Caitlyn and the Alien Protector (Intergalactic Brides 7) (6 page)

“I didn’t know who you were when I climbed that ladder. It wasn’t until I heard your name that I put two and two together. I was a little pissed at Jake when he didn’t ask to take off and go check on you at the hospital, so I asked off and rushed over there. I expected him to fight to be by your side, but I’m guessing he had his reasons for staying at work.”

She frowned. “So you came to the hospital because Jake was trying to hook us up?”

“No! Gods, no. I just… I wanted to check on you and make sure you were okay. And then I found out they hadn’t treated all of your symptoms and I was furious with the hospital staff. The more I got to know you, the more time I wanted to spend with you.”

“But you haven’t been around in the last week,” she pointed out.
And you have a daughter you haven’t mentioned to me once
.

“I wasn’t sure if you’d still want me hanging around. It was one thing to help keep you occupied at the hospital, but another to come knocking at Jake’s door.”

Caitlyn wasn’t sure what to feel at his admission. It seemed he genuinely wanted to spend more time with her, but she knew from experience that way lay heartache. She’d loved a fireman once and she’d vowed to never do it again. But that didn’t mean they couldn’t be friends, right? Assuming she was capable of just being friends with a man who looked like Cosmir.

“If you’re serious about helping me, I really do need a laptop. But what about your daughter? I saw her playing earlier.”

He smiled. “I’d love to --”

A loud series of pops came from the front of the house and a stream of black smoke could be seen over the fence. Cosmir took off with the other guys right on his heels. Caitlyn trailed behind and couldn’t contain her gasp as she saw Jake’s poor mailbox.

“What happened?” she asked.

“Probably those damn teenagers from down the street,” Jake grumbled. “I liked that mailbox, too.”

Little chubby arms gripped Caitlyn’s leg and she looked down. In their haste to reach the front yard, everyone had forgotten Cosmir’s daughter. How did a dad forget his own child? Without thought, she reached for the little girl and pulled her into her arms. The sweet scent of powder and baby shampoo teased her nose.

Cosmir pulled away from the other firemen and came toward her. The little girl babbled and waved her hands at her daddy, but seemed content to stay in Caitlyn’s arms. He smiled at the little girl and leaned down to kiss her cheek.

“I see you’ve met Katy,” he said.

“I didn’t realize until today that you had a daughter.”

“I’m still adjusting to fatherhood. I didn’t know until a few weeks ago that Katy existed. Her mother never got in contact with me. When I got back from a fire about two weeks ago, Katy had been dropped off at the station. I’ve had to learn about what little girls can and can’t eat, how they like to be bathed, and how to change some seriously nasty pull-ups. We’re working on the potty training thing, but I’m not sure we’re doing such a good job.”

Caitlyn smiled. “I’m sure she’ll use the toilet when she’s ready. I don’t think it’s something you can force on her, even if it would make your life easier.”

“If it doesn’t bother you that Katy is with me, we’d still like to take you laptop shopping. I have a feeling your brother will be dealing with the mailbox issue for a while, assuming he calls the police.”

“Knowing Jake, he’ll take his own vengeance. I doubt he’ll get the police involved, unless a neighbor called it in.”

“Get whatever you need in order to go shopping and I’ll get Katy’s things. We’ll meet you at my car,” he said, pointing to the large SUV on the curb.

Caitlyn wasn’t sure if this was the best idea she’d ever had, but it was too late to second guess herself now. She retrieved the purse she’d recently bought, checked to make sure her wallet was inside, and told Jake where she was going. As she reached the SUV, she couldn’t help but admire the gentle way Cosmir handled his daughter. They may have just found each other, but it was clear he was a natural with the toddler.

It hadn’t escaped Cosmir’s attention that his daughter was rather taken with Caitlyn. He couldn’t really blame her, as he felt the same. Walking through the electronics store with Caitlyn pushing Katy’s stroller made it feel like they were on a family outing. Being with Caitlyn felt right, as if the puzzle pieces of his life were snapping together. Not to mention, they looked great together, in his opinion. While Katy had his coloring, it would be easy for people to assume her black hair also came from her mother. Truthfully, Cosmir didn’t even remember her mother. He knew it was a horrible thing to admit, but he couldn’t describe the woman if he tried. Even her name only sounded vaguely familiar to him. Katy was proof he’d had a one-night stand with her. The longer he looked at his daughter, the more he saw himself staring back. It wasn’t just her coloring, but her nose and the shape of her mouth were definitely his.

“See anything you like?” Cosmir asked as they walked down another row of laptops. “If you don’t find something here, we can go elsewhere.”

“I’ve seen a few possibilities, but nothing that just jumps out at me.”

Katy giggled. “Computers don’t jump.”

Cosmir smiled and Caitlyn laughed.

“Daddy, I’m hungry.”

Cosmir had learned quickly that while his daughter might not eat much at each meal, she did eat quite a lot throughout the day. Thankfully, Bane and Ari had told him to keep a small container of Cheerios on hand. He reached into the satchel, which he refused to call a diaper bag, and pulled out the container along with a sippy cup of apple juice. His daughter frowned at the offering and he wondered if she was going to throw them back at him… something she’d done more than once in the last few weeks.

“I bet your daddy would agree to taking you somewhere after we’re finished here,” Caitlyn said. “Where’s your favorite place to eat?”

“Fish.”

Caitlyn lifted an eyebrow and looked at him for a translation.

“She likes Under the Sea, that seafood place over on Second Avenue.”

Katy clapped her hands, sending Cheerios everywhere. Cosmir sighed and began picking them up, palming them until he could find a trash can. Once he had Katy calmed down again, and munching somewhat reluctantly on her snack, he waited patiently for Caitlyn to make a decision on her new laptop. She hadn’t asked for his advice, so he hadn’t given any.

After another half hour, Caitlyn made her decision and purchased her new laptop. She’d also picked out an all-in-one printer, a cooling mat, and a stationary mouse. Cosmir nearly winced when he saw her total, but she pulled out a card and handed it over without a qualm. He hadn’t realized how much something like that would cost. He had a computer at home, but it had been given to him when he’d arrived on Earth. Any Terrans who were making Earth their home for any length of time had the option of getting a laptop and cell phone. Only a few took advantage of it.

Cosmir took her bags and walked beside her to the parking lot as Caitlyn pushed Katy in the stroller. As he loaded everything into the back, Caitlyn put Katy in her car seat and folded the stroller. She seemed at ease around his daughter and did a good job with her. He wondered what kind of experience she had with children, and if she might be interested in taking on a more permanent role. Not that he’d really thought of dating anyone seriously until recently, but now that he was, he definitely had to add “mother” to the list of attributes he was seeking. Katy needed someone who would be good with her, and so far that seemed to be Caitlyn.

“She likes you,” Cosmir said as he slid behind the wheel.

“I haven’t been around a lot of kids, but I did babysit some when I was a teenager. I was a little nervous pushing her through the store, thinking I’d bump her into a display or something.”

Cosmir laughed. “I’ve done that a few times already. Katy just giggles.”

“She’s a good girl.”

Cosmir nodded his agreement. He wanted to spend more time with Caitlyn, but he wasn’t sure if she’d want to go eat with them or not. When he’d brought up the restaurant, she hadn’t really commented on it. Now that she had her new computer, he figured she wanted to go home and get everything set up so she could get to work.

“I can take you home so you can play with your new toys,” he told her. “Or you can get something to eat with us. My treat.”

She smiled sadly. “If only I were going home. Don’t get me wrong. It was great of Jake to let me stay with him until my insurance money comes through, but I can’t stay with him forever and it could be another week or two before I get the money. I’m ready for my own place now.”

Cosmir rubbed the back of his neck. “I’m sure your job keeps you busy, too busy to deal with a toddler, but I have a third bedroom. I was thinking about saving it for a nanny. Not that I need someone full-time, but Katy needs someone to stay with her the days I work. Right now, an elderly neighbor is watching her, but Mrs. Simpkins can’t do that indefinitely.”

“Are you asking me to be your nanny?” She smiled. “That’s a first.”

“I know it’s not what you do for a living, but I just thought since you needed a place to stay and I needed someone to watch Katy, maybe we could help each other out. I could let you stay rent-free as long as you helped with Katy. The days I’m off, I don’t expect you to do anything. We don’t even have to call you the nanny. You can just be a friend helping out.”

Caitlyn tipped her head to the side and studied him. He wasn’t sure if she was actually considering it or trying to find a way to let him down easy. It was stupid to even bring it up, but he would rest easier knowing Katy had someone watching over her who seemed to actually like her. Not that Mrs. Simpkins didn’t like his daughter, but she always complained about Katy touching her knickknacks or spilling food on her kitchen floor during mealtimes. Katy needed space to be a child and he had a feeling that Caitlyn would give her that room and yet watch over her and protect her.

“If I say yes, how soon could I move in?” she asked.

His heart leapt as he realized she was seriously thinking about the offer. He couldn’t stop the smile that spread across his face and in the backseat Katy clapped her hands.

“Tonight too soon?” he asked.

“This very moment wouldn’t be too soon. I love my brother, but his couch is a torture device. And his coffeemaker? It might as well be from your world because I’ll never figure the damn thing out.”

“Damn. Damn. Damn.” Katy giggled and clapped her hands.

Caitlyn’s hand flew to her lips. “Oops. I’m sorry about that.”

“Trust me. That isn’t the first bad word she’s heard, or repeated for that matter. It’s taken me some time to clean up my language a bit.”

Caitlyn bit her lip. “If you’re serious, could we get my things tonight? I know you have to start another shift day after tomorrow and you’ll need someone to watch Katy.”

“Food first?” Cosmir asked, knowing Katy would pitch a fit if they didn’t eat soon. She’d turned her nose up at the hamburgers that Jake had cooked, and Bane had told him that Katy could choke on a hot dog. He’d convinced her to eat a few chips, but that hadn’t been an adequate lunch.

“It’s early enough we could beat the dinner crowd,” Caitlyn said.

Cosmir headed toward Under the Sea, hoping Caitlyn was right. Katy didn’t do well with large crowds. Or rather, large crowds didn’t do well with Katy. It seemed people expected a three-year-old to act the same as a twelve-year-old when it came to eating out. It didn’t take long to find a place to park. Cosmir lifted Katy out of her car seat and walked inside with Caitlyn by his side.

They were seated at a booth by a window with Katy’s highchair in the aisle along the outer edge of the table. He watched as Caitlyn kept her occupied, showing her how to color on the placemat. By the time they ordered their food, Katy was keeping herself entertained, which left Cosmir more time to focus on Caitlyn.

“What made you want to be a fireman?” Caitlyn asked. “Is that something you did on your world?”

“The warriors on my world handle a lot of tasks. Putting out fires is one of them. We don’t have a lot of fires though, so mostly my job was defending my world. When I came here, I wasn’t able to enlist in your military because of the regulations, and mine doesn’t have a presence on your world except to defend our people when they come to visit. I wanted to do something with my life that meant something, and to be honest, the thrill of putting out fires appealed to me.”

“And you still want to do that, even though you have a daughter to think about?”

“Even with Katy I will want to do a job that means something. Would she be safer at the Terran Station? Probably. But I’d like to think that one day she’ll understand why Daddy can’t be with her all the time. And hopefully she’ll be proud that what I do makes a difference in people’s lives.”

Caitlyn nodded. “Do you think you’ll ever remarry?”

“Remarry?”

Her brow furrowed. “I just assumed you’d been married to Katy’s mom. I thought maybe it was a divorce gone wrong and she’d kept Katy from you.”

Cosmir felt his cheeks flush a deeper shade of purple. “Katy is the product of a one-night stand. Not one of my finer moments, but I don’t regret that she’s here. From what I could gather, her mother never wanted her. She said she’d have given Katy up for adoption had she not been born with my skin color.”

“That’s horrible! I don’t understand how anyone could not want their child. Katy is so sweet. That woman should have been thankful to have a daughter like her.”

“I agree.”

“Does she miss her mom?” Caitlyn asked.

“She never mentions her, which is odd if you ask me. Makes me wonder just how much time she spent with Katy. I know nothing of her upbringing. Katy came into my life a few weeks ago and she bonded to me immediately. How she knew I was her dad I’ll never guess, but the moment she spotted me at the fire station, she wrapped her arms around me and called me Daddy.”

“She’s lucky to have you.” Caitlyn took a sip of her drink. “Do you think you’ll ever marry? Give Katy a mom?”

“I’d like to, but I’m not sure who would want us. Whoever marries me would have to understand that I’m gone days at a time and she would have Katy to herself. And while I want other children in the future, I want more time with just Katy. I missed the first few years of her life and I want time to adjust to being a dad before I add more to the family.”