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Madison smiled up at Graham. “The first time I met Graham, he thought I was breaking and entering in the house where we live now.”
His gaze arced toward the trees. “We’re right through there. I take care of my neighbors.”
“I appreciate it. Good neighbors are good to have,” I replied.
After they left, Teddy settled quickly when I sat down on the couch with him. It was only minutes after Graham, Madison, and Allie had left that Tish arrived home.
“Hey!” she called when she came through the door.
I scooped Teddy into my arms and walked into the entry area to greet her. Teddy began kicking his feet against my thighs and bouncing, overjoyed to see his mom.
“Somebody’s happy to see you,” I teased lightly.
Tish dropped her purse on the floor and immediately took him from me, kissing him on both cheeks and smoothing his hair.
I picked up her purse and set it on a nearby table.
“Thank you so much,” she said.
My heart gave a tricky beat in my chest as I smiled over at her. “Anytime.”
She kicked off her shoes, still holding Teddy in her arms, and followed me into the kitchen.
She grinned over at me. “You got food.”
“I picked up takeout on the way over. Before you think I’m amazing, Maisie recommended this gallery café. I’m not sure if you’ve eaten there yet.”
Teddy was tiring quickly. His head had fallen onto her shoulder. While I wasn’t a baby expert, I spent enough time with my nieces and nephews to know that it was downright remarkable how a baby could go from wide awake to sound asleep in a matter of minutes.
“I’ve eaten there once or twice. Good call. What did they have tonight?” Tish asked.
“Tonight was American southern food specialties. To be honest, it sounds amazing and I’ve had to be patient for you to get here.”
Tish giggled, and my heart flipped in my chest. The effect she had on me was shockingly powerful. She glanced down at her shoulder. “Let me go put him in his crib.”
“The woman at the daycare said he was good today. Some naps and playtime. She said he’s an easy baby,” I offered.
“Honestly, that’s what everyone tells me. He’s my only baby, but he seems pretty easygoing.”
Tish walked out of the kitchen with Teddy. “I’ll get some plates out for us if you don’t mind me rummaging in your cabinets,” I added.
“Rummage away. I’ll be right back.”
I could hear the soft murmur of her voice talking to him as she walked down the hallway. A few minutes later, she reappeared. “You changed Teddy’s diaper.”
“Uh, yeah. He needed a diaper change. Did you think I would leave him in a dirty diaper?”
She shrugged, looking a little sheepish. “I didn’t know if you’d changed a diaper before.”
“You know Rhys has little Jake, and maybe you’re not up to speed on the rest of the family, but I have other babies in my life. I wouldn’t claim to be a diaper expert, but I can do the task.”
Tish stopped by the edge of the island, her eyes lingering on me for a moment. She looked down, her gaze arcing over the platter of food I’d set out along with two plates. A second later, she rounded the counter and stopped immediately in front of me before leaning up and pressing a soft kiss on the underside of my jaw. Her touch was hot and electrifying.
“Thank you,” she said. “I feel like I say that to you a lot.”
She stepped back, and I experienced a moment where it felt as if my entire body was leaning toward her.
“The first time you met me, I fainted,” she continued. “You kept me from falling on my face, fetched me out of the harbor, and now you’re babysitting on short notice.”
