The scent of baby poop lingered in the air, and it was a toss-up if the stink was coming from the baby or Cooper. “I’ve got him. Go take a shower and get cleaned up. You both smell like sour milk.”
Without a word, Cooper disappeared up the stairs. Cara grabbed one of the blankets and walked into the kitchen, hoping Aunt Betty had thought enough to pack some baby shampoo, among other things she’d need to make everything right. As if that was possible. She was in a Cruz house, and here she was helping. She must be slowly losing her mind. Cara glanced down at the beautiful baby. Had it been just Cooper, she would have walked away, but this sweet innocent baby…well, one look into those blue eyes and she knew leaving wasn’t an option. Not yet.
Had Aunt Betty been trying to test Cara, to see if she could handle the situation, or was it because Aunt Betty had known there were ghosts?
Cara cradled the baby against her chest and opened the bag to get a good look inside. Diapers, formula, and a large box of condoms. A little late for that.
She unzipped the side compartments and found baby shampoo. “What do you say we get you all cleaned up.”
Fifteen minutes later, she’d bathed the baby in the sink, put a normal diaper on him, and made a fresh bottle. Settling in the recliner, with a burp rag over her shoulder, she rocked him while he ate. His little fingers clutched around her pinky as he stared up at her with Caribbean blue eyes, confirming Cara’s first assessment of Coop. He did make beautiful kids. The baby’s eyes slid closed. He was probably as worn out as Cooper.
Cara set the bottle on the table and burped him, wiping at his mouth. She kept him in her arms and rocked him the rest of the way asleep.
Cooper jogged down the stairs, running a towel over his head. He’d showered and changed into a pair of track pants without a shirt. Her eyes tracked his movements as he neared. The tick-tock ofher clock sped up as her libido danced a quick rumba. Women everywhere would rejoice if he donated sperm. She silently wondered what it might take for him to give her a few of his swimmers. Nope, not happening. No way was she unleashing another Cruz into this world.
She wasn’t looking for a husband, just a donor. She compared men like she did ice cream toppings. Which one would give her the most delicious outcome? This guy screamed the perfect combination. Damn his last name, and damn the hormones the doc had her on that were still coursing through her system. They had her acting like a wanton hussy.
“How did you get Adam to sleep?” he asked, his voice only a whisper.
“I’m more than a pretty face with a weird job,” she answered with a wink. What the hell was wrong with her that she was flirting with the devil’s brother? Heat flooded her body. “I would have put him down, but I don’t know which room has his crib.”
“I don’t have a crib,” he answered.
“You should look into that,” Cara said, easing out of the chair. “This little guy needs a room.”
“Why?” Cooper asked. Folding a blanket, he then tossed it over the couch. “He doesn’t live here.”
Cara glanced down at the sleeping angelic face. “But he has your eyes.”
“So does my sister. She’s the reason I came to your office. She’s the one missing.”
“So Adam here is your nephew?” Cara asked, trying to keep the surprise from her voice.
“Mine too.” A deep voice Cara knew all too well came from the direction of the door. Her ex, Eric, stood in the doorway, holding a pizza box in one hand and a six-pack of beer in the other. Cara’s heart twisted as she tried to bite back an angry retort.
“And that’s my cue.” Cara gave a tight-lipped smile up at Cooper and gently placed the baby in his arms. “I’m sorry about your sister.”
Cara grabbed her keys and headed for the door. Eric blocked her exit. “If you’d dressed like that when we were together, I never would have strayed.”
“Apologize,” Cooper demanded, coming to stand next to her.
“That’s okay. He’s right. Your brother is only attracted to sluts, and I look like one.” Cara turned back to Eric and masked her inner turmoil with deceptive calm. “The thing is, I can go home and wash mine away. Can’t say the same thing about your girlfriend.”
“Wife.” His brow rose. His eyes twinkled as if he was trying to turn a knife no longer in her chest.
“Even better.” Cara grinned. The joke was on him. “You’re saddled for life, or at least half of the equitable assets, whichever comes first. Good luck with that.”
Cara slid past Eric, careful not to touch him. She’d moved past hate into acceptance a long time ago. She was still plenty pissed, but it was more at herself. Seeing him again just kind of confirmed it. Dating him had been a colossal mistake. Even colossal mistakes helped a spirit grow.
She opened her car door just as Cooper slowly approached. “I’m sorry for Eric.”
“Don’t be. You aren’t your brother’s keeper,” she said, remembering her sister’s words. Thank God Cara wasn’t Quinn’s.
“Please help me find her.” His voice cracked in desperation, and his eyes pleaded. “I’ll do anything; I’ll pay you anything. You name it. Just touch her stuff and see if you can give me any clues where she might be.”
“I don’t want your money.”
“If not for me, then for Adam. He deserves to have his momma.”
