Taking a Chance on the Single Dad

Which worked for Brenna, waking up the butterflies in her stomach.

Carla didn’t look so sure. ‘You make it sound easy.’

Hunter slung the bag over his shoulder and hoisted the monitor in his other hand. ‘It’s not, but it sure makes you feel good when it starts coming together.’

Like telling his parents they had to take charge of their own lives because he was now doing the same for Dylan and himself. Yes, he knew what he was talking about. But what happened when it came crashing down around his ankles? When his father twisted things to amp up the guilt so that he returned to Kamloops? Brenna swallowed the threatening sigh and followed him out of the room. She couldn’t afford to find out. If Hunter left Vancouver again, he would not be taking her heart with him this time.

* * *

‘Want to go get breakfast?’ Hunter asked as they headed for their vehicles bang on six the next morning. ‘I’m starving.’

‘Don’t you want to collect Dylan?’ Brenna replied.

‘He won’t wake up for at least an hour. We’ll be done by then.’

She seemed to be weighing up something, taking for ever to say yes or no.

‘Problem?’ he asked a little harshly. ‘It’s only breakfast, Brenna.’

‘You’re right. Where shall we go?’

He named a chain food outlet down by the beach at Kitsilano. ‘See you there.’ He wasn’t waiting around for her to change her mind. But what had been going on in her head? They’d had a good night, talking and laughing between patients, for which there’d been way too many unnecessary calls due to the inclement weather and people worrying they mightn’t be able to get help when needed.

Swinging out onto the waterlogged road, he drove carefully as skidding was not an option. Brenna was running hot and cold with him. Like he was doing any better. Protecting himself meant being on guard—until they got close and then all reticence and barriers were shot to pieces with one look.

He could put it to her that they have a full-on fling and get whatever this was out of their systems.

Except what if that didn’t happen and they found they wanted to be together all the time, to pick up where they’d left off?

He glanced in the rear-view mirror to make sure Brenna hadn’t changed her mind about breakfast, and smiled when he saw her car behind his. No, he wouldn’t be wrecking the camaraderie between them this morning by suggesting they either have a fling or quit seeing each other. He’d carry on as they were and see how things panned out by the time he’d finished his weeks on the helicopters. Gutless? Possibly, though he preferred to see it as taking things slowly and not rushing into anything—a bit late for that—and making a colossal mistake. He’d shifted here for a reason and he would not be leaving so he had to be cautious—especially with his heart.

Pulling into the food outlet, he held his breath until Brenna’s car rolled in beside his. He really wasn’t confident about her and how they were getting along. Stepping out into the drizzle, he tugged his jacket collar tight around his neck. ‘I’m over this,’ he commented as he held her door open.

She swiped his arm. ‘Toughen up. The weekend’s predicted to be fine and warm.’

Ignoring the tingles where she’d touched him, he deliberately grumped, ‘The weekend’s days away. We could have snow and more rain before then.’

She ran for the building, pausing at the door to wait for him. ‘I hope not. I’m going mountain biking on Saturday.’

More crazy action. He bit his tongue as he tried to keep his thoughts to himself. ‘You go with a group?’

‘Always. I’m not stupid, or reckless. Accidents do happen, even to the best of us, but I work hard at avoiding them.’ She stared up at the menu on the wall.

Glad she realised that. ‘I’m having the full breakfast.’

‘Pancakes with bacon and syrup for me.’ Her hand delved into her pocket, withdrew with her wallet.

‘I’m getting this.’ He stepped up to the counter and gave their orders, handing over his card before she had a chance to do anything about it.

‘Thank you.’ She gave him a killer smile that made him wish they could head back to her place and forget all about eating.

What about after he’d dropped Dylan at preschool? He sighed. Wasn’t he supposed to be taking things slowly? ‘You’re as bad as Chris when it comes to maple syrup,’ he said as they sat down.

‘Got to keep the tradition going,’ she agreed. ‘It’s almost as good as chocolate.’

‘You don’t eat chocolate for breakfast?’

‘Only on the days when the night shift has been crazy and I’ve had no sleep. Or when there’s a pain au chocolat within reach.’ Her eyes were misty. ‘I like how you mention Dad as though it’s no big deal. Most people step around the subject, and I don’t like it that he’s supposed to be spoken about any different to when he was with us.’

‘He was a part of my life when we were together, and I don’t see any reason not to talk about him.’ Snatching a serviette out of the metal box, he passed it over. ‘Here, clean your face, it’s splotchy.’ Time to lighten the atmosphere before she had a full-on meltdown in public, something she was allergic to.

‘Thanks for the compliment.’

‘Someone’s got to keep you in line.’

She laughed. ‘You think that’s your role now?’

‘I’d rather emulate Chris in raising my boy. He was a great dad, and I want to be the same for Dylan.’ So much for diverting the touchy subject.

Brenna’s hand was soft and warm as it wrapped around his. ‘From what I’ve seen, and the little you’ve told me, I reckon you’ve got fatherhood sussed. You’re never going to load Dylan up with guilt or make him follow your decisions on how to live his life. You’re better than that, Hunter.’

His chest expanded, and his eyes got some dust in them so he wiped them surreptitiously with his sleeve. Except, of course, he didn’t get away with it and Brenna handed him more of those serviettes.

‘Blow your nose and sit up.’ She grinned.

‘For someone who hasn’t had a lot of sleep you say the nicest things.’

‘Maybe that’s why.’ Her grin turned into a gentle smile. ‘No, really, you’ve got the right instincts.’

‘You understand that’s why we’re living in Vancouver and not Kamloops? I’m doing what’s best for both of us.’

‘Got that in spades, and if I can help, be a part of it, then here I am.’

Was now the time to suggest a fling? No, that’d be crass. Even when his body was crying out for it, his brain was trying to forget the idea. ‘There is a paint scheme to deal with.’

She laughed and took the plate the waitress had arrived with. ‘Yet you didn’t want me there on Sunday.’ Her mouth twisted sideways, and the laughter died in her eyes.

Hunter nodded. ‘I had a panic attack, thinking how I needed my own space. We’ve got together really quickly.’ Her eyes widened at that. He carried on putting his foot in the mess. ‘Not together all the time together, just sometimes having fun and enjoying each other’s company together. Then suddenly I took a step back. If I hurt you, I didn’t mean to and I’m sorry.’

‘I get it. It’s okay.’

Forgiven as easily as that. This really was like old times. Frightening or exciting? He didn’t know so went for testing her further. ‘Feel free to drop by any time you like.’

‘I’ll wait until you’ve finished unpacking and then you can give me the grand tour.’ Dribbling maple syrup over her bacon, she forked up a mouthful and rolled her eyes. ‘Delicious.’

So are you, looking gorgeous beyond description.

‘You could be waiting a while, then.’ Unpacking all those cartons crowding the smallest bedroom wasn’t a priority, mainly because the whole idea of deciding where to put everything didn’t thrill him. He was far happier outside

, planning the vegetable garden he intended planting as soon as winter finished dumping on them. Which should’ve been a couple of weeks ago, except the weather god wasn’t playing nice.

‘You going to look at furniture today?’

‘What do you think?’ He’d only shifted in yesterday.