We find Reagan’s shop without any trouble. I’ve driven past it several times and never put together who owned it. Small world.
She greets us at the door, her phone to her ear and a concerned expression on her face. “Come on in,” she says, holding the door open for us. “Dammit.” She hits end on the call and then calls again.
Dawn and I stand just inside the door, watching her. Whoever she’s trying to call still doesn’t answer.
“Sorry, guys. I’ve been trying to call Ridge for the last hour. He’s on this ‘I need to learn to do this on my own’ kick, but when your sister calls you need to answer the damn phone,” she rants.
“I’m sure everything is fine,” I try to calm her down.
“But what if it’s not? He’s a new dad, new at all of this!” She dials again, placing it on speaker phone.
The loud ring echoes throughout the shop. This time, she hits ends and runs her fingers through her hair.
“Why don’t we just drive over there? How far is it?” Dawn asks.
“Like fifteen minutes, at the most. You guys don’t mind?”
“Not at all. I’m sure it’s fine, and seeing for yourself will put you at ease,” I say.
“I’ll drive,” Reagan states, reaching for her purse and keys from the nearby counter.
Dawn and I follow her out and wait for her to lock the shop. Within minutes, we’re on our way to check on Ridge. He’s probably going to wish he’d answered his phone once he sees the three of us on his doorstep.
Reagan pulls up to a sprawling brick rancher. It’s well landscaped and looks every bit the family home.
“Come on,” she says, climbing out of the car.
Neither Dawn nor I argue, just follow her up on the porch. She doesn’t knock. Instead, she tries the door and it’s unlocked, so she walks in and motions for us to do the same.
“Why are you not answering your phone?” she hisses in a low voice.
“It’s on vibrate. He’s been fussy, and I finally got him to sleep.” Ridge’s deep voice is low as he hisses back his reply.
“We dropped what we were doing to come and check on you. I was worried,” Reagan whispers.
“We?”
It’s then that Reagan steps out of the way and reveals Dawn and me standing behind her.
In no way am I prepared for what I see. My mouth waters and I know I’m staring, but at this moment in time, I have no fucks to give. Ridge is sitting on the couch, shirtless and sporting worn jeans with holes in them, looking sexy as hell with bare feet and his tattoos on full display. I want nothing more than to trace them with my tongue. This alone is not what’s causing my girly bits to take notice though. What has my body screaming his name is his baby boy, cradled in his arms. This man—tall, dark, handsome, looking like sex personified—is holding his baby boy close to his chest.
Ovary explosion!
“Hey,” he says softly, his eyes capturing mine. “Good to see you again.” He chances a quick glance at Dawn, but then his eyes are right back to mine.
Is it legal for him to be this sexy?
Reagan brought the cavalry—a beautiful one, at that. I’m trying hard not to be pissed at her. I know she’s worried about me and it comes from a good place, but does she think I can’t take care of my son?
“What are you doing?” she asks.
I pull my eyes from the lovely Kendall and address my sister. “I told you, he was fussy. At the hospital, they said skin-to-skin contact, so I tried it and it worked.”
“Why didn’t you answer your phone?” I can hear the hurt in her voice. My anger instantly fades.
“I read that babies can feel tension, so I shut it off, shut out the world. My son needed me,” I explain. I just about said ‘Knox comes first, always,’ but I don’t want to hurt her any more than she already is. I love my sister, but this little guy, he’s a part of me. Whatever he needs, no matter what.
“I get that, but holy fucking shit, Ridge. I was scared something happened.”
“We’re fine, Reagan. What are the three of you up to?” I ask, keeping my voice low.
“I ran into Kendall and Dawn at the mall today. I was meeting them at the shop to do their hair, and they got there just as I reached my manic freak-out mode. I’d been calling you for over an hour.”
“I see. Well, you all might as well make yourself comfortable. The guys will be here in about an hour. There’s gonna be beer, pizza, movies—you know, just a regular Saturday night with a single dad and his buddies.”
Dawn laughs. Kendall has a beautiful smile that graces those pouty lips of hers.
“What do you think, ladies? Kendall? You up for seeing some of the guys?” Reagan asks her.
“She’s in,” Dawn speaks up.
“I’ll run out and pick us up some more snacks and drinks.” Reagan looks at Dawn and Kendall. “Any special requests?”
“I’ll go with you, if you don’t mind? Ridge, do you care if I use your kitchen? I have a craving for buffalo chicken dip,” Dawn says.
“Sure, have at it.”
“Great, we’ll be right back.” Reagan winks at me, grabs Dawn by the arm and pulls her behind her.
“I guess I’m staying here,” Kendall says as the girls rush out and slam the door.
Knox stirs in my arms, and I make a mental note to smack my sister.
“He’s not been sleeping?” Kendall asks, keeping her voice soft and low.
“No, he has, but not today. He’s been fussy all day.”