do that.
I could use a strong bottle of whiskey about now.
Great. Now you’re dealing with things the way the rest of the McGuires do.
“Hey.” Violet nudged his arm with her elbow, and he feared his panic was written across his face. It felt like he was in uncharted territory without a map, the sky dark and the stars obscured, with nothing to help him regain his sense of direction. “You okay?”
“Yeah.” The vise on his too-tight lungs cranked another turn as he realized how much of a hold this woman had on him. She was turning him into the type of guy who showed up for town functions on the regular. Volunteering him for a road trip to pick up wedding decorations and to meet her mom without talking to him first.
What else was she going to plan and inform him of afterward? A wedding, like she’d done with her ex?
He’d decided to step down this path of coupledom, but he’d underestimated the twists and turns. Now he was glancing at the trailhead, debating turning back.
“I’m gonna go get some air real quick,” he said.
“Oh. Of course. You’ll be back soon, though?” She leaned closer, and her voice trembled slightly, her happy facade cracking and letting the worry shine through. “Because my dad and Cheryl are on their way, and I’m trying not to be a wimp, but—”
“Just a quick stroll around the block.” His brain and lungs needed to get their acts together—and if they’d get on the same team, even better.
Violet’s eyes met his, and he wasn’t sure what she was waiting for. Did she think she could guilt trip him into changing his mind? If he didn’t clear it of his thoughts, it was likely to explode.
One slow inch at a time, she tipped onto her toes and kissed his cheek. “See you soon, then.”
Ford twisted his neck and gave Violet a proper kiss that Isla seemed to take offense to. This time, he did the honors of popping the pacifier in the baby’s mouth.
Then he rushed out of the bakery, gasping for air.
Getting away from the hubbub was supposed to help, but Ford couldn’t walk fast enough. Far enough.
