out from the seams by his hips and crotch, clung with the familiarity of an old lover. A red polo shirt stretched across his chest and shoulders, emphasizing his muscles. He looked powerful, but more than that he made her think of a dependable man, a hard worker. His watch was black, some sports kind with a couple of buttons. He didn’t wear any rings or other jewelry. Except for the glint in his dark brown eyes and his teasing smile, there wasn’t anything flashy about him.
Solid, she thought. That’s the word she’d been looking for. Travis Haynes was a solid man.
He took a step into the kitchen. His gaze moved over her face, pausing on her mouth long enough for the tingling to start in her toes and work its way up. Last night she’d lain awake in the dark reliving the brief touch of his lips on hers. It had been nothing significant. A teasing kiss instigated by her daughter. So why did she wonder what it would be like to be held in those powerful arms and pulled hard against that solid chest? Why was her heart beating faster and her breasts tightening in anticipation? Nothing had happened and nothing was going to happen. It couldn’t. She knew better than to get involved.
“You didn’t answer my question,” he said, strolling over to check the coffee. The pot had stopped sputtering. He opened the cupboard above the machine and pulled out two mugs.
“I don’t remember what I was smiling about.” Her voice sounded completely normal, she thought with some relief.
“How do you take it?”
“With milk, please.”
He stirred her coffee and handed her the mug, then took the seat opposite her. “How did you sleep?”
“Great. I feel better.”
“You’re supposed to be staying off your feet.”
“I know. I just wanted some coffee, and I didn’t know what time you got up.”
She felt a little awkward talking about the intimate details of living together. She barely knew Travis. She tilted her head toward the table, then glanced up at him through her lashes. She liked the way his hair curled slightly around his ears, and the trimmed mustache outlining his upper lip. Last night she’d felt the faint tickle of his mustache against her skin. She wondered what that soft, groomed hair would feel like—
The back door opened, cutting off her dangerous train of thought.
“Yoo-hoo, Travis, are you up?” a loud female voice called.
He grinned. “If I wasn’t, Louise, I would be now.”
A woman entered the kitchen. She was in her mid to late forties with short blond hair and a figure that could only be described as an hourglass. Her pants were a bright lime green color, her short-sleeved blouse a blend of greens, yellows and oranges. A wide gold belt emphasized her small waist, while a trio of silver chains dipped toward her generous bosom. Dark eye shadow and lots of mascara highlighted her blue eyes. Her red lipstick clashed with everything, but somehow looked all right.
“You must be Elizabeth,” Louise said, moving forward and holding out her hand. “Your daughter is the sweetest little girl.” She smiled and her eyes got a faraway look. “Maybe I should have had children.” She paused. “No, I think Alfred is more than enough trouble, don’t you?”
“Alfred?” Elizabeth asked as they shook hands. “Your husband?”
Louise laughed. “No, my dog. Hi, I’m Louise.”
Elizabeth didn’t know whether to be embarrassed or laugh back. She settled on smiling weakly. Louise bent over and gave Travis a kiss on the cheek, then moved to the refrigerator and started pulling out food.
“Louise is my housekeeper,” Travis said.
“I figured that.”
“She works here three days a week—”
“But I’m willing to come in more while you’re getting better, Elizabeth,” Louise said, cutting Travis off. “When I heard what happened, well, I just had to rush over and do whatever I could to help.” She set a pitcher of orange juice on the counter. “Maybe you would like to work on some crafts while you’re recovering. I’m thinking of doing something with clay.”
“Absolutely not,” Travis said. “There will be no clay in this house.”
Louise mumbled something under her breath about men being pinheads.
Travis leaned forward and lowered his voice. “Louise is going through a stage right now.”
The chesty blonde glared at him. “I can hear every word you’re staying and this is not a stage. I’m exploring my art.”
“She’s driving me crazy. She makes things and gives them to me.”
“It’s a sign of affection, but if you’d rather I didn’t, then fine.” She slammed the refrigerator door shut and turned her back on them.
“I have this drawer full of sweaters and socks.”
Elizabeth stared at him. “Why is that a problem?”
“They’re not—” he glanced from her to Louise and back “—normal. Most of the socks have no heel. The sweaters aren’t anatomically correct.”
Louise walked over to the table and grinned. “I’ll admit I didn’t quite get the hang of knitting. I never could figure out parts of the patterns, but some of the wool was real lovely.” She held two eggs in her right hand. “How would you like them cooked?”
Elizabeth blinked several times. “Scrambled?”
“Fine.” She glanced at Travis. “I know what you want, but the way you’ve talked about me this morning, I’m of a mind to let you go hungry.”
“Your threats don’t scare me.” As Louise passed him, he reached out and patted her rear end affectionately.
“Don’t you try your wild ways on me, Travis Haynes,” she said, giving him a mock glare. “I’m old enough to be your very young and attractive aunt.”
Elizabeth couldn’t help it. She started laughing. Even the sharp pains in her side couldn’t stop her from chuckling.
“Mommy.”
Mandy entered the room. She was washed and dressed in a pretty blue dress with tiny white flowers. She came over to her and held out her arms for a hug. Elizabeth pulled her close.
“Are you ready for your first day of school?” she asked. Travis was going to walk Mandy to the elementary school and register her.
Mandy nodded. “Travis helped me pick out this dress to wear. Did we choose the right one?”
“Of course, Mandy. You look perfect.”
“I have ribbons.” She held them out. “Will you put them in my hair?”
“Sure.”
Elizabeth turned and Mandy slipped between her legs. When the girl saw Louise, she squealed with excitement. “Louise, you found
