Page 31 of Holiday Haven

It wasn’t an invitation for anything intimate. He understood she only wanted to keep him safe. Driving another twenty minutes to reach his own condo would be foolish.

Still, staying with her, even sleeping on her sofa, would only make him want to kiss her again.

CHAPTERTEN

“Thanks, that would be great.” Adam’s quick agreement knocked her off balance.

“Ah, you should park in the lot, then.” She gestured toward it. “You can’t leave your car on the street.”

“Right. Got it.” He backed up and pulled into the parking lot, taking one of the designated visitor spots.

She pushed out of the car, ducking her head as snow pelted her face. Her heart bounced against her ribs like a pinball, as she led the way inside.

Doing her best not to remember the toe-curling kiss they shared on the ballroom dance floor, she took the stairs to her second floor apartment. Adam hovered close behind her. They'd only gotten halfway up, when Mr. Baumgartner appeared at the top of the steps.

“Hi, Mr. Baumgartner,” she greeted the elderly caretaker.

The old man scowled at them, and the way he raked his gaze over Adam, made her inwardly groan. She flushed at the barely veiled accusation in the old man's gaze. She did her best to ignore it, it wasn't as if she entertained men in her apartment on her regular basis. And even if she did, her private life was none of the caretaker’s business.

“Don't forget to shovel the sidewalk in the morning,” he said in a curt tone as they reached the top of the stairs.

“Don't worry, I won't. Have a good night, Mr. Baumgartner.” She walked straight to her apartment door and opened it, glancing back to find the older man still staring after her. She waited for Adam to step inside, followed him in and closed the door behind them with a feeling of relief. At least Mr. Baumgartner hadn’t embarrassed her.

“You shovel the sidewalk for him?” Adam asked with a frown.

“Yes, he has a bad knee and he knocks fifty bucks a month off my rent in the winter.” She shrugged out of her coat and hung it in the tiny closet. Glancing over her shoulder, she watched Adam take his coat off. “Don't you think he'd make a great Santa? We’d only have to find a way to make him smile.”

He stepped up beside her, hanging his own coat next to hers. The simple action implied an intimacy she longed for. Irrationally nervous, she stepped back, keenly aware of his musky scent.

“Would you like something to drink?” She ducked into the kitchen. “Coffee? Hot chocolate?”

“Coffee is fine.” His expression was thoughtful as he took a seat on her sofa. Because her apartment wasn't very big, she could easily see him from the kitchen. Filling the carafe with water, she scooped grounds into the filter then closed the lid and pushed the button.

“What's wrong?” She crossed over to sit beside him. “You're not really worried about what Mr. Baumgartner thinks, are you?”

“Not exactly.” His grin was rueful. “Although he obviously watches out for you in his cranky way, which makes me feel a little better. The security in this place isn't very impressive.”

She lifted her brow. “Maybe not, but I'm not helpless. I can take care of myself.” It was annoying how Adam was once again treating her as if she were a younger sister he was bound by duty to protect.

“I'm surprised you haven't adopted him as a surrogate father.” Adam’s green gaze carried a hint of compassion. “Considering how you lost your parents so young.”

His astuteness surprised her, because she was rather attached to the elderly man, despite his curmudgeonly attitude. “Growing up the way we did, being shuffled from one relative to the next, was hard. But it did make me appreciate the value of family. I happen to know Mr. Baumgartner lost his wife a few years ago, he had one son who he also lost. He doesn't have any family left. So yes, I do see him as sort of a surrogate father.” She grinned and added, “Well, more like a grandfather.”

“I see.”

She stood and headed back into the kitchen. After filling two mugs with coffee, she carried a small tray containing cream and sugar and set it on the table within reach. “Help yourself.”

“Thanks.” He picked up one of the mugs and took a sip, drinking it black. She doctored hers with cream and sugar, first. Then relaxed against the cushions.

“Is that why you've become so attached to Joy?” He eyed her curiously. “Because she's all alone in the world, too?”

“I guess so.” Staring down at her coffee she wondered how they'd gotten on to such a serious subject. “Most of my life I felt like the odd person out. I was so different from Danielle, and it seemed as if no matter what I did, being good and not causing any trouble, I still didn’t belong.” She lifted her shoulder and raised her gaze to his. “I love Joy. If her mother comes back and is capable of taking care of her, that's fine. I would never break up a family that was meant to be together. But if, not? I intend to be there for her. Joy deserves to feel wanted. Loved. Safe and secure in the knowledge that she belongs. With me.”

“I understand.” He set his mug down and reached over to take her hand. His fingers were warm around hers. “But you must realize single parenthood isn't easy. I watched Alec struggle to adjust to being a single dad, once he learned about his daughter, Shannon. The family chipped in to help, but he had to play around his work schedule, going to the graveyard shift just so he could spend more time with his daughter. And he paid a college girl to spend the nights with Shannon while he was working. I can only imagine how much harder it would be with a brand new baby.”

She knew he was probably right. Being a single parent wouldn't be easy. She helped care for infants every day, she knew they cried, and fussed and needed constant attention. Yet she felt compelled to take care of Joy, to love the little girl as her own. “I’m sure your brother feels as if the sacrifices were well worth the effort.”

“Yes, he does.” Adam released her hand to pick up his coffee mug again. “But don’t forget, Shannon is his flesh and blood daughter.”

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