We looked at Diana like we’d been caught with our hands in the cookie jar.
“Sorry, Diana. We’ll clean it up, don’t worry,” Parker said.
“I know you will,” Diana said, placing a sponge on the counter next to them. “Question is, how long will it take you two to get that little one her milk? Now move over, and I’ll finish it up while you talk. I’ll bring tea and coffee out as well.”
We knew better than to argue with Diana, so we promptly moved away from the counter. Parker filled me in on Sophie’s heart surgery. He, too, didn’t like how she looked and had been keeping up with her doctors daily. He’d made the decision, along with Mia, to bring her to New York where he could take care of her. That was why they were visiting. He suspected that her new heart valve was not functioning correctly.
“Let’s talk tomorrow when I have her file in front of me,” Parker said. “For right now, let’s make sure she’s having fun.”
Chapter 10
Chloe
Trey had only been gone for twenty minutes, but to me, it felt like hours. I hadn’t pined for a man since Sophie’s father when I was only sixteen years old. I tried not to overanalyze how I was feeling for someone I’d just met, but those eyes were burned into my brain.
Diana hustled back into the dining room with a tray of coffee and tea. Trey carried the chocolate milk in for Sophie as well as a glass for himself. Diana busied herself passing out the biscuits I’d brought and brownies she’d made that morning. The biscuits were a big hit with everyone, but to my surprise, Sophie wanted brownies with Trey.
“Sophie, would you like to take a little rest before the Easter egg hunt?” Mia asked from across the table. “I’m feeling a bit tired myself. I could lay down with you.”
“I’m not tired, Aunt Mia. I had two moo juice and a brownie.” Sophie smiled brightly. “Maybe after the bum nuts are all found we can lay down, okay?”
I appreciated Mia jumping in like that but, knowing my daughter the way I do, I knew there was no way she was going to nap before an egg hunt with her new best friend, Trey.
“Mummy, is it ok if I rest later?” Sophie asked.
“Yes baby, it’s okay with Mummy, but if you get tired you have to tell me.”
“I will Mummy. I love you a million Easter eggs,” Sophie announced.
“And I love you a million butterflies,” I answered right back.
“All right, I heard the Easter bunny hid eggs outside, so let’s get our baskets and see who finds the most eggs,” Trey announced. “Miss Sophie, do you wanna be my partner?”
“No. I wanted Sophie to be my partner,” Mia almost shouted, then laughed at herself. “Trey, get someone else.”
“You have to be partner with your husband because he never finds eggs.” Trey shrugged. “I’m sorry, but it’s true. He just walks around and maybe finds one or two eggs every year.”
“Aunt Mia, you have to help Uncle Parker. He needs you.” Sophie climbed off her chair and gave Parker a big hug. “Look how sad he looks about it.”
“Thank you, Sophie. I do need Aunt Mia’s help.” Parker raised one eyebrow at Trey as if to say “take that” for picking on him. “You can be on our team too.”
“Yeah, that’s a good idea.” Sophie turned to Asher.
“Mr. Asher, who is your partner?” Sophie walked around the table looking at everyone. “Oh, I know, you can be partner with Miss Murphy or the big scary guy.”
Gunner let out a loud laugh then smiled brightly at Sophie. “You can call me Bond.”
“Hi Mr. Bond. I like your laugh.” Sophie stopped next to him “You have a happy laugh, so now you’re not scary man anymore.”
“I’m always partnered with Miss Murphy, even though I would be happy being a partner with the big scary guy.” Asher stood and pushed his chair in. “We do need a partner for Mr. Bond though. Should it be your mommy or Trey?”
“We don’t have another person to be Mr. Bond’s partner.” Sophie looked around at the partners. “I know, I can be your partner, because everyone will be afraid to take your eggs.”
“Sophie, that’s not very nice to say,” I scolded, slightly embarrassed. “Apologize please.”
“I wasn’t being mean, Mummy. I meant in case someone tries to get our eggs and he is strong to take care of me too.”
“All right, but make sure Mr. Bond is okay with that plan,” I said. “He might want to pick his own partner.”
“I would be honored to be your partner, Miss Sophie, but your Aunt Mia looks rather sad about that.” Bond pointed to a pretend sad Mia. “How about if I just watch, because I’m very full from my lunch?”
“Mr. Bond, Hank will gladly be partnered with you. Everyone hunts for eggs at this house.” Victoria waved Hank over. “Diana usually hunts, but her knee is bothering her today, so it’s perfect.”
“I can be on their team or I can help Diana, so she can still play,” I offered.
“No, Mummy, you be Mr. Trey’s partner,” Sophie said thoughtfully. “But don’t get all the eggs, okay?”
Diana came in with helpers placing oversized Easter baskets on the table. I glanced over to Trey.
He tried for a fake sad face, but Mia scoffed at him. Everyone was picking baskets, so I picked up two baskets and slowly walked over to Trey as the other teams were forming.
“Sorry you got stuck with me like that,” I said.
“Funny, I was just thinking it was the best thing that’s happened to me in months.”
“Oh,” I swiped some hair out of my face, “thank you.”
Don’t blush, don’t blush.
“Is it weird that I said that? Do you think that I’m weird?” Trey asked in fake shock.
I laughed awkwardly and then felt myself scrunch up my nose. I hated that nervous habit.
“Yeah, it’s weird, but just a little bit,” I smiled. “I like weird though, so we’ll be okay.”
I could feel him staring at me but only for a minute, a small smile starting at the corner of his mouth. I could feel the blush working its way up my neck.
I felt like melting under the heat of his stare. It should be illegal for a man to be that handsome. My heart was pounding in my chest. Trey was still smiling when he put his hand out for mine.
“Okay then, shall we go hunt eggs?” Trey asked, already pulling me to the door.
I nodded. I found myself wondering if it was better to have experienced something I couldn’t have, or should I avoid it altogether, never knowing what I was missing? I knew I had to return to Sydney, and I shouldn’t get involved.
Do I dare?
Chapter 11
Trey
I was over the moon, excited that her daughter had intervened and pushed her to be my partner. One day I was going to owe her for that.
“Okay then, shall we go hunt eggs?” I pulled her toward the door without waiting on an answer.
I felt her hesitate slightly, so I looked back. She had the cutest blush and expression. I wish I knew what I’d said to cause it. Maybe it wasn’t me. I looked across to where Mia stood watching the exchange. She was pretty poker-faced, so I wasn’t sure what to do next. Then with a wink at Parker, she took Sophie by the hand, grabbed two baskets, and ran for the doors.