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In the refrigerator, she found string cheese and pouches of yogurt for kids.

She got them out and gave them to Harper, sitting at the kitchen table next to Papa.

Harper looked at them. “I want the princess ones.”

“I’m sorry, but this is the kind that was there,” said Emma. “It has cute animals on the package.”

Harper let out a long sigh. “Are you sure?”

Emmie held up her hand. “I promise.”

Harper’s manner changed instantly. “Okay. Thank you.”

Ted and Emmie watched Harper eat, and then he checked his watch. “Give me a few minutes to talk to Ryan, and then we’d better take off for Cinda’s.”

A few minutes later, Ted ended his call with Ryan. “We need to stop at the supermarket. Ryan gave me a short list of things to get. He took the boys to McDonald’s for a quick treat. I told him we’d bring them a cooked chicken for dinner.”

“Okay, I can add to the meal with fresh vegetables and an easy recipe for cheesy potatoes.” Emmie paused. “Maybe we should pick up something for ourselves to eat here later. Who knows how long we’ll be with Harper?”

“I’ll pick up some steaks. We’ll leave one for Chase when he returns. Unlike Ryan, Chase is not handy in the kitchen, but he’s great at grilling.”

The three of them headed out in Diana’s car with Harper safely tucked into her car seat.

Emmie stayed in the car with her while Ted did his errands at the supermarket, and then they headed downtown to Cinda’s house. Emmie liked how comfortable Ted was interacting with his kids. It told her a lot about him as a father and as a man.

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When they arrived at Cinda’s house with Harper, Emmie saw how fatigued Cinda was and hurried the boys out of the den and outside, where a large playground area, including a slide, could keep them all busy.

Ted came outside. “Are you all right here?”

“No, I need to go inside and put together the dinner,” she answered. “Will you watch the kids?”

“Okay, but let me grab a beer first. This has been quite a day. Soon, I’ll have another grandson.”

She smiled and patted his cheek. “A big day indeed. You’re way ahead of me.”

He laughed and left her to get his drink, returning quickly.

Emmie went into the kitchen and told Ryan she’d take care of putting together the meal.

“You’re a real asset to Ted,” Ryan said. “Thanks for all you’re doing. Help yourself to whatever you need. We keep a well-stocked kitchen.”

“Ah, yes. I heard you were an excellent cook.”

“For special things, not the day-in, day-out things Cinda has to do,” he admitted. “I’ll see what Cinda wants.”

Emmie peeled and cut up carrots. She boiled the baby potatoes until they were almost soft. Then she smashed them down, put butter and seasoning on top of each one, and put them in the air fryer to cook. When the carrots were done, she added a little maple syrup to them to entice the kids to eat them.

Harper was excited to eat with her cousins and happily sat with them as they all gobbled their food.

“You’re some kind of miracle worker,” Ryan commented when he saw them eating.

“It’s been a busy day for everyone,” she said. “After I clean up the kitchen, Ted and I are taking Harper home and having a quiet dinner for ourselves.”

“Where’s Ted?” Ryan asked.

“He’s talking to Cinda. Fathers and daughters,” said Emmie comfortably.