“Guess she appreciates you more now than when we used to tag along after her,” Griff said. “Even Jared grew up to appreciate his pain-in-the-butt older brother.”
“Yeah. After he got over the fact that we tailed him home from school to protect him and ended up blowing his first chance at scoring with the woman of his dreams,” Ryan said on a laugh.
With his little brother gone, the times when Griff, Ryan, and Jared had stuck together through school, sweat-filled summers on the streets, and a rough neighborhood seemed like a distant memory. But to Griff s surprise, Ryan’s recollection made him smile instead of gripping him with grief.
There were moments, Griff was sure, when his little brother had resented Griff and Ryan’s constant interference, but all three of them had benefited from the closeness they’d shared.
“So how’s the squirt?” Ryan asked, changing the subject.
Griff leaned back against the plastic seat cushion. The diner across from the local courthouse wasn’t known for comfort or good food, just quick service. “Actually, Alix is great.”
“Sleeping?”
“Not through the night, but for longer hours at a stretch.” Coincidence or not, Griff appreciated the pre-bedtime hours Chelsie gave to his niece. She might not have children of her own, but the woman definitely had mother potential. Some man would be lucky to get her.
“What’s with the scowl?” Ryan asked.
“Nothing.”
“So what do you think made the difference?”
Griff had avoided this subject for the past two weeks. But Ryan had been a true friend when he needed one, so Griff decided to level with him and accept the consequences.
“I’ve got help.”
“Anyone I know?”
“Chelsie Russell.”
“Hot damn, I knew it.” Ryan smacked his hand on the table. “I haven’t heard from you in over a week, so I figured something was up.” He paused to gulp the remainder of his coffee. “Well, I hope things work out for you.”
“That’s it?”
Ryan placed a hand over his heart. “You wound me. I’m a sensitive guy. I know when to keep my mouth shut.”
“You’re a pal.” Griff stood. “I’ve got to get back.”
“Listen, if things are serious, I could do a little digging. See what turns up.”
“No!”
“Touchy.”
“I thought you were sure Chelsie was my answer to life,” Griff said, shooting Ryan a questioning look.
“That was before you went and got yourself hooked. Now it’s my duty to watch out for you.”
Griff rolled his eyes but didn’t bother to dispute his friend. Old habits didn’t die, even when they were no longer necessary. Not to mention that arguing with Ryan was never a worthwhile pursuit.
“Don’t do me any favors,” Griff said. “Just leave things alone.” Chelsie’s business was her own. As long as she looked out for Alix’s welfare, Griff had no problems. He’d deal with his personal life himself.
“Anything you say.” Ryan finished his coffee and stood. “Call me if you need anything.”
“I will.” Griff turned to go. “Hey.”
“Yeah?”
“Glad to hear about your sister.”
* * *
Chelsie popped in a video for Alix and settled the little girl on her lap. Alix snuggled against her chest, obviously tired after a long day. Normally, Griff would already be home, and they’d spend this time together. Like a family, her heart said. She squeezed Alix tighter, causing the child to squeal in protest.
“Sorry,” Chelsie murmured.
She shook her head to dispel any fantasies that might be brewing. She and Griff had merely agreed from the start that acclimating Alix to a routine would be the first step in helping the child. Nothing family motivated about that. Unfortunately, until Griff’s absence this evening, she hadn’t realized how much she enjoyed his company.
She rubbed her eyes to alleviate their burning. That she spent more time with Griff and Alix each evening probably contributed to her backlog of work and complete lack of sleep. Still, she hadn’t broken her self-imposed promise. She’d kept a careful distance between herself and Griff. Despite the attraction, which had grown from a spark of desire into a tangible entity all its own, she’d managed to rein in her own needs whenever he was around.
As she’d feared from the beginning, as far as Alix was concerned, Chelsie had already lost her heart. The best she could do was avoid emotionally dangerous situations. So she hadn’t put Alix to bed.
She hoped that wasn’t about to change. When Mrs. Baxter received an emergency phone call from her son, Chelsie saw no need to detain her. As soon as Griff returned, he would tuck Alix in and Chelsie would head back to the office.
She glanced at her watch and silently prayed he’d be home in time. She couldn’t allow herself to get any more attached to either Griff or Alix. If she did, she’d open herself to hurt far greater than any her husband had inflicted. After that experience, she’d fought to regain both her pride and her inner spirit. She’d won.
She hated to think of the damage loving and losing a man like Griffin Stuart would cause, not to mention losing another child. She shuddered and buried her face in Alix’s curls. You’re about to find out. She’d begun to enjoy her time with Alix and Griff. Too much, because she knew each day brought her closer to the end.
She gnawed on her lower lip and checked her watch again. “Ten more minutes till bedtime, squirt.” Where was backup when she needed it?
* * *
Two weeks ago, Griff had shaken Chelsie’s hand and this crazy arrangement had begun. Tonight, as he drove home from a long day in court and a last-minute meeting with a client, their arrangement didn’t seem so unusual. Even if he hadn’t admitted it to Ryan, he liked knowing she’d be waiting when he got home.
The evenings she volunteered at the shelter were the longest he’d known in a while. That included the all-nighters he’d put in with Alix. With Chelsie gone, he’d putter around the house, forcing himself to concentrate on work or searching for something interesting to occupy his time. Not a good sign for a man determined to remain detached, he thought wryly.
A loud crash of thunder followed by a streak of lightning shattered the night. Raindrops pelted his windshield. Though he had to squint, he made out a yellow sign ahead. A detour alerted him to change his usual route home. Heeding the sign, he switched directions, accepting that he’d be home even later than planned.