Page 10 of Wood You Knot

“I don’t have to say that. If you were an unlikeable kid, I’d tell you,” I assured her with a wink. “Try to find a smile, sweetheart,” I pleaded, and Daphne forced a smile that didn’t reach her eyes.

We got out of the car and walked up the front steps to the beautiful wraparound porch. I rang the doorbell, and Daphne hid behind me, peering out from around my legs when the door opened.

“Hello! You must be Sage and Daphne. I’m Tabitha. I’ve heard so much about you both. Come in.” She stood aside to make room for us, and we walked into the foyer.

“Hi, Tabitha. It’s a pleasure to meet you,” I said, holding out the white dessert box from Tout de Sweets. I hadn’t wanted to show up empty-handed, so we made a quick stop to pick up some fresh donuts and pastries.

She took the box from me with a wide, friendly smile. Tabitha was beautiful with long brown hair, thick bangs, and cornflower-blue eyes framed by dark lashes. “Thank you so much. Everyone’s out in the backyard; follow me.”

Tabitha led the way through their beautiful home and out through the patio doors off the open-concept dining room and kitchen at the back of the house. She set the box of baked goods down on the counter before opening the sliding door. We stepped out onto a large deck, and my eyes immediately went to Nix.

He was standing beside Parker in front of the barbecue, holding a baby boy in his arms. Both men turned at the sound of the sliding door opening, and the grin that appeared instantly on Nix’s face made hundreds of butterflies explode in my belly.

Seeing him holding a baby did weird things to my lady bits, but I tried to push away my initial reaction. An attractive man holding a baby would make any warm-blooded woman’s womb ache.It was basically a biological response.

“Hey, Sage,” Nix said, his eyes traveling from my head to my toes and back up again, a slow grin finding his lips.

“Hi, Nix. Parker.” I nodded, trying to appear unaffected.

The sweet baby in Nix’s arms caught sight of Tabitha and held his hands out, whimpering for her. She took him off Nix and proceeded to walk to the railing overlooking the beautifully landscaped backyard. There were lush gardens and what looked like a miniature version of their house, painted the same shade of blue.

“Bella! Brielle! Come say hello to Daphne,” Tabitha called out.

The door to the playhouse opened, and two little girls poked their heads out. “Hi. Come play with us,” they cheered in unison. They were mirror images of each other and resembled their mother with their long dark hair and big blue eyes.

Daphne looked at me for help, and I smiled encouragingly at her. “Go on, go say hi.” Begrudgingly, my daughter walked slowly toward the playhouse, as if she was about to face the firing squad.

But the girls must have had the Hutchinson charm, because within minutes, Daphne was relaxing and even smiling a little as the girls chatted her up and showed off their beautiful playhouse.

“That’s a lovely playhouse,” I said to Tabitha.

“Thanks. Parker and his brothers built it a few years ago for the girls’ third birthday,” Tabitha said, adjusting her hold on the baby. She pressed a kiss to his forehead and smiled when he giggled at her.

“And what’s this little cutie’s name?” I asked, smiling at him.He had the Hutchinson brown eyes, like melted dark chocolate.

“Bryson. He’ll be turning one next month. He’s a handful,” she said with a chuckle.

“Hello, Bryson.” I waved at him, and he waved back, a big, toothy grin on his face.

“Can I get you anything to drink? Fresh lemonade? Iced tea?” Tabitha asked, playing the part of hostess.

“Lemonade sounds refreshing.”

“I’ll get you a glass,” Nix offered, his husky tone sending an unexpected shiver down my spine. “Anybody else need anything?”

“I could use another beer,” Parker replied, holding up his nearly finished bottle. Nix looked at Tabitha next, cocking a brow at her.

“I’m okay for now,” Tabitha said. He nodded and disappeared into the house. “Let’s sit down, shall we?” she suggested. I nodded, and we walked over to the patio table. It was set for lunch, with condiments and salads. I sat down beside Tabitha, facing the yard so I could keep half an eye on Daphne.

“You have a lovely home,” I remarked, glancing around and taking it all in. I didn’t want to acknowledge to myself that I felt a little envious. But Tabitha’s smile reached her eyes, and I found that envy slipping away. Her genuine kindness and welcoming nature could be felt from across the table, and it put me at ease.

“Thank you. You should have seen it when we bought it. It was a serious fixer-upper. We’ve lived here for what…seven years now?” she asked, looking to Parker for confirmation.

“Almost eight,” Parker corrected with a wry grin.“Been working on restoring it ever since. Nix has been a great help there.”

At that moment, Nix returned with a glass of lemonade for me and two beers. He handed Parker his beer before passing me my glass. Our fingertips brushed, and a little tingle of awareness shot up my spine.

Nix gave me a cheeky grin as I took it, then he twisted the top off his beer bottle and took a sip, sitting down across from me at the table. I tried to ignore the way a simple brush of his fingertips against mine set my heart rate galloping in my chest.

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