Empty Net (Five for Fighting #3) Page 4

  Steering the conversation away from the fact she didn’t have anyone she could call up and ask to help out was her goal, even if she really didn’t want to hear how much Doug enjoyed reconnecting. Lizzie still had about twenty minutes left to her lunch, so she had a little time to give Ben some attention before trying to get him to take a nap. His excitement from meeting Doug led her to believe the nap was a pipe dream.

  “It was enlightening, mainly because she told me your name was Elizabeth.” Something in his eyes made her think there was something more to his use of the word enlightening, but she couldn’t pinpoint what it was. “I know this is going to sound crazy, but why don’t you let me watch the kid while you go back to work?”

  “I think crazy is putting that mildly. Why in the world would I hand my child over to a guy who just got done visiting his girlfriend in the psychiatric hospital?” Lizzie couldn’t believe he’d actually suggested the idea. She glanced at his hand again to verify there wasn’t a ring on it, maybe indicating he had a wife and a kid or two of his own. His fingers on both hands were bare.

  “First, she isn’t my girlfriend. Go ask her and she’ll verify that. Second, if it’s me that you’re against watching him, I’m heading out to find Nels, and chances are he’s with a friend of ours and his wife, so there will be a mother on duty to make sure I don’t screw things up. I actually have a lot of practice with Nels’ two kids.” Doug reached over to rub his massive hand on Ben’s short blond locks. Lizzie’s traitorous son clapped and tried to lean into Doug’s arms.

  “I’m not handing my son over to people I don’t know. It doesn’t matter if there’s a mom involved. I don’t know you and I can’t trust that you’d take care of him.”

  Doug frowned, and it didn’t make his lips any less appealing. In fact, the way his bottom lip stuck out slightly made her want to bite it. He didn’t move away from the close stance in front of Lizzie. They weren’t as close as he’d been with Stephanie, but it was the closest she’d been in years to any man other than coworkers.

  “When’s your shift over?” He seemed to be calculating something in his head, and Lizzie didn’t like it when he nodded his head quickly to indicate he liked whatever conclusion he came up with.

  “Six. Why?”

  “I hate to start our relationship off like this, but if you take your son in that building, I’m going to call DHS and report you. I haven’t asked where the father is, instead I’m choosing to believe he isn’t in the picture since you brought the baby here.” Doug stepped back and took a phone out of his pocket, so he could start pressing the touchscreen.

  “Don’t,” Lizzie said as she stopped his hand from continuing its task by putting her right hand on his. “Why is it so important to you that Ben doesn’t go in the hospital?”

  There had to be a reason other than it being a mental facility. Lizzie couldn’t believe she was considering his request, but she couldn’t have the authorities questioning whether she was a fit mother.

  Doug stared down at where their hands touched before he replied. She wanted to move her hand away, but his scrutiny kept her immobile. She needed to get away from him before he managed to erase all her brain cells with just a look.

  “I’ll tell you about it when I bring your son back to you. If it makes you feel better, I’ll leave my car with you.” He pointed over to a dark blue sedan. Lizzie didn’t know much about cars, but she knew the emblem that resembled a peace sign.

  “You’d leave your seventy-thousand-dollar car in my care?” Lizzie was merely guessing at a price. She’d spent six thousand dollars on hers, so there was no doubt his was more expensive. It wasn’t as costly as her son’s life in her eyes, but it seemed to be a big concession on his part.

  Doug glanced over his shoulder and shrugged. “It actually cost more than twice that, but I trust you with it. Can you trust me with your son?”

  The simple answer to that was no. Lizzie had never really trusted Ben with anyone. She had to find childcare for him when she worked, but that didn’t mean she was comfortable leaving him with someone else.

  “Would you really call the authorities?”

  Much like Ben’s head had been, her hand found itself encased by Doug’s warm mitt. It was slightly moist, but the touch actually felt comfortable.

  “If that’s what it takes to make sure he doesn’t go in there, yes. I’d try to convince you not to go in either, but I’m guessing you need your job, and I wouldn’t try to stop a mother from providing for her child.”

  Lizzie studied his eyes for a few moments, trying to read between the lines he was dishing out. Something had to have happened after she left. There hadn’t been any instances of a patient acting up for at least a week, but it wasn’t unheard of. It was a big assumption, but she was guessing his concern stemmed from something like that. She could’ve tried to convince him Ben wouldn’t be anywhere near the patients. A big part of her didn’t want him in the hospital, though, so instead she just sighed.

  “You’ll have him back by six? I don’t think I’ll be able to get off early, but I want him back in my arms as soon as I walk out those doors.” Lizzie’s chest tightened as she said the words.

  “I swear he’ll be in good hands and we’ll be waiting out here when you’re done for the day. I’ll even take you guys out to dinner tonight. You can handle applesauce and mashed potatoes, right?” The question obviously wasn’t directed at Lizzie.

  “Tatoes,” Ben said eagerly. Doug just had to pick out his favorite food. Ben bounced in her arms. Lizzie had to take her spare hand back from Doug’s hold so she could keep him from falling.

  “You don’t have to do that. Having you take care of him today is more than enough. Are you really going to take him somewhere with other kids?” Lizzie was trying to convince herself it was just like daycare.

  “Yes, Nels has a son who’s two and a little girl who just started crawling. I need to go talk to him about Steph, so we’ll let the kids play while you finish up your day. Are there any allergies or anything I should be aware of? I’m guessing you have everything I need as far as a change of clothes and any favorite toys in the bag. And diapers if he isn’t potty trained.”

  Lizzie had to hold up her arm to stop his onslaught of words. He was talking fast, and as much as she appreciated it because she was running out of time before she needed to be back inside, she needed a chance to answer some of the questions. Questions, by the way, that were all the right things for him to ask to give her a little ease of mind. The fact that Ben instantly like Doug also helped.

  “As far as I know, he’s not allergic to anything, but he eats a rather bland diet. There’s animal crackers and a couple jars of baby food in the bag. And yes, there’s a change of clothes and some diapers just in case he’s being a little cranky about using the bathroom. I’m hoping there’ll be a potty chair, because he’s not ready to step up to a regular toilet.”

  Doug looked up to think about it for a second before he nodded. “I’m not sure if we’ll end up at Nels’ or Dylan’s, but either house has a kid his size, so they have to have everything we’ll need.”

  As perfect as everything sounded, Lizzie still didn’t like the idea of handing Ben over. He’d stopped chanting potatoes, and instead had a shy smile on his face as he looked at Doug. Lizzie shook her head when she noticed it. The man had the ability to charm women and children without more than a simple look.

  “I know you don’t know me, and I wish I could change that before you had to get back to work, but I’m pretty sure you don’t have time to hear my life story.” Doug paused for a second before coming up with a new question. “What’s your phone number? I’ll send you pictures of him every five minutes.”

  The timing seemed a little excessive, but Lizzie could get behind the idea of seeing visual proof everything was okay. She quickly recited her number as he typed it into his phone. A second later she heard her phone ring from her pocket.

  “There, now you have my number, so you can call if you want to talk to him. Do you want to put him back in the car and hand over your keys?” Doug put his phone in his pocket and fished out a key fob. “Here’s the key to my car in case you need it for something.”

  Lizzie stared at it for a second, not sure she wanted the responsibility of keeping his car in one piece. There was no chance she’d be able to afford to pay for any repairs if the cosmic force messing with her day decided to make it even worse.

  “It’s insured, so don’t worry about it. I don’t want you stuck here in case anything happens.”

  Doug had an uncanny knack of knowing exactly what Lizzie was thinking, and it disturbed her. It was nice that he was trying to think of everything to make her feel better, but it was weird that they’d just met and he was putting forth that amount of effort.

  “I’d feel a little better if you told me why you’re so against him staying with me. I know the patients can act out sometimes, but he wouldn’t be anywhere near them. There’s a room in back where he won’t see anyone other than nurses and guards. If you think I’d let anyone else around him, you clearly think I’m a horrible mother.”

  His hand was still holding his car key out to her, and since she hadn’t taken it, he tucked it into one of the front pockets on her shirt. Then he held out his hands, and Ben practically jumped in his arms when he saw his chance. The baby weighed twenty pounds, so Lizzie’s arms immediately felt like they weighed nothing. She missed the warmth and weight of her son close to her body, but she didn’t snatch him back.

  “I don’t think you’re a horrible mother. Like I said, I’ll tell you my reasons for helping you out over dinner tonight.” Doug scrunched his nose up as Ben rubbed his nose back and forth against his.

  The move melted Lizzie’s heart, but she had to keep
from falling into a trap. Men could pretend they were nice and only wanted what was best, but experience told her that was only a mask, which made it all the more difficult for her not to hyperventilate seeing Ben in Doug’s arms.

  “You didn’t mention dinner until long after you said you’d tell me your reasons after work. There’s not going to be a dinner.”

  “Then I guess we’re going to have to bring something to eat when we come back, aren’t we?” Doug moved Ben over to his hip so he could look at Lizzie. “You said his name was Ben, right? I know how you are about sharing names, but I think that slipped out at one point.”

  Lizzie nodded her head. “Yes, his name is Ben, and you were right that my name is Elizabeth, most people just call me Lizzie.” She thought about extending her hand to shake, but they were past standard introductions. “You have to understand that I don’t want you to take him. There’s literally a knot in my stomach that’s making me want to throw up.”

  “And that right there is why I don’t think you’re a horrible mother. I hate that I’m forcing you to do this, but I do have my reasons.”

  “And they better be worth it. Since you’ve got him now, are you able to put him in the car, or should I take care of that?” Lizzie thought she’d ask, but there wasn’t a chance she’d let him drive off without her checking to make sure Ben was buckled in.

  “I’ll put him in, but let you double check to make sure I don’t mess it up. It’d be good if I can prove I’ll be able to get him back to you safely tonight.”

  While Doug bent into the car and went about securing her son, Lizzie watched as much as she could. Doug’s muscular body sort of got in the way, leaving her with basically a view of his butt. As nice as it looked in his jeans, Lizzie tried to avert her eyes. Thankfully, it seemed Doug was adept at fastening a car seat, because he’d only been at it for a minute before he straightened back up.

  “Ready for your inspection.” A smile that showed how proud Doug was that he’d completed his task lit up his face.

  Lizzie tossed him the key to the car after she took it off her keyring, separating it from her house keys. She didn’t say anything to him as she tucked her head in and made sure everything was in order with Ben. As perfect as Doug had seemed, it wasn’t surprising that everything was as it should be.

  “You’re going to be a good boy, right?”

  Ben nodded his head, while Lizzie wondered if he understood the question. He could string words together, but his comprehension was always questionable.

  “Make it every half an hour, and as soon as you get to wherever you’re going to spend the day.” Lizzie kissed Ben on both cheeks and backed out of the car to make sure Doug heard her words.

  “You’ve got it. I do have one more question before we go.” Doug waited until she turned around before he continued. “Why did I see a look of pure terror in your eyes when I mentioned calling DHS?”

  He was too observant for his own good. Lizzie had thought she’d done a respectable job of hiding her reaction. She crossed her arms over her chest as she tried to think of a good answer. Since he’d been evasive about answering her questions, she decided he deserved a little of his own medicine.

  “When you tell me about why you’re kidnapping my son, I’ll tell you why there’s a chance you saw what you described.”

  “Can you say whether it has to do with the father who’s not in the picture?” Doug’s right eyebrow lifted slightly as he asked the question.

  She hadn’t confirmed the father wasn’t in the picture, but it was clear from the lack of a ring on her finger that she wasn’t married to him, at least not anymore. There wasn’t even a pale mark where one had been. Since the marriage hadn’t lasted long, there wasn’t a chance to get tan lines around her rings.

  “It does, but it’s complicated. I have to get inside, so drive carefully and bring him back to me.” Lizzie couldn’t believe she was really saying the words. Tears were close to making their way to her eyes, so she told herself it was just like when she left Ben at daycare.

  She reached into her pocket and closed her hand around the key fob. She had to believe that Doug wouldn’t leave his car behind if he didn’t plan on coming back. If he hadn’t brought up calling the authorities, the conversation would’ve played out differently. At least she was pretty sure it would have. Doug probably ended up getting his way more often than not.

  “I’ve promised you I’d be back tonight. You’re going to have him back in just a few hours, and I won’t even spoil him too much.”

  Lizzie was surprised when she found herself wrapped in the man’s arms. He was standing two feet in front of her one second, and the next she was trying to figure out if she should hug back. As he let loose of her, his lips brushed against her cheek.

  While she stood there wondering what in the world had just happened, Doug jumped into the driver’s seat and started the car. Her fingers gravitated up to the cheek that felt like it was on fire as she watched her car back up and drive out of the parking lot.

  A complete stranger had just volunteered to babysit her only child, and she’d let him. She was a horrible mother.

  Chapter Five

  Doug wasn’t sure what he’d just done. He’d been in a hurry to get out of the parking lot before Lizzie changed her mind, so he hadn’t bothered adjusting the seat for his larger size, a move he was greatly regretting as his knees felt like they were practically in his chest. He’d checked for a button on the side of the seat to move it back, and evidently one of those didn’t exist.

  While he waited for a stop light, or sign, so he could get a little more comfortable, he glanced in the rearview mirror to see the little boy behind him. Ben was in the middle of the backseat, so it was easy to see his green eyes were looking forward and were alert.

  Doug let out a big breath and shook his head. He was in over said head, and he knew it. He’d been almost giddy when he walked out to the parking lot to find Nurse Lizzie struggling with something in her backseat. When he realized it was baby, his joy didn’t waiver, but as soon as she mentioned her and the baby were going inside, the happiness drained away.

  After his conversation with Steph, he had priorities, but keeping a baby out of the mental hospital took precedence, at least in his mind. The relatively short conversation with Lizzie had opened up all sorts of new questions. He’d decided, without even asking her, that there was no way she knew about the creepy guard scaring Steph. Learning that she was a mother solidified that idea in his mind.

  Doug finally came to a stop, so he could reach under the seat, pull a lever and slide back enough that he wasn’t going to have permanent kinks in his legs. Since the light remained red, he pulled out his phone and called Nels, turning on the speakerphone before he put it down in the seat beside him.

  Nelson was quick to answer. “What’s up?”

  “More than just the sky. Are you home or next door?” Doug asked as the light changed and he got back underway.

  “We’re just finishing up lunch at my place. I didn’t know how long it’d be before you called, but I can heat up some of the leftover stroganoff.”

  Doug thought about the offer for a second, but food was the last thing on his mind. “I’ll grab something later. I’m about five minutes away and I’m not alone.”

  “Knowing where you’re coming from, I’m scared to ask who you have with you.”

  Nels had every right to be, but Doug hoped he didn’t think he’d somehow sprung Steph from the big house. Doug had to laugh at the thought, which caused the other occupant of the car to giggle too. It was quiet, but the little giggle made Doug’s eyes dart up to see the toothy grin Ben was showing off.

  Doug turned down the long road leading back to Nels’ house. Neither of the houses on the acreage had paved roads to them, so the ride immediately turned bumpy. Doug was used to traveling it in his car, which seemed to handle the terrain a little smoother than Lizzie’s. Knowing the car was at least a decade old, he had to wonder if the shocks had ever been changed.

  “You don’t have anything to be scared about. I just thought I’d give you a little warning. I can already see your mansion up on the hill, so we’ll talk in a few seconds.” Doug reached over and hung up the phone before Nels could say anything else.