Anything for Her(17)

Finally, in sheer desperation, he decided he had to introduce her and Sean. If they hit it off, he could spend more time with her. Whether that would forward his goal of getting her into bed, he didn’t know, but, damn it, he was happy being with her, no matter what they were doing.

He’d discovered early on that Sean’s background was devoid of a whole lot of the experiences he thought most kids took for granted. He’d been gradually, without making a big deal of it, trying to fill those in. He had been mildly shocked to learn that Sean had never been to the zoo.

Friday night, while they were eating dinner together, Nolan said, “I thought we’d go to the zoo Sunday.”

His foster son looked at him as if he was crazy. “The what?”

“You heard me.”

“Wow. Will you hold my hand to make sure I don’t get lost? And, hey, you gonna buy me a stuffed monkey while we’re there, too?”

“Even adults enjoy the zoo.”

Sean’s disbelieving stare didn’t moderate.

“I thought I’d ask Allie, too,” Nolan said casually.

Something ugly flashed in the boy’s eyes. “If you have her to go with, why do I have to get dragged along?”

“Because it’s fun.” Pretending he hadn’t noticed Sean’s anger, Nolan took a second helping of green beans. “And you and I are going whether she can join us or not.”

“What if I don’t want to?”

“When I’ve suggested doing something together, have I ever bored you silly?”

“I guess not,” he mumbled after a minute.

“Have faith.”

Nolan grinned at the rolled eyes.

When he called Allie the next day and proposed the same expedition, there was a long silence.

“The zoo?”

“You sound like Sean.”

She laughed.

“I go a couple of times a year,” he said. “It’s one of my favorite ways to spend a day.”

“I’m ashamed to say I’ve only been to Woodland Park Zoo once since we moved to Washington.”

“How long ago was that?”

“Ten...no, eleven years.”

“Then you’re past due for another visit,” he said firmly. “What do you say?”

“I say that sounds like fun. And I’ll look forward to meeting Sean.”

“Then we’re on.” Pleased that she was okay with an outing that included his son, he arranged to pick her up by nine. The weather was supposed to be warm this weekend, and he’d learned that morning was best for catching glimpses of some of the more elusive animals.

Come Sunday morning, Sean didn’t want to get his butt out of bed. He moaned and whined when Nolan rousted him, then grumbled all the way to her place about how crowded they’d all be in the pickup.

Nolan liked the idea of being crowded against Allie. It had occurred to him lately, though, that he should maybe think about buying a car. The time would come when he’d have to take turns driving Sean and his yet-to-be-made friends places—not possible with the pickup truck. He could choose something that might also do for Sean in a couple of years when he got his driver’s license.

Once again, he didn’t have to go up to Allie’s door; she came out as soon as he pulled in. He got out to meet her, enjoying the sight of her coming down the stairs. She wore calf-length chinos, sandals and a T-shirt the mossy green color of her eyes. Her legs were sensational, and his groin tightened. On another level, he was glad to see that her hand slid along the railing. So she was being careful.

Sean had climbed out of the truck, too, and stood there looking as lumpish as he could manage.

“You must be Sean,” Allie said with a friendly smile. “I’m so glad to meet you. When we get back later today, why don’t you come upstairs and see what I’m doing with your quilt. I’d like to make sure you approve.”

That stirred a little emotion on his face. “I guess,” he mumbled.

Nolan held out a hand, but she said, “Why don’t we take my car? I get better mileage, and it fits in parking spots for compact cars.”

He didn’t much like being a passenger, but agreed. Sean was relegated to being in the backseat of her Corolla, but he was probably relieved.

Mostly, Nolan and Allie carried the conversation on the drive to Seattle, but Sean wasn’t rude enough to ignore direct questions. They were able to park only a couple of rows from the entrance. As they all got out and Allie locked the car, Sean looked at several families with small kids streaming across the parking lot, parents pushing strollers.