“Probably. Okay, what else am I forgetting?”
“How can you surprise Maddie and get her to pack for a night away, too?”
“Hmmm, that’s a tough one. Could I pack for her?”
Julia gave him a withering look.
“Right. Bad idea.”
“How about asking her mother to do it?”
“That’s a thought. Remind me I owe you a bonus.”
She pretended to do something on her phone. “I’ll add that to my to-do list.”
“Despite your sarcasm and snark, you’re rather handy to have around.”
“You already knew that.”
His phone rang with a call from Ned that he took on speaker so Julia could hear, too. “What’s the good word, my man?”
“Yer all set. Francine and I will take the overnight shift so you kids can have a night off.”
“God bless you both.”
Ned guffawed. “Happy ta do it. Ya know we love bein’ with the kids.”
“Thank goodness someone does—besides us, of course.”
“Haha, I won’t tell yer wife ya said that.”
“She knows. Believe me. Do you think you guys could go over a little early, and Francine could pack a bag for Maddie?”
“Yep, we gotcha covered.”
“You’re the best. Both of you. Please tell her I said thank you.”
“Will do. Been a busy week fer the grandparents with baby Adrian arriving.”
“How’s he doing? I need to get over there to see him.”
“He’s a sweet little guy. His sisters are smitten with him.”
“In case I forget to tell you, old pal, seeing you in grandpa mode is one of my favorite things ever.”
“Aw shucks, thanks. Best time o’ my life. I’ll collect Francine, and we’ll get over ta yer place ta get this mission started.”
“I’ll be there around six. Thanks again.”
“Any time.”
“He’s the absolute sweetest,” Julia said. “He reminds me of our Charlie.”
“I can see that.”
“It takes a special man to step up for someone else’s children.”
“Does that make me special, too?” His son Thomas was born before he met Maddie, but he was his child in every way that mattered.
