“Answer the door,” he whispered. “I’ll take care of it.”
“Okay.” Turning around, she opened the door.
Of course, Tommy and Kelly would have both been there. No one parent waiting in the car this time. He sighed, waiting for the questions.
Reagan acknowledged his presence first. She burst into the apartment, ran to him and threw her arms around him. “What are you doing here, Uncle Jack? Are you helping baby-sit me?”
“Not tonight, kiddo. Ms. Anna was helping me out on a project, but I was about to leave.” He caught Kelly’s inquisitive rise of her brow from the corner of his eye.
“Can you stay, please? Pretty, please?” Reagan tugged on his hand. “Me, you, and Ms. Anna can make stone soup. We read about it in class this week and Miss Adelaide said we’ll make some next week in class, but I want to practice.”
Kelly gave an apologetic smile to the adults in the room. “I explained to her that stone soup required special ingredients that you probably don’t have and told her I didn’t have time to run to the store, but she said she could pretend for what’s missing.”
Anna walked to Reagan and stooped down. “You know, I had planned to have pizza delivered for dinner, but we can make stone soup instead. I don’t think my stomach can fit both.”
She’d said the magic word, and Reagan jumped on the idea. “Can we get pineapple on it? Mommy and Daddy never let me unless it’s just for me because they say pineapple doesn’t belong on pizza.”
Jack tried not to laugh but gave up when the others let loose.
“I’ll even order you double pineapple if your parents don’t mind,” Anna declared to a beaming Reagan.
“She can have triple if I’m not the one eating it.” Kelly chuckled again. “We should be back by eight-thirty. I can’t stay awake much later than that lately.”
“Take your time. We’ll have a good time, won’t we Reagan?”
“Even better if Uncle Jack stays.” Reagan stuck out her bottom lip.
“Honey, I’ve taken up too much of Ms. Anna’s time already today. I’m sure she wants a break from me.”
“Please,” his niece pleaded, then gave Anna puppy dog eyes. “She won’t mind if you stay, will you, Ms. Anna?”
Anna paused only a second, and Jack realized then they’d both cave to Reagan’s wishes. No one could resist her innocent amber eyes. “The more the merrier.”
“I’ll stay on one condition,” Jack told Reagan. “You have to give your mom and dad the biggest, bestest hug before they leave.”
Reagan giggled, ran to her parents, and gave them each a hug. “Love you, Mommy. Love you, Daddy.”
“Be good.” Tommy kissed her head. “We’ll see you soon.”
Kelly caught Jack’s gaze once more before leaving, told him without a word that they would talk later.
“I’m sure we will,” he muttered to himself, low enough for only himself to hear.
After Kelly and Tommy left, Jack pulled Anna aside. “I’m so sorry about all this. Reagan will understand if I tell her something came up. I’ve imposed on you long enough today.”
She snorted in response. “And break her little heart? I don’t think so, Mister. You told her you are staying, so you’re not going to ditch us and leave me with her tears.”
“You know her so well.” He grinned. “She’s sweet, adorable, and absolutely knows how to get her way.”
Anna nodded. “Kelly will have her hands full when the new baby arrives.”
“Oh yeah.”
“I’m going to order the pizza. Sometimes it takes a while to get her on Saturdays. I couldn’t eat another bite yet, but I’ll still order a non-pineapple for later. Any special requests?”
He shook his head. “I happen to disagree with my sister on this. If I get hungry, I’ll snag a slice of the pineapple.”
“You’re a champ.”
