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“I might stay this weekend with you.”
I sank my teeth into my bottom lip. “I have a better idea. Show up at your sister’s place and tell her you’re bunking with her for a few weeks.”
He held up his hand and we slapped. “That is gold. She’ll have a fit. Our nephew will learn a new phrase. ‘Fuck off.’”
I laughed. “He already knows it.”
“What’s so funny?” Trish glided over to us by the sink.
“We’re just stirring up trouble with our sister,” I said, opening my arm to her. She slid into my side, and Holt gave me a knowing look.
“I might try it,” he said, turning serious. “We should spend time together. I barely know my own nephew.”
“You sure you want to open that door? Next thing you know, you’ll be a babysitter instead of a park ranger.”
Holt punched me in the arm. “You coming to Sunday dinner?” He turned his attention to Trish, who turned bright red.
“Um, I’m not sure.” She darted her gaze to me.
“I hope so,” I murmured in her ear. I grinned wickedly at Holt. “Hey, Baker. Sunday dinner is at four.”
“Son of a bitch,” Holt said.
“What are you telling me for?” Baker fired back.
“Because you’re coming,” I said.
“Not a chance.” She picked up Ella, who let out a scream, though I wasn’t sure if it was in approval or protest.
Trish tensed beside me, her eyes glued to Baker and Ella. I didn’t like the kid screaming, but it seemed to trouble her greatly. Maybe she didn’t like children.
Ella shrieked again and everyone in the room looked at her. She arched away from Baker’s hold and leaned toward Trish. And when she did, her scream escalated, so Baker whisked her away to another room but not before saying to Trish, “We should get her home soon.” Trish nodded and seemed even more tense.
“Think she’s like that all the time?” I nudged Trish in the side.
She looked . . . angry?
“She’s just a baby. She can’t help it,” she snapped.
I held up my hands. “I know. I know.” Another pissed off glare came at me from her direction. “I didn’t mean anything by it.”
Her shoulders relaxed, and she leaned against me. “It’s been a long twenty-four hours.”
I kissed the top of her head, the faint scent of vanilla filling my nose. “Want to go home? Watch a movie? We could do your place, if you want.”
She stiffened, but immediately melted against me. “Can I take a raincheck? I’m so tired.”
“As long as you know it’s not an indefinite one.”
Trish tilted her head back, blue eyes meeting mine. “Soon.”
The promise was enough for me. One I was going to hold her to.
Soon.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Trish
