“Well, that’s just the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard.” Audy scratched his head.
“You see, as adults, this is the kind of conversation we have alone. Then we are presenting a united front.” She forced smile.
“Explain to me why it’s a bad idea?” Audy gave her a hard stare. “’Cause this just doesn’t make a lick of sense to me. Beau is here. Tess is here. They’re both going to the same place. Why make the poor girl walk?”
“I guess I feel like our families are going to be overlapping enough as it is. You and I will be spending more time together because of Joy. But... Maybe it’s not such a good idea for the two of them to be spending too much time together when they have their own lives to keep on leading.” She realized she’d gone too far then. “But you can ride with Beau this morning.”
Silence. Nothing. But all eyes were on her.
Eventually, Beau said, “I don’t want to cause any trouble.” He glanced between Brooke and Audy.
“Me, neither.” Tess shifted the strap of her backpack on her shoulder. “I’m fine walking. Really.”
“Good grief.” Audy rolled his eyes. “Whatever.”
“No. It’s fine.” Brooke pushed. “Thank you, Beau. You two have a good day.” She felt like a fool as the two of them gave her awkward waves and headed out the front door.
Audy waited for the front door to close before he rounded on her. “Their own lives? Too much time together? I’m pretty sure that adding last night the two of them haven’t said more than five words together the whole time they’ve been going to school. And that would be, oh, let me see...at least the last, what, ten years?” Audy’s brow rose. When she didn’t answer, he went on. “What was that all about? Getting a little riled up for no reason. What do you have against my little brother?” He nodded at the front door. “Beau is a good boy. He’s nothing like me, if that’s what you’re thinking.”
“Why do I need to worry about anything?” Brooke decided avoidance was the only option at this point.
“Who said worry? I didn’t say worry. Come on, now, Brooke, I know better. I saw the way you reacted to Forrest last night. You see my little brother’s sweet on your little sister. And I’m pretty sure your little sister is sweet on my little brother.”
“Your point?” Brooke asked.
“No point really. More an observation. And I don’t quite understand why this is getting to you. So much so that your sister is walking to school instead of taking the ride my brother offered her.” Audy was staring at her with his eyes narrowed and his hands on his hips.
“Maybe I just want my sister to keep focused on her schoolwork. And not on boys.” She glared his way. “Even if Beau is a good boy, I think they’re too...young to get involved.”
“Too young?” Audy chuckled. “I’m pretty sure I kissed my first girl long before I had my driver’s license.”
“How nice for you. It sounds super special.”
“All I’m saying is those two are plenty old enough.” Audy held up both hands in defeat. “I get the feeling this is one of those things we’re going to have to agree to disagree on.”
“Agreed.” Brooke turned and tried to look busy tidying up the kitchen—the kitchen that was already clean. “Why don’t we talk about how it’s going to work today.”
“Talk about it? Or instead tell me how we’re doing this? Not that I’m complaining. Considering I have no idea what’s what, I’ll follow your lead.”
“I have to admit, I’m a little shocked you just said that.” Brooke turned and gave him a full head-to-toe once-over. “I’m not sure whether I should be pleased or nervous?”
“I guess you have to wait and see.” Audy chuckled.
Considering it was morning and they were starting a new routine, things went pretty well. Audy put the diaper on inside out and backward twice before he figured out how it actually worked. Luckily, Joy was such a good-natured baby that she giggled and played with her toes throughout the whole ordeal.
Breakfast was definitely an adventure. Audy’s attempts to feed her somehow led to applesauce and rice cereal coating the single curl on top of Joy’s little head. Not to mention the splatter effect all over Audy’s freshly starched and ironed shirt. But, per his request, Brooke stood back and let him handle things.
“I’m thinking she’s gonna need a bath now?” He glanced at Brooke out of the corner of his eye. “And that means she’ll need another diaper, I’m guessing? How many of those things does she go through a day?”
“A lot.” Brooke had to smile at the look on Audy’s face. “Don’t be so hard on yourself, Audy. You actually did well. She ate almost the whole bowl... I mean, what she’s not wearing.” She paused. “Well, and what you’re wearing, too.”
“I should’ve thought to bring a clean shirt.” Audy held the shirt away from him, a frown of disgust forming as a particularly large glob of cereal and applesauce rolled down his shirtfront and onto his jeans. “I guess I should have just worn a raincoat.”
Brooke couldn’t help it, she was laughing. A lot.
“You hear Brooke laughing?” Joy was looking up at him all smiles. “Maybe we should throw applesauce at each other more often.”
Joy slammed her hands against her high chair tray, sending the remainder of the rice cereal and applesauce everywhere.
“Why, thank you, Joy. I needed to make sure that my shirt was evenly coated. Now it is. Good job.” Audy sighed, but he was still smiling.
The more he smiled, the more off-balance Brooke felt. She didn’t like it. Not one bit. “It looks like you’re getting your first bath lesson today.”
“Now, hold on, I’m thinking I should master one thing at a time.” Audy stood and headed to the sink. He ran a dish towel under warm water and started wiping his shirtfront. “I’m still working on diapers. And as you can see—” he held his shirt out “—I’m not exactly dressed for the occasion. She’d get clean and I’d get her covered in this all over again.”
“And now you see why people carry diaper bags everywhere. They’re prepared in case of an emergency.” Brooke moistened a washcloth and set about de-cerealing little Joy. “There is no help for it. You have to have a bath.”
“I’m guessing you don’t have any men’s clothing stashed away somewhere? Something I could change into?”
Brooke shook her head. The last man who had stayed in this house was her father. And that was over ten years ago. Her mother had kept up with him for a year or two but then it was like he dropped off the face of the earth. If he knew that his wife was dead, and his girls were alone, it hadn’t mattered enough to bring him home. Tess had only the vaguest memories of the man—and absolutely no expectations. But Brooke had grown up with a father. At least, until Tess was born and he’d taken a job as a “traveling salesman” that allowed him one week a month home. Then it was a few days. Then his visits got more sporadic. He’d call or write a letter now and then but it could be weeks, then months, before he’d show up. And when he did, he was so handsome and funny and charming that, somehow, her mother would magically forget the worry and stress his long absences caused.
Then he was just gone. No letters, no phone calls, no nothing. Her mother held on for six months, hoping and waiting that he’d show up. He never did. Her mother’s cancer diagnosis came not long after they’d accepted he wasn’t coming home. Brooke could remember the doctor telling her mother to hold on to hope and fight as clearly as if it was yesterday. Mostly, she remembered the look in her mother’s eyes. Her father had robbed her mother of all hope—she’d been no match for cancer. That was why Brooke had pulled every single piece of his clothing, and anything that reminded her of him, and taken them all to the resale shop in town. She didn’t want a single thing in that house to remind her of the man who chose to leave them... The man who forced her to stay home and throw away her hopes and dreams.
As
far as the rest of Garrison knew, their father was dead. When her mom had gotten sick people kept questioning where he was and when he’d be coming home. Initially, her mother had told everyone he was working in South America on the oil fields—which was believable as he’d worked as a roughneck before. But once her mother’s health fell into a deep decline people wondered why he didn’t return—to help out. It was a constant reminder that there was no help coming. Having her father quote “die in a tragic accident” wasn’t too far-fetched. No one had expected a service due to her mother’s health and after her mother passed, it wasn’t mentioned again. Brooke assumed they didn’t want to remind her she’d lost both of her parents. She’d rather live with a lie than have people whisper and gossip about how her father had deserted them. Death wasn’t as scandalous as being deserted.
“No. There hasn’t been a man living here in years, Audy. And I’m pretty sure you couldn’t fit into anything I own.” Brooke shrugged, giving him a quick once-over.
“Probably not, but I certainly appreciate the offer.” Audy kept wiping at his shirt. Instead of cleaning the mess, he mashed everything in the fibers. “Well, this is working.”
“Be thankful she didn’t have green beans. Or prunes. Or sweet potatoes. Then you wouldn’t just have globs of stuff on your shirt, you’d have stains.” Brooke knew there was really only one option. “Want to just go on home now, Audy? You can change, do what you need to do on the ranch and then come back for dinner?”
“And what are you gonna do with Joy? Don’t you have to go to work?” Audy gave up trying to clean his shirt, tossed the towel in the sink and turned to face her.
“Are you offering to take her?” But Brooke already knew what his answer would be.
“Oh, no. Definitely not. She’d probably end up with a diaper on her head... I was just curious how you were going to handle cutting hair while juggling a baby?”
She’d been wondering the same thing. “We’ll have to figure something out. Neither one of us are in the position to stop working and stay home to take care of Joy. Well, at least I’m not. I have bills to pay.” She smiled at Joy and tapped the tip of her little nose. You’re about as precious as they come. “I’m sure it wouldn’t take much for us to find a good nanny or even look into the local day care center. I just feel like leaving her right now is...wrong. I know it’s silly, I know she doesn’t know what’s going on. But I know what’s going on. And I just can’t leave her alone with a whole new set of strangers.”
“I get that.” Audy nodded, looking at Joy. It was hard to miss the tightening of his jaw.
It was a small thing, but it was enough to make Brooke’s lungs and heart ache. She had let herself think about Dara and Kent today. She knew she wasn’t strong enough for that. Better to focus on Joy and Audy and what their new life was going to look like. “Unless you’re just itching to become a stay-at-home caregiver with her?”
“Me? The guy dripping applesauce and rice cereal all over your kitchen floor?” Audy shook his head. “I think that’s a bad idea.” He pushed off the countertop. “If you’re sure you got it for now? I guess I can head back into town about, what, four? Five? I know dinner is at six.”
“Five should do it.” She pulled Joy from the high chair, jiggling her until she giggled. “You and I can have fun today, can’t we, Joy? Just me and you and no stinky boys.”
“I might be a little dirty at the moment, but I am not stinky.”
“I hadn’t noticed.” Brooke shrugged.
“You two have fun, then... As long as there’s no songs about old women eating things.” He put his hands on his hips and tried to look like a disciplinarian. “I have strong objections to that. As you know.”
“I won’t play ‘There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly’ unless Joy needs cheering up. That’s the best I can do.” Brooke spun Joy around again, loving the sound of her giggles.
“I know you’re not keen on the idea, but I do want to let you know that Beau has never said or shown the slightest interest in any young woman in all of Garrison except Tess.” His gaze met hers. “I didn’t even know who she was until I got here. Your Tess is Beau’s Tess. I don’t know if it will make you feel better or worse to know that. But I think it’s a testament to the man he is. He doesn’t take things lightly or play with people’s emotions or say things he doesn’t mean. Not that you’re asking.”
Brooke didn’t like the slight tug inside her chest. As romantic as it sounded, they were both better off admiring one another from afar. “I wasn’t asking. And it doesn’t make me feel better. If anything, it means the two of them shouldn’t be riding to school together anymore.”
Audy’s sigh was over-the-top and dramatic. “Whatever. I guess I’ll be here at five.”
Once Joy had her bath, was in clean clothes and happily playing on the floor, Brooke called the salon. Myrna already knew what was coming. She, Inez and Portia had sat down and divided up her schedule. Not only did Myrna assure her that they had everything under control, she told her to focus one hundred percent of her attention on baby Joy.
“And, yes, you had best expect each of us to show up with food. But only because we want to see that baby girl.” Myrna’s voice was happy. “I’m so glad that their baby girl is right here, safe and sound and loved with you.”
Brooke was too choked up to say a word.
“But is it true about Audy Briscoe? Are the two of you really co-guardians? I understand he and Kent were close but, well, it’s just a surprise, is all.”
“It is.” There was no denying that.
“Of course, this is one of those situations that can change a person. I’ve often thought Audy, being a Briscoe, had it in him to be a good man. Up until now he just didn’t have a reason. I can’t think of a better reason than raising his best friend’s baby girl. If that’s not a reason to step up, I don’t know what is.” She sighed. “You take these four days and you get as much settled as you can.”
“Yes, ma’am. Thank you, Myrna. And please tell Portia and Inez thank you, too.”
“Oh, I wasn’t kidding about all of us dropping by. We can’t wait to meet the little angel, but we’ll give it a few days. You take care, now. We’ll talk later.”
Brooke hung up the phone, mulling over what Myrna had said. There was no arguing Myrna’s logic, but Brooke had known Audy an awful long time. Being a good man had never been high on his priority list. As much as she wanted to think Myrna was right, bits and pieces of his phone call with Forrest still troubled her—especially the part about how some people aren’t meant to be parents. He’d been talking about himself. He tried to deny it when Forrest was here, but she suspected it was how he really felt. If he’d made up his mind that he was one of those people, then all his good intentions didn’t mean anything.
“It doesn’t matter, Joy.” She sat on the play mat beside Joy. “You and me and Tess—” she picked up the patchwork puppet and made it dance “—I’d say we make a pretty nice family, wouldn’t you?”
Joy clapped her hands, watching the puppet dance.
“I’m glad you agree.” Brooke ran a hand over Joy’s curl and took a deep breath. With or without Audy, Joy would grow up in a loving family.
* * *
AUDY HAD TAKEN off his button-up and was in the process of pulling off his equally sticky undershirt as he opened Brooke’s front door. Just his luck, Miss Ruth and Martha Zeigler were standing on the doorstep, clearly stopping by to drop off a covered casserole dish and a large brown paper bag. Miss Ruth, he could handle, but Miss Martha was in a perpetually bad mood. Uncle Felix said she had more money than any one person should have so she didn’t feel beholden to folk about being polite.
“Are you taking off your clothes? Or putting them on?” Martha Zeigler was eyeing him with open disapproval.
Audy proceeded to tug his arm back into the sleeve of his undershirt and smooth it down over
his chest and stomach. “Good morning, ladies. I—”
“Hush now, Martha,” Miss Ruth interrupted. “You leave poor Audy alone. I’m sure he and Brooke are still...working through things. Not just with the baby, but between the two of them.”
Audy nodded his thanks. But one look at the all-too-delighted look on Miss Ruth’s face told him there was a whole different meaning to Miss Ruth’s statement. He was pretty sure it was the sort of meaning he didn’t want attached to him and Brooke. “I was—”
“Humph. Brooke Young is too smart to cast her net for the likes of you, Audy Briscoe.” Martha sniffed, as if she’d caught a whiff of something foul.
Over the years, he’d done his fair share to rile Martha Zeigler. Most of it had been good fun, boys being boys and all that, but she didn’t see it that way. He might have turned a skunk loose in her garden, set off firecrackers on her porch after she’d pushed to ban fireworks for a holiday, shaved her prize collie’s fur and broken out her front window with a baseball—three times—but all of that was years ago. He hadn’t done a thing to her since, preferring to avoid the woman altogether. Why she felt the need to hold on to such childish pranks, he didn’t know. Probably because she had nothing better to do with her time. Still, he didn’t let it get to him. He’d learned humor was the best tool for deflecting insults. “Smart or not, Brooke might not be able to resist all my charm. Guess we’ll have to see.”
Miss Ruth’s eyes all but bugged out of her face.
“You always did have a mouth on you.” Martha stood tall, her hands on her hips, and her gaze sharp and clear. “Too bad you never learned to say anything useful. Or do anything, for that matter. You come from a good family, Audy. Respectable. Such a shame.” Her sigh was long-suffering. “The food is for Brooke, not for you. Not one single bite. As far as I’m concerned, she’s been saddled with two young’uns to bring up on her own.” Her smile was anything but pleasant. “You being one of them, in case you didn’t catch my meaning.”
The Rebel Cowboy's Baby--A Clean Romance Page 10