“I want to see too.” Raven handed Marti to Erin and then tipped her chin to Rennie, who still looked at her like she was the most awesome fireworks show ever.

“My art?”

“Yeah. Your dad showed me some the last time I saw him. He’s got like forty pictures of it on his phone. But that’s not the same as in real life.”

Rennie blushed and then bent when Alexander came in, patting her thigh. “Yo, Nee!”

“Hey, Alexander.” She knelt to hug him and he handed her a horse.

“Come play.”

Rennie waved at them and followed Alexander out.

“She’s a great kid,” Erin said before turning her attention back to Marti, kissing those chubby toddler cheeks. “Where’s Brody?”

“Jeez.” Raven went back to work. “Hello, Elise. How are you? Sorry about Erin’s manners. You know how she gets when she’s got a baby in her arms.”

Elise laughed and Marti did too. “Down, please.”

Erin kissed her one last time and put her down. With one wave over her shoulder, she headed toward where Alexander and Rennie were playing with Ben.

“He’s on his way up. He’s bringing the pies and some other stuff. He and Todd met in the lobby and there was secret stuff happening.”

“Halloween stuff most likely. You’re coming, right?” Erin turned to Raven.

“Uh.”

“Miles and his band are playing. There’s going to be a little Halloween parade thing.”

Raven groaned. “Miles doesn’t need me there.”

“Pfft. Alexander does. And Marti. And Rennie. And of course, me. Plus, Gillian and Elise and Brody.”

“You already used that one for Thanksgiving.”

“It’s all-purpose.”

“You’re coming to Thanksgiving?” Elise’s bright smile was genuine and Raven relaxed.

“Yes.”

“That’s wonderful. I’m glad you’ll be in town this year.”

“I’m planning on bugging her relentlessly until she agrees to make cinnamon rolls.” Erin flashed a grin and Raven groaned.

One of the only happy memories Raven had from her childhood was of her great-grandmother teaching her to make cinnamon rolls. She was too old to do much more than sit in the kitchen and tell Raven what to do. But on those rare visits once she’d gotten a little older, Eula Mae’s kitchen would be filled with scents that still made Raven smile to that day.

“Maybe. If you ask nicely.”

“I should ask Jonah too.” Erin fluttered her lashes.

“His daughter is coming home for it. She’s in Europe on some study-abroad deal. I’m guessing there’ll be some big dinner at the manse with Ma and Pa Kettle.”

Elise laughed. “The stories I’ve heard about his mother scare me. But she seems to like Daisy so she can’t be all bad.”

“In any case, he’ll be otherwise engaged.”

“You can go over there. I’ll give you a day pass for that.”

“I am still vexed I allowed you to guilt me into Thanksgiving day with you. I’m sure as hell not going over there. Plus, we’re not at the meet-the-parents stage. We’re just dating. Or whatever.”

He’d want to spend time with Carrie and there was no way Raven would get between them. The girl needed her dad and she had no doubts how much Jonah adored his daughter.

Elise sent Erin a look and Raven kept her head down, biting her tongue. See? She was learning.

11

Raven looked at her phone and saw Jonah’s number. Smiling, she answered. “Yes?”

“That’s what I like to hear. Just yes. All the time. No matter what I ask.”

“It does me no good to encourage you in any way.”

“Oh, but it does.” His voice went all low and silky and she shivered. “I remember you encouraging me just fine the other night.”

“To what do I owe the pleasure of this call?”

She sat on her small deck, the rain falling, though she was dry beneath the overhang.

“What are you doing right now?”

“I’m sitting on my deck, drinking a beer, wrapped in a blanket, listening to music.”

“Damn, that sounds pretty nice. Wish I was there with you but instead I’m going into yet another meeting shortly. What are you doing Saturday night?”

“Nothing yet.” She’d been invited to dinner with some friends visiting from out of town, but anything he’d be offering would be better. She was officially at the stage where she turned down things with friends to be with a guy.

Man.

“Good. Come out with me. Be my date to a benefit. We’ll dress up, drink champagne, eat appetizers, and afterward I’ll take you to sushi.”

“Um.”

“Too late. You already agreed.”

“Um is not agreement. What benefit is this?”

“It’s a museum benefit. Daisy will be there. Levi too.”

“I’m not really benefit date material, Jonah.”

“Bullshit. You’re beautiful. I know you can dress up. Don’t forget I saw you all fancified Monday night. You don’t pick your nose or spit on the floor. You are indeed benefit date material.”

Against her better judgment she accepted it in her head. But that didn’t mean she wasn’t going to drill him for more information and make him work for it. “Is it like formal?”