Page 15

F rom where she was sprawled on the only sofa the upper level of the house offered, Ella heard Leo’s return from his lightning-fast trip. It was late, as she’d expected, but she was pretty sure he’d want an update on Mia’s day, so she’d waited downstairs, both baby monitors on the floor beside her.

She knew she should probably get up; pretend at least some modicum of professionalism, but she was staying put until she absolutely had to move.

Reluctant to even lift one eyelid until his voice alerted her to the fact that she’d left moving a bit too late.

Not only was he in the room already, and so close she decided she may as well stay where she was.

“Tough day at the office?”

“Jest away. But until you have tried all day long to reason with two cantankerous children with a combined life experience of less than three years, come back and we’ll talk.”

His tone sobered. “Mia—the kids—they’re okay?”

With a sigh she forced both eyes open and dragged her weary body to a sitting position, shuffling up so he could join her on the sofa. “You could use more furniture, you know that?”

He scraped his hand down over his face, the rasp of the day’s whiskers loud in the silence that had previously only been broken by the crack and pop of the fire. “Yeah, so you’ve previously mentioned. I’ve been meaning to talk to you about it—I might need some help there.”

“Feel free to ask, but if you’re imagining any kind of insightful interior design advice tonight, I’d keep my expectations low.” Her yawn stretched every facial muscle, and she blinked as the extra oxygen forged a faint path to her brain.

“Noted. And the kids? Mia?”

“Both asleep—now—but I don’t imagine we’re in for a peaceful night. I have no clairvoyant skills but if I’m correct, they may be coming down with something.”

“Mia’s sick?”

The panic in his voice snapped her out of her drowsy state and while she understood his concern, it annoyed her that having to explain was going to keep her from her bed.

She knew it was ridiculous to resent him, but it was likely she’d be up and down all night if thing went the way she was expecting.

Reaching across she snagged his arm, halting him before he charged upstairs.

“I don’t think it’s anything serious. Joey was here earlier, and she phoned to say both she and Ruby had low grade temperatures and it felt like it was developing into stomach flu.

Melanie had it a couple of days before, and they thought maybe they’d dodged it.

” Ella yawned. “And as usual Benny and Mia were loving all over both baby Ruby and your sister, and I guess the bug must have been left here with us as well. We’re all hoping it doesn’t amount to much, but mostly that it passes over Evie. ”

She saw the concern in his eyes and shot him a tired smile.

Despite the occasional awkwardness between them, and their habitual ragging on each other, she loved and respected his dedication to his daughter.

She knew well the level of fear she experienced when Benny was unwell, and for Leo, it would probably always provoke anxiety for Mia’s well-being.

She at least could help share the load with Leo, something she hadn’t always had.

She would be a voice of reason, and help him keep things in perspective.

“There’s nothing we can do right now but wait and watch.

We have fever medicine ready and if something does develop, we are prepared.

They’re both sleeping—I’ve been up and down to check a dozen times. ”

“Why didn’t you just stay up there with them? Grab some sleep?”

She shrugged and didn’t try to stem the next yawn. “I wanted to update you, prepare you for what might come. And there’s dinner in the fridge—you can heat it up in the microwave—thought I’d better make sure you knew it was there, in case you were hungry.”

The smile lit his face. “You waited up for me?”

He really should give a girl a break! His slow smile had her instantly regretting admitting she’d worried that he may not have had time to eat. “Of course not. I assumed you’d want to know about your child.”

The corners of his mouth deepened. “Nah…You waited up for me. Thanks, Mom!”

Ella blinked. “I think that’s my exit line.” With a haughty sniff, she pushed off the sofa, wobbled a bit until she got her bearings and then began to stride toward the stairs.

“Hang on just a minute, yeah? I’ll come on up with you. Give me a minute to bank this fire and kill the lights, you’re not looking too steady on your feet.”

“I am perfectly fine, thank you. Actually, in quite good condition for someone old enough to be your mother .” And, of course she tripped on a stray toy she’d missed in her weary cleanup earlier.

Somehow, he was there before she hit the floor, his muscled arms arresting her fall, holding her against his chest, just like in her most regular fantasies.

She permitted herself a moment to enjoy his warmth, his strength.

Her heart hammered, and not just from the fright of almost falling. There was a bit of that, but she didn’t fool herself that it was mostly due to being held in this man’s arms—even if it wasn’t quite the way her fantasies had played out. She sucked in air and tried to pull away.

He resisted and continued to hold her against him. “Just give yourself a moment.” His voice was, low, whispered, right near her ear, tickling the sensitive skin, sending tingles through her.

Despite her inward groan, she didn’t argue. It was easier. The quicker she regained her balance, the sooner this delicious torture would end.

“You want me to carry you?” He started to bend, to scoop up her legs and she stiffened.

“Only if you want a broken nose.”

He straightened, but damn it to hell, that put his mouth right near her ear again—and his low chuckle started the whole tingling thing over.

“That’s a no? Definite?”

Absolutely maybe. “Set in concrete.”

Forcing a smile and a muttered thank you , she finally managed to pull away, before Sir Lancelot here decided to go all he-man and ignore her decision.

She was learning fast that Halligan men took their chivalrous duties very seriously.

And she wasn’t sure she was strong enough to hold out against them, so without waiting, she headed up the stairs.

The staircase in Leo’s home was a work of art.

Long and white, with a gentle curve, it was enclosed on each side, and seemed to free float from the floor above.

But for once she didn’t wonder at its beauty, or marvel at the engineering.

She simply—carefully—took one thickly carpeted tread at a time.

She hadn’t raced up, nor dallied, but somehow by the time she was at her bedroom door, Leo was beside her. Her intention was to first check on Mia, but Leo lightly caught her arm.

“Ella?” When she turned to him, all traces of teasing were gone, allowing her to truly note the weariness in his eyes; the shadows under them not quite disguised by his tanned complexion. The genuine warmth in his gaze was something else.

“I, ah, yeah, well, I hope I didn’t go too far down there? You know? With the mother wisecrack?”

Hands behind her back for support, she leaned against the door jamb and matched his tone.

“Not for a minute. I know how to dish it out, and I know how to take it. I hope you know it would take more than that to offend me, Leo. Besides, your mum is a rockstar in my opinion, so it’s really a huge compliment. ”

He grinned. “We agree on that, and she’d like that description. But I also just wanted to say thank you for caring for Mia the way you do. I know I’ve been a pain in the ass sometimes, but I see you with her and I know you really care and it means everything to me.”

“Thank you. She’s very easy to love. And Leo? That gratitude goes both ways. You’ve been very accommodating with Benny. Another child wasn’t what you bargained for when you were looking for a nanny.”

He leaned an arm on the wall beside her. “He’s kind of turned out to be a bonus. A playmate for Mia—and he’s a great kid. Not sure where a less-than-two-year-old gets that kind of patience, but he’s good with her.”

“He’s no saint, Leo. He has his moments and no doubt you’ll witness that before long.”

“I think I could handle that.” His grin sobered. “I, well, I guess I’m trying to say I like having you here, Ella.”

Her breath held and for a moment they both stilled, her tongue slipped out to moisten suddenly dry lips. His eyes tracked its journey.

Had he leaned her way? Her body swayed toward him… No. What was she doing? Blinking she pulled back, breaking the moment. And it had been another moment. “Leo, I—”

He seemed to break free of the madness, stepping back, before stumbling to add, “ Both of you. I like having both of you here. It’s livened up this place, made it nice to come home to… That’s all. I just…”

Mouth dry, she nodded. Shook her head. Vaguely waved toward the door behind her. “I um, that’s great… I, er, I’d better check on the children. I—”

He straightened as well. Shoved his hands into the back pockets of his jeans. “Yeah, sure… Me too.” He turned away and then spun back. “I’ll check on Mia. You go see to Benny, and try to get some sleep.”

After that encounter? She doubted it. Closing the door firmly, Ella willed her heart rate down, praying that when the euphoria currently surging through her died away, her weariness would return. That would be her only hope of snatching any rest.