Baby Daddy Wanted (Crescent Cove 5)

“Officer.”

Christian tapped his chest. “No badge today, hon.”

“She’s not your hon.”

“Aww, look how growly Moose is getting.” Christian snagged two more cookies. “Don’t worry, I’m not looking to knock up the hot baker.”

Veronica’s cheeks flushed.

My dad flung the remote at Christian. “Manners, boy.”

“

Hey. Why are you all ganging up on me?” He leaned down to pick up the remote and lobbed it back at my dad.

“Because you have about as much sense as a wildebeest.” Maddie came in the room and popped him on the back of the head. She held her hand out to Veronica. “I’m Maddie. Somehow I’m related to these idiots.”

Veronica shook her hand. “I’m Vee. I think I’ve seen you in the café.”

“I’m pretty sure the whole town goes to the café. Well, except Dad. He only likes Folgers.” She shuddered.

Veronica wrinkled her nose. “You should really come in, Mr. Masterson.”

“Hank. And I don’t need to be paying three dollars for a coffee, thanks.”

“Try eight in the city. And that’s for subpar coffee.” Penn tossed a corner of a cookie into the air and of course it landed right in his mouth. Everything came up roses for my damn brother.

My dad reached for a cookie.

“If you ruin your appetites, I will tan all of your hides.”

He sat back with a little snarl on his lips. “I swear that woman has eyes all over the house.”

“She could. Big Brother is out there.” Penn pulled a pencil from behind his ear and twirled it through his fingers.

My father ignored him. “Tell us about you, Vee.”

“I moved to Crescent Cove to work with Macy at the shop. We had a small coffee truck for a while, but when she found the storefront here, we both decided to move. And it’s been amazing.” Veronica laced her fingers through mine and held on tight.

“And your folks?”

She squeezed my hand harder.

“Dad.”

“What? I’m just being conversational.”

“You’re being nosy.” Maddie plopped into her well-used beanbag chair. “Interrogations are for second visits.”

“No, it’s okay.” Veronica gave him her brave smile.

Was it any wonder I was already head over heels for this woman?

“I moved around a lot with my mom. She recently came for a visit, but she’s off to Australia with her new husband.” She shrugged. “Long story.”

That was the truth. Andrea Dixon had whirled through our first official date with a whole lot of revelatory bombs. I still hadn’t fully recovered from meeting her.

My dad frowned. “Is she some sort of airline stewardess?”