Lacey opened the back door of her car, and Bridger jumped out with a pink stuffed horse. He hustled toward the front of thehouse just as the door opened. Lacey turned just in time to see Mack exiting the house.
Of course.
He did live on this property. And Caleb was his brother. Why wouldn’t they bump into each other?
Mack smirked at her, his arms folded as he leaned in the door jamb. “That’s weird, I didn’t order a cute girl.”
Lacey rolled her eyes and let out a groan. “Really?”
He flashed her a wider smile and pushed away from the door. “I was wondering if there was something you could help me with.”
She headed up the steps, stopping before reaching the top of the porch since he stood in her way. He was even taller, and she had to crane her neck to look at him fully. “And what is that, Mitch?”
Mack held out his hand, unbothered by her use of an incorrect name. “Can I borrow your phone?”
Without thinking it over, she reached for her device and hesitantly handed it over.
He tapped the screen a few times, then lifted it to his ear. She watched as he pulled his phone out of his back pocket and handed it to her. It was buzzing. “Here, will you answer that for me?”
“What? No. You answer it.”
He pointed to her phone he still held to his ear. “I’m making a call.”
She shook her head, flabbergasted, and grabbed his phone. “Hello?”
“So, your phone does work.” Mack’s voice came through the speaker and echoed in front of her. She gasped and whipped the phone away from her ear to hang up. Glowering at him while he laughed, she held out her hand. “Give me back my phone.”
Mack shrugged and did as she asked.
“You’re ridiculous,” she muttered, making an attempt to move past him, but he blocked her.
“I’d like to think that I’m committed.”
“Committed? Committed towhat?”
He shrugged again, his lips curling into a grin that was more devilish than charming. Her heart stuttered, and she had to force herself to keep breathing.
Lacey heaved a sigh when he made it clear he wasn’t moving. “Excuse me. I’d like to visit with Sammie and the baby.” Just as she said it, Bridger bolted from the house. He squeezed around Mack, breathlessly. “Mom! I saw her. I saw the baby. Sammie let me hold her. She’s so tiny.”
Dang it! And she’d missed it!
“Don’t worry.” Caleb’s voice came from the doorway, and Mack turned toward him. “We got pictures.”
Bridger hopped up and down. “Caleb said I could play catch with him. Can I?” She couldn’t fault him for losing interest so quickly. He was six. And the baby wasn’t related to him in any way. “Please?” Bridger pressed.
“Let the kid play. He could probably use some manly influences.” Mack said it so quiet she wasn’t sure anyone else heard.
She shot him a warning look, and he held up his hands before backing up a step to allow her passage. Lacey glanced to Caleb. “If you’re okay with it.”
“It’s fine,” Caleb assured her as he waved a hand through the air. “Mack and I played a lot as children. It’ll be fun to toss a ball around again.” He guided her toward the door, pressing his hand to the small of her back.
Lacey shot one more look at Mack as Caleb nudged her inside. There was nothing she could do to stop it.
And she wasn’t sure she wanted to.
CHAPTER FOUR
Maybe he was crazy.That seemed to be the only explanation for what he was doing.
