Page 72 of The Bridesmaid (Brides of Beaufort 3)

“What?”

“The way you calmed him down and explained how it worked. You’re so good with him.”

Something that looked suspiciously like a blush tinted his cheeks as he smiled, then he squeezed my hand in a wordless thanks. “He had a bad dream last night, but he wouldn’t tell me what it was about. Now I wish he had because I probably would’ve saved this shopping trip for another day.”

“Yeah, the Halloween store is a freaky place, for sure. I probably would’ve peed my pants if that happened to me.”

He laughed, his head tipped up toward the ceiling. “Oh, that’s attractive.”

“Hush.” I giggled and let go of his hand so I could push him, but he snagged it back again and held on tightly.

Then we continued on with the rest of our shopping trip—being sure to steer Grayson away from any more of those animatronic monsters—and finally landed on a good costume for the three of us to wear.

Grayson would be a short, gray rock, because he said it worked best for his name. I’d wear a black pantsuit with a pair of giant scissors hanging down over me, and Zac was a life-size piece of paper.

On the way out, I bumped his shoulder with mine. “I know how much you love doing paperwork, so your costume is pretty perfect.”

Without warning, Zac reached forward and scooped Grayson up, folding his fifty-pound frame into the shape of a ball with what looked like no effort at all. “Watch it, woman. Paper can’t do anything to scissors, but I’ll throw my rock at you.”

I laughed and took off running for the car, Zac running after me with Grayson giggling uncontrollably in his arms.