“All better.”She shrugged.“I would wike pancakes very much.”
“Then you’re getting some pancakes.”He gave her a quick hug and sat up.“But I’ll need your help.”
“Yay.”She slid off his bed.“I am a good heper.”
“Yes, you are.”He ran his fingers through his hair and tossed the covers back.“Go find the aprons and I’ll be right there.”
“Okay.”She ran from the room.
He chuckled and headed into the bathroom.So much had changed since Delilah had moved in.He used to wake up to his alarm, but Delilah’s internal alarm had her waking up—and waking him up—before it went off.He used to sleep naked, now he slept in sleep pants or sweatpants as a good father should.Breakfast before Delilah was a couple cups of coffee, or, if he was hungry, he’d trek up to the main house to eat whatever they were having.Now he made breakfast for the two of them.Pancakes were her favorite.He liked this time together, just the two of them.
I look like hell.
His reflection showed dark circles under his eyes.The lack of sleep was catching up with him.He splashed some cold water on his face but it didn’t help much.He tugged on a white T-shirt, ran a comb through his hair and joined Delilah in the kitchen.She’d already pulled out the mixing bowl and pancake mix.
“Look at you.”He grinned, pulling out the mixer.
“I’m aw ready.”She pointed at her apron.“Put yours on, Daddy.”
He did as she said, then opened the step stool so she could put everything on the countertop.He pulled out the skillet and grabbed the spatula he’d bought when he’d discovered Delilah’s affinity for pancakes.She was such a picky eater, but lucky for him, pancakes were cheap and easy.
The knock on the door was a surprise.He waited, fully expecting one of his siblings or his parents to walk in.But then he remembered he’d locked the door.“Guess I have to go see who it is.”
“Me, too.”Delilah climbed down from the step stool and ran ahead of him.“Coming!”she yelled when there was another knock.“Hurry up, Daddy.”
Braden didn’t have a problem with his brothers waiting, but he hurried for Delilah’s sake.He unlocked the door.“Didn’t expect you two to come by so early this morning.”He opened the door.“You two… Maggie?”Finding her here, her eyes bright and her smile even brighter, was one of the best surprises he’d ever had.
“Maggie!”Delilah squealed.“Cody!Come in, come in.We are making pancakes.”
Maggie glanced his way.“No, no.That’s okay.We were just dropping this off.”
It didn’t matter that he looked like hell with bags under his eyes and wearing his sweatpants and T-shirt.He didn’t hesitate to ask, “You came all this way, why not come in and stay awhile?”Because he wanted them to stay.He wanted Maggie to stay—to have time with her.“There’s plenty of food for the two of you.”All he could do now was hope she’d say yes.
Chapter Nine
Maggie hadn’t planned on knocking on the door.They were going to leave Delilah’s get-well present and go.Apparently, Cody had other ideas.He’d knocked and knocked again.That’s why she was face-to-face with a sleep-rumpled Braden Parker.Did he really roll out of bed looking like this?Mind-blowingly sexy in sweatpants and a tight white T-shirt.Tight as in she could tell the man was ripped—like all muscles.
“Ma?”Cody asked.“Can we stay?”
“Oh, hon, I don’t think it’s a good idea.”The moment her gaze met Braden’s, her cheeks went hot.First they showed up unannounced, now he’d caught her staring at his chest.They should leave before she did anything to further humiliate herself.She smiled down at Delilah.“But I’m so glad to see you up and looking better.”
“I am.”Delilah patted her tummy.“No more throwing up.”
“Here.”Cody offered the gift bag to Delilah.“If you feel sick, you can color.”
Delilah took the gift bag.“You got me a present?”Her eyes were round as saucers.“Thank you, Cody.”
“You were real sick and all,” Cody mumbled.
Maggie had been surprised over Cody’s insistence toget Delilah a get-well present, but she’d been touched, too.She couldn’t shake the image of the little girl sobbing and wanting her mother.Cody must have been affected by Delilah’s tears, too.
“Pwease, stay.”The way Delilah was staring up at her had Maggie wavering.
“She takes pancake making pretty seriously, and we’re making a lot.”Braden stepped aside.“You’d be doing me a real favor by eating some of them.”
“I could eat.And I like pancakes.”Cody came inside, not batting an eye when Delilah grabbed his arm and tugged him away.
“Looks like you’re staying.”Braden chuckled.
