his age, he didn’t think that was ever going to happen. That was fine, too. He was content with the choices he’d made.
“Is Caroline working tonight?” Caroline was a professional photographer and often worked late.
“No. She had a magazine shoot this morning that ran into the late afternoon. Mr. Fussy Pants here is teething and wouldn’t sleep when he was supposed to. Caroline is soaking in a hot tub and I’m giving her some quiet time.”
Jesse tried to jam both fists into his mouth, chewing away as slobber ran down his chin.
“He’s trying to eat his hands,” Tuck remarked.
Eli dug in the diaper bag and handed Tuck a cloth. He waved a teething ring in front of Jesse. “Chomp on this for a while, son.” Jesse clamped onto the ring.
Tuck wiped Jesse’s chin. “Does he keep y’all up at night?”
“Sometimes.”
“Why don’t you go home and unwind with Caroline,” Tuck suggested. “I’ll watch Jesse.”
Eli jumped to his feet. “You got a deal.” He kissed the top of Jesse’s head. “Daddy will be back later.” Eli paused in the doorway. “This is where he’s supposed to cry because I’m leaving him.”
“He’s not going to cry.” Tuck bounced Jesse up and down. “He’s happy with Uncle Tuck.”
“Yeah. I’ll pick him up later.”
“Take your time. I don’t have plans.”
After Eli left, Tuck grabbed the diaper bag and went inside. Sam followed. Dee decided she’d rather stay outdoors. He gathered toys out of the bag and eased down on the area rug. Jesse crawled all over him instead of playing with the toys, the teething ring firmly gripped in one hand.
Jesse poked his fingers in Tuck’s eyes, ears, nose and mouth. Tuck wiped away slobber and just enjoyed the wonder of this curious child. He thought about kids and how some were born into privilege and others into horrible circumstances. Trying to understand why would be impossible. And he probably wasn’t supposed to. That’s why there were people like Jess and Amalie Tucker—to even the odds.
At that moment he felt incredibly lucky.
Maybe that’s why he felt so strongly about his plans to one day refurbish the farmhouse and take in foster children. Every child needed a chance like the one he’d been given.
A knock at his back door interrupted his reverie. He swung Jesse into his arms and got to his feet.
“We got company, Jesse.” He wiped away more slobber. “Wonder who it is?”
He stopped at the door. Grace Whitten, Caroline’s sister, stood on the other side of the screen. He pushed it open, his heart knocking against his ribs the way it always did when Grace was near. He never quite understood that because the woman could annoy the hell out of him with very little effort.
“I’m sorry to bother you, Jeremiah.”
He tensed and felt that seething annoyance creep up his spine. No one called him Jeremiah but Grace.
“But I was over at Caroline and Eli’s and no one answered the door. I…” Her words halted as she held out her hands to Jesse. “Come to Auntie Grace. I should have known they were here. Both their vehicles are at their house.”
Jesse practically leaped into her arms.
Traitor.
“Hi, precious,” Grace cooed as she walked in without an invitation.
“Don’t call him precious,” Tuck said, closing the door.
Grace turned to face him. “Why not?”
The objection had come out of nowhere and he couldn’t explain it. Maybe it had something to do with the talk he and Eli had had earlier about the macho stuff. He could blame Eli, but obviously he had issues about boys being boys and girls being girls. Or whatever. Grace had a way of making him nuts. He’d blame her. That was easier.
He waved his hand. “Never mind.”
Grace glanced around his kitchen and den for Caroline and Eli. He watched the patrician features of her face. She had to be the most reserved, uptight woman he’d ever met. Her exterior was cool, composed. Always. He’d never seen her any other way and he’d known her for four years.
Grace was a dedicated career woman. Dressed in a navy suit, white silky blouse and high heels, she wore her blond hair pulled back in a neat knot at her nape. Not one hair was out of place. Ever. Perfect came to mind when he looked at Grace.
Perfect and beautiful.
Untouchable beauty.
Like a mannequin on display.
He wondered what would happen if he reached up and took the pins out of her hair. Would she be transformed into a woman with emotions and needs? He shook his head to rid himself of that insane thought. Grace was the head of the Whitten Law Firm, following in Congressman Stephen Whitten’s footsteps. Everything in her life she did to please her father.
He often thought that Grace was programmed not to show emotion. But the moment she held Jesse he knew he was wrong. Her features softened and her green eyes sparkled. He had a hard time looking away, which surprised him.
“They’re not here.”
It took a moment for him to realize what she was talking about. “No. Eli and Caroline are not here.”
“Where are they?”
“At home.”
She nuzzled Jesse’s face. “I was just there. They didn’t answer the door.”
“They’re busy.”
“What are they doing that they can’t answer the door?”
He hitched an eyebrow. “A husband and wife are home alone. I have the baby. Use your imagination.”
“Oh.” A slight flush stained her cheeks, but her composure quickly returned. “I’ll call Caroline later.”
Sam reared up on her skirt. “Down, Sam,” he said.
“Oh, my.” She brushed at the skirt with her hand as if to rid it of germs while juggling Jesse in her arms. “Do you think it’s wise to have a dog in the house with the baby?”
He clenched his jaw. “Caroline doesn’t have a problem with it.”
They stared at each other and as always the battlefield lines were drawn. His way. Her way. No in-between.
“I’d better go,” she said stiffly.
“That’s a good idea.”
He reached for the baby, but Jesse had Grace’s blouse clutched in his fist. As he took
