“What I can’t understand is how you got Hudson to open up to you. That man is as closed off as a clam in a storm. You be careful with that one.”
“Hudson’s harmless.”
“Hudson’s the least of your problems. Now Matty…”
When she didn’t finish, I shuffled closer. “What about Matty?”
“It’s not my place to say.” She shook her head. “Still such a sad thing for those two. I wonder…”
Gertie didn’t seem ready to divulge her boss’s secrets, and I didn’t have the time to coerce her. “All right, don’t tell me. I’m sure I’ll find out sooner or later.”
I already knew they had intense chemistry despite their animosity, which held a familiarity. Whatever had happened between them was deeply personal and had hurt them both. A hurt so profound the only way they tolerated each other was through anger.
And yet Matty kept Hudson around. He could have easily fired Hudson.
My mind continued turning over the puzzle as I returned to the living room. I drew to a halt, and the breath flew from my lungs. Matty sat on the floor with the little girl in his arms, her head on his shoulder, a thumb in her mouth, and her other hand clutching his shirt tightly in her little fist. He patted her backgently, whispering to her, but too low for me to hear what he was saying.
Matty’s face looked more relaxed than I’d ever seen. The way he held the child and the wistful expression on his face painted a different picture of the man I’d come to know. This was a man who showed his heart, and all it took was that sweet little girl whose father he couldn’t stand.
Matty raised his head, and our eyes locked for an eternal moment, the air between us growing heavy. The softness vanished from his features, replaced by the familiar hardness. He looked down at Ivy again, adjusting her in his arms and patting her back, still gently but more forcefully than earlier. It was clear he wanted me gone.
What should I do? Leave them alone? But Hudson had left her in my care.
“You should watch her more carefully.” Matty frowned, his stern gaze pinning me to the spot.
“I just left to use the bathroom and get a drink of water. She was laying on the floor, so there was no danger of her rolling off anywhere.”
“Still.” He didn’t elaborate but kept staring at the child in his arms as though fascinated. “She feels so small. I thought I’d hate her, but I don’t.”
He snapped his head up, and a stricken look crossed his face as if he hadn’t meant to speak his thoughts aloud.
“Of course you don’t hate her. You hate her father, but she’s just an innocent baby.”
“I don’t hate him.” Matty’s chest rose and fell. This time when his eyes met mine, the grief and pain were so profound it stole my breath. His gaze dropped back to Ivy, and he hesitantly brushed a lock of her hair that had fallen over her eyes. “I don’t hate him,” he said, his voice barely a whisper. “I’m angry, or I was angry, but then holding her…” He shook his head.
The front door banging open made us both jump.
“What in the world!” I cried. Who the hell had slammed the front door like that? Was Carter home? Did he know?
Matty rose to his feet, Ivy still cradled in his arms. Thankfully, the little girl seemed so peaceful in his arms she merely stirred.
“Ozzie!”
Hudson?
Panic crossed Matty’s face, and he tried to hand me Ivy, but I pretended I hadn’t seen his gesture. Hudson burst into the living room, sweat beading on his forehead and dirt smeared across his cheeks.
“Hudson, is everything all right?” I asked.
He stared at Matty holding Ivy. “What are you doing with my daughter?”
“It’s okay. He was only helping her get back to her nap,” I said quickly.
Matty opened his mouth, but no sound came out. He lowered the child back to the makeshift bed of pillows and blankets. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have.”
Matty stalked off, but Hudson blocked his way. “No, don’t—”
“Get out of my way, Hud.”
