“I would love that,” she replied excitedly. But the hope fell from her face almost instantly. “But tonight is bible study nightfor my parents and they’re hosting. I don’t think I can ask them to watch the kids.”
Spencer knew that he typically told her to bring them along, but he was actually hoping for some one-on-one time with Trinity. “It’s okay. We can reschedule.”
“I need to broaden my babysitting roster.”
Just then, a very familiar voice called out from the barn’s big double-wide doors. “Did someone say they were in need of a babysitter?”
Nana Jo sauntered into the barn wearing her Wranglers, tan canvas coat, and a big grin. If Spencer didn’t know any better, she looked ready for a ride.
“I was just telling Spencer that I need to find a few more people to watch the kiddos so I don’t always have to rely on Mom and Dad.”
“You know, I have been known to babysit a child or two in my day.”
“Oh, no.” Trinity shook her head. “I wasn’t implying?—”
“You weren’t, but I am. Seriously, let me watch them. They can hang out with me and do the evening farm chores.”
Trinity looked between Spencer and his grandmother for some sort of protest, but she wasn’t going to get any from him. Nana Jo had been the best babysitter, his favorite person to spend time with when his parents couldn’t. Sometimes, even when they could.
“But you’ve got the B&B and your guests,” Trinity offered as an excuse.
“We’re really light on bookings this weekend. Only have two guests, and they’re quiet and keep to themselves. Not like the bachelorettes we had last week. Goodness, those gals were a hoot.”
Once more, Trinity looked to Spencer, then back at Josephine. “Are you sure?”
“As sure as a well-trained horse on a clear trail.”
“Okay.” She clapped her hands to her thighs. “I will take you up on the offer then.”
“Hear that, kiddos?” Nana Jo hollered, swinging her gaze around the barn to land on Liam and Mia and the horses they were doting on. “You get to spend the evening with me!”
“Yay!” they both sang in unison.
“Homemade pizzas sound yummy?”
“Yes!” the two cheered.
“We can even make some cookies for the horses.”
“Cookies for the horses?” Liam snickered and Doodlebug whinnied in response. “Horses don’t eat cookies!”
“Sure, they do. You make ‘em with oats and molasses. Sometimes I even throw in some crushed peppermints. They gobble them right up.”
Mia poked her head out of Bluebell’s stall, her face stunned. “Horses like peppermints?”
“Yup. You should see them at Christmastime. Candy canes all around.”
Spencer watched Trinity take in the scene, the way she hung on every word her children uttered. The way her eyes glistened, and how her hand unconsciously went to her heart as if she needed to hold it or it might burst. If love was a look, this was it. And when she brought her attention back to Spencer at her side on the haybale and her expression didn’t fall or falter, but only grew into a full-fledged smile, he felt like the luckiest man in the world to be on the receiving end of her affection.
And it was a feeling he promised never to take for granted.
CHAPTER 20
Trinity debated buying a new dress for the occasion, but it just wasn’t in her budget. It wasn’t as though Spencer had seen her in any of the ones she already owned. Honestly,shehadn’t even seen herself in a dress since Calvin’s funeral, and that black knee-length belted wrap wasn’t something she ever planned to wear again.
Tonight was chilly, snow already falling outside the window, coming down in soft, white flakes. She dug around in her dresser and closet for over an hour until she finally assembled an outfit that she felt not only comfortable in, but also surprisingly pretty. A plum colored, cowl-neck sweater partnered with a floral maxi skirt of dark purple, cream, and burgundy hues, along with a pair of knee-high brown leather boots, felt like the perfect combination of both put-together and practical.
She’d opted to pull her hair into a low ponytail, borrowing one of Mia’s long ribbons to twist around the band.
