He glanced over at her. Her expression was serious, like she understood, not like she was laughing at him.
“It’s not a big deal to bring them a little food,” he said.
“Maybe not to you,” she replied. “That would be a big deal to me, though. And it obviously means a lot to them.”
“Well, I hope you’re hungry,” he told her. “Because we’re coming home with three of them.”
“I could eat,” she said lightly.
“This is us,” he said, indicating the used SUV he’d picked up from the local auto-repair shop when he first got home.
Though he’d probably overdone it a little with the house, he didn’t want to be some kind of showy person with a brand-new, fancy car. As it turned out, these VolvoSUVs were supposed to be extra safe, which put his mind at ease when it came to Leo.
He was ready to open her door for her, but she headed right for the back and opened up instead. He watched her wrap the hoagies in the blanket and place them in the car before turning to the stroller.
“It’s a pop-out,” he told her. “Here, I’ll show you.”
She leaned in and really watched when he demonstrated how to unlatch the empty car seat and snap it into the car.
“Thanks,” she said softly.
“Of course,” he told her.
Leo had fallen asleep in the carrier and was none too pleased to be taken away from the warmth of Grayson’s chest.
“You’re okay,” Grayson told him as he placed him in his car seat.
But Leo just kept right on crying, like his little heart was broken.
“We’re heading right home,” Grayson told him while he adjusted the straps. “And then you’re going to get a bath and something to eat.”
Leo looked at him, but kept crying. Grayson was used to that. When the boy was tired he cried more, and they’d been out in the fresh air more than usual today, which definitely wore him out faster.
He suddenly remembered that he had a professional nanny here. Maybe she wouldn’t like that he let the baby fuss.
“He cries more when he’s tired,” he said, turning toEvangeline when he was certain that Leo was strapped in safely.
“Oh, that’s normal,” she said with a smile. “It’s nice that he had a busy day. He’ll sleep well tonight.”
“From your mouth to God’s ears,” Grayson said with a smile, walking over to the passenger side.
“He’s not a good sleeper?” Evangeline asked.
“Maybe I’m doing something wrong,” Grayson allowed, opening the door for her.
“Oh,” she said, looking surprised. “Thank you.”
He watched her climb in, graceful as a dancer, and then he closed the door for her.
Maybe she wasn’t used to men opening doors for her. Grayson’s parents had raised him to be a gentleman, which meant honoring small courtesies.
God is in the details,Dad always liked to say.
Grayson walked around to the driver’s side and got in, starting the engine right away and wishing he’d remembered to do it as soon as they got to the SUV. Poor Leo was still fussing, and it was cold enough in here that Grayson didn’t blame him.
“You’re not,” Evangeline said softly.
He turned to find her eyeing him seriously.
