Daddy’s Wild Girl (Montana Daddies #16)

Chapter 5

5

“ N ot sure I’d call this the slums. Mind you, based on where that woman lives, I guess anything else looks like a slum,” Hayes muttered.

Hmm.

Barb Benner had been reduced to ‘that woman.’ Not good. Corbin made a mental note to never let Hayes be around her alone.

While this area wasn’t a slum, it also looked reasonably rough. The houses were built against one another with no space between them and were rundown. The footpaths were uneven, and the cars on the street looked like they had more than a few miles on them.

The house they were standing in front of was, regrettably, one of the worst looking.

It was pink with red trim. An interesting color choice. Although, from the age of the paint, he was guessing that it wasn’t Bluebelle’s choice.

There was a garage door at the front and stairs at the side leading to the front door. The concrete driveway was cracked and the front lawn had more weeds than grass. The houses on either side were painted in more respectable shades of blue and gray.

A car backfired in the distance and Hayes visibly tensed, glancing around.

“Guess I can see why the Benners are concerned though,” Corbin said. “It’s not a place I’d want my daughter to live.”

“Wouldn’t allow my daughter to step foot in this street.”

“You probably wouldn’t let your daughter out of the house,” Corbin half-joked. “You’d be more protective than Clint.”

“Damn right,” Hayes grunted. “No daughter of mine would ever be in danger. Nor would they be allowed to disobey me. Just like my woman. Too many dangers out there. Not that I intend to have a family.”

Corbin inwardly winced. He should watch what he said to Hayes.

“Guess we’ll go introduce ourselves and bring in our things. You think this place is even livable?” Hayes asked.

“I hope so,” he muttered.

“I hope the girl isn’t as much of a selfish brat as that woman painted her to be.”

So did Corbin.

Before they could move, the front door opened. A tall woman with her light-brown hair up in a ponytail started bouncing down the stairs.

Bluebelle.

He’d seen photos of her. Had watched the show. But somehow, seeing her in real life packed a far greater punch.

She was gorgeous.

Stunning.

She was dressed in a pair of black yoga pants and a pink T-shirt with a black jacket over the top of it. A pair of bright pink sneakers finished her outfit.

Simple. But beautiful.

However, it was her eyes that fully captured his attention. A blue so pale they almost looked translucent. Wide and almost . . . mischievous?

“Hello,” she said, coming to a stop in front of them.

Corbin was prepared to listen to her tell them that they weren’t needed, to send them away. He still wasn’t convinced she had agreed to them being here. “I’m Bebe. Which one of you is Corbin and who is Graham?”

“I’m Hayes. No one calls me Graham,” Hayes said, crossing his arms over his chest.

She shot him a sassy salute. “Good to know, boss.”

Hayes frowned, but Corbin could tell he was also puzzled by her. They’d expected animosity. Or maybe indifference. But she looked like she was fighting a smile.

“That means you’re Corbin.” She turned the full force of those eyes on him.

And his brain instantly scrambled.

What was it she’d said? What was he doing? Heck, what was his name?

“Right? Or do you want to be called something else?” she asked.

Huh?

She could call him whatever she wanted.

“Are you all right?” she asked, moving closer. He almost leaned into her. Wanting more of her.

Hayes stepped up next to him. “Get yourself together, man!”

Right. Yes. Uh-huh.

“Yes, I’m McIntyre Corbin. I mean . . . Corbin McIntyre.”

What he was . . . was a giant idiot.

“Dear Lord,” Hayes muttered.

He could feel himself turning red. This was horrifying. But instead of making him feel more like a dick, she just held out her hand.

Her nails were almost painfully short. Did she bite them? He took hold of her hand, trying to remember how to breathe and not to squeeze too tightly as he shook it.

Her hand was slightly rough, as though it had calluses. Not at all what he’d expected. Especially given that her mother said she didn’t work.

“Hello, McIntyre, Corbin,” she said with a grin.

He squeezed her hand slightly as she went to move it away. Then, horrified, he let her go as she winced.

“Shit. Sorry! Did I hurt you?”

“What? No. I’m fine.”

He could tell she was lying, though, especially as she shook out her hand slightly.

What was wrong with her?

Concern filled him and he had to stop himself from demanding answers.

She’s your charge, but she’s not yours.

“Right then, come on. We’re going to be late.” She waved her hand toward the Audi SUV that her father had given them to use.

Corbin had never driven in such an expensive car. It was a dream to drive, even in the city. However, give him an old pickup truck on a country road any day.

“Late? How can we be late when we’re not due anywhere?” Hayes asked.

“Because our booking is for four o’clock and it’s gonna take an hour to get there. Now, you want me to drive or will that insult your sensitive masculinity?”

Hayes instantly scowled. “I don’t have a sensitive masculinity.”

“Cool, hand the keys over then, boss. I’ll drive.” She grinned as she held out her hand. There was a slight tremor to it, though, which made Corbin frown. Was she all right?

“No, you won’t,” Hayes said. “He’s driving.”

Corbin held up the keys with a smile. “Sorry, but your dad trusts us with his car.”

She shrugged, looking unperturbed. “No worries. Now, hop to it. Let’s go.”

Hayes started moving toward the SUV, then obviously realized what he was doing. “Nope. You still haven’t explained where we’re going.”

“Didn’t I? Well, hope you’re not afraid of heights. Because we’re going flying.”