She wanted to try.
Chapter7
Bits And Pieces
You could be part of our family.Charlie’s words echoed in Nash’s head and his heart reeled at his son’s words.He was so quick to accept others, so willing to bring them in and make them friends.
Family.
Desire lanced through him.Desire for that family vision with the four of them.Desire for Olivia.He thought he saw an echo of that desire in Olivia’s eyes.
Hell, that look sent his mind in a hot, sweaty direction with no kids or clothes.
It took a few seconds for him to bank all those images and shove them into the back corner of his mind.Not the time for those, although he figured he’d be revisiting them later that night.
They kicked off their boots and slid on moccasins when they entered the farmhouse.On his shoulder, Ella didn’t budge as Charlie found a pair for Olivia, a pair that resembled Nash’s.Was his kid doing a bit of matchmaking?
In recent months, Charlie had started mentioning the fact that Nash didn’t date.His son had a big heart and he wanted to know if Nash was happy, or if he’d be happier with a girlfriend.The word sounded like high school, but Nash hadn’t laughed.Charlie told him that most adults like being with partners and maybe Nash should get one.It was weird having a ten-year-old as a wingman.
Charlie led the way up the stairs and along the hallway to their bedrooms.Nash was thankful that both he and his son were basically neat creatures.Cleaning up was easier if it didn’t get too bad in the first place.Having visitors in their rooms would be awkward if they were slobs.
Charlie pushed open the door to his room, then moved to smooth out the bed and put his pillow flat.Then he grabbed his teddy bear and Nash’s heart stopped.
Charlie hugged the bear before checking in with Olivia.He kept his voice low so as not to wake Ella.“Do you think this will work for her?She can use my Carino to cuddle.”
Olivia appeared to pick up on the emotion behind the bear as her eyes flashed to him and back to Charlie.“That’s very sweet of you.I left her favorite dragon in the car’s back seat.”
Charlie’s eyes widened.“Ella likes dragons, too?When she wakes up, I can show her some of mine.I love dragons.I don’t think she’d like any of the books I read, but I had some picture books with dragons.Do we still have them, Dad?”
Nash swallowed down his emotions and smiled.“We kept one box of your favorite books from when you were little.There might be some dragon books in there.They’re still in the trailer.”
Charlie grinned.“Good.When we find them, I can read some stories to her.I bet she’d like that.”
Olivia smiled.“She would.She loves when I read books with her.”
The toddler was fast asleep and didn’t budge as Nash lowered her to his son’s bed.Her little body squirmed until her butt was up in the air.She didn’t even open her eyes as she raised her fist to chew on.
Nash’s heart was filled with memories of his boy sleeping in the same trusting manner.It would be amazing to see another child grow through the steps —from walking on her own to saying words and then stringing sentences together to having opinions she figured the entire world should hear.
He’d grown way too attached to the little girl and her mama in a very short time.He didn’t think Charlie was far behind.
Proving it, his son grabbed one of his dragon books and eased onto the bed, careful not to disturb Ella.He angled himself so his back was against the headboard, and his body would keep Ella safe from falling, even if she rolled.Then he tucked his precious Carino bear beside her to cuddle.
Pride filled Nash again.
Charlie motioned them to the door.“She’s asleep.I’ll take care of her.You guys go do something.How long does she normally sleep?”
Olivia shrugged.“Anywhere from five minutes to an hour or so.”
“Okay.I’ll call if I need you.”
Nash raised an eyebrow.“Is your phone charged?”
Charlie grinned and shook his head, so Nash put his phone on the nightstand.“Text or call Olivia when Ella starts to wake up.”
Charlie nodded and opened his book, clearly dismissing the adults.
With a grin, Nash gestured for Olivia to precede him out the door.She worried her bottom lip as she looked from Charlie to Ella and then to Nash.He nodded at her, trying to convey without words that her daughter was safe.
