And maybe she’d been trying to work off the nervous energy from the chaos Broderick had brought to her life with his proposition.
She pitched the tennis ball again. Harder.
The midmorning sun hung heavy in a cloudless sky, and the cabin’s isolation provided her with time to think. Much needed time to think, as it turned out.
Sure, she felt a visceral attraction to Broderick. But his proposition about starting a serious relationship and co-raising Fleur?
That she still had to work out. Her feelings ran rampant, and over breakfast, she’d snapped at him. Not on purpose, but she’d known she’d been prickly.
Too much had changed in a week. Nothing about her life felt normal or manageable. The only things that had become increasingly clear were her affection for Fleur—and her desire for Broderick. She knew she had to consider his offer.
She called Kota back to her, and they made their way from the fenced-in backyard to the deck and hot tub. Broderick opened the door, a concerned look on his face.
The echoes of hurt on his face slammed into her. “I’m sorry for being irritable earlier. Truce?”
“Absolutely.” His smile rested easy on his tanned face. Those whiskey eyes warmed.
“Would you like to come with me while I walk Kota? I think Fleur could use some sunshine, too.” She gestured to the small nature path she’d spotted just outside the fence.
He gave a backward glance into the cabin, where Fleur sat in a baby carrier. “Won’t she get sick from the cold?”
“Seriously? Were you Steele children pampered wimps?” Glenna laughed, welcoming a moment’s levity.
“Don’t let my dad hear you say that. He believed in making us work hard. No silver-spoon, trust-fund kids in his family.” Broderick took a step back so she could make her way into the cabin. Even so, her body rubbed against his, sending electric awareness into her limbs.
Glenna ignored it, responding instead with a tidbit about her own life. “Mom and Dad were the same way. We even had price limits on eating out. I remember someone commenting on it at a restaurant. Mom said, ‘Yes, Charles and I have a healthy portfolio. Our children, however, have yet to earn their fortune.’” Glenna did her best to impersonate Jeannie’s dramatic hand waving.
Broderick let out a chuckle, nodding as if thinking of some distant memory. “Sounds like Dad… And if we’re not careful, they’re going to fire all of us and start with a fresh staff.”
A deep, rich laugh emerged from her. Shook her back to life. “Okay, now let’s get you ready for that walk.”
“What do you mean?” He pointed to his coat, as if that was all there were to their excursion. “I have my winter gear.”
Raising a brow, she gestured to the carrying pack in the living room. “You’ll need to keep Fleur close to your chest so she’ll be warm and secure.”
“What about a baby sled instead?” he asked quickly.
He was obviously nervous, but Glenna recalled how he’d handled Fleur last night when no one was looking. A natural. Though he clearly needed encouragement.
“This is a difficult time, with her being away from her mother. The baby needs as much human contact as we can give her.”
“I could walk the dog.” His counteroffer was smooth, but didn’t completely mask his unease.
“Are you afraid of babies?”
“No. I’m afraid of that contraption.” He walked to the swaddle pack, picked it up. He examined it gingerly, as if it might move of its own volition.
“Think of it as a hiking pack on your front.”
She quickly assembled Fleur in the pack on Broderick’s chest, showing him how it worked and barely resisting the temptation to take a little extra time touching him. Things were…complicated. This walk would do them good. If Fleur was his, he had to learn.
Glenna playfully squeezed his arm. “And now we’re ready to walk.”
She let him lead. After all, these were Steele family grounds. He’d grown up here, knew the trails. Kota walked in step with them, and Glenna drank in the untouched scenery. Not another building in sight. Perfection—she’d found it.
They hiked toward the mountain, boots crunching in the unmarked snow. Silence descended between them, the comfortable familiar kind. Fleur made giggling noises, soft and lovely. Broderick seemed to calm down the farther they went.
Feeling empowered and brave out in nature, Glenna asked, “Do you think our families would have been friends if they’d all worked for the same business or if we’d lived in the same neighborhood?”
“Hmm… That’s an interesting thought. The Steeles and Mikkelsons going to block parties together.”