Seduction of Souls (19 page)

When
RayeAnn did have the opportunity to do something for the baby he was right there, less than a hair away and breathing down her neck. For a brief moment she considered making brownies laced with ex-lax for Ryker, just to get at the baby.  If she moved her elbow a little too far back, she found herself sticking it into his six pack abs.  Why couldn’t he just step back a few feet and observe from a little more distance?  Maybe he needed glasses and was just too vain to admit it.  Regardless, she felt crowded.

By the time afternoon nap time hit she was ready to push him out of her way.  So much for the peaceful and quite upbringing
they’d spoken of earlier.   Right now she could have easily punched him in the gut, just to get him to back off for a minute.  Feeling claustrophobic, she decided to walk down her long driveway and get the mail, even though it was quite chilly today.  When she got back he was waiting for her at the front door.

“Where’d you go?  I was looking all over for you
.”

“I
walked to the mail box.  Is something wrong?”  Worried now, her breath caught in her throat for a moment.

“No, I was just wondering.  Is it normal for her to sleep this much?  Maybe she has her days and nights mixed up.  My mom said I did that as a baby.  Do you think we should take her to the doctor and have her checked out?”

With a chuckle, she eased his fears.  “She’s perfectly normal, I assure you.  Just last week we had her four month well baby check and she was doing very well.  The doctor says she’s very healthy and right where she needs to be on her growth chart.  And yes, it is normal for a baby to sleep this much.  Since she generally only gets up once a night for a feeding, if that, she doesn’t have her days and nights mixed up.  Are you bored?  Feel free to go watch television or something, if you want.  Make yourself at home.”

“What are you planning on doing while she sleeps?”

“I’m in the middle of a research project, so I usually work on that during her naps.”

“Oh.”  Looking a little out of place and dejected
, he stood there for a few moments before shrugging his shoulders.  “I don’t have anything to do.” 

“Maybe you could go in the kitchen and chop up some veggies for the chicken stir-fry I’m planning to make for dinner.  It would really help me out.”

“Great!  I’ll get right on it.”  She could tell he was glad for the new project when a sigh of relief escaped him and his face broke into a relieved smile.

“Thanks.” 
She had no idea what kind of busy work she would have to find for him tomorrow.  All she knew was right now she needed some quiet alone time.  She hurried into the library.  She sat down at her desk and was soon absorbed in her research.

He stood at the sink and washed the vegetables thoroughly before drying them and taking them to the island to dice and slice.  Thinking over the events of the morning, he couldn’t help but smile.  How much better could fatherhood get than this?  His daughter was perfect in every way, and her disposition was that of a happy little person.  She laughed far more than she cried and he liked that.

He knew he was getting on RayeAnn’s nerves, but to her credit she had held her tongue.  Once he got used to the baby’s routine she would have a lot more free time for her research.  He had every intention of assuming the care of the baby, with the exception of breast feeding, for as long as RayeAnn would let him.  He had a lot of time to make up for, and he intended to do the best he could to make up for all his past mistakes.  It wouldn’t be easy since she had already said this was to stay platonic.  Hopefully he could worm his way back into her heart with enough good deeds and thoughtful gestures.  Every time he watched her with the baby, love shining in her eyes at their little bundle of joy, his heart swelled like the Grinch’s did in the Christmas special.  He couldn’t help it, not that he’d really wanted to try.  Since learning of Lillyanna’s existence, all his memories of their past relationship had been from a new perspective.  A perspective that he didn’t come out looking too good in.  What in the hell had he been thinking?  Or maybe a better question was what part of his anatomy had he been thinking with? Once he realized that he had genuine feelings of love for her, he’d run instead of staying and facing the truth.  Never again would he run from love.

The love of a good woman like
RayeAnn and the love of a wonderful daughter no longer scared the shit out of him.  In fact, now he craved it.  Now the question was how to get to that place where they could both admit they loved each other.  Without a doubt RayeAnn loved him, even if she wouldn’t admit it.  Hell, he couldn’t blame her for the fear she felt.  He had hurt her badly, probably in more ways than he was even aware of right now. 

The solution dawned on him in the middle of
slicing a carrot.  A beautifully simple plan came to mind immediately.  He would merely have to shower her with love until she buckled under the pressure and admitted she still loved him.  Easy peasy.

CHAPTER 20

After a week of tripping over each other to get to Lillyanna, RayeAnn was relieved that they had finally fallen into a comfortable routine.  Mornings and evenings were RayeAnn’s time with her.  Although he was still breathing down her neck, he held back on taking charge.  The bulk of the day belonged to Ryker.  Soon he knew the baby’s schedule as well as RayeAnn did.  Always ready to step in at a moments’ notice if necessary, he hovered and tried her patience daily.  The man was obsessed!  The thought brought a smile to her lips.  This could have ended so much worse than having a man head over heels in love with his daughter.  She clung to that thought whenever she wanted to slap him silly. 

As much as she wanted more time with Lilly
, she was well aware that the pain of rejection had been so much worse.  Not that she had fully forgiven him for his putrid treatment of her.  She kept reminding herself what a huge mistake it would be to let her heart soften toward him.  Been there, done that.  She fought back the tears that had puddled in her eyes and gave herself a stern lecture. 
Suck it up!  Nothing you can do about the past. 

“Rat
, are you all right?”  She jumped at the interruption, unaware that he had been standing in the doorway watching her.

“Fine.”  Her voice came out in a hoarse croak that betrayed the lie she had just told.

“I don’t think so.  Can we talk for a while?”  Her heart sank at the thought of how vulnerable she felt right now.

“Sure.  Is there a problem?”  She sat back in her chair and braced herself for the blow she was anticipating.

“No.  First I’d like to thank you for so many things. For Lillyanna. For allowing me the opportunity to get to know her.  I know this is hard on you, and I really appreciate the generous way you’ve shared her with me.  It can’t be easy to step back and let me take control sometimes.”  He paused and looked at the floor before making eye contact again.  

“But…”

“Don’t panic, I have a little gift for you.  No biggie, really.”  He handed her an unwrapped gift box.

She grabbed the box eagerly and ripped the top off
.  God, she loved surprises! 
A gasp escaped her lips as she lifted the coffee mug out of the box.  Tears threatened to fall from her eyes when she saw the picture of Lillyanna boldly splashed across the front, with the words ‘WORLDS GREATEST MOM’ written in crayon-type script below her adorable picture.  Immediately she remembered the moment the picture was taken, bath time the first day Ryker had taken up residence in the house.

“Oh, Ryker, I love it!  Thank you.”  Before thinking about it, she flew around her desk and embraced him tightly.  “This is the best gift, ever.”  She stepped away from him
, feeling a little embarrassed by her impulsive behavior
.  At least he returned her embrace.

“I’m glad you like it.  I have to confess, I got one made for myself.  Of course I left off the WORLDS GREATEST MOM.”   His crooked grin was adorable.  With a jump she smacked her mind back to attention.  What was she thinking? 
Stay aloof, or you’ll be heart broken when he
runs away again.  My heart can’t take that kind of punishment.
   

“
Umm, RayeAnn, there was one other thing I wanted to talk to you about.  Nothing bad, I promise.  I just want to do more for you and the baby.  I want things to be more…official.”

“How much more official can things get?  You’re already listed as her father on her birth certificate.  Seems to me that’s pretty official.  What else is there?”

“Financial responsibility and being included in her medical visits.”

“I don’t need any financial help
, and I’ll be happy to add you to her medical authorization forms at the pediatrician’s office.  I know you would never do anything to harm her.  I see the love pour out of you every time you’re in the same room with her.  She has an appointment in two weeks for a well child check and you’re welcome to come along.  I’ll change the paperwork then.”

“Great.  That would be great.  One other thing…”

Her heart sank with dread.  Here it comes.  She braced herself for the blow she was sure was coming.

“Shoot.”

“I’d like to invite my mother to come over and meet Lilly.  I haven’t told her anything yet, because I wanted to spend some time alone with Lilly first.  She’s going to be so thrilled.  She was a great mom and I’m sure she’ll be an even better grandmother, if that’s even possible.  I’ll try…”

“Ryker, I think that’s a fabulous idea.  I’d love for Lilly to have a grandparent.  Both my parents are deceased.”  The more she talked
, the faster the tears ran down her face.  No matter how hard she tried to keep it from happening, her heart softened.  It touched her that he was proud of his daughter and wanted to show her off.  He stepped forward and gently wiped the tears from her cheeks, lingering to cup her cheek in his palm.  Before she knew what was happening he was kissing her.  Gently brushing his lips over hers repeatedly until he finally latched on and thrust his tongue along the seam of her lips.  A squeaky cry through the intercom broke them apart like two kids caught necking on their parents’ couch.

She cleared her throat and spoke,
“So when would you like to have your mother over?”  Nervous, she smoothed down her top and fussed with an imaginary lint ball.  What the hell had she done?  Getting involved could only lead to disaster.  She needed to step back and let her emotions settle.

“As soon as possible.  I’ll call her after lunch and let you know for sure.”  One corner of his mouth lifted in a smile and his eyes had a satisfied glint to them.

“Cool.  I promise I won’t interfere while she’s here.” 
Good. Remember, distance, aloof calm.

“I don’t want you to hide.  I’d love for her to meet you and get to know you.  I think she knows I didn’t bring Lilly into the world all by myself.
”

“Well
, I just thought since it’s her first time meeting Lilly, it might be too much to handle all at once.”

“She can do it.  Wait ‘till you meet her, she’s wonderful, really.”  Another squeak, this one more angry and demanding than the last, blasted through the house.

“Better see what little tidbit wants.  I’ll let you know what happens later.”

She watched him jog toward the nursery, listening as he cooed gently to the baby while he changed her diaper.  She burst out laughing when she heard a disgusted “yuk!”, knowing he had a mess on his hands.  Even Lilly giggled at the exclamation.

“You think that’s funny, huh?  You, little tidbit, have a sick sense of humor.”

She half expected him to bellow for her to come and help, but to his credit he handled it all by himself. 
Now
he was a parent.

********

Three days later RayeAnn found her self pacing nervously around the kitchen, ready to jump as soon as the doorbell rang.  She had just finished feeding Lillyanna, and Ryker was changing her diaper and getting her all dressed up in a frilly dress, white tights with ruffles on the butt and a matching stretchy headband on her unruly hair.  This stepping back business was a lot harder than she’d thought it would be.  When she heard the crunch of tires on the gravel driveway, she jogged her way to the front door.  It felt good to expend some of her pent up energy.

She opened the front door and pasted on what she hoped was a welcoming smile for Ryker’s mother.  The
woman at her door returned her smile with warmth and friendliness that put RayeAnn at ease.    

“Mrs. Whitcombe
, I’m RayeAnn Trenton.  It’s a pleasure to meet you.”  She opened the screen door wide and motioned Lilly’s grandmother into the house.

Darcy Whitcombe was nothing like the image she had in her mind of
the way a grandmother would look.  Her hair was short and blonde.  Her vivid blue eyes matched her son’s.  She dressed in smartly pressed denim jeans and an obviously new sweatshirt that proclaimed PROUD GRANDMOTHER across her ample chest.  Well, that at least confirmed what Ryker had told her about how his mother had taken the news of being a grandmother.  Ecstatic wasn’t the half of it.

“I’m so happy to meet you.  You’re just as beautiful as my son described
you.  Thank you so much for allowing me to come today.  I realize this isn’t easy for you, but you have nothing to fear from me.  I’m thrilled to death.”