Page 64 of Harvest Moon (Riverbend 3)

When he managed to disentangle himself unnoticed, he heaved a sigh. He just settled back to his own side of the bed when the bed moved.

Emma appeared at the foot of the bed. She climbed onto the mattress. Her curls were in disarray, and her beaming smile cut through the faded morning light. “Hi.”

Laurel stirred. Her eyes opened, falling on him first. Realization registered and her brows drew together a moment before she spotted Emma. Her eyes widened. “Emma. You climbed out of your crib.”

“Emma climb!”

Gavin chuckled at the proud look on the girl’s face. “Oh boy. We are in for it now.”

“Oh boy.” Emma repeated as she bounced across the bed and plopped between the two of them.

Chapter25

Thirty minutes later, showered and dressed in T-shirt and jeans, Gavin headed downstairs, Sunny on his heels. He was a little sheepish about falling apart in Laurel’s arms last night—that was twice now. What was wrong with him? He needed to get it together.

In the kitchen he found Laurel dressed in black jeans and a burnt-orange tank top, mashing a banana.

“Emma eat.” Emma announced from her high chair when she spotted him. She scooped a bite of oatmeal into her mouth.

“Can I have some?” He crouched down beside her and opened his mouth wide.

Laughing, Emma put a glob of oatmeal in his mouth.

“Mmm. That’s good.”

“I like how you shared.” Laurel put the mashed banana in the oatmeal and gave it a stir.

“Share with Waurel.”

She met Gavin’s gaze for a beat before she opened her mouth for the bite. Then she playfully nibbled her way up Emma’s arm, making the child giggle. “Do you want milk or water this morning?”

“Want milk.”

“I’ll get it.” Gavin headed to the fridge while Laurel sat at the table with a whole banana. He was relieved she didn’t seem awkward about last night.

He poured himself a cup of coffee, the aroma teasing his senses. “The harvest go okay yesterday?”

“They finished picking the Red Delicious. I think the Golden and Jonagold will be ripe in a week or so.”

“Find apples,” Emma said.

“That’s right. We picked up apples yesterday, didn’t we?” She addressed Gavin. “We were the cleanup crew.”

Gavin poured Emma’s milk into a cup, set it on her high chair, then took a seat at the table. “Sorry I wasn’t around to help out.”

“We had it covered, didn’t we, Emma?”

“Had it covered.” Emma sipped from her cup.

Sunny strolled over and licked up a bit of oatmeal that had hit the floor.

“What’s on your agenda today?” he asked.

“I was going to do some trellis repairs, but that could wait. After this morning’s event”—she pointedly cleared her throat—“someone needs a toddler bed. She could get hurt climbing from her crib.”

Gavin hadn’t thought about that. “I can run out and get one today.”

“You’re not going to find one around here. Asheville would have the best options—and anyway I was thinking about running home to check on my apartment—the mail, my plants, and stuff.”

---