“You mind if I eat mine at your place before I head on back to the ranch?”
My heartbeat picked up and my hands started to sweat. Never mind the fact that my head was slightly spinning at the idea of Trevor coming inside and eating with me.
“I don’t mind at all.”
The last week and a half had been busy for both of us, and this was the first real time alone we’d spent together. Trevor called me at least once a day, and offered to stop by, but I knew things were busy on the ranch and I had been working overtime at the courthouse, not getting home until almost nine at night.
“How’s the baby’s room plan coming along?” Trevor asked while he took the food out of the bags and spread it out on the kitchen island.
“Good. I was wanting to change out the light, but I think I’ll wait a bit.”
“Let me know when you want it changed, and I’ll do it. I don’t want you on a ladder doing that kind of stuff.”
I laughed. “Trevor, I wouldn’t have the faintest idea how to change a light fixture, so that job is one-hundred-percent all yours.”
He winked. “Well, I didn’t want to make the assumption like I didn’t think you could. Just let me know, okay?”
“I’ll let you know. Hey, can you forward that video you took today of the baby?”
He grinned. “The Gummy Bear?”
I groaned. “Oh no, you’re going to call her that from now on, aren’t you?”
“Hell yes. That’s what she looked like,” he said with a chuckle while pulling up the video on his phone.
“Want to watch it again?” he asked, setting it down so we could both keep eating and see it. When we got to the heartbeat, Trevor turned the sound up and I started crying again. This time, though, Trevor pulled me into his arms. I had a sneaky feeling it was because he was crying as well and didn’t want me to see.
Being in his arms, with my emotions all over the place, I did something stupid. I grabbed onto his shirt and held him tighter. The feel of his body against mine was driving me insane. I wanted him, but my stupid head was telling me I couldn’t have him. Not yet.
“Tell me what you want from me, Scarlett. I’ll do anything.”
I pulled in a deep breath. How could I keep denying what I wanted?
“Just hold me for a bit, will you?”
“There’s nothing more I’d rather be doing, darlin’.”
Trevor gave me exactly what I wanted. He held onto me like he was afraid to let me go—and a very large part of me never wanted him to let go.
“Uncle Trevor!”
Glancing up from my desk, I smiled as Chloe burst through my office door.
“Chloe Parker, how many times have I told you not to just run into Trevor’s office?”
With a quick glance at her mother, Chloe yelled out, “Sorry!”
“Hey, Pumpkin!” I said right as she launched into my arms. It was a damn good thing I pushed away from my desk in time, otherwise she would’ve landed right on top of my desk.
“Are you ready for our tea party? Mommy said it’s such a beautiful November day and we should have it out by the pool.”
I looked at Paxton who wore a smile that said she was up to something.
“I think outside sounds wonderful. Let’s go!”
Chloe grabbed onto my hand and dragged me out of the office and through the entire house. Paxton was next to me, clearly with something on her mind.
“So, want to tell me what your brain is thinking so loudly, Paxton?”
“What? I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
I flashed her a look that said I didn’t believe a damn word she was saying.
When Chloe finally got us out by the pool, I looked at the table all set up.
“Okay, we just need to wait for our other guest,” Chloe said, sitting down and neatly setting her napkin on her lap.
I groaned and faced Paxton. “Please tell me Patches isn’t coming. You know what happened the last time he came to a tea party. Do I have to remind you about mom’s broken crystal vase?”
Covering her mouth, Paxton attempted to hide her laugh.
“It’s not Patches, Uncle Trevor!”
“Then who is it, princess?” I asked, ruffling Chloe’s hair, only to have her push my hand away.
“Am I late?”
I smiled when I saw her. “Scarlett?”
She made her way toward us, dressed in a beautiful, long, pink skirt with a white flowing top.
“Scarlett, you look beautiful!” Paxton said, giving her a quick hug.
“Hey,” I said, kissing her on the forehead. “What in the world are you doing here?”
Scarlett smiled at Chloe. “Well, I got a call today at work asking if I was able to join a certain young lady for a tea party and there was no way I could turn that esteemed invitation down.”