From Neighbors...to Newlyweds?

“It can’t be easy, juggling three kids on your own on even a normal day.”

“What is a normal day?”

He smiled at that. “I’m not sure I would know, but I’m sure it’s not strapping three kids into car seats for a trip to the hospital.”

“Mrs. Dunford did offer to look after Pippa and Quinn so I didn’t have to bring them along but—” She knew there was no reason to feel embarrassed talking to a doctor about a perfectly natural biological function that women had been performing since the beginning of time, but that knowledge didn’t prevent a warm flush of color from rising in her cheeks again. “But the baby was almost due for a feeding and Quinn was absolutely terrified at the thought of his brother going to the hospital.”

“He has a phobia about hospitals?” he asked.

“They both do,” she admitted.

“Any particular reason?”

She nodded. “Because their father—my husband—was in the hospital when he died.”

“That would do it,” he agreed.

“It was a heart attack,” she explained. “He recognized the symptoms and called 9-1-1, but the damage was too severe. All the boys know is that he was alive when they put him in the ambulance and dead at the hospital.”

“Now they think anyone who goes to the hospital is going to die,” he guessed.

She nodded again. “I’ve tried to explain that it wasn’t the doctor’s fault—that it wasn’t anybody’s fault—but they don’t seem to believe me.”

“Which one is Mrs. Dunford?”

She smiled. “Across the street. Always outside at 7:00 a.m. in her housecoat, watering her flowers. She has a magic touch with geraniums.”

“And gingersnap cookies,” he said.

“She baked you cookies?”

“She wanted to welcome me to the neighborhood.”

“More likely she wanted to set you up with her granddaughter.”

“Then she should have gone for chocolate chip—they’re my absolute favorite.”

“I’ll be sure to let her know.”

He shook his head. “I’d prefer to get my own dates—although even Brittney thinks I need some help in that regard.”

“Brittney—the nurse who looks like she’s fifteen?”

“She’s seventeen.”

“Then she’s not a nurse?”

He laughed. “More like pre-pre-med. Actually, Brittney’s a high school co-op student who also happens to be my niece.”

“She’s been fabulous with the boys.”

“She plans to specialize in pediatric medicine.”

“That’s quite an ambition.”

“She’s very determined. And she’s one of the most sought-after babysitters in town.”

“I’ll keep that in mind if I ever find myself in need of one,” she promised, certain Brittney would have graduated from medical school before that would ever happen.

So she was more than a little surprised when Matt said, “How about Friday night so I can take you out to dinner?”

Chapter Four

For a minute, she just stared at Matt as if he’d spoken in a foreign language. And with every second that ticked away during that interminable minute, he wondered if he should rescind his impulsive invitation.

He wasn’t usually the impulsive type, a truth that was proven by the fact that he’d kept the condo he’d lived in with his wife and child for three years after they’d gone rather than take a hit on the downturned real estate market. Or maybe he just hadn’t been ready to move on until now.

But he was ready now. And if Georgia agreed to go out with him—even just once for dinner—it would hopefully convince his niece to put her matchmaking efforts on hold.

“Are you asking me out … on a date?”

Except that her question, along with the skepticism in her voice, made him question whether he truly was capable of getting his own dates.

It can be a nightmare if things don’t turn out.

He ignored the echo of Luke’s words in the back of his mind. While he trusted that his brother had his best interests at heart and believed that there was some legitimacy to his warning, Matt couldn’t deny the instinct that was urging him to get to know Georgia a whole lot better.

“Let’s not put a label on it,” he said instead.

“So it’s not a date?”

“It isn’t anything until you say yes.”

She considered for another few seconds, then shook her head. “I can’t.”

“You can’t have dinner with a friend? A neighbor?”

“I can’t leave my kids with a stranger—even if she is one of the most sought-after babysitters in town.”

But he thought that, for just a minute, she’d been tempted.

“Quinn and Shane seem to like her just fine,” he pointed out.

“She’s been great with the twins,” she said again. “But Pippa is another story. There are certain things that no one but Mommy can do for her.”

Okay, he didn’t need to be hit over the head. At least, not more than once. And if his gaze automatically dropped to her breasts, well, he made a valiant effort to yank it away again.

Not so quickly that she didn’t notice—as was attested by the color flooding her cheeks.