“Excuse me, Miss Quinn?” Jess’s voice rang out from the Jeep. “Ethan and I would like to say that we are very cute too, just bigger than Thomas. And I was wondering if I could use your bathroom.”
Baby shook his head. “That’s my other nephew Ethan and my honorary niece Jess. Also part of the package. I’m really sorry about this. Finn and Charlie should be back by dinner, and I still want us to go out. But I wanted to let you know why I wasn’t here on time, and this little field trip was my only option.”
She smiled. “Thank you for making the effort. I’m not great with kids, but they’re certainly welcome to come in and use the bathroom.”
“I have a feeling this is more about talking to the woman I told him I was taking out on a date than it is actual facilities usage. But, they’re good kids, they won’t break anything if that’s what you’re worried about.”
She gave a little laugh. “No, I don’t have much to worry about breaking.”
Baby hooked his arm, signaling that the kids could come in. They let out a cheer and ran for the door seconds later. Thomas began to fuss a little, so he set the carrier on the ground and unhooked the baby to get him out. “He likes to be up where he can see what’s going on around him. A Bollinger trait.”
“Hi. I’m Jess O’Conner. Cade Conner is my dad. Yes, the country music superstar, although his legal name is Cade O’Conner. Peyton O’Conner is my mom. And this is my Ethan.”
Quinn’s eyes got a little big at Jess’ words. It was easy to forget that the town’s child-genius was a little overwhelming when you first met her. They all just knew and loved her.
“Your Ethan, huh?”
Jess smiled and slipped her hand into Ethan’s. “Yup.” She said it as if that settled it. And for Jess and Ethan, it kind of did. The two of them had been inseparable for years.
“It’s nice to meet you,” Ethan said.
“I like your sweater,” Jess started up again. “But I really do have to go to the bathroom. Uncle Baby threw us in the car so fast, I didn’t have time to go before we left.”
Quinn opened the door. “Sure, come on in.”
Baby smiled as Jess and Ethan slowly walked inside. Quinn glanced back at him before she followed them. Thomas squeaked and Baby hefted Thomas higher on his shoulder. “Well, kid, at least she didn’t slam the door in my face.”
“The bathroom is down the hall on the left,” Quinn called.
Baby looked around. He’d only been in here once, when he was ten years old. His mom had asked him to take Mrs. Mazille some muffins she’d made. He hadn’t been old enough to pay much attention to what the inside of the house looked like, but it couldn’t have been much different than how it looked now.
Thomas reached his little arms toward Quinn’s face.
Good taste, little man.
“Do you want to hold him?” Everybody always wanted to hold him. He was such a good-natured little guy and friendly with everyone.
“Um, I’m not really sure. I’m not very good with babies.”
“I happen to know at least one Baby you are very good with.” He winked at her. “Plus, this little guy is my secret weapon for getting you to forgive me for changing plans again.”
He put Thomas in her arms. “You have to hold him so you’re overloaded with cuteness and your benevolent genes come closer to the surface.”
She laughed; Thomas smiled and cooed at her. She ran a finger down his chubby cheek. “Such strategic use of a tiny human.”
“You learn to use whatever tools are available when it comes to gaining the good graces of a beautiful woman.”
She rubbed her cheek against Thomas’s soft head. The magic was obviously working. “Oh, all right, you’re forgiven.”
Perfect. The day was saved.
Then he cringed as he sniffed the air. Oh no, Thomas couldn’t have done it again. That smell... Even Quinn’s eyes widened in alarm.
Ethan giggled from the doorway. “Looks like you get more practice on why you should use protection, Uncle Baby.”
Chapter Fourteen
“I swear I did not bring all these kids over just so they could use the bathroom at your house.”
Baby pulled Thomas from her arms, holding the child stiff-armed out in front of him.
Baby shook his head at his nephew. “You’re fired, Thomas.”