in her introverted bubble and that’s how she’d raised her only daughter.
Erin was stepping out of that bubble, even if the encounter with David made her want to jump right back into it.
Her nerves disappeared as soon as she walked into the community center. Her personal life might be a hot mess, but she knew in her heart that the after-school project would be a success. She wouldn’t settle for anything less.
Olivia was waiting at the reception desk for her, a chubby-cheeked baby cradled in her arms.
“I hope you don’t mind an audience for our meeting,” she said apologetically. “The babysitter called in sick.”
“Any opportunity to get my dose of snuggles.” Erin shifted her backpack so she could reach for baby Molly, who was the most scrumptious five-month-old she’d ever seen.
The little girl was a perfect mix of her mom and dad. She had eyes the same striking green as her mother’s. But instead of Olivia’s dark hair, she was a towheaded baby with wispy blond hair the same color as Logan Travers’s, Molly’s doting daddy. Erin wasn’t part of the Traverses’ wide social circle, but she’d seen the group of friends around town enough to know that Logan, while big and brawny on the outside, was absolute putty in his daughter’s hands.
“You’re a natural with kindergartners and babies,” Olivia said as she transferred her daughter to Erin. Coming from Olivia, who was naturally beautiful and had the gentle spirit to match, Erin was grateful to receive the compliment. “Did you grow up in a big family?”
A little pang of disappointment passed through Erin as she shook her head and pressed a kiss to the baby’s soft forehead. “I’m an only child, but I always thought it would be fun to have a big family. I love babies.”
“You were meant to be a mother.”
The other woman’s words made something go soft and melty in Erin’s heart. She wanted to be a mother, to have someone—or even better, multiple someones—to call her own. The thought of a baby with David McCay’s big blue eyes made her chest flutter.
“I have a gut feeling,” Olivia continued, “just like I did when you contacted me about the after-school program.” She leaned in closer. “Any potential suitors or shall I put the word out? I’ve learned to trust my instincts.”
“Praise the Lord for your instincts,” a deep voice said, “or you never would have taken a chance on me.” Erin glanced over her shoulder to see Olivia’s husband, Logan, standing right behind her. And next to him...David McCay.
Molly let out a little squeak as Erin squeezed a bit too tightly. She rocked the baby and Molly immediately grinned and tugged on the ends of Erin’s hair.
“That’s right,” Olivia said, leaning into her husband when he moved around Erin and draped an arm across her shoulders. “Can you blame me for wanting everyone to be as happy?”
“I’m happy,” Erin whispered, even though it wasn’t quite the truth. She could feel David’s eyes on her, and although she didn’t meet his gaze, the intensity of his stare made the hair stand up on the back of her neck.
“How about you, David?” Olivia lifted a brow. “You’re single, right?”
“Yep,” came the rumbly answer.
Olivia smiled. “Crimson is the perfect place to find true love.”
“David is here to talk about the beer for Oktoberfest,” Logan said, dropping a kiss on the top of Olivia’s head. “Although I’m sure he appreciates your matchmaking efforts.”
Erin risked a glance at David, who shrugged. Suddenly she was terrified he might reveal what she’d asked him. It was crazy, but she couldn’t stop the fear coursing through her. He opened his mouth but before he could answer, she blurted out the first thing that came to mind, even though it was an obvious lie. “I’ve got a boyfriend.”
Olivia looked disappointed. “Well, I guess I wasn’t meant to be a matchmaker after all.”
“We’ll have to find other ways to keep you busy,” Logan said.
“Right now, Erin and I need to go over the last-minute details for her after-school outreach project. The program starts Monday.” She scooped the baby out of Erin’s arms and handed her to Logan. Molly gurgled happily, curling a fist in the soft denim of her daddy’s shirt.
Olivia moved toward the hallway that led to the community center’s classrooms. “You coming, Erin?”
Erin realized she was staring at the baby, her arms strangely empty without the lotion-scented bundle. “Right.” She darted a glance at David, who arched a brow in response.
One small brow arch she felt all the way to her toes.
An imaginary boyfriend. That should end things before they even got started.
Forcing a smile, she looked from David to Logan. “See you both later,” she called, and hurried after Olivia, ignoring the regret that surged through her as she walked away.
David waited outside the community center’s front door, watching groups of people take to the streets of Crimson on this beautiful fall Friday night. The temperature was quickly cooling, typical at altitude once the sun dipped behind the majestic peak of Crimson Mountain to the town’s west.
He imagined the crowds heading toward Elevation for a drink with friends, a reminder that he should be tending bar tonight. He’d been lucky with the brewery, opening just as the picturesque mountain town was hitting a resurgence and having a knack with brewing the ever-popular craft beers.
But he didn’t take his success for granted. After destroying his baseball career thanks to one night of reckless stupidity, he’d learned to work hard for what he wanted. He should be working now. Or checking in with Jenna, who was spending the night with Rhett in his loft before they drove to Denver tomorrow to put her on the plane headed for the rehab center in Arizona.
He should be a dozen places that didn’t involve standing in the shadows waiting for Erin. David was long past the days of making stupid choices when it came to women, and he’d never had any interest in the type who looked as wholesome as a tall glass of milk.
The door opened and Erin walked out, and all the reasons David shouldn’t be waiting for her disappeared under the relentless drumming of need pulsing through his body. He might not understand his reaction to the beautiful schoolteacher, but neither could he ignore it.
“Tell me about the boyfriend,” he said, stepping out to block her path.
She stumbled back a step, pressing her hand to her cheek. “Holy cow! You scared the pants off me.”
David felt his mouth curve at that. If only.
“No one says holy cow in real life,” he muttered, reaching out a hand to steady her.
She shrugged off his touch. “Clearly people do say holy cow,” she countered. “Because I just did.” She crossed her arms over a chest that
