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Hutch didn’t reply. He simply waited.
Aw, hell. If it hadn’t been for that damned kiss... “I’m giving it serious consideration.”
The chin jutted out an inch. “I’m part of the package, too, you know.”
“I knew that going in,” Ty reassured him gently.
Gradually, Hutch relaxed. “Okay. Do you want to see my room?”
“Sure.” Carefully washing the empty glass, Ty upended it on the drain board.
Hutch’s room proved to be a revelation. Shoved in one corner was a mattress, minus a box spring or frame. Instead of a dresser, cartons lined one wall, with clothes neatly folded in each. Ahuge desk dominated the rest of the room—and a very expensive state-of-the-art computer. That simple fact told him more clearly than anything else where Cassidy’s prioritieslay.
“Nice setup.”
Hutch glanced uncertainly at him. “The school told her to get me one. I’m...” He snatched a quick breath and then said in a rush, “You better know right off. I’m smart.”
Ty nodded. “I figured as much.”
“No. Imean I’mreallysmart,” Hutch emphasized. “Scary smart. So if that’s gonna bother you, maybe you should sayso now before...” Resolutely, he turned his face toward the computer. “Before anybody gets their feelings hurt.”
“Hutch.” The boy ignored him, busying himself with the machine. “Look at me, please.”
Reluctantly, Hutch lifted his gaze to Ty’s. Settling his glasses more firmly on the bridge of his upturned nose, he braced himself. “Yeah?”
“It doesn’t bother me.”
“Okay.”
“Look at me and listen to what I’m saying to you, kid.” Brilliant blue eyes fastened on Ty’s face again, adesperate kind of hope burning in the apprehensive gaze. “Smart’s okay with me. Even scary smart. Idon’t have a problem with it and I won’t. Got that?”
The chin wobbled. “Yeah. Igot it.”
“Good. Now, why don’t you show me how this thing works.”
The next few minutes passed with Hutch chattering away a mile a minute. Ty could see why the school had recommended a computer for the boy. Did they have any idea, though, what a financial sacrifice it had been? He doubted it. He suspected Cassidy Lonigan’s pride came in as abundant a helping as her generosity.
“Hutch? Where...?” She appeared in the doorway then and smiled uncertainly. “Oh. There you two are. Everything all right?”
“Great! Ty knows almost as much about computers as I do.”
She lifted her eyebrows, impressed. “Wow. That’s quite a compliment.”
She’d brushed out her braid so her hair fell in a straight dark curtain to cup her shoulders. She’d also changed from her uniform into a light gray, short-sleeved blouse and matching slacks. Looked like he wouldn’t be slipping his hand under her skirt again today, Ty realized regretfully. Adamn shame.
“You look great,” he said. And she did. Fantastic, in fact, despite the lack of a skirt. The slacks emphasized her endless legs and narrow hips, while the soft color made her eyes more intense than usual. “Ready to go?”
“I guess.”
Her enthusiasm underwhelmed him, but he simply grinned. “Good.”
She avoided his gaze, fixing her attention on her son. “I’ll call you from the restaurant and give you the phone number. And I’ll send Mrs. Welch over, although I think she wants to watch you at her place tonight.”
“Okay.”
She dropped a kiss on the top of his head. “Don’t open the door without looking to see who it is.”
Hutch glanced at Ty and grimaced.Women, his expression said. “I know.”
