“What if someone calls and you're in the bathroom?”
“I won’t be in the bathroom.”
“But what if?—”
“Noah.”
He subsided.Cassidy turned a page in her library book and said without looking up, “He practiced his phone voice while we walked over here.Unfortunately, he uses an English accent.”
“It sounds more official,” Noah said with dignity.
“I’ll bet it did,” Bonnie replied, amused.She was tempted to let him answer a call just to hear it.
Noah changed subject abruptly.“Do you think Gray will come in today?”
“I have no idea.”
“Did you give him any forms he hasn’t turned in yet?”
“As a matter of fact, I did.”
“Yippee!I bet he comes in today!”
“He's a busy person, Noah.”
“Yes, but he's very punctual about returning forms,” Cassidy interjected.“Statistically, he’s likely to ...”
“Please don't finish that sentence,” Bonnie said.
Cassidy finished it anyway.“...come in today.”
She rolled her eyes at her daughter.Cassidy rolled her eyes back.
Darn it.Cassidy was right, and they both knew it.At least she hadn’t commented on how her mother was wearing more make-up than usual and had slept with her hair in curlers last night.Flummoxed, Bonnie went back to opening the mail.
The hallway door opened at eleven forty-seven.
Noah practically levitated out of his chair, he was so excited.
Gray came in carrying a large paper bag in one hand and a cardboard drink carrier with four tall Styrofoam cups in the other.
He wore casual jeans and cowboy boots, both just worn enough to be sexy.His brown hair was windswept from outside, and he looked slightly startled to find both children staring at him intently.
Noah was as delighted as an eager puppy.Cassidy gave off the satisfaction of a scientist observing a variable she'd predicted correctly.
Gray smiled at Bonnie.“Rose mentioned your kiddos have the day off and came to the office with you.I hope it's all right that I brought lunch.”
Bonnie smelled cheeseburgers.“Gray, you didn't have to ...”
“Cheeseburgers,” Noah said reverently.
“And fries,” Gray said with a grin.“And milkshakes.”
“What flavor?”Cassidy asked, appearing at Noah's other elbow.
“Chocolate, strawberry, and vanilla.And a coffee milkshake for your mom.”He glanced at Bonnie.“Rose said you would want a coffee shake.”
Bonnie accepted the cup, took a sip, and felt something in her shoulders unknot.She couldn’t remember the last time she had a milkshake.It felt decadent.Fun.“Thank you, Gray.This was very kind of you.”
