Her son’s smile confirmed he was definitely enjoying all the praise.“I know more ’cuz I’m older, is all.”
“’Kay.”But she kept right on smiling at Cody.
“I got you strawberry milk.”There he was, the cowboy with the soulful eyes—and a carton of milk in each hand.
Maggie had been so entertained by the two kids that she hadn’t noticed the arrival of the little girl’s father.How could she have missed him?Up close, it was hard not to notice him.He was big and broad and—honestly—incredibly handsome.
Hot, even.What?No.She didn’t like where her train of thought was headed.Better to focus on the adorableness of the little girl and not assess the hotness of the hunky cowboy.What was she thinking?
“Daddy, he’s a birthday boy.”She pointed at Cody.“See his sticker?”
“I do.”His smile was slow to build but it sure packed a punch.“Happy birthday.”
Oh, goodness.Maggie hadn’t been prepared for the tingles that smile triggered.
“Thanks.”Cody shrugged.“It’s not a big deal.”
“It is.It is.”The little girl grabbed Cody’s arm.“Birthdays are the most biggest important days ever.”
“Birthdaysarethe biggest important days ever.”Maggie had never met a more adorable little girl.Ever.
“This is Delilah, by the way.I’m her dad, Braden Parker.”He went to hold his hand out, realized he was still holding a milk carton and chuckled.
That chuckle was husky and entirely too appealing.She swallowed, hard, against the lump in her throat.“I’m Maggie.Maggie Cooper.”Stop staring.Stop staring.She tried but failed miserably.
“This is your son?”Braden nodded at Cody.
“Yes.”Her son—who was standing right beside her.She tore her gaze from Braden and smiled down at Cody.“This nine-year-old birthday boy’s name is Cody.”Nine years old.Where had the time gone?Wasn’t it just yesterday that he’d been an adorably round toddler?Now he was growing like a weed and losing the baby fat from his cheeks.Before long, he’d look like a little man.She resisted the urge to ruffle his curls.He would not appreciate that sort of public display of affection from his mother.
“Cody is nine, Daddy.”Delilah held up nine fingers to show her father.“And his brain is real smart.”
“That’s good to hear.”Braden Parker’s crooked grin had her tingling and a bit breathless.
Stop with the tingles.
She had no room in her life for tingles.None.All of her attention and energy was for Cody and Cody alone.Beyond that, she had to rest and get healthy again.She could not get involved with Braden and Delilah Parker—no matter how tempted she was.
* * *
Braden set the milk on the food tray and moved down the lunch line.When he saw they were serving pizza, his heart sank.This was bad.Even though he’d never seen her eat pizza, and she’d not had it with him so far, Delilah was convinced she didn’t like it.One thing he was learning about his daughter: she was stubborn as a mule.His father said she’d inherited that trait from him.Braden was a lot of things but stubborn wasn’t one of them.Not that it mattered right now.He had to come up with a plan, fast.He’d just calmed her down over the cupcakes.He didn’t know how she’d respond to this new dilemma.He wasn’t one for self-pity but today was testing that.
“Pizza?”Delilah had followed closely behind them.“I don’t wike pizza.”
Here we go.He braced himself for her imminent meltdown.
“You don’t like pizza?”Cody looked at Delilah like she’d grown a second head.“It’s awesome.You should try it.”He leaned closer and lowered his voice before he said, “Or you get a cheese sandwich and it’s gross…” He stretched theoout, twisted up his face and stuck out his tongue in disgust.
Delilah thought Cody’s antics were the funniest thing ever.Her giggles were so infectious, Braden was laughing, too.So was Cody.And Maggie.
He didn’t know what to make of the way Maggie was watching him.She was trying to be subtle about it, but he’d caught her a time or two.
She probably didn’t have the highest opinion of him.How could she?She’d seen Delilah booking it down the hall away from him.Not exactly the best first impression… And yet, there was no judgment in her green eyes—just curiosity.
Maybe that was why he wanted to explain himself to her.
Delilah’s little voice saying, “Pizza, pwease,” had Braden staring down at his little girl in shock.He didn’t know whether to thank Cody or ask him what he’d done.There were no tears or fussing or running away—just a big smile for the lunch lady.He didn’t know what was happening, but he figured it was wise to keep his mouth shut.He didn’t want to say anything and risk ruining the good that had been done here.
“Thank you,” Delilah said.
