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“Not even a cold one,” Paige said with a wry laugh. Not a possibility either. “The neighbors are coming over for a meeting. I am going to an engagement party for a friend tomorrow, though.”
“Great.” Beverly tapped her polished nails on the counter. “Maybe you’ll meet someone there. You’re single and free now, you should be dating a different guy every night.”
“I don’t have time.” Paige stepped back to scrutinize her work. “I’m working my way through school, remember?”
A customer slipped into the shop and Beverly’s posture straightened as she recognized the possibility of a sale. The tall brunette flitted through the store, choosing several outfits to try on, then meandered over to the jewelry counter. Beverly would be off to brownnose any second. Talk about the pot calling the kettle black. Beverly worked seventy-something hours every week. Her social life was more nonexistent than Paige’s.
Beverly gave her a forlorn look as if she hated to run out in the middle of such an important conversation. Paige laughed, nonplussed. “Go on, make your sale.”
Paige cleaned up the window area, closed out one of the cash registers and waved goodbye as Beverly ran the customer’s credit card through the machine. She could almost hear Beverly’s squeals of excitement as the dollar signs brringed. She admired Beverly. After her husband had deserted her for a younger woman, Bev had borrowed money, opened the shop and made a success out of it.
Paige intended to make a success out of herself the way Bev had with the shop. Her high school home ec teacher had raved over her sewing projects, and a couple of her college professors had encouraged her dream of becoming a designer. Even if she never made it big with her own designs, she could work as a buyer for a big department store.
As she pulled into her driveway, she noticed Zeke and the girls’ empty driveway. As a veterinarian, Zeke probably had to work long hours. Shoving thoughts of them from her mind, she strolled up her driveway and went inside to enjoy the peace and quiet. Zeke probably wouldn’t even make the meeting.
WHAT HE WOULDN’T give for five minutes of peace and quiet before the meeting, Zeke thought as Summer and August battled over who would push the grocery cart. But hoping for peace was futile with two exhausted, hungry, irritable girls in tow. He tried to ignore his daughters’ next argument—which kind of cereal to purchase—as he wove his way through the aisles searching for something nutritious to serve them that could be nuked in the microwave and ready to eat in five minutes.
“I’m starving,” August said, dragging the toes of her sneakers.
“And I’m tired,” Summer whined.
“I’m almost done.” Zeke ignored the boxes of sugar-coated cereal the girls sneaked into the cart. Dinner, bath, the baby-sitter—he wondered how fast he could manage it all once he arrived home.
The young girl behind the counter snapped her gum as she rang his purchases, her gold nose ring dangling precariously. He inwardly cringed, feeling a million years old. How would he handle it if Summer or August grew up and wanted their bodies pierced or tattooed in ungodly places?
“Did you have fun at day care today?” he asked.
“No, Charlie stoled my finger-paint picture,” Summer said.
“But I smacked him one,” August said.
“You did what?” Zeke’s gaze shot to August.
“Right between the eyes,” August said.
“He bledded and everythin’,” Summer mumbled in a low voice.
The girl behind the counter laughed, flashing a mouth full of braces. “Fifty-two dollars and thirty-five cents.”
Zeke sighed. What kind of school allowed children to steal and hit each other?
“Yeah, Ms. Edie said she’s gonna call you,” August said. “But I tolded her you’d want me to ’tect Summer.”
Uh-oh. Zeke paid for the groceries and hauled his girls toward the minivan. On the ride home, he heard them nibbling on the dry cereal, and his thoughts drifted to his uncertainties about parenting. The girls were only in preschool and he was already receiving discipline calls from the teachers. His stomach knotted. He needed a woman’s help. What if he totally screwed up this parenting thing? Would his kids wind up on some daytime talk show one day?
As soon as they pulled in the driveway, the twins ran to check on the kittens. He fixed soup and sandwiches, eating quickly so he could make the meeting next door. He tried to stifle a tingle of excitement at the thought of seeing Paige again.
Zeke showered and quickly changed, choosing his clothes carefully. Being color-blind made matching his wardrobe difficult, so he’d pinned simple tags inside. He carefully matched the tags, then dragged on fresh army green slacks and a cream shirt. By the time the sitter, a teen from down the block, had arrived, he had minutes before the meeting was to start. He strode next door, wondering if he would have a few minutes alone with Paige before the neighbors descended.
PAIGE OPENED THE door and tried not to react to the sight of Zeke’s handsome face grinning at her. Then she noticed his dark gray slacks and brown shirt, and a frown wrinkled her brow. And his socks—one navy, the other brown. The poor man, someone needed to dress him!
“Is something wrong? You’re frowning.”
“No,” Paige said, quickly recovering. “Come on in. You’re the first one here.” Even with mismatched clothes, you look sexy as hell. Darn it.
Zeke entered, sweeping the comfy room with his dark gaze. “Nice house. A little neater than mine.”
“I live alone. That makes all the difference.”
“Yeah.” He jammed his hands in his pockets. “I guess it does.”
She ignored his adorable dimple and offered him a soda as they worked their way into her den. Thankfully the doorbell rang again and Paige hurried to answer it, grateful not to be alone with Zeke.
Within minutes, neighbors filled the room, chatting easily. Zeke smiled politely to the guests as Mrs. Spivy introduced him. A slender, plain woman with short brown hair sat on his left and Dannika, a tall, leggy divorced brunette, maneuvered her chair close to his right. Paige caught Zeke’s panicked look and almost felt sorry for him. Then Derrick came in and swooped her into a hug.
She threw her arms around him. “I’m so happy for you and Amelia,” she whispered. “I just knew the two of you were perfect for each other.”
Derrick kissed her cheek. “I love you, you know that! You are the greatest, Paige.”
Paige laughed, but the two of them pulled apart when she heard Mrs. Spivy clucking. “Can you two put your love life on hold while we get this meeting under way?”
“CAN YOU TWO put your love life on hold while we get this meeting under way?” Mrs. Spivy’s words reverberated in Zeke’s mind like a yelping cocker spaniel. The macho guy who held Paige simply grinned and pulled her onto the couch beside him, slinging an arm around her in a too-cozy move that rattled Zeke’s teeth. The guy loved her—he’d said so right in front of the whole neighborhood.
So much for wondering if Paige had a boyfriend. And he’d thought they’d had chemistry between them. She’d probably been suffering from shock over his messy house and sloppy appearance. And that flier—he was mortified.
“Let’s get started,” Paige said in her silky voice. “We’re all aware there’ve been some break-ins recently.”
Heads nodded in agreement. Zeke’s attention strayed as he studied Paige’s den. A comfortable leather couch, beige and red plaid recliner, pine tables. Everything neat and orderly. Paige’s voice broke into his reverie.
“And the police are doing all they can.” Paige folded her hands together. “But we’ve always been a close neighborhood, so Mrs. Spivy suggested we start this neighborhood watch program.”
“I still can’t get the ketchup out of my white sofa,” Myrtle Simmons said with a sigh.
“They took my car, drove it around and left it dead on empty,” Bert Collins added.
“One of ’em left a pair of unmentionables on my floor,” June Bailey said, patting her neatly coiffured hair.
“The police are investigating each incident. But as citizens, we can help prevent crime. We want to keep our kids safe.”
A hushed chorus of agreement filled the room. The woman beside Zeke offered him a shy smile. “I want my Daryl to be safe. Especially since his father’s not around.”
He nodded, wondering if he’d been pegged as potential father material.
Paige cleared her throat. “We have a large neighborhood so we’ve decided to pair off and run regular checks on each other’s homes. Derrick assures me that posting a sign announcing our watch program will deter some crimes.”
A hearty discussion followed, including who worked and who stayed home, how Genie Atkins would watch anyone’s house when she was bedridden, who to call if someone saw something suspicious, and how old Mr. Pirkle could dial the phone on a bad day with his arthritis. Mrs. Spivy silenced the room with her hand. “I’ve already made a list to pair people up.” She stood and handed out the papers. Zeke glanced at his and saw he’d been paired with Paige. He felt as if he’d won a small lottery.
“In setting this up, I took into account homes with working parents, elderly people at home who might need help, the proximity of neighbors.” The leggy brunette beside him had been paired with Derrick. Good.
“I’m the new vet in town,” Zeke announced. “Watchdogs help in deterring break-ins. If anyone wants a dog or pet, let me know and I’ll match you with an appropriate animal.”
“That’s a great idea,” the woman beside him whispered. “I want one of those little terriers.”
“I’ll see what I can do,” he said, avoiding her come-hither look.
“I own a security consulting business,” Derrick added. “I’ll be happy to install new dead bolts on doors and windows. If anyone wants a security system, we’ll work out a special deal.”
“That would be wonderful.” Mrs. Spivy pressed her hands to her cheeks and tittered. “We feel so much safer with you around, dear.”
Zeke ground his teeth. He was going to provide dogs to people and help teach the animals how to pee outside while Derrick installed security systems.
An hour later, the crowd dispersed and Zeke couldn’t think of a reason to stay any longer, especially when Derrick cornered Paige in a private conversation.
It was better Paige had a boyfriend, he told himself as he left via the back door. She wanted a career, he wanted a wife and mother for his girls. And Renee had already taught him about the heartbreak involved when you tried to combine the two.
“I’D LOVE TO help you find a house for Amelia,” Paige said, grinning at Derrick.
“I thought you might help me choose a bracelet as an engagement gift, too.”
Paige winced, hoping Amelia wasn’t already banking on another failed altar attempt, but she smiled and patted Derrick’s arm. “I’d love to, Derrick.”
Derrick’s smile grew wider. “Great. Now what about you, Paige? Are you interested in anyone?”
Paige shook her head emphatically, pretending nonchalance as she scanned the room for Zeke. “I’m concentrating on finishing my degree.”
“How about that guy who moved in next door?” Derrick raised a dark eyebrow. “He was giving you the eye during the meeting.”
Paige brushed at a piece of lint on her shirt. “You’re imagining things. He wasn’t looking at me any certain way.”
Derrick’s warm laughter boomed. “Look, Paige. I know that predatory gleam when I see it.”
Paige rolled her eyes. “He’s a neighbor, that’s all. Besides,” she said, trying to hide her disappointment over Zeke leaving without saying goodbye. “He has kids.”
Derrick nodded knowingly. “You think it’ll be a repeat of Eric?”
Paige shrugged. “I can’t take any chances.”
ZEKE PAID THE baby-sitter, watched her walk across the street to her house, then grabbed a beer and sank onto the sofa. He flipped on the TV, grimacing when he noticed old reruns of the syndicated show, Father Knows Best, playing. His insecurities about single parenting kicked in again.
He knew what to do with a sick animal, could perform surgery on a traumatized cat or dog, but would he know what was best for his children?
They needed a mother. And as much as he hated the dating game, he should make himself look for someone suitable. Paige’s image quickly surfaced, but he blotted it away like an unwanted ink stain, then flipped the channel again and groaned as The Brady Bunch piped onto the TV. Now, that was exactly the kind of woman he needed. A stay-at-home mom, cook, housekeeper.
But his body curled in distaste. Not very modern thinking. Aggravated with himself, he stood, ready to take Henrietta for a walk and settle down for the night. Henrietta was nowhere in sight.
He noticed his front door swinging open and glanced outside to see a shadow that looked like Henrietta trotting toward Paige’s. He groaned, hoping Henrietta hadn’t gone in search of more brownies. He certainly didn’t want to interrupt Paige, especially if loverboy was still there drooling all over her like a lovesick St. Bernard.
“HENRIETTA, WHAT ARE you doing here?” Paige watched in surprise as the bulky dog wiggled through her pet door and sniffed the kitchen floor. Henrietta turned up her nose and her eyelids drooped in a pitiful begging expression. “Sorry, I don’t have any brownies tonight,” Paige said sympathetically. She studied the pet door, wondering if she should board it up against the vandals. But the door was so small, only a child could crawl through.
The dog whimpered and Paige stepped from her stool and walked awkwardly toward her, clutching the black satin around her body. After the neighbors had left, she’d decided to experiment with a new design. She barely had the fabric pinned above her shoulder.
Henrietta sprawled on her floor, looking woeful. Feeling sorry for her, Paige unwrapped a leftover biscuit from her counter and handed it to her. The mutt accepted it happily, thumping the floor with her short, stubby tail.
“Come on, Henrietta. I bet the girls are looking for you.” Paige opened the back door and almost bumped into Zeke.
“She’s here,” Page said. “I guess she came looking for more brownies,” Paige said.
Zeke reprimanded the dog. Too late, Paige remembered she was wearing nothing but her panties and the scrap of black silk wrapped turban style around her body. Zeke’s gaze flashed with heat as he skimmed her attire. Paige felt exposed, as if the silk were as transparent as cellophane. Her nipples beaded beneath the skimpy fabric and desire curled low in her belly. He had to know she was naked under the fabric. A slow smile spread on Zeke’s face, revealing that killer dimple in his left cheek. She was a goner.
Paige backed away, panic bubbling inside. Warning bells chimed in her head like a police siren, screeching for her to run—to avoid impending danger.
“Nice outfit,” Zeke said with a broad grin.
Paige ignored the flutter in her stomach. “It’s a project for my clothing class.”
“Hmm.” Zeke folded one arm across his middle and grinned wickedly as his gaze rested on her bare shoulder. “I think you should get an A plus. Maybe even extra credit.”
Paige shivered at the flash of hunger in his eyes, then swept her hands down the sides of the satin. A mistake. The slippery material drooped off her other shoulder, making her feel bare. “It’s not finished yet,” she said taking another step back inside her house.
Henrietta must have realized she was being ignored because she suddenly lunged against Paige’s knees, begging for another biscuit.
“No, Henrietta,” Zeke ordered.
Paige shrieked, pushing at the animal. But Henrietta’s paws caught the fabric and became embedded. Zeke yanked at the dog, but Henrietta snatched the silk between her teeth and jerked it so hard the material ripped, then dropped completely to the ground. Paige shrieked again and Henrietta took off running with the fabric clenched in her mouth as if she’d found a fresh ham bone. Paige brought her hands up to cover herself.
“Henrietta, come back here!” Zeke glanced at Paige and hesitated. She bit down on her bottom lip as he zeroed in on her skimpy black bikini panties and bare breasts. Then he swallowed visibly, sweat beading on his lip. If Paige hadn’t been so utterly mortified, she would have admired the gallant way he brought his face up to hers. “I’ll get her.”
“I’ll be inside,” Paige said in a voice that squeaked out. Then she ran in her house to safety, her face burning.
ZEKE’S HEART pounded as he chased Henrietta across the yard. Not only had his children humiliated him, now his damn dog had embarrassed him.
Of course, Paige looked pretty embarrassed herself.
He’d known from her running attire she had a nice figure, but her firm, high breasts had taken his breath away, and her muscular thighs and slim legs stretched out from those bikini panties like a man’s dream. Exhausted or not, after seeing Paige half-naked, he’d never be able to sleep tonight.
“Henrietta, give me the fabric!” he ordered.
Henrietta growled, darted into the backyard and dragged it into her doghouse.
He knelt on his hands and knees and crawled toward the entrance of the doghouse. “Here, Henrietta. Here, doggie. Give me the fabric.”
Henrietta growled again. The dog acted as though the material was a security blanket, like the ones his daughters slept with. A brainstorm hit him and he ran inside, grabbed an old blanket and hurried back. Dropping to his knees again, he stuffed the blanket inside. “Here, nice warm, cozy blanket for Henrietta. Give me the other one.”
After several long minutes of coaxing, he finally exchanged the material for the blanket and examined it. It was wet with dog slobber, dirty and grass stained—what was he going to tell Paige?
Before he faced her, he rushed in to check on the girls. Thankfully they were both snuggled in their beds sound asleep. He practiced an apology as he walked back to Paige’s house, trying desperately not to think about how sexy and enticing she looked wearing nothing except black lace, with her auburn hair feathered around her bare shoulders, her dusky nipples pouting for attention.
When he reached her porch, he exhaled a shaky breath. As if she’d been standing with her hand on the doorknob, she opened the door, but only wide enough for him to see her blushing face and the big, green furry housecoat she’d pulled to her chin. He almost laughed, but the memory of her bare breasts remained imprinted in his brain and arousal strummed through his body, throwing him completely off center.
“I’m afraid Henrietta ruined the material,” he said sheepishly. “I’ll replace it if you’ll tell me where to find the fabric, or I can write you a check to cover the costs.”
Paige narrowed her eyes in disappointment. “No, I don’t want money. Besides, the project’s due tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow?” He jammed his hands in his pockets, realizing the stores were probably closed. “Well, um, you want me to wash it for you?”
Paige shook her head. “No, this fabric isn’t washable.”
“Paige, I’m sorry. At least let me take it to the cleaners?”
She patted his hand in a sympathetic gesture. Her fingers were soft and warm and he fought the urge to wrap her dainty hand in his. “Don’t worry, Zeke. I have some extra fabric. I’ll make a short dress instead of a long one.”
Zeke read the uncertainty in her expression as she studied the stained material, but admired her easygoing nature. She should be furious with him.
He felt even more guilty. “Well, I guess I should go then.”
“I guess.”
“Good luck with the project.”
“Thanks.”
He stared into her eyes, a picture of her naked flashing through his head like an erotic magazine photo. “Are you sure there’s nothing else I can do?” Maybe help pin the material around you, then take it off and touch you all over?
“I’m sure,” Paige said softly. “Go on back to the girls.”
“Oh, yeah, right.” The girls. Geez, he’d almost forgotten. What kind of father was he?
“Well, I’ll see you.”
“Yeah, see you.”
“Good night, Paige.”
“Good night.”
Zeke slowly walked back to his house, his thoughts jumbled. He liked Paige, and he was undeniably attracted to her. But he had to focus on raising his daughters.
Back inside, he yanked off his clothes, took a quick shower and collapsed into bed. It had been an exhausting day. As he closed his eyes, images of Paige’s flushed skin, her rosy lips, her high cheekbones and dainty nose, her glorious auburn hair, her curvy, sexy legs taunted him. He missed having a woman’s body snuggled up next to his, his legs tangled with her silky, smooth skin, her soft breath whispering against his face.
Problem was, he didn’t just want any woman. He wanted Paige Watkins.
Reality shattered his dreams when he rolled over to the empty space beside him and felt the crisp cool sheets. He couldn’t have Paige. And if he pursued her, he’d be on a collision course with trouble.
So once again, he went to sleep. Alone.
PAIGE SHOVED THE embarrassing memory of Zeke seeing her practically naked from her mind and tried to salvage her project. Unfortunately, Zeke’s heated gaze and sexy smile popped into her head at the most inopportune times. She’d stuck herself about twenty times with a pin and had almost sewn her finger on the sewing machine. Finally, around 3 a.m., she finished the dress and sat back to admire her work. She’d fashioned a tea-length semi-formal dress that dipped off one shoulder. The tapered skirt accentuated a woman’s normal curves while drawing attention to her best features. Around 4 a.m., she stumbled into bed and closed her eyes.
Zeke’s unbidden image drifted through her dreams but this time, Zeke was undressing her. And this time, she blushed from excitement and passion. Then she undressed him, savoring every delightful moment as his bronze skin and rippled muscles were unveiled.
At 5 a.m., Paige woke up from her dream with the sheets tangled around her, her head throbbing from lack of sleep. Shocked at her lustful thoughts she leapt out of bed, threw on her jogging clothes and ran out the door.
Forty-five minutes later, she returned to the house, her energy renewed. The neighborhood had been filled with early morning walkers and runners and the fresh air had cleansed her senses. She showered, planning to have breakfast and study her marketing before she headed to her 9 a.m. class. But when she stepped into her kitchen, there sat the troublemaker—Henrietta.
“COME ON, GIRLS, we need to leave.” Zeke buttoned his white shirt, tucking it inside his pleated navy trousers.
“But I can’t find my shoes,” August said.
“Try your feet.” Zeke pointed to her bright yellow sneakers.
“Not these.” August rolled her eyes. “They don’t match my blue dress.”
“I see.” Actually, he didn’t. Being color-blind definitely had its limitations.
“Here they are!” Summer held up another pair of shoes.
“Bailey’s bringing his grandma, too,” August said. “’Cause his mom is a ’portant psych…head doctor.”
Zeke clamped his mouth together to prevent a chuckle, grateful at least one other child had a substitute mom for the tea. The telephone jangled and Summer and August raced to it, fighting over who would answer. After a few seconds of wrestling, they finally compromised and held it between them. But their faces instantly crumpled before him.
“Grammy can’t come to the tea!” August wailed.
“She’s throwed up her waffles.” Summer’s lower lip trembled, then she promptly burst into tears.
His heart jumped into his throat as he grabbed the phone. “Hello, Mom. Are you okay?”
“Listen, Zeke, I’m so sorry, but I have the flu.” His mother’s voice sounded weak. “It’s one of those twenty-four-hour bugs, but I don’t want to expose the girls.”
“Oh, Mom, I’m so sorry you’re ill.” Zeke rubbed his temple, trying to talk over the sound of Summer’s wailing. “Sure, Mom, I understand. I hope you feel better.”