“I hate to disappoint her. So, if it’s okay with you I’ll come along too. I need to keep an eye on her in case Francine shows up.”
“Oh. Uh, okay, sure.”
Squealing children drew their eyes to the patio. Bradley’s cake had been lighted and flamed like a small forest fire. A raucous version of Happy Birthday began. “Come on, Red. Let’s help with the chorus. I want a big slab of cake before it disappears.” He reached for her hand, and without analyzing her action, she grasped his. A melting sensation filled her middle and grew warmer when he tightened his grip and tugged her toward the crowd.
Dwayne got his big slab of cake and there still remained enough for another party. Marla gave Charlene credit for innovative thinking because she’d brought a couple dozen small cake boxes for guests to take the leftovers. Char and Donovan got busy cutting and boxing cake and stacking the boxes high on the table.
Amber whispered in Marla’s ear, “Uncle Donovan has a new girlfriend.” She pointed to him and Charlene packaging the cake. “I heard him ask her out on a rill date.”
“No kidding?” Why was she not surprised? “Where are they going?”
“They’re having a picnic in the dog park with us tomorrow, right Daddy?”
Marla blinked and stared at Dwayne.
“Oh, did I forget to mention that?” He stared back with childlike innocence.
“Duh. Why don’t I stay up all night making sandwiches? How many more did you invite, Dempsey?”
“None, and they’re bringing their own sandwiches, Red, so relax. Anyway, I think they need chaperoning, don’t you?”
“Donovan looks like he can take care of himself.”
“I don’t want Charlene taking advantage of my little brother’s broken heart.”
“What! You told me it was broken years ago.”
“Yeah, but you never know. He has PRSD.”
She scrunched her face in confusion. “Do you mean PTSD?”
“No. PRSD: Past Romance Stinks Disorder.”
Marla crossed her eyes and mouthed, Jackass.
“Uncle Donovan and his new girlfriend will be happy playing in the park with Skipper, Daddy.”
“We’ll all have fun chasing Marla’s mouse till he drops, right?”
Amber grinned and ran off to join Dylan’s kids.
“Look, the real reason I’d like Donovan along is in case Francine shows up. I could use an extra set of eyes.”
Dwayne reached to tuck an errant curl behind her ear. Heart thudding, breath caught in her throat, the warmth of his fingers coursed through her cheek and neck. His closeness threatened to unravel her composure. “I know I’m not allowed to say it, Danaher, but you’re beautiful.”
His words stole her breath. Giggling nervously, she said, “You’ve had too much beer. Let’s get some coffee.”
“I don’t drink alcohol, remember?”
Did he mean what he’d said when he’d touched her? She didn’t want to complicate her well-ordered life, to get hurt. They’d become friendlier, that’s all.
Friends? Who was she kidding? The guy had cast some sort of spell on her. Why would she want to get entangled with Dwayne Dempsey any more than she already was? He worked for her, and he had a crazy ex-wife to deal with.
She’d get a grip on her emotions, starting tomorrow.
Chapter Ten
Marla placed the ham and Swiss sandwiches for her and Dwayne and a PB&J for Amber in a cardboard box by her front door. As an afterthought, she dropped a handful of dog cookies on top. She returned to the kitchen for her small beverage cooler and opened it to check if she’d forgotten anything. No, it was all there, iced coffee, milk, bottled water, and two cans of Dr. Pepper.
She’d made a quick run to the store this morning to get the Dr. Pepper because she knew Dwayne preferred it. She had second thoughts about taking it. He knew she didn’t drink the vile stuff, so he’d think she’d bought it for him. That didn’t mean anything other than she was a thoughtful, considerate person, right? Her hand hovered over the cans for a couple of seconds, then she snapped the top down. He could think whatever he wanted. Why did she care?
Skipper barked at the sound of Amber’s voice calling his name. He made a skittering beeline for the front door and yipped impatiently for her to open it. Marla failed to grab Skip before he bounded out the door into Amber’s arms.
Dwayne strolled up the front walk behind Amber and grinned. “Hey, Red.”
“Hey, Dempsey.” She handed him the box with sandwiches. “I’ll get the cooler and Skipper’s harness.”
He stepped inside. “We’re a little early. I’d like Amber to use your bathroom before we leave. She was so excited to see that little rat dog of yours, I couldn’t get her to go before we left home.”
“Oh, sure. Set the box down there.” She called her dog in a sing-song voice, “Skipper wipper, come to Mama. I’ve got a treat for you.” The fickle mutt immediately lost interest in Amber and bounded into the house, eyes bugging with anticipation.
Dwayne placed his hand on his daughter’s head. “Let Marla show you where her bathroom is, squirt. You need to make a latrine call before we head to the park, okay?”
Amber sighed with reluctance. “Oookay.”
She took Marla’s extended hand and followed her to the guest bathroom. Marla lingered outside the door in case the child needed anything, but in reality she needed a moment to get her wits back to normal.
“Everything okay?”
She nearly jumped out of her shoes at Dwayne’s rumbling voice right behind her.
“Cripes, Dwayne, you nearly scared me to death sneaking up on me like that!” She smacked his shoulder. “Darn it!”
He laughed and rubbed his arm. “At ease, soldier. You need your hearing checked. I wasn’t sneaking, sorry.”
She closed her eyes, pressed overlapping hands on her breastbone, and willed her breathing to slow. He trailed a finger down her arm. Her eyes flew open. “What are you doing?”
“Touching you.”
“Don’t.” She leaned back against the door. Amber opened it, and Marla nearly fell on her bottom before Dwayne grabbed her and pulled her to
