Snowfall on Haven Point(22)
“Ben is one of a kind,” his mother, Lydia, said with a fond smile.
“He is, indeed,” McKenzie said. “Don’t think about it. Just sit back and enjoy the fabulous food. Serrano’s went above and beyond with this one.”
The food was, indeed, delicious. Andie was nibbling on a plate of fabulous spinach lasagna when Eliza Caine sank into the chair beside her.
“Hi, Andie. You’re just the person I need!”
Andie instantly set down her fork. “Please tell me you’re looking for somebody to hold that sweet little boy of yours!”
Eliza laughed. “Well, that wasn’t what I meant, but sure.”
She carefully handed over tiny Liam Dermot Caine, born just before Thanksgiving. Andie took the bundle-wrapped infant and nestled him in her arms, falling in love all over again with his shock of dark hair like his father’s and the big blue eyes she hoped would stay that color.
“Oh, he’s precious,” she murmured.
“Isn’t he?” Eliza beamed.
Liam made a little squawk of a sound and managed to tug his fist out of the bundling so he could suck on the edge of it.
“He loves that fist. I don’t know what it is,” Eliza said. “It’s funny—Maddie did the very same thing.”
“When my kids were little, I never wanted to do anything but sit and hold them.”
“It’s the best part of being a new mom, isn’t it? I’m with you on that, but when Aidan’s anywhere around, I usually have to arm wrestle him for the chance. He’s completely enamored with being a father.”
She was charmed to the core at the idea of the sexy genius CEO behind Caine Tech losing his heart to his infant son.
“Aidan and Liam aren’t exactly what I wanted to talk to you about, though.”
“Oh?”
“I need a favor.”
“Sure,” Andie said. She was feeling so warm and content right about now with adorable Liam in her arms, she would have agreed to just about anything.
She had the random stray brainstorm that warring parties ought to take note and consider passing around sleepy, cuddly babies during complicated negotiation sessions. It would make the world a much more gentle place.
“It’s not a huge favor. You might actually enjoy it. From what I hear, most women would.”
“What is it?”
Eliza let out a breath. “Aidan has this younger brother who’s coming to town for the holidays,” she began.
Cute baby notwithstanding, Andie’s stomach did a crazy somersault, as if she’d just jumped off a ski lift without her skis. She knew what was coming and she didn’t want Eliza to go on. Why couldn’t she just sit here and hold the baby?
“How nice for Aidan to have family here,” she said cautiously. “He comes from a large one, doesn’t he?”
“An understatement. He’s the third of seven and they’re all wonderful. Truly wonderful, though a little overwhelming. It’s our year for hosting everyone, but Aidan was worried it would be too much this year, with a new baby and all. It worked out because he’s got a sister and a sister-in-law who are both expecting and due next month, so they all decided to stay in Hope’s Crossing and will come out this summer.”
“Where does the brother fit in?”
“Oh. Jamie. He called last week and asked if he could spend a few days with us, and of course we were thrilled.”
“I thought Aidan didn’t want his family to overwhelm you.”
“This is just Jamie. He and Aidan have always been close and we haven’t seen him in a year, since he’s been deployed overseas. Jamie is a pilot and he’s thinking about getting out of the military and maybe taking a job flying Caine Tech execs around.”
“Oh. That would be nice for Aidan, to have his brother working with him.” If Andie could keep Eliza talking, maybe her friend would forget to ask the favor Andie was very much afraid she didn’t want to hear.
“It would be great. The thing is, Jamie doesn’t know anybody in Haven Point except us and he’s used to a pretty active social life.”
By that, Andie inferred Aidan’s brother was a player. This just kept getting better and better. She wanted to get up and walk to the other side of the room, but she had a feeling Eliza might protest if she kidnapped cute little Liam.
“So here’s the thing,” Eliza finally said slowly, “I was wondering if you might be interested in showing Jamie around town a little, maybe go to the movies with him or up to the dinner theater in Shelter Springs.”
She let out a breath as her somersaulting stomach started rolling with wild abandon. “I, um...” she began, then stopped, not sure what to say.