“How’s Aiden?” I asked as I continued to sway back and forth with the sleeping princess in my arms.
Willa rolled her eyes. “He’s fine. Thank God Hunter was there to catch him.”
“I still can’t believe he fainted.” Greer chuckled and covered her mouth. “You’d think the man was tougher than that with all he’s seen as a Navy SEAL.”
Tring to hide my own laugh, I looked back down at Ciara. She was in a milk coma for sure. The corner of her mouth lifted slightly in a little smile. My heart melted once again, and I tried to ignore that maternal longing.
“You guys should have seen him during the delivery, though. He was amazing. He was so worried about both of us, but he never left my side. And when the baby was born, he kissed me like he’s never kissed me before. If I hadn’t just pushed a baby out of me, I would have wanted him right then and there.”
We all laughed.
“What’s so funny?” Aiden asked as he walked into the living room.
The three of us exchanged quick glances. “Nothing,” we replied in unison.
Aiden raised a brow. “You’re talking about me fainting again, aren’t you?”
Willa covered her mouth to hide her smile. “I’m sorry, sweetheart. We were.”
“Go ahead and laugh, I can take it,” Aiden stated, waving his hand in the air.
Greer snorted. “Have Kyle and Hunter started in on you yet?”
Aiden rolled his eyes. “Yeah, Hunter did just a few moments ago.”
I looked up at the mention of Hunter and smiled as I saw him walking into the living room, his mother Mary right beside him. The smile on his face dropped when he scanned the room and saw me. His gaze shifted between me and the baby and I felt my heart plummet to my stomach. Was he unhappy I was here? I honestly hadn’t even thought about Hunter being here. I should have, though. After all, Ciara was his niece. But when Greer said Willa asked us to come over and see the baby, I couldn’t refuse.
“Arabella Adams, you look precious holding that baby in your arms.” Mary made her way over to me. She gave me a quick kiss on the cheek, and then looked down at Ciara.
Jack, her husband, was the next person to speak as he walked into the room and stood next to Hunter. “Isn’t my granddaughter just beautiful?” He gave his son a small push with his elbow, and Hunter finally pulled his eyes off me, then ran his fingers through his hair like he was bothered by something.
Was he mad I was there? Surely not, but I couldn’t read the expression on his face.
Mary looked over her shoulder at her husband. “Isn’t that right, Jack? We need to see Arabella more often.”
Jack flashed me a bright smile. “Yes. We really would love to have you over for dinner sometime, sweetheart.”
Once again, I noticed how much Hunter looked like his father. He was basically a younger version of Jack, who was still very handsome for his age. Jack’s brown hair was sprinkled with bits of gray, but his eyes were exactly like his son’s. Crystal blue, like the afternoon sky after a rain shower comes through.
“That would be lovely,” I replied. “Mary, would you like to hold your granddaughter?”
“Oh, are you sure?”
I nodded. “Greer has already held her, and I’ve had her the last twenty minutes or so.”
Mary scooped her granddaughter out of my hands like a pro. Now that they were empty, I fidgeted with the bottom of my sweater and made my way over to sit down next to Greer on the other sofa.
Ben had come in with his grandfather, and was now demanding Hunter’s attention. I watched the two of them interact with one another, my heart physically aching. If how he treated Ben was any indication, Hunter would make a wonderful father. He put the boy up on his shoulders and bounced, while Jack—the K9 version—barked.
“Down, Jack,” Hunter commanded. Jack took in everyone in the room and made a beeline toward me.
“Hey, buddy,” I said, gently scratching along his head and neck. Seconds later, he lay at my feet—or I should say, on them.
Hunter looked over at us. “Is he on your feet, Bella? You can make him move.”
I shook my head. “It’s okay, he’s not bothering me at all.”
Hunter’s eyes went from the dog, to me, then back to the dog. A slight frown formed between his brows before Ben pulled at his chin to make him look up at him.
Leaning in closer to Greer, I asked in a low voice, “Do you think he doesn’t like Jack being over here with me?”
She shook her head and whispered back, “I think he’s wondering why his dog feels the need to protect you.”
“Protect me?”
Greer motioned with her head to Jack. “He’s laying on your feet like he’s guarding you, Arabella.”