Page 109 of Perfect Bragg

“Agreed.” He hands me Robin’s empty bottle. “I’ll burp her and put her to bed. Maybe she’ll sleep now since her tummy’s full.”

Apparently, Elder is a baby whisperer. Within an hour of his arrival, Robin’s fever is down and she’s ready to fall asleep. Too bad Elder isn’t here every night.

But he could be,Rebel Harmony cries.

He could be, I think as I watch him burp Robin. He could be.

Chapter 33

Can whoever removed the battery from the police car please return it? ~ Message from Peace on the Winter Falls Facebook page

Robin gurgles and I sigh.

“Five more minutes, baby girl.”

The arm around my waist tightens. “She’s okay?” Elder asks.

I glance down at the baby in my arms and she smiles up at me.

“She’s perfect.”

“Thank god. I don’t think I’ve ever been so worried in my life.” He buries his face in my shoulder as he clings to me.

“You were worried?”

He kisses my shoulder. “Of course, I was worried. Our baby girl was sick. It was more terrifying than the look Brody gets in his eyes when he’s about to pull off a prank.”

Ourbaby girl? I want to snarl at him. Yell at him how Robin isn’t ours. But I’m done lying to myself. To him.

Elder’s been here from day one. Even before we began our sham marriage, he was here for me and Robin. And since we’ve been married? He’s shown me how great a dad he is.

And how great a lover he is,Rebel Harmony adds.

For once, I don’t tell her to shut the hell up. Because she’s right. Elder is a great lover. He’s also kind, considerate—

And the man you love.

Thanks for the reminder.

Thought you needed it.

I was being sarcastic.

Put on your big girl panties and talk to him.

Am I seriously going to follow Rebel Harmony’s advice? I must be crazy.

Crazy like a fox.

“C-c-c.” I clear my throat and try again. “Can we do this thing?”

“What thing? Spend the night calming a baby with a fever? Pretty sure we showed how we can. I’ll order us matching t-shirts withBaby Whispererson them later today.”

I elbow him. “No. Us. You and me. And baby.”

His body jolts behind me before he locks his muscles down. Shit. He’s changed his mind. He doesn’t want me anymore.

“Never mind. I understand.”

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