With that, she hung up the phone.
It was with some surprise that Trevor realized he was smiling as he replaced his own receiver. He hadn’t expected this day to end with a smile. He could credit Jamie for that, of course.
Maybe he’d go to bed early tonight. He was tired, and not really in the mood for brooding.
He supposed he could thank Jamie for that, too.
TREVOR WAS GETTING READY for his date with Jamie Friday evening when the telephone rang. He’d already dropped the kids off at his parents’ house; his mother was taking Sam, Abbie and Clay Davenport to the newest animated film that evening and then keeping them for a sleepover. He picked up the phone hoping nothing had gone wrong. As much as he had been looking forward to this evening, he would be deeply disappointed if something interfered. “Hello?”
“Hi, Trevor. It’s Tara.”
He felt his frown melt at the sound of his sister’s voice. “Well, hi, yourself. How are you?”
“Miserable,” she answered cheerfully. “I’m ready for this to be over.”
“What’s your doctor saying?”
“She keeps saying ‘any day now.’ She’s been saying that for the past two weeks.”
“How’s Blake holding up?” Trevor asked, smiling as he mentioned his dashing, eccentric, private-investigator brother-in-law.
“He’s a nervous wreck. As cool and patient as he can be in his work, imminent fatherhood has him rattled.”
Trevor chuckled. “He’ll be a great parent. You both will.”
“I hope you’re right. We have you, of course, to use as a role model.”
Wincing, Trevor shook his head. “I’m not sure I qualify for that.”
“Nonsense. You’re doing a wonderful job raising Sam and Abbie. How are my little angels, by the way?”
“They’re fine. Mother’s taking them and Clay to see that new kids’ movie this evening. I don’t know whether or not Abbie will sit still long enough to watch it, but Mother seemed to think she would.”
“Sam will like that. He always enjoys being with Clay. It’s so cute the way he tries to emulate his older cousin.”
“Yeah—and I’m relieved Clay’s a decent kid for him to emulate.”
“Clay’s a sweetheart,” Tara agreed fondly. “And Claire is adorable, isn’t she? I talked to Emily this afternoon. She was delighted to announce that Claire’s sleeping through the night, for the most part.”
“Yes, well, Abbie’s a year older than Claire and she still wakes up at least once most nights, so don’t get your hopes too
high for uninterrupted sleep for the next couple of years.”
“How’s Abbie doing with her walking?”
“She isn’t.” Trevor shook his head in resignation. “She’s still just taking a few steps when she’s holding on to things. Her pediatrician assures me there’s nothing wrong with her. She just hasn’t chosen to walk yet. She likes being carried.”
“She’ll decide soon that she’ll have more fun when she can get around on her own two feet. And then you’ll be complaining that you can’t keep up with her.”
“I’m sure you’re right.”
“So what are your plans for the evening? Going to sit around and enjoy the silence?”
“No, actually, I, uh, have plans.”
“Plans?” He could almost see his sister’s ears perk up. “Do you have a date?”
“Well, yes. Sort of.” Since he was sure their mother would tell her, anyway, he added casually, “I’m taking Jamie Flaherty out for dinner and a movie.”