“Always thinking. I love that about you.” He longed to free the long hair trapped in a precise bun, but quick little footsteps echoed down the hall. He stole the kiss he’d been wanting all morning before it was too late. Her lips tasted of blueberries and sugar.
“Clams, clams, clams, clams, clams!” Caroline’s youthful voice rang down the hall.
Liam released his grip on Tessa’s apron and took a step back. “You gonna be ready?” He nodded at the cluttered counter, wanting to volunteer to help, but running late himself to pick up Owen.
“Maybe?”
“Oh, no,” said Cadence, popping into the kitchen. From where, he wasn’t sure. She might’ve been there during that kiss for all he knew. It didn’t matter. Liam was never shy about kissing Tessa in front of anyone. “Low tide’s in an hour, and you’re going with us, Tess. We need your clam expertise.”
“We’llhelp her clean up,” Sophie said to Caroline. “Won’t we?”
“Can I wear my apron?” the little girl pleaded.
Liam squeezed Tessa’s hand until she met his eyes. “I’m going to grab Owen. I’ll be back.”
* * *
“Owen, get your rain boots,” April ordered. “You arenotwearing sandals to dig clams.”
Liam heard his nephew’s gripes as he stomped down the hall. Something aboutI hate my bootsandstupid clams. But the kid would change his tune when he had a chance to stick his hands in the sand and pull out the clams himself. He’d forget all about the boots he now protested.
“Don’t worry,” April reassured him. “He slept in until seven. Shouldn't be too cranky for you today.”
“Thanks?”
“Youshouldbe thanking me. Owen’s tantrums can stop traffic. You don’t ever want to see meltdown level five when he’s sleep-deprived. And naps? At his age, those things are a distant memory.”
Liam had witnessed pieces of Owen’s tantrums, but he’d never been stuck with one himself. The very idea should make him want to prolong having his own kids, but instead, it made him excited. Together, he and Tessa could overcome any challenge. Even cranky kids throwing themselves on grocery store floors, acting as though the world was ending because they weren’t allowed the breakfast cereal they wanted but might never eat.
“Make sure you return the favor and wear that kid out.” April rubbed her belly and winced. “I don’t need him staying up until midnight.”
“You okay?”
“Yep, just peachy.”She winced again. “It’s normal.”
When Owen was born, Liam had still been a month out from moving home. He missed every stage of April’s first pregnancy and had no idea whether or not what she told him was enough to go on. “Sure you don’t want to run to the hospital? Check in with your doctor?”
“I’ll be much happier when you get Owen out of my hair for a couple of hours. I want to eat every cupcake and piece of bacon in sight. My back hurts and I’m crabby. I just want some peace and quiet so I can binge-watch Harry Potter with my fuzzy purple blanket that’s for once free of whatever that kid spilled.”
Liam lost the fight to hide his smile.
“Just you wait until your wife is pregnant and random. God help you if you cross her, Liam. Praying might be the only thing that saves you then.”
Owen’s heavy feet padded down the hallway, boots dangling from each hand. “I want to dig clams!”
“We’re going, buddy. Get your boots on.”
“You’re really ready, aren’t you?” April assessed him a little too long for comfort, so Liam knelt and helped Owen with his boots. The beach was likely to be extra mushy from yesterday’s rain. He wondered if Caroline had a pair of boots, too. “Okay, pretend to ignore me, Liam Michael Davies. But I know the look. Miles had it, too.”
“Where’s Mom?”
“Writing another offer.”
Liam straightened. “There aren’tthatmany houses in Sunset Ridge.” He wondered if his mom was avoiding him. The possibility was high, considering April had turned out to be a super fan of Tessa the Grizzly Bear. April probably talked nonstop about her unexpected visit last night. If he couldn’t track Mom down today, he’d find her at the festival. No way Jolene Davies missed entering the baking contest. She and Tillie were old rivals.
“You never ask whereDadis.” April helped Owen into his jacket, best she could without the ability to bend over.
“That’s because Iknowwhere Dad is. At the store, where he always is. Hardware never rests.”
