Page 53 of Baby, Be Mine

“He’s interesting.”

Esther sighed. “Henry knows he’s talented. Maybe knows it a little too well if you ask me.”

“But he puts butts in chairs.” Mason’s voice was decisive.

Esther leaned in to give Adriana another little stroke. “We need to get ready for the dinner rush.”

Penny nodded. “The patio is ready, but we’ll get the inside finished for those who don’t want to be outside.”

“I can’t imagine anyone would want to be inside on a day like this.” I glanced out to the water. The last time I was here, things were a little hazy in my memory.

I’d been too worried about getting the job, and then…well, everything had changed.

Absently, I patted my baby’s back. In so many ways. It looked like my life was going to change all over again because of this job.

Clint set the baby carrier on the table near us. “Want us to watch the baby?”

“No.”

Clint swallowed. “You sure?”

“Absolutely. We’re going to figure this one out together, aren’t we, bean?”

Adriana answered with a sigh and a phantom bit of suction. Even in dreams, she was eating.

Mason looked just as uncomfortable, but he met Clint’s gaze. “I won’t let anything happen to them.”

I rolled my eyes. “It’s a dock and a boat. We’re not going off to war, for God’s sake.” I strode across the rest of the patio to the stairs that led to the dock.

Mason hurried after me. “Wait up. Why don’t you let me go first?”

I shot a look over my shoulder.

He held his hands up in surrender. “Or not.”

Slowly, I made my way down the stairs, glad I’d heeded Clint’s warning to wear sneakers instead of the cute shoes I would normally wear with a dress.

The path to the dock was well cleared with large gray stones that made a meandering trail that could either go down to the picnic tables and the smaller dock, or to right where The MJ2 was stationed.

A massive oak tree filtered the light, leaving a nice bit of shade against the afternoon sun.

“Have you thought about putting string lights up in that oak?”

Mason caught up and walked beside me. “Would be a bit of work to get power out here.”

“Sure, you could run a lead out here or use solar lights. They make really nice ones now. I emailed you a few links.”

His lips twitched. “Which email?”

“I didn’t send that many.”

“I had to make a folderjustfor your emails.”

“Okay, so I’ve sent a few. I can’t help it. I’ve got a lot of ideas.” I paused before the edge of the dock. Memories of Adriana’s rather fraught birth made my heart trip.

“Emma?”

“I’m okay. Maybe we can just walk first?”

---