He held her, sort of gingerly and when she started to wiggle, he wasn't sure if he should grip her tighter or let her down. A slightly panicked look crossed his expressions, and he looked again to Hannah for help, trying to hold onto her, "Oh okay. I should have known you would be working as well. So, what kind of work do you do? You were always so good with the plants, did you get a chance to find a job doing something with them?" he said, as he tried to keep the child steady.
"You like swings, do you?" he said, turning to address the little girl again, "And you have a birthday coming up soon? You will be two? That seems like you would be old enough to go to the beach," and at that he glanced at Hannah, "But only if you think its okay of course. I don't mean to question your judgment at all," he said, wincing inside as he wondered if he'd over crossed some invisible boundary
"Should I put her down? I am not sure what I am doing here," he said, sounding a bit helpless.