Andy’s eyes widened. “Do you make the prosthetic legs like Mr. Dawkins wears?”
“Not quite.”
“Oh.”
His disappointment made David hold back a smile. For most people, meeting the clinical director wasn’t nearly as exciting as being introduced to someone in the design team.
“Andy is in the robotics team at school,” Andrea explained. “He’s spent a lot of time with Peter, learning how the prosthetics are made.”
“When the BioTech office opens in Sapphire Bay, Mr. Bennett said he’d show me around.”
David smiled. “You’ll enjoy seeing everything. I’m a little in awe of what the BioTech team does.”
Andy nodded and turned to his mom. “I’ll be back with Charlie soon.”
Andrea watched him leave. “He’s growing up so fast. Sometimes, it feels as though I’ve blinked and thirteen years have disappeared. Do you have any children, David?”
A heavy weight settled in his chest. It was the one thing he’d always wanted, but he hadn’t found the right woman to share his life with. “No, but I enjoy spending time with my nieces and nephew. They keep my sister and her husband on their toes.”
“How old are your sister’s children?”
“Deanna and Sandy are twins. They’re four years old. Bradley is six.” Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out his phone. “Bradley is enjoying school. My sister sent me this photo of him dressed as a carrot for a school play he was in.”
Andrea smiled at the photo. “He’s very cute.”
“I think so, too.” He looked into Andrea’s clear blue eyes. The tug of attraction he always felt around her made his breath catch. He should step away, go back to the inn and focus on what he was in Sapphire Bay to do.
“Bradley’s eyes are the same shape as yours.”
He hadn’t expected her to notice. “It’s a family trait.” He took another look at the photo before putting his phone away. “I’ll search the funding databases for—”
The front door swung open and Andrea’s other son rushed onto the veranda. “Shelley wants to talk to you, Mom.”
Andrea took the cell phone he was holding and smiled at David. “I won’t be long.”
While she was talking, Andrea’s youngest son looked up at him. “I’m Charlie.”
David held out his hand. “Hi. I’m David.”
“You run past Mom’s café most mornings.”
Charlie might be young, but he was observant. “That’s right. I’m working in Sapphire Bay at the moment.”
Andy handed his brother a backpack. “Mr. O’Dowd works with Mr. Bennett. He helps make prosthetic limbs.”
Charlie’s eyes widened. “Really? My friend Jack knows all about prosthetics ’cos his dad only has one leg.”
“I already told him about Mr. Dawkins,” Andy said. “Did you put all the Legos away?”
“It’s in the container under the kitchen counter.” Charlie frowned at David. “Are you helping Mom open the café?”
“I’m helping her find some money to buy an oven and a refrigerator.”
“We need a dishwasher, too. The one we bought makes funny noises.”
Andrea finished her call and placed her hand on Charlie’s shoulder. “It’s fine. It just needs to be repaired.” She handed Andy a set of keys. “Wait for me in the truck with Charlie. I won’t be long.”
The boys ran toward the red pickup parked on the side of the road.
