“You wouldn’t have.” The sharpness in his black eyes dimmed a notch, and for a split second he looked as if he’d been transported back into a dark time in his life.
Did he lose a child? Kaya wondered. Was that the bad experience Libby had mentioned? If he’d lost a child, where was the mother? Had he lost her, too? Was he married? Her heart skipped a beat. No. If he was married, he would have a ring on his finger, and his wife would be in the pictures he’d taken with Lauren and her family. He wasn’t married. She knew she couldn’t ask him anything without giving Libby away, so Kaya tucked her questions away for another time. “It’s a beautiful song,” she said with a bright smile. “And Anastasia thinks so, too. Look at her, gurgling and happy.”
“Here, hold her,” he offered again, gathering Anastasia into his arms.
Still reveling in the peaceful moments, Kaya put up her hands to stay him. Once she learned that song and mastered the art of baby-tummy-rubbing, she would have plenty of time to enjoy a quiet baby, whereas his time with her was limited. “You seem to have a way with her. Or maybe you just have a way with all women, no matter the age, Mr. Fontaine.”
“I’ll let you be the judge of that if you stick around long enough, Miss Brehna.”
“Then I guess I’ll never know. The children and I are leaving for Palm Beach next week.” The moment the words left her mouth, she regretted them. He’d just saved her day. She could be a little more understanding, a bit more sympathetic to his feelings. “I’m sorry, Bryce. I shouldn’t have said that.”
He graced her with an unexpected smile. “It doesn’t matter, Kaya. You may be going back to Palm Beach, but these kids aren’t going anywhere.”
“You seem so sure of—” Kaya stopped at the sound of feet thundering down the hall. Jason and Alyssa were screaming Bryce’s name as they raced each other to the nursery.
“Here, you have to take her.”
She got Anastasia out of his arms mere seconds before two excited kids burst into the room and threw themselves at him.
“Oh, boy.” He fell to his knees and wrapped them in a big hug. “I’m glad somebody’s happy to see me.”
Kaya mouthed a thank-you to Libby, who waved a goodbye from the door before hurrying away.
“Did you bring me a present, Uncle Bryce? You promised you’d bring me a present,” Alyssa said.
“You sure know how to deflate a man’s ego, darling Alyssa.”
Kaya smiled as Bryce sat on the rug and settled the little girl on one thigh while Jason perched on the other, their arms linking around his shoulders.
“What’s an ego, Uncle Bryce?” Alyssa asked.
“Something you don’t have to worry about for a long, long time, my sweet.” He tweaked her nose between his thumb and forefinger.
“So, did you bring me a present?” Alyssa rocked impatiently back and forth.
“Am I merely a present uncle to you, Alyssa? Is that all I’m good for?”
“I’ll give you a one hundreds of kisses.” She slapped her hands on his cheeks and lathered his face with noisy smooches.
“Okay. Okay. Hold the saliva. I brought you a new doll. It’s in your room.”
“Cool. Wicked cool.” She skipped out of the nursery.
“Such a little manipulator.” He wiped at his wet face, his broad smile softening his dark features. “That one would do anything, say anything, to get what she wants.”
“I know. Last night she justified getting into my makeup by claiming she wanted to be pretty like me. She’s mischievous, but so adorable. You can’t help but love her.”
Bryce chuckled.