For the Love of Ivy - Cindy Kirk Page 0,33

show you.”

Words tumbled out of the child’s mouth one after the other, and Seth listened with a fond smile on his lips.

“Can I get you something to eat or drink?” Lauren asked when Ivy finally paused to take a breath. “Ivy and I had grilled ham-and-cheese sandwiches for dinner. I could make you one.”

A sandwich wasn’t much to smile about but Lauren couldn’t keep a goofy grin from her lips. She was just so happy that he was alive.

“I’m not really hungry—”

“Still, you should eat something.” She clamped her mouth shut before she started to sound like his mother.

“I’m going to wash up first.” Seth brought his arm to his nose and sniffed the singed fabric. “Ivy’s right. I do stink.”

“You smell like smoke,” Lauren clarified. “You do not stink.”

“Yes, he does,” Ivy piped up, making a pony gallop across the table.

“That clinches it.” His familiar smile flashed. “Shower first. Then food.”

“Are you up to showering?” She didn’t want to second-guess him, but his unsteadiness in the entry way worried her.

“I have to be.” Seth may have lifted his chin in a determined tilt but Lauren could see the uncertainty in his eyes. He was nowhere near as confident as he appeared. “I’ll feel better once I’m clean.”

Lauren thought for a moment, analyzing the problem, searching for a workable solution. “You can use the shower down here.”

“That’s for Ivy.”

“I’m sure she’ll share,” Lauren said, shooting a wink at the child.

“You can have anything of mine, Daddy,” Ivy assured him. “Except for my dolls. You wouldn’t like them, anyway. They’re more for girls than boys.”

“The bathroom has a shower chair and grab bars for Ivy’s injury,” Lauren reminded him. “You can sit while you’re washing up. If you get light-headed, at least you won’t fall.”

“Miss Lauren could help you,” Ivy said, her eyes filled with innocence. “She could wash your back and your hair like you do for me.”

Seth’s cheeks darkened, and if Lauren didn’t know better, she’d think the cowboy was blushing. “I can manage on my own, princess.”

Ivy’s nose wrinkled. “You better go now, Daddy. The ponies say you’re making the room smell bad.”

“I’m headed there now.” Using the table for leverage, Seth pushed to his feet.

Lauren narrowed her gaze. She watched the way he swayed before regaining his balance, and took note of his paleness.

“Ivy, will you stay at the table and play while I talk to your father?”

“Sure.” Ivy whinnied like a horse before bringing two ponies together to kiss.

“I’m just fine,” Seth spoke quietly between gritted teeth.

Lauren slipped her arm through his, ignoring the protest.

“I can manage—”

“Look.” Lauren pulled out the firm, no-nonsense tone she reserved for the unruly students in the classes she taught. “I’m not about to hop into the shower with you. Not even if you say pretty please. Understand?”

Seth’s serious expression eased into a smile. “I don’t know if I should be disappointed or relieved.”

“Definitely disappointed,” Lauren shot back, pleased when he laughed. Sorry when he started coughing.

Yet somehow, without her quite realizing how it had happened, they were back on their old footing. It was as if the proposition had never taken place. Her heart lifted.

The walk-in shower was off the room where Ivy now slept. While Seth sat on the bed and caught his breath, Lauren checked the shower. Soap was there, but no shampoo. Unless he wanted to use Ivy’s Strawberry Shortcake brand. She grinned at the thought.

“I’ll run upstairs and get your shampoo,” Lauren told him. “And some clean clothes for you.”

“You don’t have to—”

“No worries,” Lauren said lightly. “I’ll be back in a flash.”

She was relieved he remained seated as she left the room. Though she was sure he’d be okay in the few minutes she’d be gone, Lauren took the stairs two at a time.

Rummaging through his closets and drawers, she found a pair of jeans and a long-sleeved cotton shirt, the same color as his eyes. She was ready to head to the bathroom for the shampoo when she realized he’d need underwear, too. Unless he was the type who liked to go commando.

The thought of his bare skin beneath tight-fitting jeans sent heat coursing through her veins. But she forced the thought aside and grabbed the first pair of boxers she found.

Minutes later, with a towel and a bottle of shampoo perched precariously atop the stack of clothes, Lauren returned to Seth.

He was still sitting where she’d left him and she was pleased to see that some color had returned to his cheeks. When