Page 25 (1/2)

Author: Robyn Carr

Cooper’s eyes got a little glassy She thought he ave her hand a little squeeze and got off the bed and went to the corner He gathered his rolled-up plans and came back to the bed He unrolled one after the other until he found the floor plan he wanted to look at

"What are you doing? Can’t you leave that alone for ten er ran over the lines "Here," he said "We can add a bedroom or two here"

"Shouldn’t we talk about it?"

"I just don’t kno many bedrooms to add," he said "We know I’ not to be You’re the x-factor here So how do you feel? Feel like one? Two? Three? Because I can still take the lot next door"

"What are you doing? Are you crazy? The second I suggest throwing awayon three rabbed her arainst hi He didn’t release hertime When he finally did, his voice was a little hoarse "This is it for me, sweetheart And I hope it’s it for you This beach, this town, this house If you want to fill it up with kids or raccoons, there’s no way I can say no to you--so why don’t we add a bunch of bedrooms?"

"Do you want a baby?"

"I want one with you," he said "And I’hed at him "We’ll mess up your plans Besides, I haven’t throay the pills yet"

"No worries I can always use the practice"

Spencer, Devon and Mercy had dinner together randparents, but would be back in a few days to get ready for the start of school Devon would pick up Mercy at the doctor’s house and they went ho simple at her house and Spencer would join the a couple of picture books, so book, off they went down the street "Does Pencer know I don’t like that pizza in the box?" Mercy always asked

She laughed "I think by now he gets it But don’t worry--Spencer has peanut butter"

"I like peanut butter," she said

But Spencer had a nice surprise for Mercy--he usually served her favorite hetti and meatballs So while they ate, Devon and Spencer always talked about football practice, or her busy office, with all the kids showing up for physicals and immunizations They covered tos, updates on the transfor else that came up After dishes were done, Mercy was found on the sofa, reclining on her special blanket, leafing idly through her favorite book or watching an old kids’ movie on the hand-me-down DVD player that was once Austin’s That was the best babysitter Devon had ever come across

"I should take her home and put her to bed," Devon said

"No, you don’t," he whispered, leaning into her and kissing her neck "Not until you have to Settle Mercy in Austin’s bed with her movie and co I’ to be all that surprised," she said with a s, is what she assu kisses and caresses here and there for a week or more But it was so wonderful to hold hands with someone, to not have to hide the affection She had finally owned up to Scott Grant, who had asked, "Is it that kind of date yet?" And she’d said, "It is," with a flush and a s roo on the couch "Spencer, there’s a bell on the bedroo "It wouldn’t be safe to hang it around her neck"

She sat down beside his and arms, but I’m up to this, trust me"

With his arms around her waist, he pulled her closer and covered her an to s found this man She put her arms around his neck, leaned back and opened herinside; she wasup and down her back, then they were in her hair, pulling her ainst his, then they were on her butt

She broke away just a little bit and said, "As surprises go, you’re pretty predictable We ht And there’s a three-year-old in the next rooood brakes"

"Here you go If you say yes, I lined up a babysitter for your house toirlfriend, Eve--Mac’s daughter I asked them to babysit so I can take you out," he said

"Out?"

"Dinner?" he asked "We can stay close Maybe a bite to eat at Cliffhanger’s? Walk on the beach? Whatever you feel like"