“She really loves mew-sik, doesn’t she?” she asked him.
“I’m sure the lullabies help,” he said.
She shook her head. “I doubt that.”
“I don’t,” he argued. “She asks for music whenever I put her down. I try but last night she covered my mouth.”
Tandy was too surprised to stop her laugh from bubbling up. “She did not.”
“She did.” His brow arched, the corner of his mouth kicking up. “I’m glad you think it’s so funny.” He looked younger when he smiled, like he wasn’t carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders. And his laugh, rich and warm... She blew out a slow breath. He should laugh more. “Talk about dinging a man’s ego.”
She grabbed his forearm. “I’m sorry.” But she kept laughing. Until his hand covered hers. If she was smart, she’d pull her hand away and shove the bubble of joy deep down inside. Except it was Click and his touch was magic. And deep down, she didn’t want to pull away. She twined her fingers with his and smiled.
* * *
CLICK WAS A happy man. Sitting here on a blanket, Tandy at his side, watching Banshee and Pearl trail after the goats was as perfect a day as he could imagine.
“I was hoping it wasn’t this bad,” Tandy said, nodding at the pile of lumber that had been her home. “I’m not sure I can bear working for Doc Edwards all day and coming home to Uncle Woodrow every night.” She sighed.
“Don’t blame you,” he said, trying to get the courage up to say what was on his mind.
“Guess I could look in town,” she mumbled, plucking strands of grass absentmindedly. “Need to find a vehicle, too.”
“Or you could stay here,” he said, shooting for casual—he wasn’t sure he succeeded.
Her hazel-green eyes met his. “What?”
“It’s a big house, Tandy. Pearl and I are in one of five bedrooms. There’s plenty of room.” He cleared his throat. He could get lost in those eyes.
“Click, I can’t... We can’t...” She sputtered to a stop, stunned.
“Besides, Banshee’s happy.” He nodded at the dog trailing after the goats. “So is Pearl.” He grinned, watching her trailing after Banshee. “You’re already helping me out.”
“People would talk,” she said.
His brows rose. “And you’d care?”
She blew out a slow breath.
“Think on it,” he said, pushing himself from the blanket to follow Pearl around the barn. He trusted Banshee, but there was no point tempting fate. The dog was tending the goats, someone needed to tend his daughter.
He hadn’t expected Tandy to follow.
“She keeps you on your toes,” Tandy said. “But it seems like you’ve found your groove.”
He shook his head. “It does?” He chuckled. “Chalk it up to Pearl being so sweet-natured.”
Pearl chose that moment to look their way. “Da da. Ta-dee,” she said, waving. “Come.”
“We’re coming, cuddle bunny,” he said. “Almost nap time.”
“Ta-dee sing?” Pearl said.
“See?” He laughed, glancing at Tandy.
She had her hand over her mouth, trying to hold back the peals of laughter spilling from her lips. With the sun in her hair and her eyes alight with mischief, she’d never looked more beautiful. He stood, mesmerized by the vision she presented.
“Damn, woman, you take my breath away.” He forced the words out.