Brady leaned over and whispered in her ear. “Save some room for my privatedessert.”
She blushed and quickly looked around the table to see if anyone had heard his naughty comment. The only person who seemed to be paying attention was her mother. She winked knowingly. Rachel couldn’t help but laugh. Her mom didn’t miss athing.
Brady pushed back from the table. “We should put Jimmytobed.”
June spoke in a suggestive tone. “I can do that if you guys want to spend more time…alone.”
Rachel nearly died ofembarrassment. “Mom!”
Junesnickered. “What?”
Brady jumped in to save her. “I think we’d like to put him to sleep together if that’s all right. Trust me, you will get plenty of babysitting duty. But tonight, I’d like to be able to tuckhimin.”
Rachel smiled softly. “Metoo.”
June said, “No problem. Just let me know when I can step intohelp.”
“Can you watch him tonight?” Bradyasked.
Rachel gave him aquestioninglook.
Her mom grinned. “No problem. Tuck him in and I’ll join him in a fewminutes.”
“Thanks,Mom.”
“Anytime.”
They rose from the table and walked over to where Jimmy sat playing with a tower ofblocks.
Jimmy said, “I’m making a big Christmas tree so Santa can bring mepresents.”
Rachel laughed. “I think Santa needs to consult her bankaccount.”
Brady said, “Santa’s going to need two sleighs to bring you all the presents he hasforyou.”
Under her breath she whispered, “Don’t overpromise.”
Equally furtively, Brady said, “I’m not. I have a little saved up and four years of presents to makeupfor.”
Jimmy looked from one person to the other then grinned. “Morepresents!”
Rachel scooped him into her arms. “Let’s get you to bed before we plan our toy storemassacre.”
“What’s a massa…masur…thatthing?”
“It’s what happens when a mommy and a daddy love their son so much that they want to give him theworld.”
Jimmy’s eyes went wide. “Are you mydaddy?”
Rachel froze. They still hadn’t told Jimmy that Brady was his father. She’d wanted to wait until she was sure they’d be able to rebuild theirrelationship.
“We’ll have to talk about that later,” Brady said with a guilty look onhisface.
“I hope you’re my daddy.” Jimmy’s voice trailed off as they walked down the hall to June’sbedroom.
“Your brothers were so nice to let us stay the night,”Rachelsaid.
“There was no way I was going to let you drive back in the middle of the night. It’s toodangerous.”
