“Gah!” She chortled and clapped her hands.

“It’s your turn to watch her.” Lucy took off for the interior of the bridge before Nealy could protest.

“Gah!” The baby made an unsuccessful lunge for a bumblebee.

“Watch it, Button. Those things aren’t friendly.”

“I thought her name was Marigold.” Coffee mug in hand, Mat emerged from the Winnebago.

“Lucy says her mother called her Button. Bring the quilt that’s in the back, will you? ” She probably wouldn’t stay on it, but it might keep her from getting too dirty.

Nealy hadn’t failed to notice that Lucy had bathed her early that morning. Sunlight glinted in her dandelion hair, and her worn clothes were clean. She found herself wondering if any of the National Merit Scholarship winners she’d hosted at the White House would have taken such good care of a pesky baby sister.

Mat reappeared with the quilt. Nealy took it from him and tossed it down on the slope. She set the baby on it, but Button immediately headed for the open range. Her overalls protected her from the prickly grass, and she grew entranced with a butterfly hovering over a clump of buttercups. She sped toward it, then settled back on her bottom to issue an indignant protest as it flew away.

Nealy sat on the quilt and was surprised when Mat sprawled down beside her. She sighed and breathed deeply, savoring every moment of this stolen summer day.

“I don’t usually get drunk, you know.”

She closed her eyes and tilted her face into the sun. “Uhm.”

“I mean it. I’m not much of a drinker.”

“Good, because I don’t think the girls should be exposed to that sort of thing.”

She opened her eyes and saw that he was watching her. Something in his gaze made her feel as if she were being bombarded with a shower of sparks. He took his time before he looked away.

“They were probably exposed to a lot more when Sandy was alive.”

Nealy realized she didn’t want to hear about Mat’s ex-wife, and she stood up. “Watch the baby, will you? I want to walk through the bridge.”

“Hey! You’re the nanny here, not me.”

“I’m taking a coffee break.”

Just like that, she left him behind and headed for the covered bridge. Mat glared at her back as she disappeared inside. It would serve her right if he dropped her off at the next truck stop and let her fend for herself. But he knew he wouldn’t do it. She might not be the devoted child-care provider of his dreams, but she was the best he had. She was also an enigma.