“I didn’t come for a lecture. Or a trip down memory lane.” Tanner crossed his arms. “I came to see my daughter. But that woman—”
Dylan slammed his foot into Tanner’s chair. The metal base tipped, almost turning over.
“Twice you called Eve, that woman,” Dylan said without infection. “Third time, I’ll knock your ass off the chair. You won’t get up anytime soon. Understand?”
“You’d beat me up over the nanny?” Tanner scoffed.
“Eve is more than a nanny,” Dylan informed his brother. “Even if she weren’t, show some respect. She took care of your daughter after Ellie died.”
Some of the wind taken out of his sails, Tanner sighed.
“I didn’t realize.”
“You mean you didn’t care enough to find out,” Dylan said, disgust written on his face. “For all you knew, anything could have happened to Daisy. Bad things I can’t let myself think about.”
“Jesus, Dylan.” Tanner frowned. “You twisted the knife hard enough, don’t you think?”
Looking at Tanner, hearing his words, Dylan wondered how they could be brothers.
“How do you always find a way to turn yourself into the victim?” Dylan asked. He held up a hand. “Don’t answer. I’ve heard all your excuses. Too many times to count.”
“I don’t want to argue, Dylan.” Tanner sighed. “You sent me the pictures of Daisy for a reason. Well? Here I am. I want to see my daughter.”
Tanner was right. When Dylan sent the pictures, he hoped his brother would feel a tug of emotion. Daisy deserved the chance of a relationship with her father.
“Five minutes. To start.” Dylan said, getting to his feet. “I won’t leave you alone with her.”
“I wouldn’t want you to.” Tanner cleared his throat. “I’d be too afraid.”
“Kids are scary,” Dylan agreed. “They’re also pretty damn amazing. Especially Daisy.”
“Dylan.” Tanner let out a shaky breath. “Do you think she’ll like me?”
Seeing the nerves on Tanner’s face. Hearing the fear in his voice. For the first time, Dylan felt a spark of hope for his brother and Daisy.
“She likes everyone,” Dylan said. “Whether she continues to feel the same as she grows older will be up to you.”
“I don’t want to screw things up.” Tanner wiped the sweat from his brow. “As usual.”
Dylan had only one answer for his brother.
“Then don’t.”
▲ ▼ ▲ ▼ ▲
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
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“THE PEDIATRICIAN SAID Daisy is perfect.” Eve beamed. “Not that I had any doubt.”
“Funny. You weren’t as confident this morning.” Dylan laughed. “What did you say again? Something about not wanting to take Daisy to a quack?”
“I was afraid Dr. Lowe would tell me to put Daisy on a diet.” Eve knew her fears sounded ridiculous. “In my defense, my mother always restricted what I ate because she claimed the doctor said I tended toward obesity.”
“Your mother is the worst,” Dylan muttered. “I watched you eat two full dinners, a good part of mine, and half the dessert tray—in one sitting. Did you gain an ounce?”
“I lost a pound,” Eve admitted. She shrugged. “My fears were groundless. The doctor loved Daisy; Daisy loved her. I wish I could thank your friend for recommending Dr. Lowe.”
“You can.” Dylan handed her a card. “Dr. Erin Ashmore. She’s a highly respected OBGYN. You have an appointment with her for a checkup tomorrow morning.”
“I do?” Eve looked at the card, then at Dylan. “Why would you schedule an appointment without asking me first?”
“Because Erin rarely takes on new patients. When she does, they sometimes wait months to get an appointment,” Dylan explained. “As a favor, Erin made an exception for you.”
Eve wasn’t sure how she felt about Dylan taking charge of her physical health. She knew he meant well, but…
“I appreciate the thought,” Eve said.
“You aren’t obligated to go,” Dylan rushed to assure her. “When I called Erin and she recommended the pediatrician, I mentioned you to her. She’s the one who suggested you go in for a checkup.”
“Ah.” Eve nodded. Part of her trepidation dissipated. “I haven’t seen a doctor in quite some time.”
“Take the afternoon to mull over the idea. Whatever you decide, call Erin’s office by five o’clock to let her nurse know.” Dylan picked Daisy up in his arms. “Right now, we need to head out to the backyard.”
“Why?” Eve asked, trailing behind. She stopped. “Dylan. What did you buy her now?”
“Buy is the wrong word.” Dylan opened the French doors and motioned Eve through. “Acquired is a more accurate description.”
“A little spoiling is fine,” Eve said as she walked down the steps to the lawn. “Daisy won’t turn into a brat simply because Uncle Dylan purchased a doll he couldn’t resist. However…”
“Nana!” Daisy cried out in excitement.
“You left a banana in the yard?” Bemused, Eve followed Daisy’s gaze. Instead of a piece of fruit, she found a dog. “Oh, Dylan.”
“She kind of looks like a banana,” he said to Daisy as he set her down. Ignoring Eve, he held onto the little girl’s hand. “I know you want to play with Nana—great name by the way. First, rules.”
“Rules.” Daisy nodded. She was torn between her beloved Uncle Dylan and her need to greet her new friend. For the moment, Unc-D won. “Play?”
“Not hitting,” Dylan said as he lowered himself to Daisy’s level. “Not pulling Nana’s tail. You be nice to her and she’ll be nice to you.”
“Did the dog grow up around children?” Eve asked, wary of letting Daisy anywhere near the animal. “What about shots.”
“Nana is a rescue dog. A four-year-old dachshund mixed with nobody knows. Her owner went to heaven unexpectedly. She likes children.” Dylan winked at Daisy. “Plus, she’s been fully immunized.”
“She is cute,” Eve admitted, smiling at the dog’s eager face and the red ribbon tied around her neck. “I give her points for style.”
“Nana picked the color herself,” Dylan said. He looked at Eve. “Are we good?”
“Carefully,” Eve
