Cook happily said, “Not really.”
“Good. Chance needs to buy gifts for the kids. I’ve volunteered to help. Can you watch the twins?”
“Sure. Gwen’s having dinner out. Technically, you’re not supposed to be here, so I really don’t have to cook today. Which makes me free as a bird.”
She put her hand over the phone and faced Chance. “Your mom is having dinner out. Cook’s free.”
His eyebrows rose. “So we’re good?”
She nodded and went back to the phone. “Do you want to come here since all their things are here?”
“Sure. And I promise I won’t snoop.”
“You better not. I have your present here and I’d hate for you to see it before Christmas.”
Cook chuckled.
Tory hung up the phone. “She’ll be here in ten minutes.”
“Who would have thought so many people would want to babysit twins?”
She walked to the closet by the door to get her coat. “I would. Most people love babies. Twins are double the fun.”
A few minutes later, Cook knocked on the back door. Chance swung through the kitchen to answer. “Thanks for this.”
She batted a hand. “It’s my pleasure.” She glanced around as she shrugged out of her coat. “Where are the little darlings?”
“In here,” Tory called.
Cook clapped her hands together and ambled over to the swings by the sofa. “Well, aren’t you just the cutest?”
Tory had dressed them in red and green one-piece pajamas and put red stocking caps on their heads so they looked like elves.
Cook stooped down in front of them. “We are going to have a wonderful time.”
Cindy cooed. Sam yelped.
Tory said, “They’re a handful. So if you get into trouble you have my cell phone number.”
“I raised six kids. I can handle two babies.”
Chance grabbed a piece of paper and began scribbling on it. “And here’s my cell phone. Seriously. If they’re any trouble at all—”
Cook frowned at them. “Now, you’re just making me feel old.”
Tory laughed.
“You’re almost causing me to consider not reminding you that there’ll be no supper tonight since the missus is out.”
Chance said, “That’s okay. We can easily pick something up.” He caught her gaze. “I really appreciate this.”
Cook blushed and waved her hand. “Get out of here.”
When they stepped outside, the snow was falling as heavily as rain. Big, wet flakes plopped on their heads, their jackets, as they ran to Chance’s SUV. They drove to the mall and went to the first store by the entryway.
“Okay, the prices on these are pretty good,” Tory said, lifting matching sleepers. “But we might want to check—”
He stopped her by putting a finger over her lips. “It’s already five. I know the stores are open until nine, but seriously I have enough money that we don’t have to bargain shop.”
The feeling of just one finger on her lips stopped her cold. She couldn’t have spoken even if he wasn’t preventing her. The combination of staring into his pretty blue eyes and having him touch her sent desire rolling through her bloodstream on a wave of delight. Not just because of the contact, but because of the casual intimacy. Even trying not to, they were growing close.
“So no bargain shopping…right?”
She nodded.
He pulled his hand away. “And I don’t want to buy them all clothes. They’re babies. They shouldn’t even get clothes. My mom and Kate will probably handle that anyway.” He glanced around. “If I’m going to be Santa, I want to bring toys.”
She stepped back, smiling. “You’re an idiot.”
“No. I’m a guy. We don’t buy dresses and pajamas for Christmas. We buy toys.” He turned her and pointed her in the direction of the toy department. “So, let’s go.”
They ambled into the small space crammed to the rafters with toys and games of every kind. She gazed from left to right in awe of the fact that there were so many things to choose from.
He picked up a toy gun. “Would you look at this? My God. It almost seems real.”
Her mouth fell open. “Oh, no. No! You are not getting your eight-month-old son a pretend rifle.”
“I was thinking about getting it for Cindy.”
She stared at him for a second, then he grinned and she playfully slapped his arm. “Stop that. Don’t tease. I have no idea what you want to get for these kids, so I have to be protective.”