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“Your daddy’s gonna take a shower while we go make some food. Yes, he is,” Katherine said, holding Libby close as they slipped out the door and headed down the hall. “What do you think about that, sweet girl? Is that a good idea?”

Libby gurgled a happy reply. She liked Katherine talking and playing with her so much that she wrapped her chubby little arms around Katherine’s neck and held on tight. No doubt, waiting for more monster growls and neck nuzzles.

Chapter 10

When Matthew entered the kitchen, he found Libby in her playpen with a pile of toys while Katherine was at the stove cooking. Glancing at him, her expression was so casual it was like the smoldering kisses they shared never happened.

“Feeling better?”

“Much better. Thanks.”

“Da-da!” Libby said the moment she heard Matthew’s voice and smiled a toothy grin at him.

“Hey, Libby Doll.” Matthew smiled back, leaning over to kiss the top of her wispy-haired little head. “I hope you were a good girl for Katie.”

Matthew sounded as if he still wasn’t convinced it was okay to leave his daughter with Katherine, but she decided not to mention it. Instead, she kept the conversation light.

“You didn’t shave.”

“I don’t usually shave on my days off,” he said, rubbing a self-conscious hand over his jaw. “Does it look bad?”

“Of course not. It looks great.”

As Katherine inwardly flinched at being so blunt, Matthew didn’t seem to make more of it than just a polite observation.

“What are you making?”

“Nothing fancy, just grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup.”

“Mmm…” Matthew came closer, inhaling the waft of smells mingling in the air. The distinct aroma of garlic, tomatoes, and toasted buttery bread permeated the room, making his empty stomach rumble. “I can’t believe you put this together with what I had in the fridge. It smells incredible.”

“Thanks,” Katherine said, flipping one of the sandwiches to reveal the perfectly toasted golden side. She wasn’t sure she wanted to admit to taking Libby to her house without Matthew’s permission while he was in the shower. So instead, she added, “I hope you don’t mind me taking over your kitchen.”

“Not at all. It’s not like I’ve been using it. With all the meals Callie Macomb sends me home with, I haven’t had to cook.”

“I thought I recognized her chicken pot pie casserole in there,” Katherine said, tilting her head in the direction of the fridge. “Now you know why Justin’s always commenting on his waistline. Lucky son-of-a-gun caught himself a real prize when he married Callie.”

“Wait a minute.” Matthew walked over and opened a cupboard filled with canned goods. “I don’t remember having tomato soup. How did you make that?”

“I hope you don’t mind, but I took Libby to my house to get some canned soup and sandwich supplies. You didn’t have much to work with, and I thought this would be something she’d like. Kids usually gravitate towards the easier, more identifiable options.”

“So I hear,” Matthew chuckled. “I also hear there’ll be more fries and chicken nuggets in my future than I care to think about. Or at least that’s what my mom says.”

Katherine felt her shoulders relax when Matthew didn’t make a big deal about her taking Libby next door.

“Well, I hate to break it to you, but she’s probably right. I have three nieces and a nephew. And until kids get older, they tend to like what they like, no matter how hard you try.”

“I’ll have to take your word for it. I don’t have any nieces or nephews. Libby’s my first experience with a baby, so I’m no expert.”

“Trust me, neither am I. But I promise I kept her safe when we went next door.”

“I’m sure you did.”

Then there was an awkward silence before Katherine went on.

“Did you know there’s an opening in the brick wall behind the big rhododendron in the corner of your yard? It opens up on the back side of the tool shed.”

“So that’s how you magically appeared.”