Solene opened the front door before they reached it. “Noel Jr. is napping. And Noel, you owe me big time.”
Addy grinned. “You sound just like Deacon.”
Frost glazed Solene’s amber eyes. “Don’tmention that man’s name to me, Addy. Not if you want to stay friends.”
Noel sighed. “What did he do?”
“When he wasn’t flirting with me or my staff, you mean? Or the mothers droppingtheir kids off? Or the women working next door at the friggin’ bakery? He had the nerve to try to bully me into helping him. When that didn’t work, he manipulated me into caring for Noel Jr.!”
Noel kept his face expressionless, certain he’d get smacked if he showed any sign of amusement. “Manipulated how?”
“He said he was going into danger. That the baby might get hurt if he hadto take him, and he didn’t want to chance it.” She huffed. “How could I let that precious baby get hurt if I could stop it? That rat bastard,” she seethed.
“I assume you mean Deacon and not the baby.”
Solene gave him a baleful eye. “Of course I’m not referring to the baby. You might be cute, but you’re a little short on smarts, eh?” She turned. “Well, come on, you two. Tell me howthe date went.”
Noel and Addy exchanged a glance before following Solene inside.
The open floor plan had dark hardwoods throughout, and the airy rooms were breathtaking, but not as awe-inspiring as the view out the bay windows at the back of the house, overlooking the water.
“Yeah, yeah, you can see the water and Seattle from here.” She gathered up a familiar duffle bag andplopped it at Noel’s feet. Then she left and returned carrying a sleeping baby in his baby carrier. She put him down and added quietly, “Well? The date?”
Noel knew he’d need to let Solene know about the possible danger, especially since she’d be linked to him sooner or later because of the baby and Addy.
“It was…interesting,” Addy answered. “Noel, why don’t I stay with Solene whileyou get little Griffith settled?”
He rolled his eyes, secretly thrilled she still was teasing him. “Griffith? Really? Why don’t you paint a sign on his back begging kids to beat him up on the playground too?”
Solene looked confused. “I thought his name was Noel Jr.?”
“No, that’s just what Deacon calls him to annoy me.”
“Yeah, about that. So who is the baby’s father,anyway? Because I am seriously baffled about all of this.”
“I’ll explain things,” Addy said. “Then you can drive me back to Noel’s after I get settled for a bit.”
Noel sighed. “Probably a good idea. I’ll take little Gunnar home with me. Come on, fella. Let’s go.” He glanced down at the sleeping bundle. “I really like him like this.”
Solene smothered a chuckle. “Hold on andI’ll get you his car seat.”
Once she’d put it in the back seat, he locked the baby carrier in and made sure the boy was secure, then turned to Solene. “Thanks for this. I know Deacon bullied you into it, but you really did a good thing. Deacon wasn’t lying about things not being so safe.”
“What?”
“Addy will explain. And Solene, be her friend. She needs you right now.”
Solene just watched him. A gorgeous woman with light brown eyes, golden wavy hair, and the feminine features of an angel and seductress both, she was more than striking. Her body was lean and curvy in all the right ways, her voice husky, stroking along sensual centers in the brain.
Yet he didn’t desire her at all. He had eyes only for Addy, with her almond-shaped eyes, her creamy skin,and shiny black hair, so straight and soft he wanted to pet her every time he saw her. Her body knocked him for a loop, but it was Addy’s vibrant warmth that had him wanting to be near her more and more. And to see her react so well under such horrific conditions. A man couldn’t ask for a better woman by his side.
He waved to Solene, got in, and started up the car. “Just you and me, kid,”he said to the boy and drove back home.
What, exactly, would Addy tell Solene? He hadn’t told her to keep anything a secret, though he should have. Yet he trusted her judgment. Aside from the mess their date had become, he hoped she remembered their time together before all the violence. She’d said it meant something to her, and hopefully she wouldn’t find it so easy to forget.
God help him, he sure couldn’t.
Solene went back inside,puzzled and pleased at the same time.
