The Family Plan (The McClouds of Mississippi 1)

Nathan’s door was open. She heard his computer keyboard clattering as she approached. She had almost reached the doorway when she heard Isabelle singing very quietly—a nursery rhyme, perhaps? Pausing in the doorway, she took in the scene. Nathan was hard at work at his desk, his brow creased in concentration, and Isabelle sat cross-legged on the carpet, contentedly arranging furniture in a colorful plastic dollhouse.

It was a sight that made her feel like sighing for some strange reason.

Isabelle spotted her first. Ending her song in midline, she broke into a smile. “Did you come to see my dollhouse, Miss Caitlin?”

“Yes, I did.” She glanced apologetically at Nathan, who had looked away from his computer. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt your work.”

He pressed a couple of buttons to save and close his file. “I can finish this later.”

Feeling as though she were the intruder this time, she entered the office and knelt in front of Isabelle’s dollhouse. It really was an intriguing toy; constructed of heavy-duty plastic, it was hinged to fold into a carrying case when not in use. Each room was equipped with whimsically shaped plastic furnishings. A red plastic convertible held a cheerful-looking family of four—father, mother, brother and baby sister.

“This is really nice.” Caitlin picked up a pink plastic sofa to admire more closely. “I’m sure you’ve been having fun with it.”

Isabelle touched a chubby finger to each plastic figure. “This is Bob. He’s the dad. This is Susie. She’s the mom. The kids are Mike and Annie.”

“I like the names you’ve chosen.”

“They’re people in stories I like.”

“I see.” Caitlin replaced the couch and gave the little car a push. “It’s a very fine play set, Isabelle.”

“Thank you.” Isabelle made an adjustment to a yellow chair, the pride of home ownership glowing on her little face.

Nathan glanced at his watch. “It’s almost noon. I bet you’re getting hungry, poppet.”

Isabelle rubbed her tummy. “I am hungry.”

“So am I. How about it, Caitlin, want to make it a three-some for lunch?”

“Oh, I—”

Isabelle jumped up and caught Caitlin’s hand in hers, gazing entreatingly up at her. “Come have lunch with us, Miss Caitlin. Please.”

So unfair. There was no way she could resist the look in those big blue eyes. “Well, I suppose I could join you for a quick lunch.”

The little girl’s smile was ample reward for Caitlin capitulation.

Because it was nearby and offered an extensive children’s menu, they selected Jolly’s Deli for their lunch destination, taking Nathan’s car. A popular establishment close to the main shopping areas, Jolly’s was as crowded as Caitlin had expected, but she knew the service to be fast.

As she had also predicted, she knew quite a few of the other diners and Nathan was acquainted with even more of them. She was keenly aware of the attention focused their way as they stood in line to order, Isabelle standing between them holding their hands. Many locals knew who Isabelle was now, of course, and they expressed their interest with sidelong stares and behind-the-hand whispers.

She could only imagine what the gossips must be making of seeing her with Nathan and Isabelle again. Even before Isabelle’s arrival, Caitlin knew there had been idle speculation about her relationship with Nathan, which was understandable, she supposed. Both of them young, single and unattached, spending so much time together at work. Now…well, the grapevine would probably have them engaged by sundown.

Since there was nothing she could do about potential rumors, she decided to hold her head high and enjoy her lunch.

There were few awkward moments during the casual meal, mostly because Isabelle provided entertainment with stories about her preschool adventures. Caitlin listened attentively to the child, but she would hate to be tested later on anything Isabelle said.

Caitlin’s attention kept wandering to Nathan, who sat more quietly than usual at the other side of the table. She had the feeling that while he was outwardly enjoying the meal and the conversation, he was actually watching her, too.

It was inevitable, of course, with all that surreptitious watching, that their eyes would eventually meet. And hold. Though she was aware that Isabelle was still babbling, and she could still hear the chatter and clatter of the crowded restaurant around them, she couldn’t seem to focus on anything but the gleam in Nathan’s deep-blue eyes.

How strange that she could suddenly almost feel the pressure of his lips against her. She had been prone to relive The Kiss at odd moments, but this was the first time she had drifted into fantasy right out in public. Especially in front of Nathan. Not to mention Isabelle.

“Nate? Hey, Nate?”

Still looking into Caitlin’s eyes as though he could see the disturbing thoughts behind them, Nathan responded absently to Isabelle’s prodding. “What is it, poppet?”

“Isn’t that your mom?”