The Missing Heir(88)

                Cole smiled as he lowered himself into an armchair. “I volunteered for the gig.”

                “You’re a good friend.”

                “I am,” he agreed. “Got any more eggnog?”

                “I do.”

                “I can get it myself.”

                She scooped up Destiny’s empty cup. “Oh, no, you don’t. You’re on baby duty. Just sit tight.”

                He lifted Zachary into a standing position on his lap. “Oh, I like this,” he said to the baby. “You and I hang out here. Your auntie does all the work.”

                She poured a fresh glass of eggnog and added some spiced rum, stirring the concoction together.

                When she returned to the living room, Zachary was sitting facing Cole, playing with the buttons on his denim shirt.

                She handed Cole the glass. “Don’t let him taste it.”

                Cole’s eyes squinted down. “I wouldn’t do that. I won’t give him anything without asking you.”

                “There’s rum in it. That’s all I meant.” She hadn’t meant to sound picky and possessive.

                Cole took a drink. “Good.” Then he set the glass out of reach of Zachary.

                The awkward moment passed.

                “Nice pajamas this guy’s got going on,” Cole said easily.

                “I couldn’t resist them. They were so cute.”

                “Did you take some pictures?”

                “I did.”

                “Will you take one of the two of us?”

                The request surprised her, but she quickly recovered. “Sure.” Her phone was on a side table, and she reached to retrieve it.

                “How about in front of the tree?” Cole asked Zachary, sitting down on the floor. “Any chance you’ll hold still and pose for the camera?”

                “Gak baw.”

                “As always, I’m going to take that as a yes.”

                Amber lined up the camera, taking various poses from various angles. While she snapped the pictures, the family resemblance between the two became startlingly evident. She was half amazed, half afraid.

                It was obvious they belonged together. It was just as obvious that she’d have little say in the matter. And a win for Cole still left her up in the air. Or maybe it was out in the cold.

                “Did you get any good shots?” asked Cole, setting Zachary down on his feet.

                Zachary clung to his fingers, teetering on his feet before letting go and taking a single step away.

                Amber scooted toward Cole, settling beside him, scrolling her way through the pictures.

                “Those are pretty good,” said Cole.

                “I can see now why he thinks you’re familiar,” she admitted. “It’s absolutely there.”