Words From The Heart (Spring-Summer Romance Book 2) by Alex Greenville Page B

of her abdomen. He licked his lips, unable to stop his thoughts from going where they did and wondering when she straightened if she’d done that on purpose.
    Aware he had to face her dad, however, Bennett did his best to wipe his thoughts clean. Most likely, her parents wanted to see how their daughter lived, her dad especially make his presence known. If Audrey had that thought, she didn’t show it though, instead spending the time packing the children’s things.
    The doorbell rang promptly one hour later, and Bennett crossed through the foyer to answer it. Admittedly, he was nervous, his stomach filled with ping pong balls. He released a long breath, dug out a smile, and tugged on the knob. He wasn’t given a chance to greet her parents though for Jeff flying down the stairs.
    “Ho, there …” Dale Ferguson swept the boy off his feet. “I love a young man with enthusiasm. It’s good for the future.” He squeezed Jeff to him, then tilted his gaze toward Bennett. “It’s been a while, Ben. I was sorry to hear about your wife.”
    Bennett acknowledged his kind words with a sharp nod.
    Dale turned slightly, glancing toward his wife. “This is Mrs. Ferguson.”
    “Please call me Everly,” she said.
    She was very much the grandmotherly type, fluffy white hair and a smile that immediately put him at ease. Whatever Dale’s feelings were about him personally, he knew the children would be well taken care of.
    “And you can call me Bennett,” he replied. “Please … come in.” He reversed, waving them inside, and they passed him, halting in the center of the foyer.
    Audrey called from the top of the stairs. “Mom? Dad? Be right down.” Her eyes transferred to his face. “Could you come up and get June? She’s ready to go.”
    Obedient, he climbed the stairs, squeezing past her at the top. June was decked out in a clean pink onesie, a blanket tucked around her legs. “There’s Daddy’s girl,” he said, lifting the carrier.
    She gave a loud coo. How different that was from weeks ago, and he owed it to Audrey’s care. Spinning on his heel, he retraced his steps down the hall and back to the foyer.
    “Well, now …” Dale said. “There’s the little one.” He stretched one hand for the car seat’s handle, but gripping it, Bennett’s hand still holding tight, he gazed back, unblinking. “She’s a beautiful child. We’ll take the very best care.”
    Bennett’s eyes stung. Beautiful like her mother.
    Everly, sensing he couldn’t speak, patted him tenderly on the arm. “It’s okay. We talked about this, and as much as we love August, these two wonderful kids need that love, too. There’s plenty to go around.”
    He tried to thank her with a glance, but struggled to hold back tears.
    “Thanks, Mom,” Audrey said. “This means a lot to Bennett.”
    Her use of his first name was noted with the fire in her father’s eyes, but Dale said nothing, turning his gaze to Jeff and taking hold of June’s carrier, his footsteps aimed toward the car. Everly lifted August from Audrey, settling him on her hip.
    “I guess we’re ready to go,” she said. “We’re looking forward to this.”
    “Here, I’ll tote the diaper bag,” Audrey offered.
    Her mom revolved, and she and Audrey trailed after Dale down the walk. Bennett watched them load up, his mood swinging this way and that. On the one hand, he was glad to have some time without watching the kids, glad, as well, for his son to have someone to look up to. On the other, he’d been with his children so much, twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, that he was tempted to run after them and call the whole thing off.
    He didn’t, and eventually, the Fergusons started the car and reversed from the drive. Audrey waved goodbye, standing in place until their taillights disappeared. She twirled and returned to the stoop. He couldn’t move for staring at the swing of her hips.
    She mashed the flat of her hand in the center of his chest and pushed him