Obviously.
Lance checked his messages. No updates from Morgan. He debated texting her, but he wouldn’t want to wake her if she’d dropped off to sleep.
A brushing sound caught his attention. A second later, Sophie appeared in the doorway.
“You weft me.” Her lip quivered, and she clutched her stuffed horse. Her eyes were huge, full of tears, and underscored by deep, dark circles.
Oh, geez.
Guilt speared him through the belly.
This babysitting gig was going to take some practice. Lance felt like someone had dropped him in the middle of the ocean without so much as a compass to tell him which way to swim. He’d have to rely on instinct. Kids didn’t bullshit, right? So the truth was probably best when possible.
Lance squatted to her level. “I’m sorry. I didn’t want to wake you.”
She walked right into him and rested her head against his shoulder. Her body trembled with a huge sigh, and Lance’s heart melted like a stick of butter in a hot pan. He wrapped his arms around her and picked her up as he straightened. Carrying her, he went back into the kitchen and poured a cup of tea one-handed. Then he started to assemble the ingredients for his morning protein shake, only to realize there were still several hours until dawn and that there was no way he could run the blender without disturbing his other three guests. He returned the frozen berries to the freezer.
Sophie’s body was totally limp. Lance glanced down. She was sound asleep against his chest, her little butt perched on his forearm, her tiny hands clutching her stuffed horse.
Lance eased into his living room chair. He set his tea on the end table. Sophie curled up against him.
Now what?
The child was exhausted and wouldn’t sleep unless she was with him. Shifting to one side, he drank tea, checked his e-mail, and waited. He must have drifted off at some point, because when Gianna, Mia, and Ava emerged from the bedroom, dawn flooded the room with light and Lance’s neck felt like someone had beaten it with a stick. He lifted his head from the back of the chair and rolled his shoulders.
Ava and Mia’s chatter woke Sophie, who crawled out of Lance’s lap. He stood and stretched his stiff back, a pins-and-needles sensation flooding his legs.
“We’re hungry.” Ava bounced toward the kitchen, with Mia and Sophie at her heels.
Lance grabbed his mug and followed them. This was going to be a two-cup, maybe a three-cup morning. He opened the refrigerator. “How about some eggs?”
The three children stared up at him like he’d said poison.
Gianna laughed. “Do you have bread? I can make them French toast.”
“In the freezer.” Lance pointed.
She pulled the loaf out.
“Ew. It’s brown.” Ava wrinkled her nose.
“It’s oat bread,” he said. “It’s good for you.”
None of the children looked convinced.
“What are those things in it?” Mia poked at the frozen loaf.
“Sunflower seeds,” Lance said with a sinking feeling. What did kids eat?
Mia frowned. “They look like bugs.”
“How about pancake mix or flour?” Gianna asked.
“Sorry.” Since he’d embraced Sharp’s crunchy and organic diet, Lance’s kitchen was full of eggs, vegetables, seeds, and nuts.
Someone knocked on the front door. Lance checked the time. Who would be visiting at seven thirty in the morning?
“Wait here.” He went to the front door and looked through the narrow side window.
Stella’s boyfriend, Mac Barrett, held a bag of groceries. Lance opened the door.
“Sorry. Just got in a couple of hours ago.” Mac walked in. “I brought child-friendly food.”
“Thank you,” Lance said, grateful.
“You’re welcome.” Mac handed Lance the bag and took off his leather jacket. “Been there, done that with my nephew and niece.”
“Mac!” Ava and Mia raced to hug him. Even Sophie seemed pleased to see him.
Gianna took the grocery bag. “Oh, good. Pancake mix.” She went back to the kitchen.
The hungry girls trailed after her like baby vultures.
Mac hung back in the living room and spoke in a low voice. “Have you talked to Morgan this morning?”
“No. I was going to call her, but I’ve been busy.” Lance nodded toward the crowded kitchen.
“I’ll bet. I stopped at the hospital earlier. Art is out of surgery. He had a few complications because of his age, so they put him in ICU.” Mac pushed his shaggy hair out of his face. “He hadn’t regained consciousness yet when I talked to Stella last. It’s been a long night for Stella and Morgan.”
Lance’s phone vibrated and he checked the display. “That’s Morgan now.”