Take the Chance (Top Shelf Romance #9) - Brittainy Cherry Page 0,284

the list, then held it out to make sure the writing was even and legible. When I was satisfied, I quickly put everything away, used the bathroom, brushed my teeth, and touched up my makeup. At the last minute, I decided to wipe off the lipstick I’d applied and put on some honey lip balm instead. It looked more natural and tasted better.

As I walked to the park, my feet felt a hundred times lighter than they had this morning. Nothing had changed since then, but just the prospect of seeing him was enough to excite me. And when he came into view, standing behind Cooper, pushing him on a swing, the butterflies in my stomach multiplied. This feeling, I thought as I crossed the playground toward him. I don’t want to lose it.

He looked up as I approached and the smile he gave me turned my legs to jelly. “Hi.”

“Hi.”

He glanced over his shoulder. “Didn’t you come from the cottage?”

I cringed. “Yes, but I walked one block too far, so I came from the other side. I wasn’t paying attention.”

He laughed, shaking his head. “It’s like three blocks away. Only you could screw that up.”

“I know, I know.” I’d let him tease me as much as he wanted as long as I could stand there watching him push his nephew on that swing. His fitted black t-shirt showed off his arms and chest, the tight jeans hugged him in all the right places, and his aviator sunglasses worn without the usual hat made him look a little more polished, a little more military. It did things to me. In the panties.

“Did you hear about the house?” I asked.

He harrumphed and mumbled.

“I take it that’s a yes.”

“I heard about it. They’ve got some crazy idea about running a motel there?”

I rolled my eyes. “Oh, Jesus. It’s not a motel, Jack, it’s a bed and breakfast.”

“Whatever. I won’t stand in their way, but there’s no way they’ll come up with the money they need.”

“That’s what Georgia said. Could they get a small business loan or something?”

“I guess they can try.” He didn’t sound too hopeful.

“I wish there was a way I could help,” I said wistfully. How terrible to have your dream within reach and not be able to afford it. I’d been so spoiled my entire life. Not that I’d spent frivolously or irresponsibly, I hadn’t—but I also didn’t know what it was like to go without something I really wanted because I couldn’t afford it.

“That’s nice of you, but they’ll figure it out. We’ll figure it out.”

“So you have Cooper tonight?” I ruffled the little boy’s hair as he swung near me.

“Yeah. Pete and Georgia are both working.”

“What will you do with him?”

“Feed him ice cream for dinner, buy him a bunch of candy, let him watch a bunch of TV until he falls asleep.” He smiled at me. “The usual uncle stuff.”

“Sounds like fun.”

“Want to join us?”

My heart stuttered. “Sure. I’d love to.”

We spent another hour at the park, and I was amazed at how good Jack was with Cooper. He went down the slide with him, spun him on the merry-go-round, helped him climb up the old-fashioned jungle gym. When Cooper fell and scraped his knee, Jack brushed him off, dried his tears, and hugged him close. When it was time to leave and Cooper insisted on one more time down the slide, Jack raced him to it. When we walked to the ice cream parlor, Jack swung the little boy up onto his shoulders and held his tiny hands the whole way there.

Later, I watched him make dinner for Cooper and spoonfeed him every bite. I watched him give his nephew a bath—we’d exchanged a fun look as he started to fill the tub—careful not to get any water in his eyes when he rinsed the shampoo from Cooper’s hair. I watched him put a diaper and clean pajamas on the tired toddler, brush his baby curls off his forehead in an adorable imitation of his own hair. “There,” he said. “Just like your Uncle Jack.”

All I could think was, This man should be a father.

When it was time to turn off the light and put him in bed, I said I’d wait downstairs, said goodnight to Cooper, and headed down to the kitchen.

As soon as I entered the room, I heard Cooper fussing for “Mama” and then Jack’s voice on the monitor. “OK, Buddy, time to settle down. Let’s get Bunny.” Smiling, I stood in