“About time!” Jimmy yelled as Mark pulled into his parking space. While Mark and Callie exited the SUV, he jogged to where Maya’s safety seat was strapped in and opened the door, grinning at his niece. As he unbuckled Maya, he said, “I can’t believe you were trying to keep my favorite niece away from me.”
Maya giggled as he put her on his hip. “Uncle Jimmy! I’m your only niece.”
“So?” Jimmy laughed as he tickled her. “You are still my favorite and will probably always be.”
“Here. You are going to need this,” Mark said as he gave Jimmy a cup of coffee from the Copper Pot. He also gave Maya one, smiling as he said, “That is Maya’s second cup of hot chocolate for the day.”
“That’s OK. It means Maya might be able to keep up with me and everything I teach her today.” Jimmy took a long drin
