My Fault

Chapter Three

My reaction to that man never ceased to astound me. I’ve seen attractive men before. I’d dated a few of them. But never, in all my twenty four years of life, had I experienced such a raw effect from a man. I had no idea if it was for his dark, comforting eyes, or for how powerful his big frame seemed to be. Maybe it was the duality about him. He was built like a bear, towering over everyone around him. One look at him, and even the strongest of men would be intimidated. But one closer look proved he was just a puppy in a huge costume. The way he doted on his daughter made any uterus within a ten-mile radius combust. One may not want a child, but one would certainly want that DILF. He was as potent as he was endearing.

I couldn’t—nor did I want to—forget the time we met. I went to the company he worked for to interview for my job. Mia Bryant had arranged it

for us, and I needed to ace it. At that moment, I just needed a job. After that, I needed to be a part of that man’s life. I arrived at Bryants & Walker Protection and felt intimidated. The place was huge, and Thatcher company was an institution in old Holy Water. Everyone in town and around us knew about them. Their fame preceded them, so respect came easily. I stepped inside the atrium and was greeted by the most adorable

woman at the front. Her curly blonde hair framed her small face, and her

smile was huge as she talked to a man I knew to be Zach Bryant, a town’s loved one and Mia’s older brother.Her cheeks turned pink as she noticed me. She instructed me upstairs and informed someone over the company phone that I was coming up. When I reached the hall upstairs, I followed the light voices into a room full of toys, only to find inside the woman who got me my interview, a sexy man I knew from Star—Ben Walker—the most wonderful baby boy, and

a hunk of a man who would change my life forever. Luke. The woman stood up, picked up the baby—who I learned was Ben’s

son—and stretched her hand to greet me. “Hi, I’m the one who texted you.

I’m Mia.”

“Hello. Thank you for arranging this interview. April talked a lot about you guys.”April Reid was my best friend since we were kids, and she

worked for Izzie Turner, Ben’s woman. She was the one who vouched for me.

My eyes landed on the one I wanted to be my boss—among other things—as he tried to stand up. Not very smoothly. Luke Delgado was a huge man, and his frame was hard to fit everywhere. It was hard containing my shivering at his sight. Especially since he appeared to

be as affected by me as I was by him.

As he got up, Luke punched a squeaky toy, pulled down a chair, and kicked a stuffed giraffe. “Hello—” He started coughing, and I loved how

adorable that was. I knew it sounded crazy, but seeing him so entranced was refreshing.

Mia started again, trying to talk louder than Luke's breakdown. “This is—” Another toy fell. “This is our china shop. And this,”she pointed

her thumb over her shoulder to Luke “is our bull.” Finding his voice again, Luke stepped closer, not tearing down anything this time. “Hi. I’m Luke Delgado. You can call me Luke. I’m

the one who wants you. For my baby. She doesn’t have her mother now.

Well, she does. I don’t mean I expect you to be her mother. I can be what she needs. Not that I could be a mother, because I’m her father. I just need a

nanny. Again, for her baby. My baby. Not for me. I can take care of myself.”

I suppressed my giggle at his fumbled words as Ben laughed, and Mia stared at Luke, horrified. “I’m not saying you couldn’t take care of me.

Not that way, I mean—”

“Tell us about you, Isabella,” Mia asked, putting a stop to the charming train wreck.

“Isabella!” Fee shrieked and hugged my legs in greeting. I kneeled beside her to hug her back. “Good morning, Ms. Delgado.”

She giggled at my posed formality. “You look mighty pretty as usual.”

“Papi did my hair.” She ran her little hands over her bangs for effect, her dark hair and shiny dark eyes mirroring her father’s.

“And he did a great job.” I kissed her soft cheek and stood up to greet him. “Good morning, Luke.” As per his insistence, I never called him Mr. Delgado or anything formal like that.

“Isabella.” He nodded and leaned into me. I didn’t know if he planned to hug me, kiss my cheek, or holdmy hand. We stumbled somewhere in the

middle of it all, so he opted for tapping the top of my head twice. “Please,

come in.” Fee held my hand into the living room full of toys. Before I could sit down with her to play or go over what Luke expected of me for the day,

Mrs. Delgado showed up. The woman was polite and clearly loved her son and granddaughter. But she intimidated me to no end.

“Mrs. Delgado.” I stretched my hand to greet her. She always seemed wary but never left me hanging.

“Isabella.”

“My mom’s staying for a while. So, if you need anything, you can ask her. Or you can call me at the company or on my phone.” He kneeled next

to Sofia, who jumped into his arms. “I’m going to miss you, Princess. Be the good girl I know you are, okay? And have lots of fun with Grandma and

Isabella.”

“I will, Papi.” She squeezed him. “Love you forever.”

“Love you beyond.” He kissed her cheek, stood up, kissed his mother on her cheek, then leaned into me to kiss mine. Containing myshiver was

the hardest thing I’d ever done. When he realized what he’d done, he stepped back with wide eyes, glanced back at his mother, and scurried outside.

I watched as he left, despondent that he couldn’t spend the day with us. Which was stupid. I was there because he couldn’t stay. When I turned

around, Mrs. Delgado was observing me, her shrewd eyes were proof enough that she knew what I was thinking about her son.

Embarrassed for being caught, I called Sofia so we could play with her many toys and got on with our day. The kid was beyond adorable. Even though I didn’t know the details about Luke’s ended marriage and ex-wife, I knew enough to confirm the woman was a jerk and stupid. You had to be to walk away from the charming Delgado Duo.

I was lost in our world of fantasy when Mrs. Delgado came to us with snacks.

“How is your father doing?” I appreciated her attempt to be cordial. I never thought she didn’t like me. She just seemed cautious—with good

reason, based on what I’d heard about Andrea, Luke's ex.

“He’s feeling better. Still recovering, though. He’s gaining strength after his stroke, but not as fast as he wished.”

“It can’t be easy for him. Or for you all.”

“It’s not. He was always so active, so it’s a slap in the face everytime we see him so dependent. But he’s doing his part for his health now, and

Mom is amazing. Even Drew, my baby brother, is participating.”

“And so are you, from what I heard. Isn’t that why you came back to Holy Water? The reason you accepted this job?” Why does this seem like an

interview?

“After college, I was considering new ventures. But coming back was the right thing to do. I’m glad I’m here. I’m not happy with the reason that

brought me, but this place is home, and my family is my priority. I can always try new things here or around when the time comes.” There was no

telling what the woman was thinking. “As for this job, it was a lifesaver, and I’m loving it. Sofia is such awonderful kid, and your son is an amazing

man.”

She seemed satisfied with my answer. She even went as far as to tap my leg before getting up. “I’m going to be in the kitchen if you need me.”

As small as that seemed, it was huge in Mrs. Delgado’s book.