At this rate, she’d never become an angel.
His head was propped on the armrest at an uncomfortable angle, without even a pillow to support him. No blanket, either. Guilt flushed through her. He’d given up his bed and his comfort for her—and he looked so tired. She couldn’t stand to wake him.
Miranda had no such reservations. She tugged Rebecca toward Tony. Rebecca tried to pull free, but Miranda had an astoundingly solid grip and didn’t stop pulling until they both stood over Tony.
“Daddy,” Miranda said, and poked his nose. He grunted. Rebecca tried to wiggle free again, but Miranda wouldn’t have it. She wasn’t a little girl. She was a cyborg with fingers of steel. “Daddy? Daddy, wake up!”
Tony groaned and cracked his eyes open. His gaze fell first on his daughter’s face, then traveled to the little hand clasped in Rebecca’s. He followed that hand slowly up the length of Rebecca’s arm, over her body, until her face heated.
She finally broke free with another tug, and shoved both hands into the pockets of her jeans before Miranda could stake her claim again. Looking away from the family, Rebecca retreated to a safe distance.
“Good morning, sunshine,” Tony said softly, and lifted Miranda into his lap for a hug. Yet Rebecca could feel his eyes on her, and her stomach flipped.
Snap out of it, Rebecca.
She straightened her spine and turned her sternest frown on him. That didn’t stop him from projecting a very clear thought, with enough force that she was fairly certain he was doing it deliberately.
Jerk.
He pictured Rebecca, sitting on the couch with them. Close. One of them. Part of their tight little family unit. Rebecca closed her eyes and forced his thoughts away.
That could never happen.
“Daddy, I found a woman in your bed! But she’s not a fairy.” Miranda sighed. “She looks like she should be a fairy.”
“Or an angel,” Tony said, his voice odd. He smiled at Miranda. “Pretty crazy, huh?”
Miranda nodded and studied Rebecca with solemn eyes. “Can we keep her?”
Both Rebecca and Tony choked off a laugh.
Tony bent his head to his daughter’s ear and whispered, “I think we have to return her to the store sooner or later.”
He winked at Rebecca. She couldn’t help but smile in return. Tony’s love for his little girl rang so pure and true that Rebecca wondered, honestly, if Sally had made a mistake. This man couldn’t kill anyone.
“Can we go out for breakfast, Daddy?”
Tony hesitated. Rebecca caught a flicker of concern, flitting thoughts about finances and whether he could afford to eat out when he hadn’t even made an appointment to talk to his old boss at the accounting firm yet.
Rebecca came to the rescue. She crouched next to Miranda and tapped her nose. “I make the best scrambled eggs this side of heaven. How about you help me cook, and we’ll bring some for Daddy when we’re done?”
Miranda smiled and bounced in Tony’s lap. He winced, but held his smile bravely even as he gingerly lifted her off him.
“Go on, sweetie,” he said, voice tight.
Miranda squealed. “Yay!” Suddenly she had Rebecca’s hand again, and that iron grip wasn’t letting go. “Let’s go!”
Rebecca and Tony exchanged patient looks that felt far too familiar. Tony smiled, easy and warm.
Rebecca dropped her eyes and let Miranda lead her away.
…
Tony bit into his eggs and closed his eyes with a sigh, nearly melting. Jesus Christ, she hadn’t been lying. He wouldn’t be surprised if these were the best eggs this side of heaven, hell, or anywhere in between.
Rebecca arched a brow and took a dainty bite of her toast. The corners of her mouth twitched. He didn’t know why she wouldn’t just let herself smile. Tony made himself look away from her, and tore into his eggs. Only when he had devoured every last crumb did he look up. Now she was smiling. Almost laughing.
At him.
He flushed hotly. “Good eggs,” he muttered.
Rebecca didn’t say a word. Her eyes said it all, glimmering with repressed mirth.
“I made it,” Miranda chirped, puffing her chest out proudly.
“Well, you’re a really good cook, baby girl.”
Tony ruffled his daughter’s hair and kissed her forehead. The scents of watermelon shampoo and baby wash wafted up to him. The best smells in the world. One whiff was all it took to calm him, even on the worst day, but Miranda always had that effect on him. His little miracle.
“Miranda, honey, go wash your hands,” he said. “And put on Nick Jr. I’m pretty sure Diego is on.”
Miranda burbled a happy little sound and flitted off to the living room with a playful twirl. How long had it been since his daughter looked so happy? How long since she’d danced about with such exuberance?
Could it be because of Rebecca?
He shifted his gaze to the woman, and watched her lithe movements as she stood and gathered their plates. He folded his hands on the table.
“Well?”
She glanced at him. “Well what?”
“What now?”
“Why are you asking me?”
Tony eyed her. “Because you’re the angel expert. You’re here to save me, right?”
“Right.” She nodded.
“And you’re eager to get it over with and go?”
“I didn’t plan on staying forever, if that’s what you’re asking.” She snorted and dumped the dirty dishes in the sink.
Tony propped his chin in his hand and lingered on the pink tinge in her cheeks. She really was pretty when she was trying not to get irritated with him. “So what do we do now? Let’s do this. That way you can go. That’s what you want, right?”
Rebecca hesitated. Her lips pursed. She looked so vulnerable that way, and so soft. He wondered if her mouth would be as soft. If she would tremble as she had last night, when he’d nuzzled into her hair.
She darted an accusatory look at him, blushing. “Not a chance.”
He gritted his teeth and ran his hand through his hair. He couldn’t help it, damn it. It was his head. His private thoughts. Emphasis on private. If he offended her so terribly, if he was so damned repugnant, she ought to stay the hell out of his head.
“If I could turn it off, I would.” Rebecca knotted her fingers together nervously. “I don’t want to intrude. I really don’t. It’s not that you’re repugnant. I just can’t shut it off. Even when I try to block it, it never completely stops. It’s like turning the volume down on the radio, but never really being able to turn it off.”