Tequila And Tingles: Turtle Pine, Book 2 by Keri Ford Page B

between him and her mother, who was now resting a limp and eye-rubbing boy against her chest. “Can we have a snack?”
    “Not until after lunch.”
    Katie’s lower lip puckered and brows slashed down. It got Jason right on his funny bone, but he resisted laughing. She was just so adorable with her pouting.
    As cute as she looked with her lip out, he put her out of her misery. “I also heard you two like peanut butter sandwiches.”
    Just like that, the lip tucked in, eyes narrowed. Full of distrust, she looked him square in the eye. He pointed to the basket on the table. “It’s all right over there.”
    The four of them made their way across the park toward lunch while the humidity skyrocketed. Dark clouds sank in on the horizon, and it looked like the rain was going to be in town faster than the weatherman had predicted. He opened the basket and set the blanket aside. “With the rain looking that close, I think we better eat right here.”
    “I agree.” Beth gave Kent a little bounce and a shake. “Hey, little man. You hungry?”
    The boy buried his face against Beth’s neck. She patted his bottom. Hair swished against her cheek and softness eased through her mothering eyes. “All right,” Beth said. She winked at Katie. “I guess Katie gets to eat your share of the cookies.”
    Giggles came from the boy. Beth patted him on the bottom again and bounced him. “Katie, can you help Coach Jason? Spread the blanket on the table so I can put Kent down for his nap. Maybe I’ll eat his cookies.”
    There were more giggles and now squirming. Jason was tempted to go over and tickle the kid, but he resisted. He barely knew the boy, and Katie was on edge with him. Beth was on edge. Hell, he was on edge. Kent, the youngest and probably without all his teeth, was the most relaxed one. And the kid was getting hugged and wiggled until he was gasping between belly laughs.
    Beth bounced with him and kept him firmly to her chest. “Shh, sleeping boys don’t laugh.”
    While Beth teased Kent, Katie got the blanket spread out. She pressed the wrinkles and tugged at the ends until it was flat. “No wrinkles or you spill drinks.”
    He unpacked food over the top. “I take it you’ve done this before?”
    “I help Nana set the table.”
    “It looks like you’re the expert. What do we do next?”
    “Plates.” She stood on the bench and dug through the basket. She came out with four paper plates and handed them over. “Set them out. Two on each side.” She pointed at each spot.
    “Yes, ma’am.” He did as told and, before he could finish, she handed him napkins to place down with instructions to put them over the plates.
    The wind picked up, and Katie quickly went through the basket and handed over drinks. “Red juice for me. Purple for Kent. Set them on the napkin to hold the plate down.” She turned her head to the side, eyes serious. A little index finger came up and wagged. “Else we have to chase them down!”
    Her words sounded like they were echoed from someone else. “You’re right.” He held the juice boxes up. “Where do you want to sit?”
    “Next to my mom.”
    Beth eased by, still patting Kent on the bottom. “I might have Kent in my lap. You can sit by Coach Jason.”
    Katie eyed her brother. “Kent, if you sit by Coach Jason at lunch, he’ll push you on the swings.”
    Beth’s eyes narrowed. “Katherine.”
    But the damage was done. A short little boy stretched his fingers out and wiggled them. Jason looked to Beth, trying to find a cue. He was here to get to know Katie, and Beth had made it clear she was uncomfortable with her kids being close to strangers. Heat pooled on the back of his neck with anxious energy, and if he could not screw this all to pieces, that would be great. Beth just nodded.
    He put the drinks around the table accordingly and grabbed the kid. Kent came willing and he held the boy against his side. He could do this. Hopefully.
    “What now?”
    She leaned over the