“It’s my money.”
By the time they’d settled Roxy and the baby into Frankie’s apartment, it was late.
James, who had taken to crawling around on all fours to be Mia’s horse, announced that he was going to sleep on the couch.
“Why?” Roxy put her hands on her hips and glared at him. “You think you’re going to get lucky?”
“No, but you had a bang on your head and you need someone to keep an eye on you. That’s the rule with a head injury.”
“I’ve had worse than this.”
James stopped crawling. “Maybe. But I’m still sleeping on the couch. Ouch.” He winced as Mia tugged at his hair and smacked her little legs against his waist.
“Horsey run.”
“She’s got one hell of a grip, Rox.”
“Don’t swear in front of my baby, you big oaf.”
“Oaf,” Mia said happily. “Oaf.”
“Sorry.” James looked sheepish and Roxy relented.
“I suppose every horse needs a stable. I’ll make up the couch.”
“There are blankets and pillows in the basket by the bed,” Frankie said and while Roxy went to fetch them, Matt took the opportunity to talk to James.
“Are you sure you want to stay? I’m upstairs if she needs anything.”
“I don’t think Eddy will find her here, but she’s scared and I don’t like to think of her scared. I thought I’d hang around here for a while.”
Matt nodded. “If he manages to track her down somehow and turns up, call me.”
“Sure thing. You can come down here with that chain saw of yours and carve him into a more useful object. A doorstop, may
be.”
Matt was about to respond when Roxy appeared in the doorway, her face pale.
“You don’t have to talk about me as if I don’t know what’s going on here. I don’t need a bodyguard and it seems I’ve got two.”
“Three.” Frankie took the pillows and blankets from her and put them on the couch. “I’m a black belt in karate. If Eddy shows up here he’s going to wish he’d picked a different address.”
“Karate? That’s pretty cool.” Roxy took Mia from James and cuddled her close. “I’d like to learn.”
“I can take you with me next time I go.” Frankie vanished into the kitchen and appeared moments later with a few plants in her hands. “These are toddler height, so I thought we’d put them upstairs. And I need to show you how the bolt on the door works because it’s temperamental.”
Matt handed Mia the doll he’d bought. “You didn’t tell me it was temperamental.”
“It’s fine, but you have to bash it with your hand.”
“Good, because I’m in the mood for some bashing.” Roxy frowned. “You bought her a new doll?”
Matt hesitated, remembering the exchange with Frankie. “It’s a gift, Rox.”
“You don’t need to do all this for me.”
“I’m not doing it for you. I’m doing it for your daughter.” He knew that Roxy put Mia before everything, including her own pride.