“Ta-ta!” With a regal wave, Sylvia left in a flurry of ruffles and lace.
When the door finally swung shut, Grant released a pent-up breath. “Your mom takes book club pretty seriously.”
“Any excuse to wear a costume.” Eliza attempted a laugh, but it barely made it past the lump in her throat. Spending time with Grant and Ben togetherwasn’tthe plan. She needed to lay groundwork first. This was all happening much too quickly. And she could only hope the evening wouldn’t blow up in her face like the time she’d made pie filling in the blender and forgot to replace the lid.
Plastering a smile on her face, she turned to Ben. “Who’s ready to make some cupcakes?”
“Me! Me!” Ben whooped, skipping toward the kitchen.
Eliza and Grant fell in step behind him.
“Thank you for being flexible. I hope you didn’t have anything too elaborate planned.” Eliza tried to hide the disappointment in her voice.
“Only a carriage ride, a string quartet, and our very own fireworks display.”
“Oh, no! Remind me to make sure the apple we give Daphne at the end of the school year has a worm in it.”
Grant snorted with laughter. “I take it you’re not her biggest fan.”
“She’s not so bad, I guess. I think I’m just overly sensitive because she’s threatened to hold Ben back a grade.”
“What? Ben’s a bright kid. What possible reason could she have for holding him back?”
Eliza shrugged. “His grades on his homework are great. But she doesn’t think he’s developed the skills he needs in the classroom. She’s worried he won’t be able to keep up with the other kids in third grade. And she says it’s easier to hold him back now than later on.”
“I’m sorry, Lizzy. How does Ben feel about it?”
“I… haven’t told him yet.” Eliza grimaced. “I know that sounds awful. But I keep hoping we’ll figure out the problem and get a handle on it before the end of the year. Which is only a few weeks away.” She sighed, a heaviness settling around her heart. “But I’m probably kidding myself.”
“Hey.” Grant reached for her hand and gave it a squeeze. “You’re a great mom. And Ben’s a great kid. You don’t have to solve everything tonight.”
“You’re right,” she murmured, gazing at their entwined fingers. “We just have to bake three dozen cupcakes that look like ladybugs.”
“Think she’ll notice if we throw a few dung beetles in there?” Grant asked with mock seriousness.
Laughter spilling from her lips, Eliza jabbed his shoulder. “Don’t you dare.”
When they reached the kitchen, Grant released Eliza’s hand, and she instantly missed the feel of him—the comfort a simple touch provided in a difficult situation.
For a moment, it felt like she’d had a teammate to help carry the burden.
And Eliza would do almost anything to get that feeling back.
* * *
Squeezed into the small kitchen, Grant reveled in fond memories of baking with Eliza. Although, strangely, he found it even more enjoyable with Ben around. His quirky antics and childlike curiosity added a certain richness to the experience that Grant hadn’t expected.
Plus, it wasn’t a bad idea to have someone provide a buffer between him and Eliza. Every time he thought her allure couldn’t become any more intense, she did something even more adorable.
Like turn on music and dance barefoot across the slick hardwood floor with her son while they assembled the necessary ingredients.
To Grant’s surprise and delight, they included him in all of their goofy games, flicking flour at each other and seeing who could keep a straight face after licking a spoonful of salt. For the first time, Grant understood what it felt like to be part of a normal, loving family. A thought that instantly filled him with guilt.
He loved his parents and adored his sister. But they didn’t know how to interact with one another. Or, at least, not like this—lighthearted and free from years of tension and resentment.
Before Eliza and Ben, Grant had resigned himself to never knowing the fullness of having his own family. Now, he glimpsed a glimmer of hope on the horizon. And it appeared to be a lot closer than he’d originally thought.
“Here.” Eliza held out the pair of whisks from the electric mixer, each one dripping with chocolate cake batter. “You two can share.”
