Finding Summer - Suzanne Halliday Page 0,241

His eyes went to the baby in her arms and never looked away.

“Sweetie,” she cooed to the baby. “Look who came to meet you.”

Arnie cleared his throat, and when she glanced at Stan, she found him taking pictures with his phone.

Ned straightened and adjusted his tie. The quirk was so adorable she fell for Arnie’s father hook, line, and sinker.

Her smile was genuine when she asked, “What’s it going to be, Ned? Pop Pop? Grandpa? Poppy?”

“Oh,” Ned said in a startled voice. “I don’t know. Arnie?”

“Pop Pop works for me. Old-fashioned and homey.”

Pop Pop Ned held out his arms. She gently placed the beautiful child in her grandfather’s loving embrace and stepped back to let them have their moment.

“Arianne Leigh Wanamaker, I’m your Pop Pop.” He kissed her little face, and a quiet sob left his throat. “You look exactly like your Mom Mom. Welcome to the family, little one.”

Feeling choked up, she looked at Arnie. He had tears in his eyes. Not sure how wise it was, she hesitated to go to him, but after sensing his need, she went to his side and reached for his hand. No matter what had actually gone down, she was sure he never meant to hurt her.

For the better part of an hour, Arnie made tea and waited on her hand and foot. Ned sat on the sofa, telling Ari stories about the grandmother she’d never meet and some pretty wild tales from Arnie’s childhood.

After Summer excused herself to feed the baby breakfast, Ned eventually joined her in the bedroom.

“Thank you, Summer,” he whispered as they stood side by side, watching the sleeping angel.

She didn’t know what to say.

As they turned to leave, he stopped her by the door.

“He’s not a superhero, you know. Even if he plays one for a living. Don’t hold it against him for being human. We all wish we were perfect.”

“I heard what he told the police, Ned. It’s okay. I have a fairly clear picture of his side. I also realize the bad guys were after him, too. This is a lot for me to take on. I’ve been alone and scared out of my mind for months. A part of me can’t understand why he didn’t swoop in the minute he knew.” She fixed him with an unapologetic scowl. “Do you have any idea how terrifying all of this has been? You say he’s not a superhero, and I get what you mean. But Ned, neither am I, and to be honest, I don’t think even a pregnant Wonder Woman could have kept it together.”

He took her by surprise with a warm hug. “Young lady, you are a superstar. The way you put my ex-wife on the floor will be sung about in legend for centuries to come.”

She laughed at his flowery wording, and quipped, “Would this be the moment to point out how three grown men needed rescuing by a girl?”

“Good point.” He chuckled. “I’m thinking this gives you the upper hand with my son. Put the big lug in his place, but use your power wisely.” His theatrical delivery cracked her up.

“May I be honest?”

“Please,” he encouraged her.

“Your big lug of a son has some serious Olympic level hoops to jump through. If I have to swallow my pride and let all this go, then he has to perform a couple of Herculean feats. Ari agrees,” she tacked on at the end.

They walked into the living room. Only Arnie was visible. He pointed at the backyard. “Stan is managing the cleanup and repair guys. What time are Bud and Lynda expected home?”

“Noon-ish,” she told him. “I hope they don’t freak out when they see the police tape.”

“Detective Shelton will be by later to wrap things up. The tape can come down then.”

“What does wrap things up mean?” She’d had enough and wanted to forget the whole sordid affair.

“I don’t have all the details, but apparently, Giselle’s crazy bitch performance almost got her a 5150 hold.”

“A psych evaluation?” Summer frowned.

“It’s a convenient first stop to a revolving legal door. Shelton wasn’t having it and booked her into the women’s detention facility for attempted murder, kidnapping, and child trafficking. King is working the police angle. He’ll be in touch when there’s more.”

Ned melted into the background in what came off as an obvious ploy to give her and Arnie a chance to talk.

They awkwardly shuffled their feet and avoided looking at one another. If he expected her to make the first move, they’d be standing