he’s doing?” she asked.
Silence prevailed although he kept a close eye on Gray as he dropped a post in the hole.
“What do you think he’ll do next?” Andie turned her attention next door. “I think he’s going to move the machine and dig another hole.” Jamie crossed to the railing and rested his elbows, fisted hands above his ears.
Gray slid the machine across the lawn, took some measurements and put it in place. The motor started and the auger began to lower. Jamie’s attention was riveted next door.
When silence returned, Andie asked him, “Should we go and see what he’s doing?”
Jamie’s face light up, delight clear in his eyes.
“Let’s eat dinner and then we’ll go check it out.”
Jamie didn’t need words to show his disappointment.
“You want to go right now, don’t you, big guy?” Dina asked, then turned to Andie. “Take him over for a look while I finish setting dinner on the table and getting Chloe and Billy washed.” She cocked her head toward the house. “Bonnie’s still on the phone so you’ve got a few minutes.”
Seeing the hope in Jamie’s eyes, Andie ran her hand over his head. “Okay, let’s go have a peek, but only for a minute, okay?” She waited for Jamie to look at her. “He’s obviously working and we shouldn’t disturb him for long.”
He nodded, then waited for her, fidgeting with impatience. You may not be saying many words young man, but you are definitely communicating more.
After putting up with Dina’s winks and knowing there’d be more teasing later, she took Jamie’s hand and led the way.
***
Gray’s senses went on alert as soon as Andie and the boy stepped into his yard, even if the gas-powered digger drowned out any possibility of conversation.
Shutting it off, he turned toward them, removing his safety glasses. “Hi. Everything okay?”
“Oh yeah. The young man and I”, she swung up their linked hands, “wanted a closer look at what you’re doing.”
“Oh, okay. Just don’t get too close to the auger when it’s running, since it can spit out rocks.” He hunkered down to Jamie’s height. “Want to see how it works?”
When Jamie nodded, Gray rose and took the boy’s other hand. “Come on.” Standing next to the machine Gray explained everything he thought might interest the little guy.
After laying out his plans to both Andie and the boy, Gray left Jamie stirring a pail of pre-mixed concrete.
“That’s pretty hard work for a little guy.”
“Yes, but it’ll keep him busy for a little while.”
Her smile almost stole his breath. What was it about this woman? She was more than pretty enough, especially with the sun highlighting the gold in her hair and her eyes reflecting every emotion she felt. Still, more than her appearance made him want to pull her close and keep her safe.
Which was irritating since he didn’t like aspects of her relaxed attitude with her kids. Manners weren’t that hard to teach them. After all, he’d learned.
“How’s he been?”
“Jamie’s been fine.”
“Has he said anything else?”
Andie watched the boy’s concentration as he worked the concrete. Or tried to. “Not a word. It’s as if he’s never spoken.”
“Is that okay?”
“What’s okay?” She shrugged. “His life has had enough upsets it makes it hard to know what’s normal. I assume since he’s spoken once, he’ll do it again. When he chooses.”
“It’s good he’s interested in something else, isn’t it? Away from you? I mean....” He could feel his cheeks warm after his gaffe. Smooth move. Good thing you’re not trying to seduce the woman, Mills.
“He’s gradually allowing more distance between us.” She looked up at Gray, caught his gaze. “Usually if you’re around.”
His disbelief must have shown on his face, since she smiled.
“I’m no good with kids.”
“Jamie doesn’t know that and I’d rather you didn’t tell him.” She smirked.
“He’s just interested in
Silence prevailed although he kept a close eye on Gray as he dropped a post in the hole.
“What do you think he’ll do next?” Andie turned her attention next door. “I think he’s going to move the machine and dig another hole.” Jamie crossed to the railing and rested his elbows, fisted hands above his ears.
Gray slid the machine across the lawn, took some measurements and put it in place. The motor started and the auger began to lower. Jamie’s attention was riveted next door.
When silence returned, Andie asked him, “Should we go and see what he’s doing?”
Jamie’s face light up, delight clear in his eyes.
“Let’s eat dinner and then we’ll go check it out.”
Jamie didn’t need words to show his disappointment.
“You want to go right now, don’t you, big guy?” Dina asked, then turned to Andie. “Take him over for a look while I finish setting dinner on the table and getting Chloe and Billy washed.” She cocked her head toward the house. “Bonnie’s still on the phone so you’ve got a few minutes.”
Seeing the hope in Jamie’s eyes, Andie ran her hand over his head. “Okay, let’s go have a peek, but only for a minute, okay?” She waited for Jamie to look at her. “He’s obviously working and we shouldn’t disturb him for long.”
He nodded, then waited for her, fidgeting with impatience. You may not be saying many words young man, but you are definitely communicating more.
After putting up with Dina’s winks and knowing there’d be more teasing later, she took Jamie’s hand and led the way.
***
Gray’s senses went on alert as soon as Andie and the boy stepped into his yard, even if the gas-powered digger drowned out any possibility of conversation.
Shutting it off, he turned toward them, removing his safety glasses. “Hi. Everything okay?”
“Oh yeah. The young man and I”, she swung up their linked hands, “wanted a closer look at what you’re doing.”
“Oh, okay. Just don’t get too close to the auger when it’s running, since it can spit out rocks.” He hunkered down to Jamie’s height. “Want to see how it works?”
When Jamie nodded, Gray rose and took the boy’s other hand. “Come on.” Standing next to the machine Gray explained everything he thought might interest the little guy.
After laying out his plans to both Andie and the boy, Gray left Jamie stirring a pail of pre-mixed concrete.
“That’s pretty hard work for a little guy.”
“Yes, but it’ll keep him busy for a little while.”
Her smile almost stole his breath. What was it about this woman? She was more than pretty enough, especially with the sun highlighting the gold in her hair and her eyes reflecting every emotion she felt. Still, more than her appearance made him want to pull her close and keep her safe.
Which was irritating since he didn’t like aspects of her relaxed attitude with her kids. Manners weren’t that hard to teach them. After all, he’d learned.
“How’s he been?”
“Jamie’s been fine.”
“Has he said anything else?”
Andie watched the boy’s concentration as he worked the concrete. Or tried to. “Not a word. It’s as if he’s never spoken.”
“Is that okay?”
“What’s okay?” She shrugged. “His life has had enough upsets it makes it hard to know what’s normal. I assume since he’s spoken once, he’ll do it again. When he chooses.”
“It’s good he’s interested in something else, isn’t it? Away from you? I mean....” He could feel his cheeks warm after his gaffe. Smooth move. Good thing you’re not trying to seduce the woman, Mills.
“He’s gradually allowing more distance between us.” She looked up at Gray, caught his gaze. “Usually if you’re around.”
His disbelief must have shown on his face, since she smiled.
“I’m no good with kids.”
“Jamie doesn’t know that and I’d rather you didn’t tell him.” She smirked.
“He’s just interested in
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