“We’ll limit the women to the house, except for Amber’s appointment. I’d prefer they weren’t out in the yard, so don’t let Reagan sweet talk you into taking her out to play.” He stopped for the snickers around the room. The men were a push-over for Reagan. “He’s going to try again. Be ready, everyone.” He turned to Devon. “Dev?”
Devon cleared his throat. “I hate to say this, but we need more time. Joe picked up Ed’s trail again, so hopefully, we’ll have him soon. No hits on hiring out the Facilitator.”
It had never taken his team this long to find someone. “Ed’s our key. Find him.”
The men dispersed and Jesse turned to Devon. “Something is really bothering me. I’ve got someone I want you to check out and dig and dig. There’s something there that we are missing.”
Devon surprised Jesse after he’d disclosed the name of the person he wanted checked out. Devon had already started to do some digging on the person himself.
Jesse walked into his bedroom, stopped and smiled at the glorious sight of Kate curled up in his bed. He never thought he’d have another woman there after his wife died. Never thought there would be any place in his heart for any other woman. He stopped himself. His heart? No. Not his heart.
His brothers had made a great point about Reagan. He had to consider her feelings. She wasn’t old enough to understand. Or was she? She’d never seen him with a woman. He’d never brought one home, specifically because of her.
He undressed and slid into bed, pulling Kate to him. She didn’t wake but cuddled up with him. He relaxed with her safely in his arms. He’d find a way to explain to his daughter why she was in his bed. And, although Kate didn’t know it yet, she was moving in with them when this was over. She was going to be a part of their lives.
He dropped off to sleep worrying about his daughter’s reaction to Kate sleeping in his bed, her reaction to Kate being there all of the time, her reaction to his touching and kissing Kate in front of her and, worst of all, her reaction if Kate died because he screwed up again.
CHAPTER TWENTY
Kate woke with a heavy arm over her waist and Jesse’s hard penis poking her in the buttocks. Hoping she wasn’t dreaming, she slowly opened her eyes and found herself looking into a pair of small, golden-brown eyes.
Reagan stood beside the bed, holding a worn teddy bear and a scrunched up look on her face. “Was you scared? My daddy lets me sleep in his bed when I get really, really scared. I’m a big girl now so I tries to sleep in my bed.”
She wasn’t sure how to respond, feared saying the wrong thing. She didn’t know what Jesse planned to tell Reagan about her being in his bed. She was thankful she wasn’t naked. That really would have been hard to explain.
Jesse lifted his head and looked over Kate at Reagan. “Morning, pumpkin. What are you doing in here?” Under the covers, he teased Kate by slowly rubbing his groin against her.
“Was you helping Miss Kate not be scared, Daddy?” Reagan climbed on the bed and sat beside Kate, her wide eyes looking at her father.
“Something like that. Why don’t you go downstairs and see what Mrs. Kessler is doing?”
Reagan hopped off the bed. “Okay, Daddy. Miss Kate, are you coming? Mrs. Kessler makes scared all better.”
She opened her mouth to say no. “Sure.” The child was hard to refuse.
She rolled out of Jesse’s arms to follow Reagan downstairs. She ran her fingers through her hair in an attempt to look presentable. Her t-shirt and shorts would have to be sufficient since Reagan waited.
Reagan took her hand and tugged. “I’ll show you the way.”
Kate looked back at Jesse, who had a worried look on his face. Her heart sank. He didn’t want her getting close to his daughter. She had her work cut out for her.
They found Emily and Amber in the kitchen with an older, gray-haired woman cooking eggs on the stove.
Emily turned to them. “Good morning, Reagan. Amber’s been waiting for you. Kate, I’d like you to meet Mrs. Kessler. She helps Jesse take care of Reagan.”
Kate smiled and held out her hand. “Nice to meet you, Mrs. Kessler.”
The woman surprised her by hugging her instead of shaking her hand. “Lord, it’s about time. Please call me Lorraine. I can’t get any of this bunch to do it.”
Kate looked at Emily who shrugged. “Okay, Lorraine. What can I do to help with breakfast?” She felt awkward standing there looking as if she’d just rolled out of bed. Maybe Reagan wouldn’t notice if she snuck back upstairs and changed.
“Nothing, nothing. I’m expecting all the boys this morning, so you’d best grab a plate before there’s nothing left.”
She turned to a child’s laughter. Dottie licked Reagan’s face. “I love your dog, Miss Kate.”
She walked over and knelt down beside them. “First, call me Kate. Second, Reagan, this is Dottie. Dottie, this is Reagan. Say hello, Dottie.”
Her dog raised her paw to shake. More giggles from Jesse’s daughter floated through the room.
Amber cried out, “Dog, Mama, dog.”
Emily caught her daughter as she tried to climb out of her booster seat. “Not right now, Amber. After you eat.”
Jesse walked into the kitchen. “Good morning, Mrs. Kessler. How is my favorite cook today?” He kissed the girls on the top of their heads, kissed Mrs. Kessler and Emily on the cheek and Kate on the lips.
Kate froze. She hadn’t expected any affection from him in front of his family, in front of Reagan again. This was a good sign. Wasn’t it?
“Right as rain.” Mrs. Kessler turned back to the stove, humming a tune.
“Daddy, Daddy, guess what? Dottie shooked my hand. Watch. Do it again, Kate. Make her do it again.”
Kate taught her the command. Reagan repeated it over and over again. Dottie sat and played, extending her paw each time and occasionally leaning forward to lick the little girl’s face.
“Let’s wash your hands, young lady, and get to the table.” Jesse reached down for his daughter.
As the group settled at the table, Devon, Matt and Brad filed into the kitchen, each stopping to drop a kiss on Mrs. Kessler’s, their sister and nieces’ cheeks.
“Uncle Dev, Uncle Dev.” Reagan almost bouncing out of her chair. “Guess what?”
Devon smiled at her enthusiasm. “What, kiddo?”
“Dottie shaked my hand, and Daddy kissed Kate on the lips.”
Kate stiffened, but saw nothing but smiles from the family.
“How about I kiss you on the lips, my little pumpkin?” Jesse reached over, tipped her chin up and gave her a kiss on the lips. “Now I’ve kissed both of my girls on the lips this morning.”
“Guess what, Kate?” Before Kate could answer, Reagan continued, “You’re Daddy’s girl, too. We get to have all kinds of fun as Daddy’s girls. Mrs. Kessler says Daddy spoils me. Now, he can spoil you, too.”
Again Kate was at a loss for words. First, the kiss then the declaration to his family that she was
his
girl. She glanced around the room. Emily and Devon shared a knowing smile. Matt played with Amber. And Brad watched them closely.
Mrs. Kessler put food on the table, ignoring the dynamics at the table. Kate looked at Jesse, who wore a huge grin. He winked at her then turned to Emily.
“Em, I heard you have to take Amber to the doctor for shots tomorrow. Brad and Matt are going with you for protection.”
Emily nodded. “Are you planning to end this soon?”
“We don’t fail, Em. You know that.”
Emily made a face at Matt for his remark. “I know you don’t. I’m ready for life to be normal again. I want to go back to class.” She added more dry cereal to Amber’s plate since most of what she’d already given her was on the floor.
Kate watched the closeness the family displayed along with the patience and love the brothers showed the children.
Thinking of children reminded her about Jason. Kate looked at Jesse. “I need to go to the Children’s Hospital today. It’s Jason’s birthday.”
Matt furrowed his eyebrows and looked at her curiously. “Jason?”
Kate beamed at him, pride and love in her eyes. “My sister and I volunteer there and Jason Monroe is a child who recently lost his parents. Since he’s all alone, I thought to see him on his birthday.”
Matt smiled. “Well, it’s a small world. I know Jason. I planned to see him today also. His father was in my unit. I visit him as often as I can since he has no one left. He’s mentioned someone named Kate. I didn’t put it together.”
“The same here. He’s mentioned someone named Matt, but I thought it was a nurse. You should know he idolizes you, Matt.”
“Kate, I know you want to go, but it’s best if you stay out of sight. Stay here.”
“No, Jesse. If I have to, I’ll go with just the FBI detail, but I
am
going.” She wouldn’t let Jason think she’d forgotten him on an important day for him. He turned thirteen. He became a teenager, a huge milestone in a kid’s life.
He looked at the children then back at her, frowning. “I’m not going to argue with you on this. You’re staying here.”
She wasn’t going to argue in front of the children either, but she was going. “May I go with you when you go, Matt?”
Jesse sighed. “Okay, you win. We’ll go.” He looked at his brothers. “Brad, Matt, I need you two to go since the extra men are tied up with the ambassador.”
The twins nodded.
“We have to go by my apartment and pick up his present.” Kate hadn’t thought to bring it along. She’d been focused on the note.
“Brad can go pick it up. I won’t have you going back there right now.”
Kate took a deep breath to keep calm. If they were going to be together, she’d have to work on his telling her what she was and wasn’t going to do. She gritted her teeth. “Fine.”
* * * * *
They stationed the FBI detail outside the door and led the procession of Hamilton brothers into Jason’s hospital room. Jesse could see the love Kate had for the kid, and the love the kid had for her.
“Kate! Matt!” Jason crawled from the bed to give her a hug. “Look, I can get out of bed now. The doctors said I’m doing good.”
They’d insisted they talk with his doctor before they came to see him. Jesse had watched the relief appear on their faces when the doctor told them Jason was responding well to his treatment.
“Happy birthday.” She held him tight, reluctantly releasing him.
“Happy birthday, Jason.” Matt slapped him on the shoulder with one hand and shook his hand with the other.
He puffed out his chest. “I’m thirteen now. An adult.”
They all chuckled. “Not quite. Jason, meet Matt’s brothers, Jesse and Brad.”
They all shook hands with him.
“What’s that, Kate?” He pointed to the wrapped present she held.
She held it out to him. “This is for you.”
He accepted the gift and greedily tore the paper. “Wow. It’s a football, and it’s signed. Thanks, Kate.” He reached out and hugged her again. “Is that for me, too?” He looked at the gift Matt held under his arm.
“Sure is, buddy.”
He tore into the wrapping paper. “Look, Kate. It’s football cards.”
“There’s a card for every active quarterback. They all signed their card for you.” Matt had spoken with each quarterback and explained Jason’s situation. They were all happy to sign a football card for him.
“Thank you, Matt.”
He looked surprised when Jason gave him a hug.
“Did you two bring presents?”
Jesse knew that question would come up, so he’d sent Matt to pick up gifts from him and Brad.
Jason opened the football target from Jesse to perfect his aim and the playbook from Brad. “Thanks.”
“It gets better.” Kate walked out the door to the nurse’s station and returned with an ice cream cake. “We can’t burn candles in here, so you have to make a wish and pretend.”
Jesse watched her interact with Jason. It was hard not to love the kid. He knew she worried about his Leukemia, but she kept it well hidden when the two of them were together. She’d be a great mother to his daughter.
Yes, he wanted her to be Reagan’s mother.
Because it was his birthday, the staff allowed Jason to throw the football in the hallway with Matt. He had great form, but his treatments had left him weak. When he regained his strength, he’d be a good quarterback. He’d told everyone about how he needed to get ready for try-outs next year.
Jason tired out, and they returned to the room. Kate read him a story before they left. She explained to him she might not be able to visit for a little while. He said he understood, but his disappointment was obvious. Jesse would have to find some way to let her visit with him. It had helped both of them forget about what was happening to them in the real world.
“Thank you, Jesse.” She made an attempt at a smile.
He reached over and took her hand in his. “You’re welcome. He’s a great kid.”
She sighed. “I feel so bad for him. Once he gets better, he goes into foster care. It’ll crush him if his foster parents don’t support his playing football. That’s his dream.”
“I know lots of people. I’ll think about someone who can take him in, like the Rosses did for you.” He knew a couple that would put Kate’s mind at ease.
“That’d be great. What are you going to tell Reagan about us being in the same bed?”
Ah, the real source of her anxiety. He checked the rear view mirror again before responding, “I’m going to tell her the truth. You’re mine.” He squeezed her hand.
When she didn’t respond, he looked over at her. “That’s okay, isn’t it?” A sliver of doubt crept up his spine. He’d never asked her what she wanted. He didn’t think she knew. One minute he’d take them two steps forward then she’d take them one step back. Now that they’d slept together, he hoped they didn’t move back again. She had to know how he felt about her.
“You’re her father. You know what’s best.”
Her answer didn’t satisfy him. “You are mine, aren’t you?”
She bit her bottom lip then looked at him and nodded. “For as long as you’ll have me.”
The hesitation in her voice concerned him.
Jesse checked the rear view mirror again, knowing his brothers were somewhere behind them keeping an eye out for anyone tailing them. It had been a spontaneous trip, but he didn’t rule out someone staking out his place, waiting for them to leave. He wouldn’t do this with her again. She wasn’t leaving his house until this was settled. No, he’d let her visit with Jason again, but that was it.