Page 34 of Reforming Hunt
“You know how?”
He sent her an incredulous look. “I have a niece. I know how to install a car seat.”
“Interesting.” And itwasinteresting to think of Hunt taking his niece around town. And pretty darn cute. “Well,” she said, “it’s less of a car seat and more of a booster, since Noah’s older now. Should be easy to install.”
“No worries.” He looked out the window again. “What do you say about me taking Noah across the street to that park? If I know him”—Hunt winked at her son—“your boy needs to get a few wiggles out after eating all those pancakes.”
This was almost like having a babysitter. Hunt was good with kids. Really good. And he paid attention.
She looked at Noah, who was jumping up and down and tugging on Hunt’s arm. “I guess that’s a yes,” she said.
“Be back in a few.” Hunt walked out the door with Noah.
Abby watched them from the living room window, and saw Hunt hold Noah’s hand and look both ways before they crossed the street.
Even Noah’s father hadn’t been as conscientious with their son as Hunt had been just now. Abby didn’t realize until Trevor was gone how much she’d looked after things on behalf of the both of them.
Whatever this was between her and Hunt, it was temporary. She didn’t want to get used to the help, because she’d sorely miss it when it was gone.
Abby should have been folding laundry or finishing those dishes she’d started, but she couldn’t take her eyes off Hunt and Noah playing in the park.
Currently, Noah had his arms and legs wrapped around Hunt’s torso like a spider monkey, while Hunt did pull-ups on one of the tall playground bars.
Noah wasn’t light at over forty pounds, and Hunt was doing pull-ups with the extra weight like it was nothing. How did he do it?
Hunt’s biceps bulged with each repetition, his body tight and angled to support Noah on his chest. It was mesmerizing.
Until Noah began to slip.
Abby yelped, hand flying to her mouth.
But Hunt smoothly dropped to the ground, his arm already secured around Noah. He was in perfect control, this strong man with her son.
Her eyes grew wet, nose burning. She would not cry. That was ridiculous. It was only that she’d never seen a man so thoroughly careful and kind to Noah. Trevor had been a loving father, but he’d always put his me-time first. The birth of their child hadn’t slowed Trevor’s outdoor adventures one bit.
Noah ran to the slide, and Hunt followed him. They played on the equipment for a few more minutes, with Hunt pushing Noah on the swing or catching Noah when he flung himself at Hunt from atop the playground set. And then they were walking back toward the house.
Abby sucked in a breath and rushed for a tissue to blow her nose. She quickly grabbed the laundry basket and began folding clothes. She smiled when they walked in the door. “How was it?”
“Great!” Noah said.
Hunt hadn’t even broken a sweat; the clean scent of his soap wafted past her on his way to the kitchen counter. “You mind if I grab your car keys? I’ll get that booster seat set up, and we can be on our way.”
“Sure.” Abby strode across the room and fished inside her purse for her keys. She handed them to Hunt.
“Thanks,” he said. “Be right back.”
Abby looked down at Noah. “Use the bathroom before you leave, okay?”
Noah raced to the bathroom, did his business, splashed water on his hands for less than half a second, then ran back out.
She’d never seen her son so excited to spend time with someone. She had a special bond with Noah, but it was clear he’d been missing a man in his life.
Hunt returned, and Noah was already racing past her to buckle himself in the shiny new Range Rover.
Of course Hunt wouldn’t want to drive Sunflower when he hadthatbeauty. Not that Sunflower wasn’t pretty. She was just…special.
Fine, her car sucked.
