Page 70 of A Twist of Faith
“Like nothing else in the world.” He rolled his coffee brown eyes up to Dee. “I’m going take the phone outside so I can talk. Would you mind keeping an eye on the kids?”
“I might even spare both eyes.”
“That would be wise. Two-year-old boys are notorious for being rascally now and then.” He shrugged, gaze darkening with mischief. “Thirty-three-year-old boys can be too.”
The heat in his gaze transferred to her face and she swallowed a giant size lump ofheaven help me.
“Daggone it, woman. You make it real hard for a man to even think of slowing down when you act all sweet-like.” He stood and leaned close. “I’m trying real hard not to be a rascally thirty-three-year-old.”
Dee didn’t have a clue to what he referred, but she enjoyed the teasing and mischief accompanying his humor as much as the way his shirt hung over his broad shoulders. He walked away and as if magnets were attached to her pupils, her rebel gaze appreciated each step he took to the restaurant door. Jeans never looked so good.
Reese caught her watching and heat reignited in her cheeks at the easy smile spreading full on his face. Obvious? Thy name is Adelina. She reached up to check her mouth wasn’t hanging open, and then jerked her attention back in the direction of the kids, just as Emma came to the table with desserts.
“Sweets for the sweet.” Emma lowered the dishes and the kids gave responsive squeals. “This is my favorite part.” Her nose wrinkled in a grin. “I’m always the good guy when I bring dessert.”
She lowered the foreign dish in front of Dee and leaned close. “I’ll be back in a few minutes to see what you thought.”
No pressure.
Reese walked through the door, his frown a clear contrast to his previous mood. “Rainey’s got a flat tire out by the Old Peterson Place and had to walk a half mile to get reception to call.”
He ran a hand through his hair and the curls sprung loose. Dee’s fingertips tingled a little.
“Is she all right?”
“Ornery as hornets, but what’s new?” His lips quirked. “She’s driving on her spare or would have changed it herself. Mama’s at her painting class and Trigg ain—isn’t answering the phone.” He scanned the table, face falling. “And the young’uns just got their ice cream?”
“I can take them home.”
Then the thought sunk in followed by a healthy fear. She looked from Brandon to Lou as if seeing them for the first time. She’d take them home? Alone?
Lou smiled. Brandon beat his spoon against the table. Dee’s pulse skittered up a beat. How hard could it be, right? They liked her. She liked them. It was a fifteen-minute drive home. No problem.
Reese seemed about as certain as she did. “You sure about that?”
The actress emerged in full glory. “Of course. Unless youwantthem along to help change a tire?”
“Not really. It’s gonna be at least two hours. You sure?”
“Yes.” She accepted her mission with the sanity of a loon and shoved his arm. “Go.”
“Bedtime is in about an hour. Could you take them on up to the house? I’ll put the car seats in your car. Door’s unlocked and Lou’ll be a big help.”
Okay. Now she’d added a bedtime routine to her benevolent act? She drew in a breath of confidence and smiled. She’d earned a PhD for goodness sake; surely she could take care of two children for two hours. How hard could it be? “Got it.”
“And I’m a great bath helper,” Lou added with part of the chewed up cookies in her mouth showing. She wiped a sleeve across her lips.
Dee cringed and snatched a napkin. “Ladies in twirly skirts use a napkin, sweetie.”
Lou wiped her face and then Dee took the napkin, folded it, and arranged it in Lou’s lap to match hers. Lou’s partially toothless grin spread as wide as her Daddy’s. “I’m learnin’ to be a lady, Daddy.”
“Well, I can’t think of no better teacher for the task, Louisa.” Reese’s appreciative gaze spiked Dee’s hope, a little. “If you’re sure, darlin’, I’ll head on to fetch Rainey before she gets too antsy.”
“Better hurry along.”
“Thanks, Dee.” He lowered his lips to her cheek and left a kiss, his soft stubble introducing a tingle to her neck. “And I’ll walk real slow so you can enjoy the view.”
A rush of fire coursed into her face. She pushed him away with a huff, making sure to keep her gaze fastened on her dessert. Reese’s deep laugh taunted her all the way to the door. She refused to look … much.
