Zach stood and started pulling her things from his car. Kayla shut off the engine and went around to get Ana. Crickets sang in the night, and somewhere in the distance frogs chorused.
“Is there a pond nearby?” she asked.
Zach paused to look at her. The heat of his gaze made her ache in places she desperately wanted him to touch again.
Easy, girl. Slow down.
“Yeah, there’s a neighborhood pond a couple of blocks over. Good fishing there. You didn’t notice the frogs the other night?”
She shook her head. “Honestly, I was so keyed up about talking to you that I didn’t.”
“Don’t worry, you won’t notice it when you’re trying to sleep. The house is insulated pretty well. If you try to sleep with an open window, you’ll hear it.”
“I won’t open my window. No worries there.”
He paused to listen. “I grew up with that sound. We lived in the country, and I spent many a night going to sleep with the sound of frogs in my ear. And other things.”
“Other things?”
“Coyotes. Owls. Cows too. It was the country.”
Kayla studied him. “I don’t think I knew that about you. You told me you were from Missouri, but not the country.”
“Well, honey, a lot of Missouri is the country.”
“I’ve never been there.”
She’d been dragged all over Tennessee, Alabama, and Kentucky as a kid, and she’d moved to Maryland with Bailey, but that was the extent of her travels.
“I’m sure we’ll get there at some point,” he said as she followed him over to the side door. The same side door she’d fled from a little over two months ago when she’d stayed the night with him. The only other time she’d spent the night in his house.
He unlocked the door and flipped on the interior light. Kayla followed him inside. There was a big landing and stairs that went up or down. Up was the kitchen and main living area, along with the master and another bedroom. Downstairs was a large living area with two bedrooms and a wet bar. There was one bathroom downstairs and one up.
Zach led her upstairs to the master where there was a queen-sized bed and a dresser. He set up the crib while Kayla looked around the room.
“How did you and Ryan decide who got upstairs and who got down when you rented this place?”
He finished expanding the portable crib and straightened. “We flipped a coin. I lost.”
“He moved out a couple of months ago and you’re still downstairs.”
Zach shrugged. “It’s just a room. Besides, I’d have to move all my shit—sorry, stuff,” he corrected, glancing at Ana.
Kayla laughed. “I don’t think she’s going to repeat it yet, but the time is probably coming.”
“I’ll clean up my language, promise.”
“I know. Trust me, I’m still working on mine. There are times when the only correct word is a vulgar one.”
He grinned. “So true.” He hooked a thumb over his shoulder. “I left the wine and pizza in the car. Better get it.”
“Za!” Ana yelled, and they both laughed.
Zach went outside to retrieve the pizza and wine. Kayla walked into the kitchen with Ana and looked out the window at the street. She heard the car door slam, heard the beeping of the locks, and then the door closed and Zach bounded up the steps. He put the pizza in the fridge and grabbed a beer.
“Want a glass of wine?” he asked.
“Yes, please.”
He retrieved a glass from the cabinet and poured wine before putting the bottle in the fridge.
“I need to put Ana down for the night,” she said. “It won’t take long, but I’d like to stay nearby in case she wakes up.”
“We can watch TV up here. Dirty took the one from his bedroom but left the one in the living room.”
“It’ll take me a few minutes.”
“Take your time. No rush, Kayla.”
Kayla took Ana back to the bedroom and changed her diaper. Then she put Ana into the crib. Ana kicked her legs but her eyes were drooping. Kayla put a hand on Ana’s tummy and rubbed softly while she sang a lullaby. She felt rather than heard Zach’s presence. He was behind her, and then he peered over her shoulder to look down at Ana.
“Can I watch?” he asked, his breath soft in her ear.
Kayla tried not to shiver. It didn’t work. Every nerve in her body prickled at his nearness.
“Yes,” she whispered. Then she kept singing until Ana’s eyes stayed closed. She glanced up at Zach, who wore a serious expression as he gazed down at her baby. He’d changed out of his uniform and into a white T-shirt and faded jeans. In uniform or out, he made her belly clench with longing.
Kayla took his hand and led him from the room. She pulled the door mostly closed, leaving a crack so she could hear any noise, and went over to the couch to sink down into the cushions and take a drink of her wine. She needed it to calm her jitters.
“She’s not fussy at all, is she?” Zach asked as he sat on the opposite end of the couch.
Kayla shook her head. “No. She’s always been really good. I know I got lucky. Everyone says if your first baby is easy, your second won’t be.” She realized what she’d said and hurried to correct herself. “I mean if you have a second one. Not that I think you and I will want to…. Uh.”
She took another swallow of wine while Zach grinned at her.
“It’s okay, beautiful. I know what you meant.” He shrugged. “Who knows? Maybe we’ll give Ana a brother or sister someday. And if not, that’s okay too.”
Kayla’s throat tightened. “You’re sweet, Zach. God knows you didn’t have to agree to any of this, but you did and now you’re trying to make the situation feel normal for me. I really appreciate it.”
He looked thoughtful. “When SEALs go on missions, we don’t spend any time thinking about what might have been or how we might have responded to a situation.
