This time, his smile came out a little less forced. “Thank you so much, Nana. You’re a breath of fresh air.”
“Oh, you!” She swatted at him and walked toward the kitchen. “Bekah! Rachel! Your Papa is here.”
“Papa,” they girls chorused. Rebekah reached his leg first, but Rachel was right behind her. He picked Bekah up and tossed her in the air, then kissed her on the forehead.
“Me next, Papa,” Rachel held her arms up.
Although the oldest by a minute, Rachel still held onto her baby fat more so than Rebekah. They were identical twins, but Guy could tell the subtle differences. Bekah talked with a lisp and Rachel sounded like an adult in a child’s body. It was interesting how even twins took on the role of oldest and youngest.
He swung Rachel into the air and kissed her forehead before setting her back down. “You girls ready to go home?”
“Wi,” they chorused.
He looked down at them. His manman would be happy to hear the Creole being used. Of course, the girls would probably start to lose the ability to speak two languages now that his mother no longer watched them. He didn’t use it unless his emotions were flying high. At least he didn’t think he did.
The girls made their good-byes to Nana Baker as he settled them into their booster seats. They had to have matching Disney princesses’ car seats. They were fans of all things Princess Tiana since she resembled them. They always asked him to do their hair like hers, but he lucked out if he could tame their hair into ponytails without looking a mess.
Guy headed home, wondering what he should cook. Charlene had always had something ready, even if it was simply takeout. She couldn’t cook, but he hadn’t minded. It was the thought that mattered.
“Girls, are you super hungry or a little hungry?”
“Super hungry.”
“Wittel hungwy.”
Of course, they’d answer with different responses. He’d keel over in shock if they ever agreed on what to eat. He tried to remember what was in his fridge and pantry. The girls seemed to be tired of rice and beans.
I should really hire a nanny or at least a cook.
Chapter Eleven
Saturday sprang up before Michelle knew it. She took a sip of her coffee as she enjoyed the sun’s rays and the cool breeze of spring. Jo conveniently had a new renovation to work on today. And Chloe... Michelle sighed. Her plan involved avoiding Chloe until she had concrete evidence that John Davenport was her father. Guy had yet to give her any information so that left her time wide open, open enough for babysitting detail.
To Guy’s twin girls.
The irony was enough to make her laugh all the way to the loony bin. Instead, she sipped her coffee, loving the warmth spreading through her being. Michelle would need all the caffeine she could get to make it through the rest of the day.
The girls were supposed to arrive any minute. She glanced behind her at the open porch door. Maybe I should go wait inside. She went to twirl her ring and sighed. Relaxing in her fairy garden—as she liked to call it—helped her ignore the nerves of what was to come. Hopefully the girls would like the tea party she had set up out here.
Did little girls still pretend to have tea parties? It had been so long since she had been to one, let alone host one. With no other living relatives, she had no nieces or female cousins to dote over, so Michelle was taking a gamble that Guy’s girls would enjoy themselves. She blinked rapidly, telling herself it was the spring air and not tears at her solitary status making her eyes water.
A knock on the door alerted her to her charges. She stood, tying the wraps around her gray duster sweater close, and sent a quick prayer upward that they would all survive the day. When she opened the door, her heart melted.
They’re adorable.
“Hello,” she bent down. “I’m Michelle.”
The little one in purple smiled shyly. “I’m Rachel.” She pointed to her sister, who wore pink. “This is Bekah.”
She smiled at them. “Nice to meet you, both.” She stood up. “Guy,” she stated softly. His black eyes met hers warily.
“Thanks for doing this, Michelle.” He slipped his hands into his jean pockets. “I appreciate it.”
Michelle nodded, jarring herself from the hold of his gaze. She didn’t know why she had even offered but there was no turning back now. She stepped back. “Come on in, I don’t know what I was thinking, making you stand out here.”
They walked in and stood around awkwardly.
“Do they have any allergies?”
“No, none.” He held up a backpack. “I packed DVDs they love as well as some snacks. Their sippy cups are in here too. I guess I should have asked if you had any toys for them to play with.”
“Don’t worry. I have that part covered.” Please, let them like tea parties, Lord.
“Okay. You have my number in case there’s an emergency?”
Emergency? Like them hating tea parties or me? A breath shuddered through her body. “Yep, go have fun.” She forced a smile on her lips. “Enjoy yourself and don’t rush on my account.” But don’t linger either.
She looked at him and froze. Trapped by his gaze, she forced herself not to shiver. The black color of his eyes had always mesmerized her. They reminded her of obsidian marble.
The corner of his mouth turned up. “Bye, Chelle belle.”
Michelle watched as Guy made his way down the driveway and got into his SUV. She needed to demand he stop using that nickname. It was like a dagger to her soul.
Shaking off memories, she turned and smiled at the girls. “You guys hungry?”
“No,” they said in unison.
Was the unified answer a
