Free The Baby Bond by Linda Goodnight Page B

didn’t want Nic Carano for a neighbor. She didn’t even want him here now.
    “That a fact?”
    “Well, ummm,” she stammered. “It’s probably rented by now.”
    He studied her for a few seconds. Then he grinned. The cleft in his chin drew her attention. “You trying to discourage me?”
    “I don’t know what you mean.”
    Nic kept staring, eyes dancing with amusement.
    She tugged at the collar of her blouse, aware of the heat that crept up her neck. Certain the dratted blotches would pop up on her skin any minute, Cassidy turned away, busying herself with straightening the living room.
    “Why did you come over today?” she asked. And why didNotorious Nic have to be the firefighter who rescued her nephew? “I mean, there’s really no need. I appreciate all you’ve done, coming to my aid last night, but—”
    “Are you telling me to hit the road?”
    Hands filled with baby toys, she paused, “No!” Yes.
    “Good. You were about to hurt my delicate feelings.” He grinned at the statement. A man with his self-confidence would never believe he wasn’t wanted. “Probably of more importance to you than my tender ego is this. I bring good tidings and words of advice from my mom, the baby expert.”
    All thoughts of getting rid of Nic fled. Cassidy stacked the colorful toys into an empty clothes basket and shoved it against the wall.
    “What did she say?”
    Nic dangled a set of plastic keys in front of the baby. “According to Mom, Alex has a big adjustment to make. Because of the new formula, he probably is having some colic like we thought last night, but the bigger issue is he’s missing the familiar. He may only be a few months old, but he knew his mother and father. Now, when he’s tired and nighttime comes, he looks for them. He wants them.”
    An ache of sorrow, never far away, surged inside Cassidy. She missed them, too. She wanted them, too. How much more, then, would a tiny baby long for his mother and father?
    She slid onto the sofa to stroke Alex’s hair. “She’s right. He does. I hadn’t realized it but he checks out every new face as if hoping to find Janna or Brad.”
    Both adults gazed at Alex. Nic spoke. “Sad deal.”
    Her heart heavy, Cassidy murmured softly, “I can never replace them.”
    “Don’t beat yourself up. You’re doing the best you can in a tragic situation. Mom says for you to just keep keeping on. In time he’ll bond firmly to you and everything will be great.”
    In time. She didn’t have time. Her job was floundering. Her body was a wreck. Beyond her work and Alex’s care, she had the issues of Janna’s estate to deal with. Talking to Grandmother made things worse, not better. She had no time.
    More than anything she wanted Alex to be a happy, healthy, well-adjusted child. She prayed that she had what it took to give him that. God would not have put her in this position if she couldn’t handle it. Would He?
    Nic’s cell phone played the “Looney Toons” theme. Nic whipped the phone from his pocket and held the music out for Alex’s reaction before speaking into the mouthpiece. “Party Central.”
    Immediately Cassidy was aware that a female was on the other end. She tensed.
    For some inexplicable reason listening to Nic chat up a girlfriend in her apartment made Cassidy uncomfortable.
    She got up from the sofa, went into the kitchen and began slamming cabinets and rattling dishes. There was so much to do. Besides, she had no desire to hear Nic flirt with one of his girls. Really. He was exactly as she remembered—an irresponsible charmer. Not that she cared. Not that she was interested.
    She was simply grateful for his help. Last night, she’d been out of her mind to call him. Now, she’d have to be rude to get rid of him. But she couldn’t do that. He and his family had been godsends—literally sent by God to help her and Alex in their time of need.
    So now what was she supposed to do?
    Wrinkling her nose at the sour smell, she dumped clabbered