The Cowboy's Way(43)

“Otay,” Seth agreed.

Once he had the eggs cracked and put into the bowl, T.J. added a little milk to make them fluffy and smooth, then reached for a wire whisk. He handed it to Seth, then held the bowl and guided the toddler’s hand in a circular motion.

It was going to take twice as long to get the eggs scrambled enough to put in the skillet, but T.J. wouldn’t have missed the smile on Seth’s face for anything in the world. The kid was having a ton of fun, and as far as T.J. was concerned, that made it worth the delay.

“Why didn’t you wake me?” Heather asked, hurrying into the room. T.J. turned in time to see her glance at the clock. “I’ve missed the appointment with the furnace repairman.”

“Don’t worry about it,” T.J. said, as he continued to help Seth mix the eggs. “I met him over at your place just a little while ago and he said the furnace needed a new motor, but that was the only damage. I told him to go ahead and repair it.” He shrugged. “The only drawback is, the furnace is so old, he’s going to have to order the replacement motor.”

“Thank you, I appreciate your thoughtfulness, but you should have woke me up so I could meet with him,” she said, setting her purse on the island. “It’s my problem to take care of. Not yours.”

He should have known she would take his trying to be helpful the wrong way. He’d thought that after the amazing connection they had made the night before, she might be more willing to let him help her. But he should have realized that letting go of her fierce pride was going to be a hard thing for her to do.

“You needed to rest,” he said, turning back to see how Seth was doing with the scrambled eggs. “And you told me yesterday that you hoped the furnace could be repaired. All I did was tell the guy what you would have told him.”

She sighed. “Did he say how soon the new motor will get here?”

“He told me that because of the holiday tomorrow, it won’t be in until the first part of next week.” Glancing over his shoulder at her, he added, “Looks like you’re going to be extending your stay here.” He smiled. “And that doesn’t bother me one bit, sweetheart.”

She rubbed her temples with both hands. “I can’t take advantage of you like that.”

“Believe me, I don’t mind,” T.J. assured her. “You’ve seen how big this house is. Most of the time, I rattle around in it like a lone bb in an empty boxcar.”

“Then why did you build something this big?” she asked, frowning.

“I liked the design and I had the money,” he said, shrugging.

He decided because she wasn’t in the best of moods to wait until after breakfast to explain that his family spent New Year’s Eve at his place every year. Which would lead to him telling her about his family descending on them tonight like a swarm of locusts. She might throw a plate of eggs at him for not mentioning it sooner.

“I suppose that’s as good a reason as any,” she commented.

Looking into the bowl, T.J. smiled at Seth. “Looks like the eggs are ready to go in the skillet, partner.” Lifting the boy down from the chair, T.J. moved the bowl and the chair closer to the stove, but made sure the toddler was well away from any danger. “Ready to watch me cook the eggs?”

“Mom-mom, me hep,” Seth said happily when T.J. lifted the toddler back onto the chair.

“I see that.” Heather walked over to peer at the skillet. “I thought you said you didn’t know how to do anything in the kitchen but make sandwiches.”

“Eggs and sandwiches are it,” he said, smiling at the most beautiful woman in the world.

After last night, he knew he was a goner. He had never felt a connection as strong or as right as the one he and Heather had shared, nor had he ever felt closer to a child than he did to Seth.

His heart pounded hard against his ribs. Was he really thinking long-term? Was he ready for that?

“Do you want me to take over?” she asked.

“Nope.” Thankful for the interruption to his unexpected thoughts, he smiled as he looked at Seth. “We have this, don’t we, partner?”

Grinning, Seth nodded and jabbered something that Heather seemed to understand.

“Would you like for me to set the table?” she asked.

“That’s sounds like a winner.” T.J. leaned over to give her a quick kiss. “And if you’re of a mind to, a cup of coffee would be nice. I don’t know why, but I woke up tired this morning,” he teased. “I wonder why?”

Her cheeks colored a pretty pink. “I’m not going to dignify that with an answer,” she said with a smile as she turned to set the table.