Page 52

Kate and Autumn exchanged a flirtatious glance that promptedHadley to roll her shoulders for all the cute in the room.

“We’ll be home in a couple of hours,” Kate said, and noddedgratefully.

“No reason to hurry,” Larry told them. “Ms. Cooper and I have thisunder control. Where is the boy child?”

Kate pointed to the playpen. “Under the mobile, there. He seems tobe calming down, which is good news for you all.”

Larry nodded and offered a small salute as he headed in Will’sdirection.

Autumn looked from Spencer to Larry and back to Spencer. “This isgoing to be quite the evening.”

She wasn’t wrong.

Spencer took custody of Carrie and occupied her with funny faces,while Larry spent the better part of an hour explaining to Will that there hadbeen many complications on America’s growth to becoming the country we knowtoday.

Hadley ran back and forth between the parties, offering burpcloths, warmed bottles and soft, soothing words as needed. “I think she’sreally taken to you,” Hadley told Spencer.

“Well, Carrie and I have gotten to know each other a bit. Sheprefers a quiet voice and only the gentlest of rocking. Anything more sets heroff and she gives you what for.”

“What for?” Hadley asked.

“It’s a technical term.”

Carrie, who’d fussed a bit when her mommies left, seemed to havefound her rhythm in Spencer’s arms. Her eyes drifted closed and Spencer leanedback so Carrie could sleep uninterrupted on the warmth of her chest, a spotHadley knew from personal experience was a great place for sleeping.

“Hey,” Spencer said quietly over Carrie. “I’m not sure your friendLarry likes me very much.”

Hadley wasn’t sure where to begin in order to explain Larry andall of his idiosyncrasies, including his affinity for her. “I think he’s just alittle wary of you stealing his thunder tonight.”

“He has thunder?” She glanced over at him surreptitiously. “I’mnot seeing the thunder on that dude.”

Hadley considered how she might explain it another way. “He likesto spend time with me.”

A pause. “He has the hots for you?” Spencer asked, and grinned.“Okay, got it. Guy after my own heart. Can’t fault him at all.”

“I wouldn’t go that far. But yes, he carries a unique torch forme.”

“And I’ve totally blocked him tonight. That’s what’s going onhere. Now I feel bad for the man.”

Hadley tossed a glance over her shoulder to make sure Larry wasoccupied before continuing the conversation. “Don’t. I’ve been waiting to seeyou again.”

Spencer closed her eyes and smiled. “On the drive over, I changedmy mind about twelve times before forcing myself to just bite the bullet andshow up. That’s not like me.”

“No. You’re not the tentative type,” Hadley said.

“Until you.”

A beat as they stared at each other over the sleeping baby. “Are youfree after babysitting, per chance?” Hadley asked.

Spencer opened her mouth to answer but was beaten to the punch byLarry, who stood over them, holding a crying Will as far from his body aspossible. All down the front of his shirt and pants was an orangey-lookingspit-up. “I’m in need of assistance,” Larry said. “Backup person, would youmind doing your job instead of fraternizing?”

“I got him,” Hadley said, scooping up Will and holding him close.“Someone had a little too much to eat.” She studied Larry. Honestly, his entireoutfit was ruined. Completely unwearable. “Tell you what, Larry. Why don’t wesee if Autumn has anything you can change into?” The only problem was thatLarry was over six feet tall with large limbs and Autumn and Kate’s clothes werenot likely to fit. Oh! Unless…

“Perfect!” Hadley said five minutes later when Larry emerged inblack leggings that were too short to extend beyond his mid-calves and a purplematernity shirt with bright yellow flowers all over it. “Maternity clothes rockand stretch in fantastic ways. I think we’ve solved our problem.”

“I’m uncomfortable with this,” he said stoically.

“Well, you shouldn’t be,” Hadley told him. “You look great, andAutumn won’t mind at all. I’ve got your clothes already going in the washingmachine.”