“Coming right up.” Tugging teasingly on a strand of Alexis’s sleep-tangled hair, Mia left the child to dress in the plaid jumper and white shirt they’d laid out the night before.
Already dressed for work in a black-and-brown patterned blouse with brown slacks and comfortable shoes, Mia tied on a bib apron she’d brought with her to protect her clothes while she made the oatmeal and sliced fresh strawberries. She’d started a pot of coffee, too, and the aroma wafted through the kitchen to keep her company while she prepared the meal.
Connor’s books and papers were still scattered haphazardly on the table. She gathered them into a neat pile, careful not to get anything out of order. She didn’t know how late he’d stayed up studying; he’d looked completely focused on his work when she’d turned in at ten.
He’d been in an odd mood last night, she mused, stirring the oatmeal. There had been something in his expression when he’d looked at her that she couldn’t quite interpret. She supposed it was as he’d said—they were still getting used to this arrangement. They were all having to make adjustments.
As if he’d known she was thinking of him, he stumbled into the kitchen then, bleary-eyed and looking as if he’d had very little sleep. Still, he was clean-shaven and neatly dressed in a shirt, tie, dark slacks and the hip-length white coat worn by medical students. He dressed this way only when he would be seeing standardized patients as part of his Introduction to Clinical Medicine, or ICM, course. He’d explained to her that standardized patients were actors hired to portray real patients so the first-year students could learn basic history-taking and exams. He wouldn’t see real patients until his second year of medical school, and then only under very close supervision.
Watching him head straight for the coffeemaker, she wondered in exasperation why the sight of him dressed like this went straight to her ovaries. In a tie and white coat—or for that matter in his more usual polo shirts and jeans—Connor was definitely one attractive man.
Shaking her head to clear it of such nonsense, she took a bowl out of a cabinet to fill for Alexis. “Alexis requested oatmeal with sliced strawberries for breakfast. There’s plenty for all of us, if you want some. Do you like oatmeal?”
“It’s food,” he said with a shrug after taking a long, appreciative gulp of the hot coffee. “I’m not picky.”
She’d known he wasn’t too choosy about other foods, but there had never been an occasion for her to find out what he liked for breakfast. “Sit down. I’ll bring you a bowl.”
“I told you, Mia, you don’t have to wait on me.” He sounded almost cross.
“I’m serving Alexis and myself, anyway,” she replied logically. “It’s no extra trouble to scoop some oatmeal and berries into a bowl for you, too.”
He didn’t look particularly appeased.
“You could pour orange juice, if you want,” she suggested. “Alexis and I will both have some.”
Apparently, that did make him feel more useful. His frown lessened as he filled three juice glasses and set them on the table. Carefully suppressing her amusement, Mia set the oatmeal bowls in place. She had just added a plate of whole-wheat toast when Alexis joined them.
She was neatly dressed in the uniform with white knee socks and her black shoes, but her dark blond hair was still a mess. She carried a brush in one hand and a red ribbon in the other. “I need some help,” she said to Mia.
Smiling, Mia took the brush. “Yes, I can see that.”
A few moments later, Alexis took her place at the table, her hair now gleaming and tied back from her face with the ribbon. “Good morning,” she said to Connor, the slight shyness she always exhibited with him evident in her voice.
“Good morning, Alexis. You look very nice today.”
“Thank you.” She picked up her spoon and scooped a strawberry out of her bowl.
Eating her own breakfast, Mia watched as Connor seemed to struggle for something more to say. “Are you looking forward to starting school today?”
Her mouth full, Alexis nodded.
“You aren’t nervous or anything, are you? Because I’m sure you’ll have a great time.”
Swallowing, Alexis said, “I’m not nervous. I like school. Miss Chen was nice.”
“And you already have a friend,” he reminded her. “McKinley.”
“McKenzie,” she corrected him.
“Oh. Yeah, that was it.”
Alexis turned back to Mia. “I made my bed the way you showed me. I put Pete on the heart pillow.”
“That’s the perfect place for him.”
Her bowl just over half-emptied, the child set down her spoon. “I’m full now. Is it time to leave for school?”
Mia glanced at her watch. “Go brush your teeth and then it will be time. Don’t forget to bring your backpack.”