“I want to check your injuries before we go home.”
“They’re fine, Theo. You don’t have to worry about me.”
“I will, anyway.” Gently, his fingers bunched up her pant leg and examined the bruise, which was now a lovely shade of purple. “That must hurt.”
“Only if I accidentally touch it.” She wouldn’t mention the few times she’d bumped it today playing with Bandit.
“Let me see the side.”
Ignoring her shaking head, he lifted the hem of her shirt and leaned closer, his hand skimming over the broken skin. When he frowned, she got nervous.
“What’s the matter? Is something wrong?”
“No, it’s healing nicely.” His eyes lifted to hers. “I hate that you got hurt is all.”
The touch of his fingers on her skin caused a rush of blood to her face and many other places. How could a little touch do so much to her? And he didn’t take them away quickly. It was like he was examining every inch with care.
Finally, he dropped the shirt and sat back. “Time to go, peanut. We’ll see your mom tomorrow. She’s going to meet us for lunch and then stay with you until I get home.”
“You are?” Jordan’s eyes got wide and excited. Before she could start her jolly jiggle, Theo scooped her up.
“Say a quick goodbye to her and the pets.”
When he lowered her to the ground again, she jumped into Chelsea’s arms and hugged her tight. This was the toughest part. Saying goodbye. Every time, she had this awful feeling like she’d never see her again. The pain of losing her the first time was still too fresh in her mind.
“Will you bring Bandit and the kitties tomorrow?” Jordan asked, her expression hopeful.
Chelsea glanced at Theo, who rolled his eyes but nodded with a grin.
“I will. They’ll have to stay in the car while we have lunch.”
“Actually,” Theo said, scratching Bandit’s ears. “They have one section of their place that dogs are allowed. Not sure how well the kittens would do in there.”
“Really? Okay, I’ll leave the cats in their carrier with the windows open. I’ll see you both tomorrow at noon.”
“Noon. Let’s go, peanut. It’s getting late. Good thing you don’t have to get up for school tomorrow.”
“Does that mean—”
“No,” Theo interrupted. “You can’t stay up late tonight.”
“Daddy. How did you know what I was gonna say?”
Theo narrowed his eyes. “Because I know you, peanut.”
Moving closer to Chelsea, he ran his hand down her arm and encircled her wrist. Drawn in, she smiled up at him. Oh, God, would he kiss her? Did she want him to? Yes.
His lips lowered but only touched forehead. “Thanks for helping out tomorrow.”
As they left, Chelsea plopped onto the couch and lifted the kittens onto her lap. Bandit jumped up next to her.
Helping out.
Parents didn’t help out, did they? Parents parented. Would she ever get to the point where Theo thought of her fully as Jordan’s parent? It had only been two weeks since she’d come back here, but she already felt so much love for her child she’d do anything for her. But she couldn’t read her thoughts and finish her words like Theo could. Would she ever be able to? Pulling the kittens closer, she hoped she would.
Theo slammed the door of his work truck and stretched his shoulders back.Man, that hurt.Idiot college kids. Someone had called in a disturbance along one of the steeper trails up Cadillac Mountain, and when he’d gone to check it out, there’d been no evidence of a disturbance, except the rocks that had come tumbling down around him. A large one had hit him square in the back. If he’d been a step down, it could have hit his head and knocked him out. Or worse.
Too often, the college kids from the nearby university liked to do a few pranks before they left for the summer. Classes ended next week, and some of them must have been gearing up early. Unfortunately, the hit had left him stunned for a couple moments, giving whoever had been responsible time to flee before Theo could get a look. It didn’t leave him in the best mood for meeting Chelsea for lunch.
