“Are you sure?” she’d asked. “I can go on my own this time. Give you a day to relax and recharge.”

“I had my little pity party. I’m done,” he said. “Nothing makes me believe I can keep doing this more than those kids. If they can handle it, so can I.”

An hour into their visit, they were seated around a round table with several kids, playing a farm animal variation of Go Fish. After the first two rounds, Andrew had persuaded Jasmine to join in. He’d flipped his chair around backward and leaned his chest against the backrest, his long legs bracketing either side and his hands holding his set of cards on the table, looking just as focused as if it were a professional game of poker. He’d changed things up and worn a Royals baseball cap today, which he’d also turned backward after the first game, declaring things were “getting competitive.”

Lauren watched as he leaned to his left, where Jasmine sat, eying her cards.

“Psst,” he whispered loudly. “Got any horses in there?”

She frowned. “It’s not your turn.”

“I’m just planning my next move. Help a guy out.”

Jasmine narrowed her eyes and pulled her cards to her chest. “Go away, cheater.”

Andrew sat back with wide eyes, feigning shock. “I thought we were friends.”

She shrugged one shoulder. “When I beat you, I’ll take that hat.”

Lauren giggled, and Andrew glanced over at her, a happy grin on his face. “Whose turn is it?”

Jake, an eight-year-old boy whom Lauren had met a few weeks ago, spoke up. “Mine. Lauren, do you have any cows?”

Dagnabbit. She had three. She scowled and handed him the cards, muttering, “This is udder nonsense.”

Andrew burst out laughing.

“What’s so funny?” Jasmine asked.

“This girl.” Andrew jerked an elbow at Lauren, and amusement lit up his eyes. “She quacks me up.”

Jasmine’s lips quirked, but she rolled her eyes. “You’re not funny.”

Andrew huffed once, then he looked at Lauren with disbelief. “She’s goat to be kidding, right? That was a good one.”

The look of indignation on his face forced a chuckle from her. He was adorable. She reached over and lightly pinched his muscular forearm. “You think you’re so a-moo-zing, don’t you?”

Jasmine laughed at that, and Andrew dropped his cards on the table. “No way. My goat one was better than that.”

Still smiling, Jasmine glanced at Lauren. “Yours was so funny it gave me goose bumps.”

Lauren nodded appreciatively, and Jasmine returned a conspiratorial grin. It was the first smile she’d ever received from Jasmine, and she felt a sense of accomplishment. Even if she’d required Andrew’s help to get it.

It took Andrew a minute to process, but then he held up his hand. “Nice.”

Jasmine slapped her hand against his, her expression pleased with just a touch of embarrassment.