Page 17 of Talk Wicked to Me

“Thanks. I feel less like the Swamp Thing.” Her cheeks heated. “Sorry I kept you waiting. How did it go? Was he fussing?” She reached for the baby.

“He did great. Relax. I’ve got him. I figured after what he just went through, he could use a good story. The Princess and the Frog did the trick.” He held up the book. “It’s one of my nieces’ favorites.”

“Where did you find it?”

“I stopped by Tank’s to pick it up on my way here this morning. He’s got two little girls, Junie and Rosie, and a little boy named Leo. They’ve got every kids’ book known to man. I’ve got a few more in my bag.”

“But you were here at seven.” She could hardly believe how thoughtful he was, to even think about bringing baby books, much less bother his brother that early.

“Tank is up at six every day with his girls, so Leah and Leo can sleep in.”

“Your parents did something right. Do all your brothers have hearts of gold?”

He tucked her sleeping little boy into the bassinet and said, “Depends who you ask.”

“You say that a lot.”

“It’s the truth. Do you want to catch a nap while he’s sleeping?”

She was tired, but she shook her head and climbed onto the bed. “I want to know more about you. Don’t take this wrong, but why are you here?”

“What do you mean?”

“You showed up like a knight in shining armor yesterday, and you’re still sticking around. I can’t believe you haven’t run for the hills yet.”

“There aren’t many hills around here.”

She studied his amused expression. “I’ve never met anyone like you.”

“That’s not surprising. I am one of a kind.” He raked a hand through his hair with a playful smile and lowered his big body into the chair again.

“It’s a good thing you’re not cocky about it,” she teased. “You must have better things to do than sit around here with us.”

“I can’t think of a darn thing that would be better than getting to know you and helping out with Brennan.”

“You really could charm the pants off a nun.”

“Well, that’s good to know, but I never would.” His lips quirked. “I respect nuns too much.”

“It’s good to have boundaries.” She laughed softly, wondering if he was the kind of guy her father had warned her about before her seventh-grade dance. Boys who seem to be too good to be true usually are. She remembered asking him how she’d know if a boy was faking his kindness or not. You’ll hear a little voice in your head. Ignoring that voice is what gets people in trouble. Thanks to her father, she’d always listened to that little voice. Funnily enough, it hadn’t so much as whispered a warning since she’d met Baz. She liked him, and she may not be looking for a man, but she could use a friend, so she tried again to get to know him better.

“What would you be doing now if you weren’t here?”

He shrugged. “Going for a motorcycle ride or helping one of my brothers or cousins with something.” He crossed his ankle over his knee, leaning back in the chair, like he had all day to chat. “My weekdays are pretty tightly scheduled, so the weekends are for family and friends.”

“And I’m keeping you from spending time with them.”

“Give it up, Emerson. I’m staying.”

A smile tugged at her lips. “Has anyone ever told you you’re impossible?”

“Might’ve heard that a time or two.”

“Fine. If you’re staying, then I want to know more about you. How many brothers and cousins do you have?”

“Just two brothers, Tank and Gunner, and five cousins here in Bayside. I’ve got a number of cousins elsewhere.”

“You’re lucky to have so much extended family.”