Going Down Easy (Boys of the Big Easy #1)(54)

Stella’s comment was simply that it was nice of Gabe to loan Addison one of his shirts, just like Cooper had loaned one of his to Stella.

Logan’s comment was that he was curious as to why there was a lipstick smudge on the bottom of the shirt where it would have been tucked into the front of Gabe’s pants.

Caroline distracted the kids with whipped-cream smiley faces. But Gabe’s attempt to distract Caroline with chocolate creamer in her coffee and whipped cream on top did not work. She gave them both a knowing, though pleased, smile. Gabe really did love his mother.

They finished a delightfully noisy, messy breakfast prep, eating, and cleanup. And then it was time for Addison and Stella to leave.

And Gabe wanted to beg her to stay. He couldn’t, of course. Because it probably would have included the word forever, and that wasn’t a good idea. Yet.

But Gabe could always count on his kid.

“When can Stella come back?” Cooper wanted to know.

Stella looked up at Addison, who was back in her dress and heels. And pantiless. Gabe couldn’t forget that. “Yeah, when, Mommy?”

Addison put a hand on Stella’s head. “I’m not sure. But Gabe and I will talk about it, okay?”

“Next Saturday!” Cooper said. “We can make clay alligators like we talked about!”

Stella bounced on her toes as she said, “Yes. Mommy, I have to.”

Addison grinned. “Well, that sounds amazing, but you can’t next weekend. Maybe the weekend after.”

Gabe frowned. “Why not?” he asked before thinking. Not that thinking would have changed his reaction.

Addison met his eyes. “I’m going out of town for work on Wednesday and not coming back until Sunday,” she said.

“Where are you going?” She’d just moved here after six months of this being her out-of-town work spot.

“There’s a bed-and-breakfast in Mobile that’s hired us to do their restoration,” Addison said. “I’m meeting with the owners on Wednesday, and we’re putting all the plans together.”

“Who’s taking care of Stella?” Gabe asked.

“The woman who’s been babysitting on Thursdays,” Addison said. “She’s agreed to come stay at the house until Saturday.”

“She can bring me over,” Stella decided.

Addison shook her head. “No, honey. The agreement is for her to stay with you at our house. I didn’t talk with her about anything extra.”

“Then Stella can just say here the whole time,” Gabe said.

He instantly knew that he shouldn’t have. You didn’t make plans in front of the kids when you didn’t know how the other parent would feel. But, strange as it was, he didn’t like the idea of someone else taking care of Stella for that extended period.

Addison frowned. “No, that’s not necessary. We can get the kids together the next weekend.”

Gabe didn’t like that.

“How well do you know this person?” Gabe asked.

Addison gave him a look that clearly said Really? But she said, “Someone at work recommended her. She’s stayed with Stella several times now. Her name is Debra and she’s very nice.”

“How old is she?”

Addison crossed her arms. “Fiftysomething.”

“And she has kids?”

“And grandkids.”

“What does she do for a living?” Gabe pressed.

“Gabe,” Addison said, the warning in her tone clear.

He didn’t care. He crossed his arms, too. “What does she do for a living?” She could just be off work for three or four days? And how old were her grandkids? Did they live locally? What kind of references did she have besides this person Addison worked with? Addison needed to be sure that Debra was good enough.

“She works for her daughter at her daughter’s dress shop,” Addison said.

Hmm. That didn’t seem like a qualification for taking care of a little girl. “Did you check her references?”

“Of course I checked her references!” Addison exclaimed. “Good grief. What is this?”

“I just want to be sure she should be the one taking care of Stella,” he said, giving her a little frown. “And I’d much prefer that Stella stay here. She knows us, you know us, she’s already comfortable here. And we’d love to have her. Plus, it’s free.”

Addison rolled her eyes. “The cost isn’t really a concern.”

“Still, we want her to stay with us,” Gabe said stubbornly. “I think that’s the best arrangement.”

Addison just looked at him for a long moment, and Gabe braced himself. He was inserting himself into her life. Into Stella’s life. Giving an opinion. An opinion that was contrary to a decision Addison had already made. Yeah, this was dangerous territory. But he didn’t like the idea of Stella with a stranger.

He softened his tone and dropped his arms. “Ad, I just want Stella to be safe and happy. I’m not saying she wouldn’t be safe with Donna—”

“Debra,” Addison corrected.

He nodded. “Right. Debra. I’m sure she’ll be safe. But she’ll be safe here, too. Completely. And more comfortable and happier.”

Addison tipped her head. “You seem really sure about that.”