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“Will do. See you later.” She fixed her attention on Ledger and then slid it purposely to Demi.
He may not know Opal very well, but he’d been reading silent orders from his superiors for years. He read that look loud and clear.
With a nod to respond that he would look after Demi—and do it damn well—he slid a hand along Demi’s spine to lead her to the SUV.
When they reached the door, he ushered her into the passenger seat. As soon as he slipped behind the wheel, she rolled down her window.
“Drive. Drive fast. You really smell.”
Chuckling, he started the engine and backed out onto the driveway of the ranch that neighbored the Gracey.
She arched her back in a stretch. “What was that look you gave Opal?”
He switched the subject. “We had a good day, didn’t we?”
“Ledger.”
“Demi?”
“Tell me what that look was about.”
He pushed out a sigh. “She didn’t exactly tell me what she meant by it.”
“But you knew.”
He obviously wasn’t getting out of this conversation.
“I’m good at reading people. I’m pretty sure she wanted me to take you home, put you in bed and make sure you’re getting enough rest.”
Across the console, he felt her stare on him. “You got all that from a look?”
He shrugged. “What can I say? I know what you need.”
Her mouth popped open in indignation. Then she closed it and grew quiet, staring at the road in front of them.
Tell her. Tell her how you feel.
He tightened his lips. Now wasn’t the time. She’d been on the go all day long. And while she’d devoured the picnic lunch, she hadn’t been interested in the heavier food he snagged from the Graceys’ kitchen for dinner. The fried chicken had hit the spot for him but Demi had turned a little green at the sight, so he’d taken his meal outside the she-shed and eaten standing up.
“Back to my question—we had a good day, didn’t we?”
To his surprise, she reached out and settled a warm hand over the back of his. A vine of happiness sprouted, wrapping around his heart and constricting. Shooting her a look, he twisted his palm up to thread his fingers with hers.
“Our date was a success, Ledger.”
“So…skinny-dipping again tomorrow?”
She tossed her head on a laugh. “If I can get off that futon tomorrow, I’ll be surprised. I wish I wasn’t so tired all the time. I can hardly wait for the first trimester to be over so I have more energy.”
He didn’t know much about pregnancies and babies, but he was good at looking things up. No way would he walk into this fatherhood thing blind.
“I’ll do anything to help you, Demi.”
She squeezed his hand. Across the dim space, their gazes met.
“I know you will, Ledger. I’m…starting to rely on you. Probably too much.”
That tight knot of emotion in his chest pulled tighter, making it difficult to breathe. At the same time, his heart was soaring.
