Читать книгу A Daddy For Her Triplets - Deb Kastner - Страница 11

Chapter Two

Olivia was certain she was gaping. Somehow she’d entered into an alternate universe, a twilight zone where Clint Daniels had just asked her to dance. She couldn’t even begin to wrap her mind around it.

She’d never seen Clint dance. Ever. And even if he did dance, she was certain she would be the last woman on the planet he would choose as a partner, even with Miss Betty’s blatant matchmaking.

And yet, there he was, standing in front of her, his hands casually jammed in the front pockets of fraying blue jeans as he waited for her reply. He must really be feeling the pressure. It was amazing what a simple valentine card could do to a man.

His gaze rapidly turned from questioning to impatient. “Well? Are you just going to leave me hanging here or are you going to dance with me?”

She opened her mouth but no words emerged. Absolutely she was not going to dance with him. It was totally out of the question. The triplets were bound to get the wrong impression, and in any case, she hadn’t planned to hit the dance floor tonight. With anyone. But Clint was a formidable man to reject off-the-cuff.

“Please—don’t feel obligated.” There. That ought to do it. Let him off whatever hook he felt caught on. “I appreciate what Miss Betty was trying to do but, honestly, this really isn’t necessary.”

His brow lowered over stormy eyes, the green overshadowing the gold. “I don’t feel obligated. Now do you want to dance with me or don’t you?”

“The triplets—”

“Will be fine for the five minutes we’re on the dance floor. We can both keep our eyes on them.”

That wasn’t what she’d been about to say. She didn’t want the boys to leave the roundup tonight thinking they had a new daddy arriving in the near future, most especially not in the form of Clint Daniels. They had already hit him up once this evening, and goodness only knew what they’d been telling him. Whatever it was, she had to admit they’d been happy and animated.

And to her surprise, he’d been gentle with them. She wouldn’t have expected a man like Clint to have a soft spot for children.

Hopefully, the boys hadn’t mentioned anything in regard to her being on the lookout for a new husband. Their saying they wanted a new daddy could definitely be interpreted that way. She didn’t want Clint to misconstrue anything her sons might have said, however innocently they’d meant it.

But maybe she was worried for nothing. All she’d picked up when she’d joined the conversation was some vague comment about chickens.

In hindsight, she should have headed off the triplets long before they’d shared anything personal about their lives—about chickens.

Oh, dear.

“Mama,” Noah said, throwing his arms around her waist. The boys had realized she wasn’t following them and had returned to her side. “I thought we were going to get cookies.”

“We’re hungry,” Levi added, tugging on her arm.

“So am I.” Take a hint, Clint.

“It’s my fault she stopped,” Clint said with a chuckle. “I asked your mother to dance, but she hasn’t answered me yet.” He crouched down to the triplets’ level. “Let me in on a secret. Does your mama dance, boys?”

“Yes. Yes. She’s a really good dancer,” Caleb exclaimed.

“Yeah,” Levi agreed. “She used to be a bal’rina when she was a little girl.”

Clint chuckled. “Well, I don’t know how much good her extensive ballet training will do with the Texas two-step, but I’m willing to give it a go. How about it, Mama? Shall we show your boys how it’s done?”

“Dance, Mama. Dance.” The boys echoed each other. All three were physically pushing and pulling her toward Clint. Her face had to be a flaming red. It was too crowded in the hall and the temperature was set too high.

“C’mon, Olivia. Let’s give your boys something to talk about.” He stood and extended his hand to her.

Her gaze swept from one eager young face to the next. She didn’t want them to be talking about their mother and Clint sharing a dance, but how could she disappoint them when they looked at her that way?

“I—er—okay.”

His hand, rough with calluses, engulfed hers, but that wasn’t the half of it. This entire set of circumstances was swallowing her whole—and she knew who to blame for it. It was all Clint Daniels’s fault.

“Cheap tactics,” she muttered as he pulled her into his arms. “Using my boys to get me to agree to this. Low blow, if you ask me.”

He leaned back to meet her gaze and then chuckled. “It worked, didn’t it?”

“Don’t encourage them.”

“No worries.” He pulled her closer so she had no choice except to rest her cheek on his shoulder. His hand easily spanned her waist. She was vibrantly aware of his nearness, the deep rhythm of his breath and the warm musk of his aftershave. His shoulder muscles rippled under her palm.

Everything she should not be noticing about him.

“Maybe you don’t think so, but I’d rather not put ideas into their heads. It’s bad enough that they discovered the valentine Miss Betty wrote that matched me up with you. Dancing? Only going to make it worse.”

His chest rumbled with laughter. “So that’s what it was. I was wondering why they chose to share the valentines they’d written with me.”

“Exactly. If we’re not careful, they’ll be lobbying for you to be their new dad. I’m sure that wasn’t what you had in mind when you showed up here tonight.”

“Huh.” He spun her around. “I think that may already have happened.”

“What?” Olivia groaned.

Please, please, please let this not be happening.

He leaned down close to her ear. The music was so loud it was nearly impossible to carry on a conversation, even as close as they were—and they were close. Much too close for Olivia’s liking. She couldn’t seem to be able to still her racing pulse. She coached herself to breathe evenly, but all that did was cause her to get another good whiff of Clint’s masculine scent. He must be wearing too much. It was making her giddy.

“It’s just one dance. We’ll pacify Miss Betty’s penchant for matchmaking, and then we can walk away from each other and go on with our separate lives. Your boys will forget about me the second I’m gone. Sound good?”

Good was an understatement. She wasn’t comfortable with the myriad of emotions coursing through her, and the sooner she got out of Clint’s arms, the better.

As large as he was, and for someone who didn’t dance much, Clint had a natural rhythm. He took the lead, but subtly and surprisingly gently. He twirled her around until her head was spinning. She refused to believe that her rapid breathing had anything to do with the man who held her in his arms.

Olivia sent up a silent prayer of thanksgiving when the music ended. Now, as Clint had said, they’d each go their own way, only slightly worse for the wear. She glanced around, looking for the boys.

“They’re over there,” Clint said, pointing to the far end of the room. It was a little disconcerting that it seemed as if he’d read her mind. “My foster mother, Libby, rounded them up and got them all cookies and punch while we were dancing.”

It bothered Olivia that while Clint had been keeping his eyes on her children, she’d been completely lost in their dance. What must he think of her?

Heat rose to her cheeks. Again. She didn’t fluster easily, and yet her interaction with Clint tonight had her thoughts going every which way including loose. She didn’t like feeling scatterbrained.

It didn’t help matters when he flashed a lady-killer grin and enveloped her hand in his.

“Don’t worry. Libby has been a foster parent for years. She’s great with kids.”

“I can see that. And I wasn’t worried.” Olivia was mortified at her own conduct, maybe, but she wasn’t worried about her children.

“There now, you see?” Libby said to Clint as they approached. “Aren’t you glad you took my advice and asked Olivia to dance? You two made such a lovely couple out there. You were obviously enjoying yourselves.”

Olivia gasped and then choked on her breath, feeling as if she’d just been hit behind the knees. It was a wonder she didn’t fall over.

So that was the reason Clint had asked her to dance—and had been so intent on it. Not because he wanted to dance with her, or even, as he’d said, to pacify Miss Betty. Rather, he was favoring his foster mother’s request.

Olivia’s cheeks burned. She couldn’t imagine why Clint’s motivation mattered in the least. She’d been going to turn him down before the triplets got involved. And yet there it was—that small niggling feeling of rejection worming its way through her chest.

She was being ridiculous. This train had to stop now, before it jumped the tracks.

“Thanks for taking care of my sons.” Happily, her voice had returned to normal, even if her knees were still shaking.

“It’s absolutely been my pleasure,” Libby responded with a kind, maternal smile. “You have some really wonderful boys right here. Three special blessings.”

“Yes, they are.” At least that was something they could all agree on.

“They’ve been telling me all about how their daddy used to take them camping and climbing, just like Clint.”

Olivia’s stomach lurched. The triplets had been only four years old at the time and she didn’t know how much they remembered about Luke, who’d been a passionate outdoor enthusiast.

In fact, she’d lost Luke to a rock climbing accident, although she’d never shared that information with the triplets. Maybe when they were older and were in a better place to be able to understand. But for now she kept it silent and close to her heart.

“As it happens, my Clint here is a trail guide. He works full-time in the Deep Gulch Mountains teaching camping skills and wilderness survival tactics to young folks just like these handsome fellas. Your sons would love it.”

Olivia nodded, more to be polite than really agreeing with Clint’s foster mother. “I’m sure they would,” she murmured courteously.

“Perfect,” Libby exclaimed. “Clint can take your boys on a day trip, a beginner’s challenge, and teach them all about wilderness safety. That would be fun, wouldn’t it, Clint? Do you have a weekend opening where you can fit them in?”

Clint’s wide-eyed gaze traveled from Olivia to Libby and back again. He looked as if he’d just swallowed a porcupine. Olivia felt exactly the same way and knew her expression probably mirrored his.

Unfortunately, the boys had been listening to the conversation. At Libby’s suggestion, all three started cheering and chattering on about what they were going to learn when they went out with Mr. Clint.

Which was never going to happen. There was no way Olivia was going to allow her boys to go up into those mountains again, not even with a trail guide as experienced as she imagined Clint must be. Certainly not until they were much, much older, and even then Olivia knew she would have reservations. If Luke, who’d been a master rock climber, could meet his death climbing, who knew what could happen to three rambunctious six-year-olds?

There were too many variables.

Even if her fears didn’t play into the equation, she wouldn’t be inclined to let her children go anywhere with Clint. He might be a wonderful trail guide, but what did he know about kids? He’d been gentle and patient tonight, but she had no doubt her boys would wear him down in a flash. Olivia knew from experience what mischief they could get into in a short amount of time.

She shook her head. This had to stop now.

* * *

What was Libby thinking, offering his services without consulting him first? Clint rocked back on his heels and threaded his fingers through his hair. He was supposed to be done with Olivia Barlow, not planning to take her kids on an outing.

The dance was supposed to be the end of this fiasco. Now, apparently, it was just the beginning.

Even a beginner’s challenge would be difficult for a six-year-old, never mind three of them. He might be able to keep their attention for a little while, but a day trip? Not so much. He imagined they’d be little terrors out there in the woods, running off in every direction at the drop of a hat. How on earth was he going to keep track of them and keep them reeled in? The very thought made him shudder.

But he could hardly beg off after Libby had made the suggestion. He pressed his lips together to keep from doing just that, afraid of what might come out of his mouth if he didn’t.

“Thank you for offering, Libby,” Olivia said, laying her hand on the woman’s arm. “I appreciate you thinking of my boys. I’m sure a day trip with Clint would be fun for them, but I’m afraid we’re going to have to pass this time.”

Wait—what? Had she just turned Libby down?

Turned him down?

He bristled and stood an inch taller, squaring his shoulders and pressing forward on the balls of his feet.

She thought he couldn’t do it, did she? She thought that he couldn’t teach her boys how to enjoy the mountains, how to survive in the wilderness? Did she really believe that he couldn’t keep them safe?

Who knew the Deep Gulch Mountains better than he did? Who else spent their days and many a night in the forest with only the light of the stars for a ceiling? He was far better than any boys’ organizations that he knew of. His guided trail experiences were up close and personal, molded into whatever his clients most needed and wanted.

Pride flooded his chest, but it was a tender, guarded emotion. If he didn’t watch out, she’d pop his ego like a sharp needle on a balloon.

“It will be good for them to learn new skills,” he prodded. “Boys like being out in the open, and everyone needs a good survival course. Can’t start too young.”

Stop talking.

What was he doing? Digging himself into a hole? Probably, but he couldn’t seem to stop the flow of his words.

“Be that as it may,” Olivia said, lifting her chin and meeting his gaze square on. He wasn’t intimidating her—not that he really wanted to, but she was calling his career into question. What did she expect? He wouldn’t go down without a fight.

“What?” His emotional walls were in place. Impenetrable no matter what she said next.

“It’s too soon.”

That caught him off guard. What was too soon?

“Oh, Olivia, dear. I’m so sorry,” Libby said, pulling her into a bear hug. “You’re thinking of your Luke, aren’t you? Well, of course you are. Clint and I are being completely insensitive, aren’t we?”

Olivia’s shoulders shook. Was she crying? Please—anything but that. Clint did not do well with a woman’s tears.

Libby’s gaze pleaded with him from over Olivia’s shoulder. But for what? What did she want him to do? Press forward? Back off? He didn’t know what to do with Olivia’s tears. He didn’t even know what they were talking about.

Olivia stepped back and swiped her suspiciously wet cheeks with the palms of her hands.

“It’s nothing against you,” she said, motioning to Clint. “I’m sure you’re a wonderful trail guide. It’s just that—” Her sentence broke off as she looked at her boys. “Guys, why don’t you go grab another cookie, huh?”

The boys squealed and took off toward the dessert table.

Clint silently waited for an explanation.

“I’m sure you remember that my husband passed away a couple of years ago. What you may not know is that he died in a freak rock climbing accident. They said one of his clamps gave way. And he was an expert. The triplets are not. I can’t risk my boys getting hurt up there. They’re completely inexperienced—and they’re a handful during the best of times. One or another of them could easily slip away from you. Trust me, it happens all the time.”

Clint nodded. “I get where you’re coming from, but I assure you—they’re totally safe with me. I won’t let anything happen to them. Not on my watch.”

Not like Clint’s own father, who’d brought him up to the mountains and then just walked away. No. Nothing like that.

“I believe you,” Olivia assured him. He didn’t know whether she meant it or not, but her words were a balm to his bruised ego. “I just can’t let them go with you. It’s about me, not you.”

That was that, then. It kind of sounded like a breakup line, but he would take what he could get. He thought that was the end of the subject, and he couldn’t help but feel a little bit relieved. Going their separate ways—that was what he wanted, wasn’t it? What they’d talked about? Agreed on?

Yet a small part of him wanted to prove to her that he was responsible, capable of leading her sons on a successful day trip. That they’d have fun and learn everything he had to teach them.

“I have a splendid idea,” Libby said, jovially squeezing Olivia’s shoulder.

Olivia smiled, but it was shaky at best. Her chin was still quivering.

“Why don’t you go with them? It would do you good to get out and get a little fresh air, and that way you’ll be right there to take care of the triplets and see that they don’t come to any harm.”

Clint’s gaze widened. Come to any harm? Surely Libby didn’t believe he couldn’t handle three kids for one day.

“Isn’t that a good idea, Clint, darling? Olivia accompanying you on the day trip?”

No. It was not a good idea. In fact, it was the worst idea he’d ever heard. What was he going to do with Olivia on the beginner’s challenge? By default it would be targeted at six-year-olds. Surely she wouldn’t be interested in a children’s wilderness safety course.

And to top it off, he knew he’d get distracted. By her sparkling blue eyes. By the beautiful, full curve of her lips. By the rich oriental scent of her perfume. Everything he’d discovered about her when they were dancing.

He wasn’t marriage material, but he was a man, and he couldn’t help but be attracted to a pretty woman. Olivia was definitely that and then some.

This whole thing was a disaster in the making.

“Maybe Olivia is right,” he suggested, running a hand across the stubble on his jaw. “She’s not ready to venture out yet. And the boys are still young. There’s plenty of time for them to learn mountain skills.”

“But we want to go now, Mr. Clint!”

He hadn’t even seen the kids return, but there they were, and their expressions punched Clint right in the gut. He’d never seen such downcast features, complete with quivering lips and the onset of tears. These boys really wanted to spend time in the mountains. He got that. He felt the same way.

“Well...” he hedged. “What do you think, Olivia? We can take it as easy as you and the boys need to. It doesn’t have to be a big production. We don’t have to do the official beginner’s challenge. I can tailor it to whatever your needs are. It might even be kind of fun.”

Sure, if “fun” meant wrangling three overexcited youngsters for an entire day. He didn’t think that qualified as a good time.

Olivia sighed and rubbed her fingers on the tense muscles at the nape of her neck. “I just don’t know.”

“You can trust Clint,” Libby said, curling a hand in the crook of his elbow and patting his biceps.

“No, I know. Clint is the expert. So what exactly does this day trip entail?”

She was cracking, not that he could blame her. How could she not give in, with Libby’s gentle persuasion? In his experience, Libby could pretty much talk anyone into anything, himself included.

This whole taking-the-Barlows-on-a-day-trip thing being a case in point.

“We can take horses up Pine Meadow Trail. It’s an easy ride and there are several places to stop and enjoy nature.”

“It’s just for a few hours, right?”

“Sure. Whatever you want. Give the boys a little taste of the mountains. Have a picnic.”

She nibbled on her bottom lip and he couldn’t look away. See? She was already distracting him, and they hadn’t even started the beginner’s challenge yet.

“Okay. But if we’re doing this, I insist on bringing the picnic.”

“I’m all for that,” Clint agreed. “I can’t cook a lick. Grab a package of hot dogs and we can roast them with a stick over a fire.”

“And marshmallows?” Her eyes glinted, the first sign of interest she’d shown.

He chuckled and nodded. “Absolutely. Marshmallows, chocolate and graham crackers. What is a picnic in the mountains without s’mores?”

He pulled out his cell phone and opened his calendar. “I’ve got next Saturday available, or—”

His sentence was interrupted by a shouted exclamation and the murmur of the crowd.

“It’s Robin Hood. He’s here!”