But he could see her holding a baby. Their baby. He didn’t say that out loud, not wanting to scare her away and also needing to process, yet again, how fast this was all moving. He wasn’t impulsive. He was the type of man who took forever just to decide what to order off a menu. But the way he felt for Raven was apparently outside all the rules in his life. The way he felt for her simply was. He knew it as sure as he knew gravity existed and that he had to pay his taxes.

“Do you . . .” She shook her head and went back to eating.

“What?”

“Never mind.”

“No way, you don’t get to do that. Do I what?”

“Do you want to go with me? To this Halloween thing tonight?”

It was the first time she’d done the asking, and he liked it.

“Yeah. I’d like that. I want to get to know your friends better. I’m sure Daisy and Levi will be there. I know Daisy and Gillian are close. She’s got pictures of Poppy and Miles all over her and Levi’s house.”

“Okay then. I need to go home for a while. I really need to exercise. I’ve done nothing but eat too much and drink a lot of beer since you came along. My clothes are going to get tight.”

“Want to go kayaking with me and my brother Eli?”

Warily she considered that. “I don’t know.”

“He’ll like you. I told him about you earlier this week. He’s sort of feral himself.”

“Don’t you want to do the brother thing? If you spend a lot of time with me, you’re going to figure out I’m sort of a bitch.”

He laughed, having to put down his cup of coffee before he started to choke.

“Gorgeous, I figured that out weeks ago. I’m still here.”

She pulled her phone out to check her calendar and noted she had several bookings starting in just a few hours and lasting until about an hour before the party. She frowned. She’d told Maggie, the woman who ran the shop, that it was all right to give her appointments, so it wasn’t like anyone had done anything wrong. The business was good. She liked having money in savings. But, she had to admit she liked the idea of spending time with Jonah and meeting his brother.

She looked up from the phone and shrugged. “Apparently I’m going to be inking people for many hours today. I’m sorry. I love to kayak though, so if you want to in the future and feel up to having me along, I’d go.”

“That’s a deal.”

15

“Nope. Wait.” He gave an imperious look her way before he got out and walked around to her side to open her door and give her a hand out.

Then he kept her hand and she didn’t quite know what to do, so she let him.

The place was awash in kids and it made her smile.

Erin was out on the large lawn with them and she looked up, waving. Alexander looked to see what his mother was doing and caught sight of Raven, his little face lighting up.

She let go of Jonah’s hand and bent to grab Alexander up into a hug when he came running her way.

“You’re here, Auntie!”

“Of course I am.” She kissed his cheeks, hugging him again.

“I missed you. We have candy.”

“Dude, candy? I’m really glad I came now. Would you like to meet a new friend?”

“Sure!”

She turned to face Jonah. “Alexander, this is my friend Jonah. He’s Levi’s big brother.”

“Yo, Jonah!”

Jonah grinned; all that imperious masterful Dom stuff had melted away in the face of this little boy. “Yo, Alexander. Raven told me all about you. I have to admit I ate some of your Goldfish. I promise to replace them before you come over again, though.”

Alexander, in a very fine Brown imitation, narrowed his eyes for a moment before he stuck his hand out. “Okay.”

Erin approached, holding Poppy, who clapped when she saw Raven.

“Hello, there, Jonah.”

Poppy leaned out, toward Raven.

“Hang on a minute, baby girl. Alexander is with Raven, then it’s your turn, all right?”

Poppy frowned but seemed satisfied for the time being.

“Dang, you’re like the Pied Piper.” Jonah winked and Alexander laughed.

“I’m glad you brought Jonah. Levi is around here somewhere. Mary and Damien got here a few minutes ago so Gillian is out back with them.”

Alexander was done being held so Raven put him down and he tore off. “Pop!” Ben and Todd came around the corner. “Daddy!”

“Yeah, poor kid, no one loves him.” Erin turned back to Raven before she pulled her into a hug, Poppy still in her arms. “Hello you. I called you twice yesterday.”

“I was really busy. Loooong day, and not now, I’ll tell you later. Now give me that baby before she jumps from your arms.”

Poppy squealed, tipping her head back, utterly confident that Raven wouldn’t drop her. That meant everything to Raven.

Erin took up next to Raven. “Let’s go around to the back. Martine has her tricycle and is riding all over the place so watch your toes.”

Jonah put an arm around her shoulders as they walked and Erin shot her a look, waggling her brows at the choker Poppy was eagerly trying to grab.

“Not for you. That’s my pretty. Don’t break it.” Poppy frowned. “I know, it’s super hard to be you.”

Then she grinned, clapping her chubby little hands.

“The jig is up, sweet girl. Auntie Raven knows your game.” She kissed Poppy’s nose. “It’ll be our secret.”