“I was also hoping you could coach my basketball team for me,” Theo said to Eli. “One of Aubrey’s friends talked me into coaching her son’s second grade team. We have a game tomorrow and my assistant coach isn’t capable of taking the lead.”
“Sure.”
“Thanks. I’ll text more information about that to you when I have time.” He threw a glance toward the ER. Hesitated. “I should check on Aubrey. Are you guys set? Need anything else?”
“Yes, we’re set and no, we don’t need anything else,” Penelope assured him. “I’ll take fantastic care of Madeline. Just let me know when you have more information about Aubrey, okay?”
“’Kay.” He gave her a side-armed hug, kissed Madeline on the head, then walked through swinging metal doors.
Ever since Theo had mentioned germs, Penelope had been wishing she could cover her niece’s face with a gas mask. “How about we relocate to fresh air?”
“All right. Do you want me to take her?”
“No, thank you.” She gestured with her chin toward Madeline’s baby seat, sitting on a nearby chair. He grasped it and she led the way from the building.
On this second-to-last day of June, the hours of daylight per day had recently hit their annual peak. Bronze sun still graced the North Georgia mountains at this hour of the evening. It dappled her shoulders as she stopped several yards from the entrance, beneath a tree. It slanted across Eli’s eyelashes as he came to a halt facing her.
Her senses struggled to adjust to the reality of him after six months of distance. He was, to her ever-loving irritation,more appealingthan she’d remembered. His eyes more perceptive, his manner more assured.
Should she just bluntly state that she didn’t want or need his help—
“I missed you,” he said.
The statement surprised her to such a degree, was so, so...absurd, that she released a gasp of laughter. “No, you didn’t.”
“Yes, I did.”
“No.”
“I think I know what I felt while I was gone better than you do,” he said good-naturedly. “I missed you.”
“Fine.” But her tone communicatedthat’s ridiculous.
“It’s really good to see you.” The affection in his expression gave weight and breadth to the statement.
She could not, however, let the affection she saw there softenher. “When did you get back?”
“Three days ago.”
“Welcome,” she said stiffly. She did not saywelcome homebecause Misty River was not his permanent home. He was simply stationed here short term. “You’ll be pleased to hear that I’m issuing you a babysitting hall pass when it comes to Madeline’s care.”
“You’re mad at me.”
“It was sweet of Theo to arrange backup for me, but I can handle Madeline by myself until Theo and Aubrey come home.”
He tilted his head. “You’re mad at me,” he repeated.
“I’m not invested enough to be mad.” She sniffed. “I’m marginally perturbed at best.”
He gave her a slow, lopsided smile, which immediately caused the backs of her knees to tingle.Drat!
“I want a second chance with you,” he said.
“No, no.” She spoke the words breezily. “There will be none of that. You and I have Theo in common and that’s enough.”
“Not for me.”
“I’ll be taking Madeline now. Good day to you, sir.” She reached for the car seat, which he still held. But he didn’t let go of its handle. She released her grip on it, drawing her brows together in frustration.
