“Then let’s go,” he said.

“I need to get Simone settled first. Give me a few minutes?”

“Take your time.” He took a seat in one of the easy chairs while she went upstairs to help Simone.

“How’s it going up here?” she asked her daughter, who was sitting on the edge of the bed, her pajamas next to her.

“Okay.”

“What’s the matter?”

“I’m sad that we have to leave tomorrow. It’s fun here. There’s always something to do.”

“I know, baby. We’ll come back and visit again soon.” Emma helped her remove the sling and carefully eased her sweater up and over her head, revealing her badly bruised elbow. “How’s it feeling?”

“Hurts a little, but not bad.”

Emma planned to have it checked by an orthopedic doctor when they got back to the city. That was one of many things on her to-do list once they returned to real life. The thought of it exhausted her as she helped Simone change into pajamas, realizing it’d been a long time since she’d had to help her daughter get dressed. Time with her was flying by so quickly. Soon, she’d be a teenager, a thought that had Emma snuggling Simone into a hug.

“Grayson and I were going to go out for a little while. Molly and Linc said you can hang out with them.” The Abbotts had insisted that Simone call them by their first names, even if Emma had wanted her to call them Mr. and Mrs. Abbott. “Is that okay with you?”

“Sure. Will I see Auntie Lu before we go?”

“We’ll make sure of it. Should we put the sling back on?”

“I think I’m okay without it.”

“Just be careful not to overdo it.”

“I will.”

Emma escorted Simone back downstairs with the new doll Santa had brought her and a couple of her favorite books.

“Is that the new doll?” Grayson asked her.

“Yes, this is Ashley,” she said of the doll that shared her auburn hair. “She’s not American Girl, because Mommy said they’re ridiculously expensive, but I think she’s really pretty.”

“I agree,” he said. “Can I hold her?”

Emma’s heart melted at the request as well as the big smile that lit up Simone’s adorable face.

“Sure.” She took the doll to him and set her carefully in his arms.

Watching him cradle the doll with such tender care, Emma was struck by a pang of yearning to see him holding a baby of theirs someday. Holy hell, where did that thought come from? Ten years into motherhood, the last thing she wanted was to start over again. But if he were the father… Stop. Just stop.

“She’s very pretty,” Grayson said. “Just like her mama.” He handed her back to Simone. “Thanks for letting me hold her.”

“You’re welcome.”

“Are you ready?” Emma asked him.

“Whenever you are.”