He smiled wryly. “I didn’t think talking about one’s kids was proper date etiquette. I could be wrong. Last time I was out on a date, I didn’t even have kids.”
“Didn’t you and your wife go out on dates?”
He felt a muscle tense in the back of his neck. “Yes, of course we went out. I was referring to dates in the traditional sense.”
Her eyes searched his face, making him wonder what she saw there. “Did your wife like the D.C. social scene?”
More than he had ever realized, Trevor could have answered. As far as he had known, she’d been content to stay at home in the evenings with him and the children, which was what he had generally preferred when they had no pressing engagements. He hadn’t known, of course, that she’d found her own entertainment during the hours he had spent at the office. He merely nodded in response to Jamie’s question.
“And did you?” she asked.
“It got old fast.” Though his appetite was gone, he took another bite of his cheesecake, just to give him something to do for a moment.
Her curiosity had not yet been satisfied. “Have you decided to stay in Honoria permanently now, or will you go back to Washington eventually?”
“I have no plans to go back. My father’s been working twelve-hour days long enough. He’s needed a partner for several years. When he’s ready to retire, I’ll take over the practice.”
“Handling divorces and bankruptcies in Honoria is a lot different from dealing with affairs of state in the nation’s capital. Are you sure it’s enough for you?”
“I’m confident it will be, especially combined with the responsibility of raising my kids.”
“Tell me about the new nanny. Do the children like her?”
“Her name is Sarah Brown. She moved to town last year with her husband, who works at O’Brien’s Lumberyard. Their only son is in college now, but Sarah likes kids and enjoys taking care of them. I wanted someone more mature this time, and she came highly
recommended. Abbie’s taken to her easily enough—but then, Abbie likes everybody.”
“She’s such a sweetheart. What about Sam? Has he taken to Sarah, too?”
Trevor had to make an effort not to sigh. “Sam doesn’t accept newcomers into his life easily. It seems that his shyness grows worse with time rather than better.”
“I haven’t noticed him being overly shy.”
“That’s because he isn’t with you. He took to you right away.” And Trevor still couldn’t quite explain it—except to decide that whatever magic Jamie worked on him was equally potent to his son.
“He’s an adorable little boy, Trev. So bright and observant. And Abbie’s an angel. You’re doing a wonderful job with them.”
Trevor was surprised by how much her words touched him. “Thanks,” he said, his tone gruffer than he’d intended. “I’m doing my best. And I have a lot of help from my parents. Mother can be a handful at times, but she’s been an enormous help to me with the kids.”
“I’m sure she has. Bobbie is one of the most efficient and competent people I’ve ever met.”
“Not to mention the bossiest,” Trevor added with affectionate irony.
Jamie laughed softly. “That, too. What about the children’s other grandparents? Do they get to see them often?”
Trevor’s smile faded. “My wife’s mother passed away several years ago. Her father is still living, but in poor health. We see him very rarely.”
The young man who’d served them all evening appeared at the table with a carafe in his hand. “More coffee, folks?”
Trevor and Jamie both accepted the offer. Trevor, for one, was in no hurry to leave. However, he had not planned to spend so much time talking about his children. And certainly not about Melanie, or her family. He’d intended to keep this evening strictly between himself and Jamie.
“What about you?” he asked, watching her sip her coffee. “Has talking about New York this evening given you a yen to go back?”
“I’ll go back to New York—if for nothing more than holiday visits. But for now, I’m content where I am. I’m spending the summer resting, painting, catching up on my reading, making new friends in town. And I’m really looking forward to starting the new school year, and putting together my own productions from scratch.”
“Painting?” he asked, zeroing in on that one word.
“Yes. I’ve always enjoyed working with oils on canvas, but I haven’t had much time for it during the past few years. I’m certainly no great artist, but it’s a pleasant hobby.”