TJ grinned and made them all a drink, then sat at the table. “Carter will be home soon. He had to go in and look over some data. We’re lucky he can work from home, but he does occasionally have to show his face in the office.”
Carter was a data analyst, so being able to work from home had helped immensely. “How are you feeling?”
“I’ll be glad when I have this one. This pregnancy has been the worst out of the four. I’ve told Carter that’s it. You’ve been hearing me say that a lot, but I mean it. No more after this one. I’ve done my part for the population.” TJ smiled, and Toni gave him a mock glare. “I mean it.”
“I know you do. Us men don’t realize how good we have it. We all know if men had to carry and give birth, we’d be done for. I was there for Arthur and Lincoln, so I know what you went through.”
“And you had me go to that nice spa when I was able to.” Toni smiled warmly at him. Reaching across the table, Toni gripped his hand, then released it. “I want you to find someone. You need a good man in your life.”
TJ arched an eyebrow. “Childbirth, spas, and now my dating life?” And one Cody who had said he’d returned to Robinson for him. TJ.
“You know I’m right. I’ve known you for years and you need a good man in your life. You deserve to come home to someone who wants to be there for you and can cope with your job. What’s his name barely lasted a couple of months and how long were you with… er, Ben, or was it Brian or Burke?”
“None of those, and it’s nice to know you remember the names of my former partners.”
“Was he...” Toni scrunched up her face, then shrugged. “All I’m saying is you deserve someone who wants you knowing all of this.” She smiled and waved her hand around them all. “An ex-wife and two kids, and the ex-wife is still in your life with her now husband. And you look after her daughter, who isn’t yours…”
“We have a great relationship and I’m grateful for that.” TJ paused. “What if someone said they’d come here for me?”
“I’d say grab him with both hands and don’t let go, and has someone moved here for you?”
TJ shook his head. “What if he was younger?”
“Pfft. Age is just a number and who cares? Carter is older than me by eight years. It means nothing unless they’re a minor and I’ll have to call the cops.” Toni waggled her fingers at TJ. “Be a good man and turn yourself in.”
TJ snorted, then chuckled. “Thanks for helping me.”
Toni helped Macy with her drink, then smiled at him. “I want you to be happy, TJ. When things didn’t work out for us, you did everything you could to try to keep me and the boys happy. Look where I am now. I want this for you too.” Toni reached across the table, then laughed when Carter came in and shook his head.
“Are you making a play for my wife?”
TJ grinned. “I made a mistake and realize she’s the only one for me. You’re in trouble, Carter.”
Carter grinned, then kissed Toni. “She’s mine and you can’t have her.”
“Men please. Take it outside. I’ve just cleaned the floor.”
Carter and TJ grinned as Carter sat. “You at work later?”
“I am, and I can’t wait to have a day off.”
“You need more staff, but the town doesn’t have the money.” Toni arched and rubbed her back. “We need to have a fundraiser or something.”
“Go and lie down. Take a break.” Carter rubbed Toni’s back. “I’ll go and get the boys.”
“I can pop out of work—”
“No, but thanks. You have way too much going on as it is, and you’ve been here as well. Come over on the weekend. I’ll order takeout.” Carter helped Toni stand. “Sunday work for you? And we still need to arrange meeting up for the match.”
“We can do that on Sunday, but you know where I am if you need anything.”
“We do. You need to get some time off. A couple of days together so you can have a proper break.”
TJ checked the time, then sighed. “I have to go. I have twelve hours ahead of me.”
“Make sure you get Sunday off, TJ. Don’t make me waddle my fat butt into the station.”
TJ chuckled because Toni would do it with Carter holding her hand. He was lucky where the family was concerned. Luckier than some, but he had one problem. Cody. What the hell was he going to do about Cody and his declaration?
