“A chair. That’s so funny.”
Cooper laughed. “It sure is. Ah, here’s Ruby.” He set Livie down and scratched Ruby’s head. “Was Ruby a good dog?”
Livie wrapped her arms around Ruby’s neck, giving the dog a big hug. “She was so good, Daddy. I was, too.”
Kendall’s heart was a gooey mess watching Cooper with Livie and how he looked at their daughter with nothing but love in hiseyes. And when he glanced up at her with a smile that felt like it was meant just for her, she finally understood when a book heroine claimed to melt into a puddle at the hero’s feet, because she was seconds from doing just that.
“Good morning, Kendall,” Harlow said, coming into the room.
“Morning. Hope Livie was good for you.”
“She’s been a perfect guest. Come in the kitchen and meet Quinn.” She turned to Cooper. “The boys are on the deck. Tyler’s out there, too.”
“Great.” He picked up Livie. “Let’s go outside.” Ruby followed them out.
“He’s really good with her,” Harlow said.
“It was love at first sight for them both. Livie’s so happy to have a daddy, and he’s been amazing with her.”
“Cooper has a big heart and a lot of love to give,” Harlow said.
She was seeing that. She’d truly hit the jackpot on a baby daddy. When they walked into the kitchen, a woman who looked like she was due any second was standing at the counter eating cake. The funny thing about that was that she was digging her fork into the entire chocolate cake.
The woman—Quinn, she assumed—narrowed her eyes at seeing Kendall, pulled the decimated cake closer to her and said, “Mine.”
Kendall wasn’t sure how to respond until the woman burst into laughter. “You should see your face. Like who’s the crazy lady?”
Harlow shook her head but had an amused smile on her face. “Behave, Quinn. Kendall, this is Quinn, who’s due just about any day now and really is a bit crazy right now.”
Kendall chuckled. “Been there, so I totally get it. Nice to finally meet you, Quinn. I’ve met your other half, and his eyes get all soft when he talks about you.”
“Although I know that’s true, right now, he’s a little afraid of me. If I don’t get this bowling ball out of me soon, I might murder the man in his sleep who put it there, and he knows it.” She forked up another large bite of cake. “Just kidding.” She grinned evilly. “Probably.”
“Livie was two days late, and I was miserable and snarling at anyone who came near me.”
“Tyler was the best boy,” Harlow said. “He arrived a week early.”
Quinn scowled at Harlow. “I hate you.”
“No, you don’t. Put that cake away. Breakfast is ready.”
Grayson and Harlow’s home was on the beach, and as they ate breakfast on the deck on a perfect late spring morning, Kendall thought she might like living on the beach someday. Did that mean she wanted to move to Myrtle Beach? She peered up at the man next to her…the seriously hot man who happened to be her baby daddy. Maybe.
Chapter 21
What was that secretive smile on Kendall’s face for? Cooper would sure like to know. She’d fit in with his chosen family as if she’d known them all her life. Because there were only six chairs around the table, Tyler sat on Grayson’s lap, sharing his breakfast, and Livie was on his.
This was the life he wanted. Kendall by his side, his daughter giggling when he made funny faces at her and his brothers and their wives close by. He just had to make it happen.
“She’s out for the night,” Kendall said as they both stood by Livie’s bed, watching their daughter sleep.
“Not surprised. She played hard today.” They’d spent the day on the beach, and, of course, that had included a baseball game with everyone but Quinn playing. His chest had swelled with pride that Livie had outplayed Tyler. He’d also been impressed that Tyler hadn’t minded at all like a lot of boys would have. Tyler’s thing was surfing, though, and he was extremely good at it, especially considering he wasn’t quite seven years old.
“She wants to learn to surf now,” Kendall said. “I don’t know about that.”
“Maybe I’ll learn with her.” Grayson and Tyler surfed every chance they got. He’d never had the desire to, but it would be cool to be able to surf with his daughter.
Kendall rolled her eyes. “What am I going to do with you two?”