her cell phone battery had died.
Lanier sprang up and took baby Austin from Ashleigh’s arms. “Hey, little A.C. Heard you’ve been hanging with the ladies today! I know grandma had a ball with you.” She kissed the center of his forehead. “Where’d you guys go?” Lanier asked Ashleigh.
“Baybrook Mall. I just dropped by here to collect figures for payroll. I plan to print checks at home again. Is that okay?”
“However you do it is fine with me. Dallas and I just finished making plans for him to help me look for a place.”
“Austin and I can also help out if you want. I can’t believe preseason is almost here. Austin has enjoyed the baby so much that I think he may have a hard time getting his mind back on football.”
“I know he will,” Dallas chimed in. “He’s having the time of his life with A.C. All he talks about is his wife and son. I get a real kick out of hearing him gushing over you two.”
Dallas came over and stood next to Lanier. As he reached out for the cooing baby, she carefully handed him over to his big, strapping uncle.
Watching Dallas intently, Lanier saw how sweet and tender he was toward his nephew. He rained kisses onto the baby’s shock of copper curls and A.C. cooed even more. His hair was just like Ashleigh’s, but the deep dimple in his chin was a Carrington trait.
Lanier couldn’t help wondering what a baby from Dallas would look like. She hadn’t always wanted to become a mother, but after mothering teenagers, she had thought about it.
Since alcoholism was hereditary, Lanier wondered if the awful addiction would plague her own children. She had always been able to control her personal intake of alcohol; an occasional glass of wine or a frozen margarita was all she drank.
Seeing how engrossed Dallas and Lanier were with her son, Ashleigh cleared her throat to grab their attention. “It’s time for me to get on home. There are at least a couple loads of laundry waiting for me, and Austin requested a beef rib roast for dinner.”
Lanier sucked her teeth. “I don’t understand why you don’t use Ms. Stella more. Austin pays her no matter what.”
“I love taking care of my family, so I just save Ms. Stella for special occasions. Austin really appreciates whatever I do around the house, but he’s always telling me to use our housekeeper more.”
If they were to ever marry, Dallas wondered if Lanier would rather have a housekeeper than take care of things herself. Either way was fine with him. His father, Beaumont, had more than enough money to pay for help, but Angelica had done everything. She had used caterers only on special occasions.
Beaumont had always helped out with kitchen duties and laundry, and Dallas could remember him and his brothers laughing at the variety of aprons their dad so proudly wore. He wasn’t afraid of tackling any domestic chore and loved working alongside his beautiful wife.
Ashleigh reached for her child. Baby Austin grinned broadly, stretching his arms out for her. “I’ll see you two soon. Carrington family dinner is next week, and I’m counting on you both to be there.”
Dallas and Lanier nodded, laughing at Ashleigh’s attempt at sternness. Walking over to his sister-in-law, he laid his hand loosely about her waist. “I’ll come outside and help you get A.C. settled in.” Dallas turned to Lanier. “I’ll be right back, sweetheart.”
After opening the rear door to the Mercedes SUV, Dallas tucked Austin into his car seat and secured the safety belt. As the baby cooed and blew spit bubbles, he had to laugh. He hadn’t given much thought to having children before his nephew had come along, but now he thought about it too often.
Lanier was the only woman Dallas had ever imagined as the mother of his babies. Not wanting to pressure her, he’d never asked her if she wanted children. But, before any of that, he’d first have to find a way to get her down the aisle.
Crossing his arms, Dallas leaned against the door of the SUV. “What do you really think of Lanier getting her own place?”
Looking thoughtful, Ashleigh pressed together her full lips. “I support her one hundred percent. She lived in foster homes with other children and always had a roommate as an adult. Experiencing life on her own terms may be just what she needs. What’s your take on it?”
Dallas raised an eyebrow. “Mixed emotions, I’m afraid. I want to support her, but I also wonder if she’s ready to live alone. She’s certainly changing. In fact, she promises to introduce me to the new her.”
Ashleigh laughed. “That sounds just like my girl. She does have a creative side. I suggest you go along with her plans. What’ll you do if her mission fails?”
Dallas shrugged, thinking of the angry Lanier who seemed hell-bent on self-destruction. Having faith in no one but Ashleigh had made it hard for him to earn her trust. Her unhappiness loomed over her like a terminal illness. She didn’t have faith in him in the beginning, but his actions and unyielding support proved him worthy of her trust.
“Love her as much as I do now. More than anything, I want her to love herself, unconditionally. I don’t want her to make any changes for me. It’s all about her.”
“It is about her. But if she falls again, be ready to catch her. She’s confessed to changing her negative way of thinking about life before. She was sure she could rid herself of the rage she felt inside. We both know how badly those episodes turned out when she couldn’t stay the course. Lanier may truly be ready to embrace a more positive attitude this time around. I’ve seen quite a few changes in her already.”
Dallas stroked his chin. “Like what?” Dallas had seen major changes in Lanier, but he wanted to hear about the differences in her that Ashleigh had observed.
“You’ll have to see for yourself, if you haven’t already. You will recognize them on your own. It’ll mean more to you and her.” Standing on tiptoes, Ashleigh kissed Dallas’s cheek. “See you soon, shortstop,” she said. “Are you aware that Houston is hosting our family dinner?”
Dallas laughed. “So I’ve heard. He’ll either get Mom and Kelly to cook the food or leave it up to his caterer.”
Ashleigh climbed up into the SUV, leaving the door open. “Don’t be too sure about that. Kelly cooks for Houston, but she also has him help. I won’t be surprised if they manage to get everything taken care of between them. Ever since your brother and Kelly got engaged, he’s become a changed man.”
“As hard as it is to believe, I think you’re right.” Dallas turned down his mouth at the corners. “I guess we’ll wait and see what happens with Houston and Dr. Kelly Charleston. Drive carefully, Ash. Tell Austin I’ll call him later. You guys are coming to my next home game, aren’t you?”
“Of course we are. We already got a babysitter.”
Dallas blew Ashleigh a kiss. “See you soon.” He waited until Ashleigh had backed the vehicle out of the driveway before returning to the house.
Dallas reclaimed his seat on the sofa. While waiting for Lanier to return from the kitchen, he gave more thought to her plan. If he had his way, she’d live in a gated community with security guards. But he had to be careful not to dictate his wants to her.
Carrying a plastic tray
