Luckily, Bella was able to speak.“Hey, everyone!Let me take your coats.Leon, Noel, I have a surprise for you.”
She took Noel by the hand and led her to a large, wooden chest labeled TOYS.Clara followed, carrying Leon.
If Miles had his wits about him, he would’ve realized the chest was new, and that Bella had filled it with toys.
Instead, his eyes were on Annie.He handed her a glass of sangria, his hand brushing hers, his skin burning at her touch.She whispered a thank you before turning her attention to the toy scene unfolding before them.
Clara took her glass of sangria out of his hand without a word.
Bella popped the chest open, pulled out a set of large Lego blocks, and dumped them all over the floor.“Ta-da!”
Noel immediately forgot her claim on Clara and dropped to the floor.Leon watched suspiciously from his grandmother’s arms.
“Whenever you’re ready, Leon, we can build a tower together,” Bella said in a sing-song voice.
He hid his grinning face in Clara’s hair.
Annie stepped closer, her gray eyes twinkling with a smile.“It didn’t feel right coming empty-handed, so I got this bottle of wine and a bottle of sparkling cider for Bella.”
Miles accepted them, willing himself to find words.“Thank you.You’re – that’s lovely.”
Uh oh.That was a close one.He’d almost bumbled like the fool he was.
“It smells amazing in here,” she added.
He forced himself to not stare.“I hope you came hungry.I’ve got a charcuterie board on the kitchen island for the grown-ups and,” he turned and grabbed the small plastic tray, “a small charcuterie board for little hands.”
Annie’s mouth dropped open.“That’s adorable!Kids, look!”
They did not look, but her eyes drifted up to him.
Warmth spread through his chest.He wanted to show her the rest, the urge tugging at him like an overeager terrier.
“I don’t want them to make a mess in your living room,” she said, frowning.
He waved a hand and put the tray on the ottoman.“I’m not worried about it.”
Leon, now on his own two feet, walked over to investigate and selected a piece of mozzarella cheese before taking a bite.
Bella tried to entice Noel to have some chocolate, but she was completely focused on building a Lego tower.
Miles nodded toward the kitchen.“Shall we?”
They followed him, and both Annie and Clara exclaimed when they saw the charcuterie board.
“Is this dinner?”Clara asked, a grin on her face.
“Of course not,” he said, handing them each a plate.“We’ve got two turkeys to eat.”
“Two?”Annie stared at him.“You’re joking.”
“They’re small,” he clarified.“The big ones dry out too much.”
“Come on Annie, relax!”Clara said, taking a seat at the kitchen island.She jerked her thumb in Annie’s direction.“This girl never relaxes.”
“I relax,” Annie said, still standing.
Clara went on.“What better time than when someone else is cooking for you?”
