Playing for Keeps by Jamie Hill Page A

come, too?"
    " Sure," Rob replied. He leaned in and whispered to Maddie, "This is evidently not as big of a deal as I feared it would be."
    She touched Rob's hand. "Why don't you hop in the shower, and let Sophie and I clean up in here? I'll help her get dressed, then we can run by my place so I can clean up."
    Sophie jumped up and down again. "Can I see where you live?"
    " Of course." Maddie smiled at her. "Then we might have to go to the store for some picnic stuff. You can tell me what you like."
    " Yay!" Sophie jumped around in circles until Maddie got dizzy watching her.
    Rob stood up and gave Maddie a quick kiss. "Okay, then, I guess I'll go shower. Sophie Belle, show Maddie where your shorts and shirts are, will you? Wear whatever you want."
    " Yep, yep, yep." She was still hopping as he left the room and Maddie loaded the dishwasher.
    " Hey, Sophie Belle. Is that your middle name? It's pretty." Maddie took her by the hand and they walked into her bedroom. "What would you like to wear today?"
    Sophie picked out an outfit that didn 't match, so Maddie made slight adjustments until they were both happy. She helped Sophie change, and brushed her blond hair until it lay straight. She supervised the teeth brushing, and put on shoes and socks.
    Sophie looked up at her. "What is your name, Miss Stewart?"
    Maddie chuckled. "You know half of it. The rest is Maddie. Maddie Stewart."
    " Can I call you Maddie like my daddy does?"
    " Sure," Maddie agreed. "But when we're at Sunny Days, you probably need to call me Miss Stewart. Do you think you can remember that?"
    She nodded exaggeratedly up and down, up and down, and bobbed her way out of the room. Maddie took a breath and followed her. Is Sophie this energetic at the center? She seemed to blend right in with the other children and play nicely. But one on one, holy cow! The child was going to keep Maddie on her toes.
    Fortunately , Rob appeared in the doorway, freshly showered in shorts and a t-shirt. His hair was still wet, and combed back from his face. Sophie had gone into the kitchen, so Maddie took the opportunity to run her hands over Rob's stubbly face and through his hair. "God, you look good," she purred. "And check out those legs!"
    He grinned and told her , "It's going to be ninety-fucking degrees out there today."
    " I know. I said you look great. I was complimenting your legs." She chuckled as he grabbed her and dipped her backwards for a kiss. "And you taste all minty fresh. I probably taste like pancakes and stale whatever from last night. I need to get cleaned up."
    " Maybe you need to leave some things here," he suggested. "Since it seems to be no big deal to anyone."
    " Not to anyone?" she teased. "I think Bo likes having me here."
    He growled and tickled her. "I love having you here. And if Sophie doesn't mind, then let's go for it. Pack a bag when you get home, and stay another night."
    " Ooh!" She squealed, and hugged him. She whispered in his ear, "You're going to be so happy you suggested it."
    He grinned, and patted her bottom. "I already am, darlin'. I already am."
    " I'll be right with you," Maddie rubbed his face one last time, and went in to his room to change into her clothes from the previous night.
    She heard Rob call to Sophie , "Munchkin! Let's get this show on the road!"
    Maddie joined them in the kitchen as Rob let Bo in, locked up the house, and they walked out to his truck.
    "Sorry to squeeze you," Maddie smiled as she wedged in between Rob and Sophie's car seat.
    " I'm not." He put a hand on her knee, and left it there as he drove.
    Sophie looked out the window and sang to herself. "The wheels on the bus go round and round, round and round, round and round…"
    Maddie looked at Rob, and they smiled.
     
    Inside her house, she said , "Make yourselves comfortable. Watch TV or whatever you like. I'll try to hurry."
    Sophie plopped down in front of the television. "Daddy doesn't let me watch TV."
    Maddie eyed Rob. "Grouch." She handed the remote