Page 61 of The Wedding Toast
Reaves cringed, imagining how that must sound to Alara – who was probably already wondering about the motives of the unknown man who was talking to her small daughter.
“Zia and I know each other from the Jacobs estate,” he explained hurriedly.“I work there.I’m Reaves.”
“Reaves Brandon St.James,” Zia announced from behind him – though he wasn’t sure if that would make matters better or worse.
He relaxed when Alara smiled.“You’re one of the pilots – her favorite.”
Reaves couldn’t help glancing back at Zia with a grin.The kid nodded at him.“Of course you are!”
He felt foolish again when he turned back to Alara to find her watching him with a smile.“You don’t mind her, do you?”
“No,” he said forcefully.“She’s awesome.But … are you okay?Zia said you have a headache?”
Alara held up a small strip of Tylenol.“Nothing that this won’t fix.”
“Oh, good.”He had to wonder why she only had the little strip.If she had to come out to get them this late at night, she couldn’t have any more at home – or in the camper.
He only considered it for a moment before turning to go to his SUV.He opened the glove compartment and took out the spare bottle of Tylenol he carried – luckily it was a fresh one.
He came back and held it out to her.“Here, you can have these.The bottle’s still sealed.I carry them … in case …” He’d acted before he’d given enough consideration to how she might interpret the gesture.
Relief washed over him when she smiled and stepped closer, taking the bottle from his hand in the way a wild animal might risk taking food – coming only as close as necessary before skittering back just out of reach.
“Thank you.That’s very kind of you.”
“I told you he’s kind,” Zia called from behind him.
When Alara smiled and held his gaze for a moment, he felt as though he grew two feet taller.
“Thank you – for being so kind to her.People often …” She shook her head.“Everyone at the Jacobs estate has been great.”
“They’re good people.”
“They are, and among all those good people, you’re my daughter’s favorite.Thank you again.We should go.”
He nodded, wanting to say something, to keep her around longer to talk.But he couldn’t think of a thing to say.
“How long are you around for?”
She’d taken a step toward the Suburban but stopped to look back at him.“Jacob and Becca have invited us to stay for the wedding and the brunch on Sunday.”
Reaves grinned.“Good.I hope we’ll get the chance to talk.”
Alara smiled.“That’d be nice.I’ll look forward to it.”
“I’ll bring Mom to find you,” Zia called.
Alara met his gaze for a moment and shrugged.“As I said – you’re her favorite.”
Reaves stood and watched as she climbed into her vehicle and waved back like an idiot when Zia’s little hand stuck out the window to wave at him.He stood there for a long few moments after the Suburban had disappeared around the corner, already looking forward to seeing them again.
Chapter Fifteen
After breakfast on Friday morning, Jacob caught Becca’s hand and tugged her away from the kitchen.She laughed softly as she followed him into his study and looped her arms around his neck when he closed the door behind them.
“What are you up to?”she asked.
He leaned down to press his lips to hers.“I wanted to steal you away for a minute before the day gets too busy.”
