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Twenty minutes later, with her hair still damp and wearing a pair of faded Levi’s, a red sweatshirt withMerry and Brightemblazoned in white across the front, and fleece-lined brown boots, Holly shuffled into the kitchen as Chace dropped the last slice of cooked bacon on a paper towel-lined plate.
His dark hair was sticking up in several directions as if he’d rolled right out of bed and schlepped straight to the kitchen. Well, after he paused long enough to pull on the navy sweatpants and grey T-shirt that hugged every blessed inch of his leanly cut upper body muscles.
With Emme and Wren in the house, Chace would never leave his room wearing only his usual sleeping attire of boxer briefs. At least, that’s how he used to sleep. Sometimes, anyway.
Opening the egg carton on the counter beside the stove, Chace glanced over his shoulder at her. “Scrambled or dippy?” he asked, using the descriptions they grew up with for runny yolks perfect for dipping their toast.
As if he could read her mind, Holly felt the heat of embarrassment suffusing her cheeks. Valiantly, she did her best to forget the trajectory her thoughts had taken about how he was dressed and focused instead on how Chace used to make breakfast for them on the weekends when they were still together—often serving hers in bed. Holly wondered if he might have done so this morning had she not awakened before he finished cooking.
Don’t be ridiculous! That isnotwhy he’s here.
Holding up an egg, Chace arched one dark brow. “Your eggs?”
“Whatever you’re having is fine.” He was always the better cook between them, and per usual, Holly was starving.
“Dippy it is.” He dropped a spoonful of shortening into the skillet. “You make the toast.”
She fired off a snappy salute. “Aye, aye, Captain.”
Though eight years may have passed since the last time they’d eaten breakfast together, they fell back into the easy rhythm they once shared, where he prepared the stovetop portion while she toasted the bread and poured the coffee.
“What time do the twins usually get up?” Chace asked.
“On the weekends, I’m not really sure,” Holly replied, placing two slices of buttered toast on each plate Chace had pulled from the cupboard. “They’ve had school every day since Lyss left for Germany, so they’ve been up by six to leave here by seven. That gives me enough time to drop them off at the elementary and get to my school on time.”
As a high school English teacher, Holly liked to arrive at work at least half an hour before her students to ensure she had everything prepped and ready for the day ahead. Especially considering curveballs were often thrown into their regular schedule at the last minute—just another peril in the lives of teachers everywhere.
Chace slid two eggs and several slices of bacon onto each plate, handing one to her and following her to the breakfast nook with the other.
“Fortunately, I’ve been able to keep the girls on the same before and after schedule as Lyss to facilitate a seamless transition.” She dipped her toast in the yolk. “For now, anyway.”
“Do you anticipate a problem?”
Shaking her head, Holly covered her mouth with her fingertips and swallowed the bite she’d just taken. “Not in general. Right now, my principal is allowing the bus to drop them off at the high school since my planning period is the last block of the day. But if they get sick or I have an afterschool meeting, that could create a problem.”
“No worries. I can take over getting them to and from school now, as well as assuming the emergency contact responsibilities.
Surprised, Holly jerked her gaze to his. “You will?”
“Of course,” Chace replied as if it were a no-brainer. “Considering they’re the reason I’m here in the first place, why wouldn’t I?”
Right. He was absolutely right, which made her feel like a complete idiot. “I’m sorry, Chace. I wasn’t presuming you wouldn’t. It’s just been a bit of an adjustment trying to account for everything while working out the logistics on such short notice.”
When Holly realized her explanation might come across to Chace as a complaint, she held up her hands, palms out. “Not that I mind.” She shook her head. “Because I don’t.” Holly would do anything for her bestie. Even if it meant sharing the twins’ care with Chace.
“But you still have to attend to your own responsibilities. I get it.” Smiling, Chace nodded, causing Holly’s pulse rate to double. “But I’m here now to help however I can.”
Relief mingled with a heavy dose of apprehension, leading Holly to remind herself to proceed with caution. The last thing she needed was to become accustomed to Chace being around and helping out with the twins. Along with his presence in Hickory Ridge, their current situation was temporary—two facts Holly needed to remember at all costs.
Just as she was about to respond, Emme and Wren barreled into the kitchen. “Uncle Chase,” they shrieked in unison, flinging themselves at him in tandem. “What are you doing here?” They were clearly excited to see him, their little girl voices rising a few decibels with each word.
“Having breakfast,” he answered, a grin stretching the corners of his mouth and shining in the dark depths of his eyes.
Though they weren’t identical, the twins shared similarities in appearance and personality. Witty and bright, both were blue-eyed brunettes, only Wren’s straight hair was longer than Emme’s curlier, shoulder-length version. And where Emme’s eyes resembled a cloudless blue sky, Wren’s were as dark as midnight.
“You’re silly, Uncle Chace.”
On cue, he pulled the sides of his mouth toward his ears, stuck out his tongue, and crossed his eyes. Both girls dissolved into a fit of giggles. Holly’s heart swelled at how easily and naturally Chace interacted with his nieces, their connection evident since the day they were born. No matter the time between his visits, the three of them always managed to pick right back up wherever they left off without missing a beat.
