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“Oh, but I insist,” Mitch said, touching her arm.
Annie’s eyes were dancing with mirth as she leaned against Vivian. “He insists, Viv, did you hear?”
Grateful for Dylan who was tugging on her pants, Riley leaned forward so that her hair could hide the blush rising up her neck. Her heart was galloping away at an alarming rate, and Mitch hadn’t even touched her.
*
By the timethey’d finished lunch, Dylan was playing with toys Vivian kept for her patients in the corner of the big living room.
Aunt Janice got up. “Mitch, why don’t you take Riley to look at your house? I’ll keep Dylan company and if he gets bored, we’ll go for a walk.”
“I’ll join you,” Aiden said and got up. “I can do with stretching my legs after this huge lunch.”
Annie pulled on Aiden’s sleeve. “Sorry, baby, you’re on dishwashing duty.”
“But I—”
Pulling him down, Annie kissed him. “I’ll miss you.”
Craig jumped up. “Then I’ll join them.”
Laughing, Vivian grabbed Craig’s hand. “Sorry, no—I promised Annie we’ll help in the kitchen.”
“But…”
“Come on.”
Both his sisters literally dragged their husbands in the direction of the kitchen.
Aunt Janice chuckled. “If I were you, I’d quickly escape. Don’t worry about Dylan, Riley, I love spending time with him.”
“It’s really not necessary…” Riley began.
“Go on,” Aunt Janice said. “The house is close by. You’ll be back in no time.”
Clearly reluctant, Riley got up. “Okay, but I can’t stay long,” she said. “I’d rather not leave Dylan, he’s my responsibility.”
“Of course,” Mitch agreed, taking her arm as they walked to the front door.
In silence, he helped her with her jacket before he put on his own.
As they stepped outside, Riley inhaled sharply and huddled in her coat. “I don’t know if I could ever get used to the cold.”
Taking her hand in his, he led her down the pathway to the street. “You get used to it. It also helps to have the right clothes. One of the first things we did when we arrived in Marietta was to shop for warm clothes. The walk would also warm you up in no time,” he said, lacing their fingers. “And I have hot chocolate at home.”
“I don’t think I could eat or drink anything for a week,” Riley said, patting her tummy. “You have two very special sisters.”
“Interfering, but yes, I have to agree with you—they’re special. And here we are,” he said motioning toward the next house.
“That is close by,” Riley said as they walked up to the double story.
“I’ll probably always feel responsible for my two sisters. I wasn’t there for them when they’ve needed me before. I’m going to make sure that never happens again.”
“They are all grown up, you know.” Riley chuckled.
“I know. They’ll always be my sisters, though.”
Riley looked up at the house. “I can see why you bought it. It’s been beautifully renovated.”
