Home For Keeps

“You, too, Caleb,” Heather said.

Grace’s pulse thrummed. “I was hoping we might run into each other.”

Caleb took the seat directly across from Grace, Angela and Kiki reluctantly joining him. Caleb introduced the women to the girls. Angela didn’t say anything, simply slapped down her plate and threw herself into her chair. Kiki avoided looking at anyone.

Oh, great. Talk about awkward. Grace figured the teenagers recognized her from the mural incident.

As if he didn’t notice his daughter’s attitude, Caleb gave her cup of coffee and empty plate a quick look. “I take it you already ate.”

“More like overate,” Grace said. “But it was delicious, worth every calorie.”

He eyed her more thoroughly. “Not that you need to worry about it.”

Grace started to laugh until she noted Kiki’s sour expression. Definitely aimed her way.

A loud bam startled them all, and Grace turned to see the twins near a food table, an entire bowl of butter turned upside down at their feet.

“Oh, no,” Heather groaned, pushing herself away from the table. “I knew something had to happen. Things were too peaceful.”

Grace laughed. “It’s probably an accident. They didn’t mean to cause any trouble.”

But then she noticed Addison stooping to pick up a glob of butter with one finger and promptly flinging it at her sister. Heather bore down upon the pair and Grace turned back to her food, not wanting to watch the twins get reprimanded. Even an angelic-looking child could be naughty, she guessed.

Caleb grinned and gave his daughter a penetrating look. “They can get into trouble no matter the age.”

At which point Angela turned her back on him and went forehead to forehead with Kiki, whispering. Caleb merely rolled his eyes and continued smiling at Grace, who felt a sudden attack of butterflies whirl through her stomach.

She said, “I understand Pancake Day is a tradition.”

“I’ve been here every year since I moved into town.”

“I can understand why. It’s a lot of fun, and you get to see people you probably don’t see often.” Like him. She was definitely glad she’d run into Caleb. She hadn’t met a man who interested her this much in ages. “Are there other community events like this?”