“Almost time for your bath, sweet girl.” He watched her smile slip. She glanced up at Delilah, a pout forming on her lips.
“I can do it later, Blake. We won’t be much longer, I promise.” Del lifted a hand and brushed back a strand of hair that had fallen over her cheek. Pink icing stuck to her skin and he swallowed. His mouth dried and he coughed, unable to look away.
Bluey nudged her. “Hurry up, I want to get these in the damned oven so I can go to bed. You’re kind of pushing the friendship with these fairy cakes anyway. No sense dawdling over making them pretty.” He glanced at Blake before speaking to Lilly. “Chicken, you’ve done a great job mixing those scones. Pass me the bowl and I’ll start forming them out. You can have a bath like your Dad says.”
“If you go and get ready now, I’ll read you a couple of books before you go to sleep, how about that?” Del smiled and Lilly climbed down from the table.
“Thanks. I don’t want her to fall asleep without a bath again. Seems to happen way too often.” Blake stood and ruffled his daughter’s hair.
“We won’t be too much longer anyway.” Bluey opened the oven and slid in a tray of scones. He winked at the little girl. “If you stay awake long enough, I might make sure you get one of these for supper. How does that sound?”
“Yes, please.” A smile replaced the frown and Lilly ran toward the bathroom.
“Thanks. I won’t say no to one either.” Blake glanced between the two adults, wishing his right hand man was somewhere else and he could wipe the icing from Delilah’s cheek with his tongue. Instead he turned and walked out, leaving them to finish up their cooking.
When he had Lilly bathed and dressed, ready for bed, they joined the others in the kitchen for supper. A plate of warm scones soaked with melted butter sat on the table, and the kettle boiled on the stove.
“Thanks, Bluey.”
Blake smiled at his daughter and took a seat next to her, snaffling one for himself. Butter dripped down his chin and he shook his head when his daughter broke out into giggles. “Can I help there, Del?” She poured boiling water into mugs, stirring as she did so.
“You can add some milk to this for the kids and see if Royce wants to come inside now. I’m sure it’s too dark for a little boy to be outside on his own.”
“You shouldn’t worry about him so much. He’s a country kid and they don’t like to be shut inside, even when it’s dark. Besides he has the dogs with him and he promised not to go anywhere past the shed.” Blake went to the back door and called out. “Royce, come in now, it’s time for a bath.” When his son came running up the garden path, Blake walked back to the table. “Hot chocolate and warm scones sounds like a good way to round off an eventful day.” The icing was gone from her cheek and a small wave of disappointment washed over his chest.
“So, do you feel a bit more confident about tomorrow now you seem to have the food covered?” He took the cups and placed them in front of the children before walking back to take his own coffee.
Del sat in her usual spot at the table and smiled. “I suppose so. It’s not any different than going to a promotional dinner for the studio I guess. It’s a case of talking your way through things, and I suppose tomorrow will be more of the same.” A soft sigh escaped her lips. “It was the food that threw me but, since I had so much help in the kitchen and only need to make sandwiches in the morning, I figure it’s going to be okay.” She wiped a damp curl behind Lilly’s ear and his heart melted at the look of adoration his daughter gave her temporary nanny.
“That’s great. I know you’ll be a hit with the ladies. Heaven knows, not much new happens around here so when they find out who you really are and what your day job is, I’m thinking you will be very popular.” A lump formed in his throat and he pushed it down. “It’s a shame you will only be here for such a short time. There are plenty of things we could be teaching you, right mate?” He looked sideways at Bluey, hoping for some back up and glanced away as the all-seeing, wise eyes of his friend flickered over his way.
“Yeah, I guess we could teach her a thing or two about the land, but, the lady has other ideas, so we will have to be satisfied with what we get.” He pushed his mug into the center of the table. “This man has had enough for one day. I’m hitting the sack.”
“Thank you so much for your help.” Del stood up and walked around to plant a kiss on the old man’s tanned and weathered cheek. “I don’t think I could have done it without you.”
“You got that bit right.” He stood up and glanced at Blake. “You young ‘uns be good now. Night.”
“Night.” Be good be damned. The last thing I want is to be good around this woman. I just need a chance to prove how great we can be together. Good doesn’t quite cut it.
“Okay you guys, you heard the man. Let’s be good and get ready for bed. Lilly, you go in and pick a couple of books and I’ll be there in a second.” Del gathered the empty cups and placed them on the side of the counter before turning back to Blake. “How about you bathe and settle Royce and I’ll put Lilly to bed and read
