"They're doing good work," Cooper said as if he'd researched the church and the food bank before he came.
I wondered if he'd ever needed a food bank, and that was the reason why he came. I didn't remember seeing his family here when I was in school.
I explained what they'd need to do and then rushed to assist my brothers when they arrived. Everyone was here, including Ayla. She was excited to help, and I placed her with Cooper.
When Cooper raised a brow, I said, "You can help hand out paper towels and toilet paper."
Cooper leaned in to whisper, "Shouldn't she be with her mom and Hudson?"
"We usually put the younger kids in this section. Everything is prebagged, so it's easy and fun for them." I wanted to see how he'd interact with a child too. He was strung so tight; I wasn't sure he'd be able to relax.
All my brothers helped out with Ayla, but I'd never seen Cooper interact with her. In fact, if I was remembering correctly, he usually avoided her.
To my surprise, he said to her, "I'm going to need your help. There're so many stickers. It's all a jumble."
"Weren't you listening?" Ayla laughed and then told him everything I'd already explained to him.
He lifted his head and winked at me. He was playing dumb to make her feel important.
I let out a breath and moved away from their table. He wasn't supposed to be good with kids. I wanted a reason to continue to hate him after all this. But he came and was taking care of Ayla. It was getting harder to hold a grudge against him.
I'd have to avoid him for the rest of the morning.
I moved around the room, answering questions.
When it was time to start, Ron led us in a prayer, naming parishioners and volunteers who'd had surgeries this week.
I wasn't particularly religious, but I loved the community that they'd built here. And it had been mine before my family arrived. I just hoped it was something I could call my own after they left.
I didn't volunteer for recognition or respect. It was something I enjoyed, and I didn't want my participation dissected.
Would this change their mind about me? I told myself it didn't matter what they thought. But there was a little girl inside me who still needed their approval.
The line started moving, and then I was too busy to worry about it. I glanced over at Cooper every now and then. He opened boxes with his keys and helped Ayla restock. When I walked by, he encouraged Ayla to talk to a patron, and my heart skipped a beat.
He seemed like a good guy. His actions today didn't make the crush go away. In fact, they had the opposite effect. I was hyperaware of where he was in the room and swore I could feel his gaze following me.
I focused on ensuring the line was moving inside and out. Cars would park in the front spots. Then when those patrons were done shopping, we moved the next group into those spots. It was a busy three hours, and when the number of people arriving slowed, I helped put everything away.
I was surprised when my brothers and Cooper stuck around to help with the tables and chairs.
I walked outside with them. My family was so large; they formed a circle on the sidewalk.
Ford raised a brow. "It's cool that you do this."
I let out a breath. "I wasn't looking for brownie points."
He chuckled. "I suppose not. But it was fun. We'd like to come back."
Morgan smacked him in the chest. "He's probably too embarrassing to ask back. But I can come again."
I rolled my eyes at their antics. "You're all welcome to come back anytime you want."
"We're going to brunch. You coming?" Hudson pulled me in for a side hug.
"Sure." I wondered if Cooper was going too.
My brothers wandered to their trucks, leaving Cooper standing in front of me. "Did you have a good time?"