Page 38

Clearing my throat, I yelled, “The gate’s open. Just walk through and then unlock the baby gate, and you can come straight into the backyard.” The yard went around the house, but I’d wanted to separate the front from the back. That way, the twins could roam around freely when we were out here and wouldn’t disappear from my sight.
This is it. Showtime.
Bob and Sophie came into view a few seconds later. The twins stopped chasing each other, glancing at the newcomers, but there was no flicker of recognition on their faces. I explained to them that their grandparents were visiting, but... yeah. I didn’t blame the poor kids. The last time they’d seen them had been at the funeral, and they hadn’t held the twins or tried to comfort them even once. It made my blood boil that they now thought they should take them when they were practically strangers. After the accident, I’d commuted with the kids from my sister’s house before I brought them to my place permanently. Fortunately, they’d adjusted quite well.
“Bob, Sophie, you know Nick.”
The two of them looked like they were about to go to the opera or something. Bob was wearing a suit, and Sophie had on an elegant gown. Yes, practically a floor-length dress.
“We’ve met a few times when Jim and I were in college,” Nick reminded them.
“Yes, NickWhitley,” Bob said appreciatively.
I barely held back a snort. Of course he was impressed by the Whitley name. Bob was a bit of a snob, from what Nora had told me.
“Are we keeping you from an event?” Nick asked.
“What do you mean?” Sophie replied.
Nick pointed at their clothing before I could warn him that they probably dressed like that thinking they’d have the upper hand. It was all a psychological game was my guess.
“Oh, no. We just like to be put together,” Sophie said.
Nick whistled. “Babe, we’re severely underdressed. Then again, this is just eating Italian in the backyard.” He put an arm around my shoulders. The contact warmed me immediately.
Sophie kept looking between us.
“Annie, Jack,” I called the twins. “Come here, you two.” Turning to Bob and Sophie, I said, “You’ll need something more comfortable if you want to play around with these two. Want me to bring you something to change into?”
“Goodness, no. I was hoping the nanny could take care of them while we talk.”
I frowned. “The nanny?”
“Yes. Who’s taking care of them?”
“I am.”
Sophie snorted. “Don’t be ridiculous. The full-time nanny.”
“There is no full-time nanny,” Nick said in a cutting voice. Sophie flinched.
“They go to daycare in the morning, and I spend the evening and weekends with them,” I explained.
Sophie cocked a brow. “Really? You think a daycare is better than a nanny?”
So, this is how it’s going to go, huh?I wanted to follow Hugo’s advice and keep things calm, not be argumentative. Even though I was tempted to do just that... with a baseball bat if possible.Keep things simple.
“They enjoy their daycare. It’s good for their development. Interaction with other kids is healthy for them, and they’re learning new skills. It’s far better than staying cooped up in here all day.”
“Hmm,” Sophie said. “You could at least have someone look after them in the evenings. What are we supposed to do now? How should we talk?”
“We’ll manage. Don’t you worry,” I said dryly. “We can say anything we want in front of them.” I almost chuckled at my last comment, knowing that wasn’t what Sophie meant at all.
Annie and Jack approached us shyly. Jack held his hands up for Nick to take him in his arms. It was endearing how much these two liked him. Without hesitating, Nick bent at the waist and lifted Jack.
Be still my heart.They were so cute that I wanted to take a picture of them right now.
“Kids, do you want to say hi to your grandparents?” I encouraged.