“Okay, Unca Mike,” one of them said as they both ran over to a couple sitting across the room.
Mike held a hand out to Trish and helped her stand. Pulling her close to him as he placed a kiss on her cheek.
“It’s nice to see you. Maybe we can talk later?” he asked.
“Sure. I’m here the rest of the day. Those boys are precious,” Trish said as she looked at the family.
“Good friends and their boys. Here for the weekend on the way to Galveston for vacation.” Christy was waving for Trish from the register.
“I’ve got to help Christy with something.” Trish pulled her hand from Mike’s and went over to Christy’s side. “What’s up?”
§ § §
“You dog. Hitting on the woman at the café,” Mooney teased as Mike got back to the table.
“It’s not like that, Moon. After the sh—” Mike cut himself off as he remembered little ears. “Stuff that she-who-will-fade-from-memory pulled, I’m not looking to start something.”
“So not buying what you’re trying to sell yourself,” Mooney argued. “You keep telling yourself you’re not interested but I think I’m looking at the future Mrs. Mullvaney.” Mooney turned to his wife and said, “Bet?”
Debbie laughed as he wiped up some applesauce that Cal spilled on the table. “Do I look like a sucker? No bet.”
“Mama, lolly?” Cam asked. He must have heard the word sucker.
“No lollies but if you finish your cheeses and applesauce, we’ll have a cookie to share,” Debbie told Cam.
“We shares our cookies, Unca Mike. Cookie says so,” Cal told Mike.
“Cookie Monster shares his cookies with you?” Mike teased. Both twins were nodding so fast Mike thought they were going to hurt themselves. “Eat your cheeses so you can get a cookie from Miss Trish.”
“Oh her name is Trish?” Mooney asked around a chuckle. “Good to know.”
§ § §
Trish kept glancing at Mike’s table. Watching him interact with the little boys was adorable. He didn’t seem like he was annoyed at anything they did, even when one of them kept dropping things on the floor. Just added a level to his attractiveness.
Was she even ready for that? Kissing him had shaken her to the core. Could she even contemplate dating a soldier again? Could she take it if something happened to him?
“Excuse me,” a female said, drawing Trish’s attention. When she looked over, the woman from the table was standing there holding each of the boys’ hands. “Could we get a cookie for the boys to share?”
Trish leaned over the counter and “whispered” to the boys. “Do you want the biggest one?” Their eyes got huge and they nodded. “Do you want to point to it?” One shook his head, one nodded. “Should I pick it?” They both nodded.
“Pease,” one of them said.
“Okay, I can do that. Do you want one for your uncle and daddy?” Trish asked.
“Nope. We shares with them,” the other told her.
“All right. Sharing is important. Here you go.” Trish handed the cookie to the closest twin who promptly ran to the table with his brother close behind. She turned to the woman and said, “Your boys are beyond cute.”
“I’m Debbie,” the woman said as she watched the boys climb into their seats. “How much for the cookie?” she asked as she opened her wallet.
“On the house. They’ve brought a smile to my face today.” Trish moved to close the display case.
“He’s one of the good ones, in case you were wondering,” Debbie said.
“He? Good ones?” Maybe Trish was playing dumb but she wasn’t ready for anything.
“Mike. He’s one of the good ones. Just don’t play with him if you’re not interested. He doesn’t deserve that.” Debbie smiled and walked back to the table.