LITMIR.BIZ

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and disillusioned and disgusted and angry and—”

      “Yeah. Maybe. Understandably so. Did you really expect anything else?”

      Sighing, she pulled a hand out and nibbled a cuticle. “No.”

      “They’ll get over it.” He reached over and caught her hand in his, pulling it away from her mouth. “The important thing is they love you. They’re glad to have you back home and want to see you turn things around.”

      “Maybe.”

      “Definitely.”

      Zoey tucked her hand under her leg again and rocked her head from side to side stretching her muscles. The gesture drew his attention to the smooth ivory arch of her neck, and he squelched the urge to press his lips to the pulse point under her jaw and inhale the fruity aroma of her shampoo.

      Gage made the turn into his neighborhood, and he glanced at Zoey to gauge her reaction to the modest homes along the street. His house was a far cry from the dumpy trailer he’d grown up in, but what would Zoey think of it? She’d led a life of privilege with her parents well beyond his firefighter’s salary. “So this is it,” he said, pulling into his driveway. “Home sweet home.”

      A smile tugged her sensuous lips when she faced him, and it was all he could do to not steal a kiss. “I like. Did you plant the pansies by the porch?”

      He cut the engine. “Not really. I bought them already in the pots at Rani’s urging.”

      Her eyebrow lifted in a way reminiscent of her father’s mannerism. “Rani?”

      “My babysitter. She claimed my yard needed some fall color.” He hitched his head toward the house. “She’s inside. Come meet her.”

      He turned to open his car door, but Zoey stopped him with a hand on his shoulder.

      “Gage, thank you. For defending me to my dad. You didn’t have to say all that stuff about how you wanted to marry me and all.” She puffed one cheek out as she sighed and rolled her eyes. “I appreciate your putting a positive spin on things with your ain’t-this-great-news shtick.”

      A heaviness settled in his chest. She’d thought he was feeding her father a line to cover for her. More evidence that she viewed their arrangement from a far different perspective than he did. As if her frankness with her parents, calling their marriage a business arrangement that would eventually end in divorce, weren’t enough to prove that point.

      Sirens in his head blared, “Warning, Will Robinson!” He definitely needed to reel in his feelings and expectations or he was headed for another disaster with Zoey. One that could kill their friendship for good. His hand tightened on the door handle. “You’re welcome, but … I said it because I meant it. I’m glad you’re here.”

      Angling her head, she gave him a gooey-eyed look. “You’re the sweetest. I didn’t mean to sound like I have a problem with this arrangement. I’m looking forward to spending time with you. Catching up. Rebuilding our friendship.”

      Friendship. The word landed in his gut like a brick.

      Hello, Powell, can I paint you a picture? She only wants to be friends.

      He forced a half grin. “Okay, then. Are you ready to meet the monster?”

      She chuckled. “The monster?”

      “Pet. She’s precious, and I love her, but she reminds me at times of Stitch.”

      “What?” Zoey’s laughter bubbled through him with the effect of champagne on an empty stomach. Warming, intoxicating …

      “You know, the alien from that Disney movie? A movie she loves to watch, by the way.”

      “I know who Stitch is. I just can’t believe a little girl could be that bad.”

      Gage popped open his door. “My sister gave Pet little, if any, structure for the last five years, so … believe it. You’ve been warned.”

      He climbed out of the SUV and hauled Zoey’s bags from the rear cargo space before heading inside.

      “We’re home!” he called into the house where the scent of grilled cheese and the whimsical sounds of a cartoon wafted in from the back room.

      “Uncle Gage!” Pet came charging in and tackled his legs, nearly knocking him over.

      He caught her under her arms and swung her up. “Hey, Squirt. Were you good for Rani?”

      “Rrrowr,” Pet growled, curling her fingers into faux-claws.

      “I was afraid of that.” He nodded toward Zoey. “Pet, remember I told you before my trip that I had to go help a friend? This is Zoey. She’s going to be living with us. She’s my wife now, which makes her your aunt.”

      Pet eyed Zoey warily. “Is an aunt like a stepmother? In my cartoons, the stepmother is always mean.”

      Zoey grinned. “Then you’re watching the wrong cartoons because all the stepmothers I know are really nice. And aunts are even better. Aunts are fun.”

      Pet’s eyes brightened, and she looked to him for confirmation.

      Gage nodded. “Yep, you and Zoey can have lots of fun together.”

      “Hey, Mr. Gage. How was the trip?” Rani Ogatini, a college student with the patience of a saint and an obvious love for young children, strolled in from the kitchen.

      “Successful. Rani, this is Zoey Ban—er, Zoey Powell. My new wife.”

      His use of his last name clearly startled Zoey, who blinked at him before shaking hands with Rani and offering a bright smile.

      “So you’re Gage’s monster wrangler?” Zoey asked after the traditional pleasantries and congratulations on their wedding had been exchanged. The sweep of his bride’s gaze clearly sized up the attractive coed even as she made nice.

      Rani gave her a wry grin. “Aw, Pet’s not that bad. She’s just got a lot of energy and a wild imagination.”

      Gage scoffed. “You say tom-A-to, I say to-MAH-to. Seems to me she’s on a mission to find the most unusual way to end up in the emergency room at the most inconvenient hour possible.” He set Pet on the floor and ruffled her hair. “Am I right?”

      “Hey, I learned a new trick!” She tugged his arm. “Wanna see me do a cannonball?”

      He groaned. “I rest my case.”

      Rani raised a hand. “I showed her how to put the sofa cushions on the floor and made her swear not to do her tricks without them.”

      Gage nodded, impressed. “Well, that’s progress. Let me write your check, and you can be on your way. I’m sure you have plenty to catch up on after four days cooped up with Pet.”

      “Anytime. I like her. She’s a hoot.” Rani faced Zoey. “I made a pot of vegetable soup and some grilled cheese sandwiches for dinner. The sandwiches are on warm in the oven.”

      “Great. Thanks. I thought I knew the meaning of hungry before, but this pregnancy stuff has taught me a new definition of starved.”

      Rani glanced at Gage as if she weren’t sure she’d heard Zoey correctly. He flashed his babysitter a confident smile and nodded as he tore her check out of his checkbook. “Zoey is due in April. You don’t have a problem with keeping a newborn, do you?”

      “Uh … no. I …” More confused and startled blinking. “Wow. Congratulations.” She accepted the check and stuffed it in her jeans pocket without looking at it. “I’ll get out of your hair. You know how to reach me if you need me again.”

      “You bet.” After Gage showed Rani out, he joined Zoey in the living room where Pet was bouncing on the sofa springs and launching herself onto a pile of cushions with an enthusiasm he was sure would translate into more daring escapades before long. God help him.

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