“Oh,”Grace said, her gaze sliding between the two of them for a moment. “I see.”
Chris gave them a crooked smile that almost seemedknowing, and Evangeline felt her cheeks burning.
Is it that obvious that I have a crush on him?
“What are you guys up to today?” Grayson asked lightly.
“We’re heading out to do a little shopping,” Chris said. “But maybe we’ll see you next weekend at the big event.”
“Oh sure,” Grayson told him. “We’ll be there. I’m actually volunteering all day tomorrow.”
“It’s good to have a nanny,” Chris said, flashing a smile at Evangeline.
It was funny. Somehow, they had spent the entire weekend together. But the whole point of Grayson having her here was supposed to be so that he could do other things, like leave the house.
“See you guys around,” Grayson said, giving the other couple a wave as they headed out.
“Bye-bye,” the little girl called out suddenly. “I have to go shopping now. Bye-bye, baby.”
“Say bye-bye,” Evangeline told Leo, taking one of his little hands and waving it at Izzy.
Izzy giggled and waved back before turning to run off after her parents.
“That’s great that you’re doing some volunteer work tomorrow,” Evangeline said, turning to Grayson.
“I don’t have to if you don’t feel up to keeping him on your own yet,” he said right away.
“We’ll be just fine,” she told him. “After our adventure today, it will be nice to have a quiet day at home tomorrow and get to know each other better, right, Leo?”
Leo smacked his lips and chuckled at himself and she couldn’t help smiling.
“Sometimes I really think he understands what we’re saying,” Grayson said. “I mean, I know he doesn’t, but he acts like he does.”
“He’s a really smart baby,” Evangeline said. “I think he gets the idea.”
“Here we go,” Grayson said, as they approached a split-rail fence. “Oh, look, at that, Peanut Butter and Pickles are out.”
“Peanut Butter and Pickles?” she echoed.
“Those are the Cassidys’ carriage horses,” Grayson explained. “They’re taking a break in the little pasture today. See them under the big tree?”
“Oh, wow,” she said, stepping closer and seeing thetwo big animals standing under the tree, looking half asleep.
“Should I call them over?” Grayson asked. “I know you were expecting a pony, and these are big guys.”
“Yes,” she said. “Let’s call them over.”
“Brave girl,” he said, his deep voice approving.
She felt heat rise in her cheeks again, and willed herself not to give in so easily to his praise.
Grayson lifted his hand to his mouth and let out a sharp whistle.
The horses looked up just as Leo started wailing.
“I’m sorry, buddy,” Grayson said, his face falling. “I didn’t mean to scare you.”
But Leo was really betrayed.
