“Up,” Savvie demanded once again, and Theo picked her up gingerly. She was small and sticky and smelled faintly like sunblock and cotton candy.
The little girl held his face between her chubby hands and stared into his eyes. She leaned close until their noses were almost touching. Theo was conscious of Amber taking a photo, but he dared not look away from the three-foot force of nature holding his face.
“Savvie,” Amber said warningly. “No biting.”
Theo backed away instinctively, only to be drawn back.
Clear blue eyes met his. “Canny.”
Theo tried to turn his head to look at Amber, but the little wild one held onto his ears.
“Candy? The mayor doesn’t have any candy, Savvie,” Amber said. “Now let go of his ears. That’s not polite.”
Savvie grinned, tiny white teeth showing, and pointed to Theo’s jeans pocket. “Canny.”
“Oh,” Theo said, handing her the Red Hot box in relief. “Here you go. Maybe ask your mom and dad before you eat?—.”
“They’re spicy,” Amber warned at the same time, but Savvie looked at them with scorn and popped two in her mouth. She chewed and swallowed and grinned at them.
“Down,” she pointed. Theo set her gently on the ground next to her sister.
“You eat candy?” Amber asked, the surprise evident in her voice.
“They were for you.” he said gruffly.
“Oh,” she said. There was a wealth of feeling in thatoh.
“I hope you’re hungry,” A short, dark-haired woman huffed as she walked up and thrust a wicker basket at him. “I brought leftovers.”
Theo took the basket in bemused silence and peeked inside. Thick slices of lasagna were packed inside clear to-go containers, plus two bottles of wine. His nose twitched at the scent of basil and tomatoes.
“Aunt Rosa,” Amber said, kissing the woman on the cheek and then doing the same to several more who had joined them. “Mom, Aunties, I think you know Mayor Theo Clairmont.”
Theo watched as Amber greeted each of her relatives. He knew the Hart women by reputation and through various business councils they belonged to. They were considered pillars of the Northfield community, each running their businesses with professionalism and a savviness that he had always admired.
“This is my sister, Allie, and her husband, Davis,” Amber introduced a good-looking couple next. Savannah and Tessa were a perfect blend of the two, with their mother’s delicate face and their father’s eyes. “They have three others, Sammy, Ben, and Claire, who are all on the playground, and you know Lily and Evie from the ribbon-cutting ceremony.”
“Hi, Mayor,” Allie said, her eyes sparkling mischievously, much like Amber’s. It seemed to be a trait all the Hart women shared.
“Call me Theo, please,” he said. “You have a beautiful family.”
“You’re getting the whole family tonight, you lucky man,” Allie said. “Davis can help run interference if you need it. He’s used to dealing with us.”
Davis nodded. “Just say yes when they try to feed you, or it gets ugly.”
“I’ll look forward to it,” Theo said, hefting the basket. Aside from taking Georgie to the Maple and Main Street Diner once a week, he didn’t often get to eat a meal he hadn’t cooked himself. As the family teased and laughed with each other, Theo felt their warmth and humor, and let himself enjoy the evening.
Soon, the opening score of the movie began playing, and the crowd settled onto blankets and chairs. Disappointment surged in him, but as he turned to make his exit and leave the family to enjoy the night together, he felt a tug on his jeans.
“Come sith.” The little girl looked less energetic now that it was dark. She was rubbing her eye with one hand, and her other found his and tugged.
He looked at Amber, who shrugged. “Better do what she says.” She followed him over with a sleepy-looking Tessa in her arms.
Savvie led them to a large red, white, and blue quilt and sat down in a puff of purple skirts and patted the space next to her.
“Off.” She pointed to his shoes.
“Ah...” He looked at Amber, who smirked at him.
