put everything on the table then went back for the large chocolate chip cookies. He loved them and figured the girls would, too.
As he doled out the sweets, the girls went into raptures of delight and thank yous. He smiled. Yep, couldn’t go wrong with cookies, especially ones with chocolate.
“You didn’t have to do this,” Kate said, as she handed napkins to the kids.
“I know.”
“Thank you.”
“Anytime,” he said and meant it.
* * * *
Nearly an hour later, Grimm found himself totally relaxed, laughing and talking with all of them. This was something new for him. He never relaxed when he was out. He was always on and waiting for something bad to go down. And though he was still aware of everything, he was able to sit back and enjoy himself. The girls were so smart and just damn funny. He loved watching how Kate interacted with them. She never talked down to them in any way. In fact, she was more apt to ask their opinion on something and really listen when they answered. Even Abby, who he knew instantly was the shy one, was talking and laughing.
“It’s dark,” Olivia suddenly announced, sitting up in her chair to look at the front windows.
Abby followed her gaze and nodded. “We need to go.”
Kate nodded. “Okay, let’s get our things.”
“I’ll walk you out,” Grimm said, puzzled by their need to leave. It was Friday so there was no school tomorrow, but maybe the girls had a strict bedtime. Hell, what did he know about shit like that?
Kate helped the girls get into their coats as Grimm gathered their bags. As they moved to the doorway, he pulled out his phone. “Can I have your number?”
Kate stopped and watched him for a long moment. He nearly held his breath until she smiled.
“Okay.”
He programmed the number she gave him then pressed a button. Her phone rang, and he smiled. “Now you have my number.”
He ushered them out the door to the well-lit parking lot and followed them to where Kate had parked. She opened the back door and the girls climbed in. She buckled Olivia into her booster seat as Abby climbed into her own. Grimm moved around so he could help her get settled. He asked about the book she’d picked and Abby talked excitedly about her find. He wasn’t quite sure what he was doing, but she helped him figure out how the seat worked. Once he’d finished, she smiled brightly.
“Thanks for helping me, Grimm. And, I’m sorry what I said about your name.”
“It’s okay, Abby. My name is a little odd. I had a good time tonight.”
“Me, too. See you later, okay?”
“You got it.”
Once the girls were buckled in, Grimm came around the car to where Kate stood. They looked at each for a long moment and Kate finally broke eye contact and blushed. Damn, he wanted to kiss her but knew it was too fast, and they still had an audience.
“I’m going to call later to make sure all of you made it home okay.” He opened her car door as she climbed in.
“You don’t have to do that.”
“You’re right,” he murmured low, “but I want to. I need to.”
“Okay, then I’ll wait for your call.”
“Good.”
He watched as they pulled from the parking lot. Now all he had to do was figure out what he was going to do until he could call her. Shaking his head, he disappeared.
Chapter Three
Kate checked the house one last time to make sure everything was locked up tight and the alarm was set. After they’d arrived home, the girls had insisted on walking through the house with her to check it. They always did this if they got home after dark. She couldn’t be angry at them because she had the same need. In the two years since Janie’s murder, Kate had lowered her guard some. In those first days, she’d checked and checked again, over and over, even getting up in the middle of the night. She had nearly driven herself crazy, but as time and distance had separated them from the events, she’d relaxed. Or, at least, relaxed as much as she was ever