Page 81 of Edge of Steele
“I know. They’re something else,” she said as she didn’t know what else to say.
“They are for sure, but I like them, and Avery seems to as well. So let’s forget about the investigation for a while. I’ll send Avery’s sitter home, and we’ll just enjoy your grandparents’ company for dinner.”
A very generous attitude and it upped her respect for him.
She smiled up at him. Their gazes locked. Time stopped. Heat flashed between them. Sizzling like the fire, but this time warm and lovely. Not harsh and scary. Okay maybe a bit scary too. She shouldn’t be gazing into his eyes. Wishing for more. Like maybe a kiss.
She broke the trance and rushed past him and into his house.
She would enjoy the dinner all right. Because she’d officially fallen for this guy again, and she wanted to be in his company.
Problem was, when this investigation ended, and she left Finn and Avery behind, she was in for a world of hurt, and there would be no way around the pain.
18
Finn struggled to eat. Not because the food wasn’t good. Not because the company wasn’t good. Both were great. He loved being with Ryleigh’s family. But most importantly, Avery bloomed in their presence. Coming alive in a way he hadn’t seen since her mother’s death.
He set down his fork to look around the table. Avery sat between Eloise and Artie across from Ryleigh and him. He’d tried not to look at Ryleigh but could feel her next to him and feel her unease. She seemed to wait for her grandparents to do something she didn’t care for. He wanted to reach under the table to take her hand, but that would likely make her jump and draw attention to them.
Besides, Avery was who really captivated him. Her big smile. The joy in her posture. And that was due to the warmth emanating from Ryleigh’s grandparents. Eloise’s gentle approach combined with Artie’s comical antics had Avery beaming. Finn’s grandparents were more reserved. Less open. Avery hadn’t bonded with them like this.
But the biggest surprise of all?
Finn felt the child’s joy to a degree that he thought would be reserved for his own child if he ever had one.
But now what? She was falling in love with the idea of having grandparents like Eloise and Artie. He would have to take her to see his grandparents more often and hope they warmed more to her. They tried, but they were older, and Avery seemed to exhaust them very quickly. He would make a point of visiting his sister, too and make the most of those relationships.
At some point, he would need to begin thinking about a relationship for himself and someday providing Avery with a mother.
He glanced at Ryleigh.
Could he even consider a relationship with another woman or was she the only woman for him?
He didn’t know, but he could easily imagine her in his life. To wake up to her each day. Have breakfast with her and Avery. Coming home at night to both of them.
That seemed like something worth fighting for.
As they worked together, he would have to keep an open mind and decide if they could handle a long-distance relationship. Or even if she might be open to temporarily relocating to Shadow Lake. He wouldn’t ask, of course. Even if he could sway her that way, she might grow to resent him for it.
He turned his attention back to his meal and put the last bite of crusty white bread into his mouth. He chewed, even enjoyed it, but was thankful when the meal came to a close and he could get up and move. “I’ll clean up so you all can get going to visit with your friends.”
Artie stood and looked at him. “Appreciate that, but not sure my Eloise will allow it.”
She got up and studied Finn. “I would rather clean up, but it’s your house so if you want to, I won’t stand in your way.”
“I want to,” Finn said, brooking no argument as he had to move. “It’s the least I can do to thank you for such a wonderful meal and for making everyone feel at home.”
Avery flung her arms around Eloise. “But I don’t want you to go.”
“Sorry, honey,” Artie said. “We have to go now, but remember, we’ll go fishing together soon if it’s okay with Finn.”
She spun on Finn. “Can I? Please.”
He brushed her hair from her eyes. “Sure thing, Peanut.”
“We’ll see you in the morning for church and brunch,” Eloise said.
How had he and Ryleigh transitioned from watching videos of a potential killer to talking about brunch? Just showed how life could change in a flash. The day Felicia died was the day Finn’s life changed forever. In an instant. One minute he was a carefree single guy, and a telephone call later he was a full-time dad. Unbelievable.
