Booby Trapped and Baby Proofed (2 page)

Harrison scowled. Everett neglected to tell him that part. “I’m sorry,” he said. “I lost my wife about the same time to breast cancer.” He took two plates out of the cabinet and placed them on the counter next to the casserole.

“I’m sorry for you loss,” Angel said. “Here, let me warm this for you.” She found a large spoon in one of the drawers and scooped some of the food onto the plates. She then covered them with a piece of paper towel to prevent spillage and placed it into the microwave to heat.

“Would you like a soda or beer to go with your dinner?” Harrison asked.

“Water, if you have it,” Angel said. “I’m trying to watch my weight.”

Her back was to him as they spoke, giving him a chance to check her out from behind.
Nice can and long, shapely legs. Why in the hell is she watching her weight
? Such things were better left to Mother Nature. Harrison retrieved a cold bottle of water for Angel and a beer for himself. He put them on the table while he rounded up some silverware for them to use. A few minutes later, they sat across from each other talking like they were old friends.

“What do you do for a living? Are you still in the Marine Corps?”

Harrison shook his head. “No, I just retired a couple of days ago. And believe it or not, I plan to reopen Mr. Moto’s dojo.”

Angel clapped her hands excitedly. “Really? The kids in the neighborhood are going to love that. Water sports at the beach are fine sometimes, but they need another outlet for all that energy.”

Harrison sampled the casserole. It was a delightful combination of noodles, ground beef, and tomatoes, seasoned to perfection. A pretty face and she could cook too. “What do you do for a living, if you don’t mind me asking?” Of course, he already knew the answer, but was making polite conversation.

“I own a day care center,” Angel answered. “Close to the dojo.”

“Do you have any kids?”

Angel shook her head. “No, I’ve always wanted kids, but Henry and I decided to wait until he had a couple of years in the military under his belt. Unfortunately, we never got around to having that family. After he died, I move back here because I wanted to be closer to my family.” She didn’t sound angry about being left a widow so young. She just sounded sad. “How about you?”

“I have a son named Ethan,” Harrison said. “He’s two.”

“Ooh, a toddler. Is he going to stay here with you?”

Harrison nodded. “I’ll be bringing him home tomorrow. He’s been staying with my sister-in-law since my wife died.”

“What’s he like?”

“I really don’t know,” Harrison answered honestly. “I haven’t seen him since he was an infant. My sister-in-law has been caring for him until I completed my tour of duty.”

“I guess you’re excited about getting him back.”

“Yes,” he replied. “It’s time for me to get to know him.”

“I don’t want to appear nosy, but what are you going to do? Will your sister-in-law still babysit him while you work?”

Harrison shook his head. “No, she is expecting a baby now. I haven’t figured it out yet.”

“We take infants at my day care and it’s manned twenty-four-seven. Why don’t you drop by Monday and have a look around? It’s a couple of doors down from the dojo.”

“I might just take you up on that.”

They finished their meal and Harrison put the leftovers into the refrigerator. “Would you like some ice cream for dessert? I make a mean banana split.”

Angel nodded.

Harrison got up, pulled the banana split bowls from the cabinet, and gathered the ingredients from the freezer and cabinets. “This is my one true vice,” he told her.

Angel stood next to him watching as he scooped the Neapolitan ice cream into the bowls.

“Would you like caramel, butterscotch, or chocolate syrup?” Harrison asked.

“Chocolate please,” Angel answered.

Harrison smiled. He just loved the way her eyes widened with delight as he added the syrup, candy sprinkles, and a cherry.

Angel picked the stemmed cherry from the top, put it into her mouth, and ate it slowly.

Harrison watched the stem move in and out of that sexy mouth. He gulped. He probably would get a hard-on now every time he saw a cherry.

Angel removed the stem and then tossed it into the trash.

“Would you care for another?”

Angel nodded.

Harrison added two more cherries to the dessert. He’d add the entire jar if he could see her do that thing with her mouth again.

Angel carried her bowl back to the table and he followed.

So far, he couldn’t find one imperfection about her. He sat down across from her again and watched her eat the ice cream. Angel was like a kid. He thought he’d died and gone to heaven when he saw her lick the spoon.

Angel volunteered to wash the dishes when they finished with the ice cream. “I better get going,” she said when she finished. “I’ve taken up enough of your time.”

“I’m not tired,” Harrison said. “And I’m enjoying the company.”

They moved into the den and before he knew it, he was opening up about his life in the Marine Corps. “I worked in ordnance,” he told her. “I was responsible for the maintenance of guns, bombs, torpedoes, rockets, and missiles. And in my spare time, I taught martial arts.”

Angle giggled. “So what kind of civilian job do you qualify for now that you’re out?”

Harrison smiled. “Not very many. I don’t think there’s a great need for that type of work in the civilian world. That’s why I kept up with my martial arts training. What did your husband do in the Marine Corps, if you don’t mind me asking?”

“He was a grunt,” Angel answered. “And by choice. He was supposed to go into communications, but he wanted to be near the action.” She didn’t go into details about how she felt about his decision.

“So what’s your day care center like?” he asked to change the subject.

“It’s a really fun place for the kids,” she answered. “We have fifteen highly trained and licensed teachers on staff, two dieticians, and a nurse who come in twice a week. And everyone is CPR qualified.”

Harrison whistled. “And you own the place? You look like you’re barely out of high school.”

Angel blushed. “I taught kindergarten before that. But after my husband died, I knew I had to generate a bigger income. So I used my savings and the money he left me to open this day care center. And so far, we’ve been operating in the black.”

“I’m impressed and inspired,” he told her. “I think I’ll take you up on your generous offer to check out the place.”

“Bring Ethan along,” Angel said. She rose. “I really have to go.”

Harrison rose and walked her to the door. “I’ve had a nice evening,” he said. “We’ll have to do this again sometime.”

Angel smiled at him again. “Anytime.”

Chapter Two

Harrison rose early the next morning, fixed breakfast and then dressed. Before leaving home he made sure everything was in its place and he had enough baby things for Ethan. Moments later, he was inside his car and heading over to Trudy’s to get Ethan.

Harrison drove past the dojo, checking out the area. There wasn’t traffic except for people on the way to the two neighborhood churches. He slowed, trying to find the day care center.
There it is. What a nice little place
. Angel had it decorated with primary colors attractive to toddlers, and the outside walls looked freshly painted. A white-washed fence surrounded the building, and it looked sturdy enough to keep the kids inside. Harrison spotted a couple of swing sets in the yard, which the kids probably loved. But the best part about it all was the location. It stood directly on the corner, two businesses down from the dojo. Satisfied by what he saw, Harrison continued his drive, checking out the beach area next.

He’d had a lot of happy memories of hanging out there with his friends every summer. There was always something to do, including swimming in the clear blue water. His eyes landed on miles and miles of white sand, and small tables with umbrellas. He noticed a couple of concession stands that he didn’t remember, and there were also boats sailing on the water. As soon as he had some free time, he’d bundle Ethan up and take him on the beach to enjoy the sun and play in the sand. At two, he should be walking and maybe able to run.

Harrison supposed Ethan would be tall for his age since both he and Olivia were taller than the average person. He wondered which one of them he’d look like since both his parents had been born blue-eyed blonds.

Harrison finally reached Trudy and Jeb’s home. The gardens were awash in spring foliage. Olivia had always liked working in the gardens too. Trudy had planted some azalea bushes and small crepe myrtle trees to add a little shade to the front of the brick family home.

Jeb answered the door shortly after Harrison. His brother in-law had put on a little weight around the mid-section and his dark brown hair had grown down to his shoulders. Jeb used to be the typical beach party animal before he married Trudy. He liked to surf and swim and race his jeep on the sandy shore. He and Trudy now owned a couple of swimwear and fishing supply stores along the beach, and probably made a very good living with all the tourists who came in for the Daytona Beach speed races.

“Come on in,” Jeb said after they hugged. “When did you get in?”

“A couple of days ago,” Harrison answered. “I had to wait for the utilities to be turned on and the furniture to arrive.”

“I passed the house last week. It looks good and it’s in a prime location near a day care center and church.”

Harrison nodded. The smell of freshly brewed coffee caught his attention. Come on in, we’re just about to sit down to breakfast.”

“I’ve already eaten breakfast,” Harrison told him. “But I could use a cup of coffee.”

His eyes landed on a play pen stacked with stuffed animals and toys. “How’s Trudy feeling?” Harrison asked when they were finally in the kitchen.

“She’s fine,” Jeb said as he poured the coffee. “She’s doing great now that she’s over the morning sickness.”

Harrison smiled politely. He’d missed out on that. Olivia had returned back to Daytona Beach once she found out that they were expecting so she could be close to Trudy. He was being shipped to North Carolina, so it worked out pretty well.

“She’s giving Ethan a bath.”

Harrison added a little cream to his coffee and two sugar cubes and then stirred. “I supposed he’s growing tall.”

“Like a weed,” Jeb said. “I’m going to miss the little guy. He’s getting into everything now that he’s walking.”

Harrison sighed and lifted his coffee to his lips. He’d missed out on his baby’s first steps.

“He’s even potty trained during the day,” Jeb said.

Harrison raised an eyebrow. “Already?”

Jeb nodded. “He still has a couple of accidents during the night, but we’re limiting his liquid intake after six pm.”

“Is he talking yet?”

“He says a couple of words,” Jeb told him. “He’s a quiet child, but a bit adventurous. He reminds me of you.”

“Define adventurous.”

“He likes to climb and get into things like the kitchen cupboard. We had to secure a couple of closets too since he’s tall enough to reach the door knobs. I’ve baby proofed most of the house now. Having a toddler around kept me very busy.”

“I want to thank you and Trudy from all you’re done for us. I don’t know how I would have gotten through all these months without you guys looking after Ethan.”

“It’s been a pleasure,” Trudy said, entering the kitchen with a squirming two-year-old in her arms. “Look Ethan, it’s Daddy.”

The child stopped wiggling and gazed at him.

Is that Ethan
? The last time he’d seen him he was a small infant sleeping in a sitter. Now he was a big boy with a head of golden curls and big blue eyes. Trudy had him dressed in a blue and white sailor suit and a pair of brown sandals.

Harrison rose and reached for the child to take the extra weight from his pregnant sister-in-law. “Come here, fellow,” he said, reaching for the child.

Ethan turned his head and clung to Trudy.

Harrison hadn’t expected that reaction.

“Ethan is a bit shy around strangers,” Trudy said.

Harrison frowned. He wasn’t a stranger. He was the child’s father. Harrison sighed. Well maybe he was a stranger. Ethan hadn’t seen him in a year and naturally, he’d grown attached to Trudy and Jeb.

“It’s your daddy, Ethan,” Trudy told the child. “He’s come to take you to your new home.”

Harrison reached for the child and met with the same resistance.

“He’ll warm up to you soon,” Trudy insisted, putting Ethan in the high chair at the table next to Harrison. “Let me feed him. He’s usually friendlier after he eats.”

Harrison nodded and sat back down to finish his coffee. He watched as Trudy dished up tiny pieces of fruit and dried cereal for Ethan. She also gave him milk in a sipping cup.

“He doesn’t like sweet stuff,” Trudy told him. “Which is a good thing, and he does like milk and fresh fruit.”

A health conscious two-year-old
? “Jeb was just telling me that Ethan’s potty trained already.”

Trudy nodded. “His aim isn’t that great yet, so you still have to sit him down on the toilet seat. But he took to it like a trouper.”

“He likes to watch educational television and he’s fascinated by commercials,” Jeb said.

There were so many things he didn’t know about his son and had to learn.

“Is there anything he doesn’t like besides me?” Harrison asked.

Jeb smiled. “He’s not fond of having his hair washed and he won’t go to sleep without Bunny.”

“Bunny?” Harrison asked.

“Bunny is a brown stuffed rabbit we gave him for Easter,” Jeb explained.

Harrison raised an eyebrow. The son of a Marine attached to a stuffed animal. He was never going to live this down.

Jeb must have seen the concern on his face. “Like I said, he won’t go to sleep without it. So I advise you to keep an eye on Bunny most of the day because Ethan likes to hide him and make us find him.”

Harrison smirked. He’d take care of that quick enough. Bunny would have to go.

“I know what you’re thinking,” Trudy said, finally sitting down at the table. “We’ve tried to take it away. Ethan throws a temper tantrum and after a couple of minutes of hearing him cry I give in and give the rabbit back to him.”