LITMIR.BIZ

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I suppose.” Toby shut off the ignition. “They know we’ve been seeing a lot of each other, and I’m afraid their imaginations are getting the best of them.”

      He could argue—and, in fact, he had argued—that he and Angie weren’t dating, that she was merely helping him out with the kids. But sexual attraction and mutual interest were definitely flaring beneath the surface, and he wasn’t so sure he’d be able to keep that a secret, especially here.

      They all got out of the truck. As usual, the kids managed to pile out a lot faster than they ever climbed in.

      “Don’t forget to wipe your feet at the front door,” Toby called out to them. “And don’t barge in. Hang on until Angie and I get there.”

      “We won’t,” they called back in near unison.

      Toby waited for Angie, as she reached into the cab and pulled out a denim jacket. Then she slipped into it, covering the white sundress that revealed a lovely set of tanned arms and shoulders. But as afternoon wore into evening, he knew there was a chance it could get chilly, so he couldn’t blame her for being prepared.

      Next he watched as she reached into the cab for the platter of brownies she’d brought.

      “I’m sorry,” she said, as she realized he was standing near the truck, waiting for her. “I didn’t mean to be a slug.”

      “No problem.” He actually liked watching her. But if he stared at her any longer, thinking about how much he wanted to pull her close, to kiss her before entering the house, it was going to take a whole lot more than an evening breeze to cool him off.

      They walked together, meeting up with the kids at the front door, which was flanked by large pots of colorful flowers.

      Out of habit, Toby took care to wipe his boots, just as he’d asked the children to do.

      “My mom always made a big deal about us coming inside with muddy feet.” He chuckled as he reached for the doorknob to let them all into the house. “I guess some habits are hard to break.”

      Toby’s mom, with her silver hair pulled into a bun and dressed in her usual stretch-denim jeans and a pale blue sweatshirt, greeted them in the foyer. She gave Toby a warm embrace, then took the time to address each of the kids.

      “Now, don’t you look pretty, Kylie. Look at those yellow ribbons in your hair. And my goodness. What in the world have you stuffed in that backpack?”

      “Toys to show baby Piper. Is she here?”

      Jeanne Marie placed a hand on Kylie’s head and smiled. “She certainly is. Aunt Stacey just gave her some bananas and peaches for a snack, which she’s washing off her face and hands now. Why don’t you go into the kitchen and see if she’s ready to play.”

      “Oh, good,” Kylie said, as she dashed off.

      “And you boys are in for a big treat,” Jeanne Marie told Brian and Justin. “Grandpa Deke fixed the rungs to the tree house and gave it a new coat of paint yesterday. And when Uncle Galen saw what he’d done, he attached a rope swing to one of those sturdy ole branches. You probably ought to go check it out.”

      “Cool,” Brian said, as both boys hurried off.

      Well done, Toby thought. His mother adored the kids, but it was plain to see that she had something up her sleeve. She’d sent them off happily so she could devote her full attention to Angie and to the interrogation process.

      Now, with the children out of the way, she welcomed Angie with a warm shake of the hand. “I’m so glad you could join us. Toby tells me how helpful you’ve been to him this past week.”

      “It’s been my pleasure. The kids are great. And in all honesty, Toby’s so good with them, I’m not sure he even needs my help at all.”

      “Don’t let her downplay her efforts,” Toby said. “She’s been awesome, whether it’s playing beauty salon with Kylie or planning a make-it-yourself pizza night or watching a movie under the stars. And I would have really been up a creek yesterday without her.”

      “You don’t say.” His mom smiled, those blue eyes glimmering. “I’ll tell you what, Toby. Why don’t you check out that tree house and make sure Galen secured that swing right, while I take Angie into the kitchen. Since she’s such a good helper, I’m going to rope her into helping the girls and I finish up with the burger fixings.”

      And just like a mama fox, Jeanne Marie had dispensed with Toby.

      He could argue and insist that Angie stick close to his side, he supposed. But Angie was a big girl and had proved that she could hold her own. Besides, he wanted to check out that old fort he and his brothers used to play in. And on top of that, he trusted his mom and his sisters not to go overboard.

      So he took his leave, walking out to the backyard, where his own interrogation undoubtedly awaited.

      * * *

      Angie followed Toby’s mother out to the kitchen. She’d always liked the woman, but then, who in town didn’t?

      Jeanne Marie might come across as plain and simple, but there was more to her than met the eye. She had a quick wit, a gentle spirit and a kind heart. She also loved her husband and children dearly and was fiercely devoted to them.

      Since working at the Superette, Angie had picked up on all of that. She’d even found herself a bit envious of the family’s closeness. How could she not be?

      She’d always wanted to be part of a big, happy family, but she’d been an only child. She and her daddy had been close, but he’d died five years ago.

      Now that Angie was an adult, her mom sought the closeness they’d never quite had before. But Doris Edwards was so determined to make Angie into the woman she wanted her to be that it was easier to avoid her, which was sad.

      “I brought some brownies,” Angie said, holding out the platter of chocolaty squares covered in caramel frosting and toffee pieces.

      “You didn’t need to do that,” Jeanne Marie said, as she led Angie through the large-but-cozy living room. “But it was awfully nice of you. I try to have plenty for everyone to eat, but I have to admit, this family can really put away the desserts. So I doubt you’ll have anything to take home except a few crumbs.”

      When they reached the kitchen, Angie saw Piper sitting in a walker on the floor with Kylie playing beside her. The little red-haired girl had made fast work of emptying out the entire contents of her backpack on the hardwood floor.

      “You girls remember Angie,” Jeanne Marie said to both Stacey and Delaney.

      “Of course.” Stacey, a bright-eyed blonde with a light spray of freckles on her nose, smiled. “We’re so glad Toby finally brought you out to meet his crazy family.”

      Angie and Stacey had graduated from high school together, although they really hadn’t run in the same circles. Stacey, who’d gone on to nursing school after graduation, had been more of an academic and tended to hang out with the smarter kids. And Angie had been all over the campus, hanging with the members of whichever social club she was trying out that semester.

      “Thanks for including me.” Angie placed the brownies on the sideboard, next to a Bundt cake in a covered dish and a plate of lemon bars. Toby’s mom had been right. They were certainly dessert-friendly in this household. She hoped everyone was as sweet as the offerings on the countertop.

      “Can I help you guys with anything?” Angie asked, noticing that Stacey was putting the finishing touches on a cheese-and-vegetable platter.

      “Julia and Gabi are setting the tables outside,” Delaney said, as she stirred something that appeared to be potato salad. “And we’re almost done in here.”

      “Why don’t you pull up a chair?” Stacey nodded to one of the empty barstools on the other side of the kitchen island. “Tell us what you’ve been doing with yourself since high school.”

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