by Sherry Kyle
“Remember,” Bryan said, “I have a date with Ashley and reservations at six.” Until his girlfriend said yes, he wouldn’t tell a soul about the proposal, not even his sister. Especially not his sister.
“I’m sure I’ll be home by then.” Susan rushed off toward her car.
“I hope so,” Bryan called after her. As his sister drove down the street, he dug his hand in his jeans’ pocket and felt the velvet box.
“Uncle Bryan, do you want to help me build a fort?” ten-year-old Ethan called from the doorway.
He’d rather kick up his feet and relax a while, but that wasn’t going to happen this afternoon. As tired as he was from being around kids all day, he loved his nephews and snagged the opportunity to spend time with them. “Sure, buddy. Where are the ‘twinadoes’?” His eight-year-old nephews, Zachary and Dylan, were a handful, for sure.
“Oh, they’re upstairs.” Ethan stepped aside, and Bryan entered the house.
The dishes were piled high in the sink and on the kitchen counter, and the trash bin overflowed onto the floor. A selection of quilts and blankets covered the kitchen table and hung over the sides, creating a fort underneath.
“Want to play a board game? I have a whole stack.” Ethan pulled back one of the blankets, displaying the mound.
“I’ll play you Battleship, but I’d better check on your brothers first. Why don’t you set it up, and I’ll be right back?”
Ethan’s eyes lit up, and he crawled under the table. The boy was mellow and more of a bookworm, the opposite of Bryan as a child, yet Bryan appreciated his quiet nature.
Climbing the stairs, he dodged the toys and paraphernalia that littered the steps. Since when had his sister stopped cleaning the house?
Hushed voices sounded when he reached the top.
“There he is.”
“Let’s get him.”
Seconds later, tiny marshmallows pelted his chest, arms, and legs and whizzed past his head. Zachary and Dylan’s laughter echoed down the hall.
Bryan was the one who’d purchased the marshmallow shooters. His sister had warned him many times not to buy her sons gifts that would drive her crazy. He laughed. Turnabout was fair play.
“I’m going to get you two.” Bryan raced toward the kids’ bedroom. As he rounded the corner, more marshmallows hit him and whooshed past. “You know the more ammo you fire, the bigger mess you’ll have to clean up.”
The boys ran to hide in their closet.
Bryan lunged forward, picking up marshmallows as he went. “Ready or not, here I come.” He slid the closet door open and opened fire on Zachary and Dylan, who were crouching down on the floor.
“Okay, we give up. Don’t we, Zach?” Dylan laughed.
“Never,” Zachary said.
Bryan reached in and tickled the boy’s belly. With his other hand, he grabbed Dylan and hugged him tight to his chest. “You boys are no match for the king.”
Zachary slid past, jumped up, and aimed his marshmallow shooter at Bryan’s chest, a sinister grin stretching across his face. “Let him go, or I’ll shoot.”
Bryan raised his hands. “Okay, okay. Don’t shoot.”
Dylan grabbed his gun. “Let’s put him in jail.”
Bryan raised a brow. “Jail?”
“Madi’s room. That’s what she calls it.” Zachary’s shoulders slumped a bit. “She’s never home, so …”
Dylan dropped onto one of the twin beds and set his shooter on the floor, suddenly disinterested in the imaginary game they were playing. “Mom’s pretty mad at her for not coming home on the bus today.”
Ethan walked in holding one of the playing pieces from the Battleship game. “What’re you guys doing?”
“Oh,” Bryan said. “Sorry for taking so long—”
“We’re talking about Madi.” Zachary plopped down on the floor.
“I heard Mom talking on the phone to Dad,” Ethan said. “She asked if Madi could live with him, but he said something about it interfering with his new lifestyle, whatever that means.” His forehead creased.
Bryan let out a breath. How could he explain to the kids that people make mistakes, life-altering mistakes, when he didn’t understand himself the reason Paul left? Besides, Bryan wasn’t one to talk. During college, he’d messed up plenty. “I couldn’t say exactly, but it sounds like your dad is making some bad choices right now.”
“That’s what Mom said, too.” Ethan stared at the floor and let out a big sigh.
All their lives were affected by Paul’s abandonment. Bryan’s included. There had to be a way to cheer up his nephews. “How about we play some basketball after I whip Ethan in Battleship?”
“Then can we go out for hamburgers?” Dylan asked.
Zachary nodded. “And make ice cream sundaes?”
“One thing at a time, boys.” Bryan held up a hand. “I’m hoping your mom will be home by dinnertime. I have a date with Ashley.” He tucked his hand in his pocket to make sure the velvet box was still there.
“We’ll stay here while you play Battleship.” Zachary eyed his twin. “Won’t we, Dylan?”
Dylan grinned and nodded.
“Better pick up every last marshmallow.” Bryan rested a hand on Zachary’s shoulder and then guided Ethan to the door. “Looks like your mom has enough trouble keeping up with you guys. The place is a disaster.”
A half hour later, Bryan filled the dishwasher and emptied the trash. Ethan had won the game in record time, and they’d decided to surprise Susan by picking up the house. Ethan folded the blankets and placed them in the wicker basket.
“It’s too quiet,” Ethan said. “Whenever Mom can’t hear them, she sends me upstairs to check.”
“You stay here. I’ll go.” Bryan rushed up the stairs. The doors to all the bedrooms were open, except Madi’s. He leaned in to listen. What were those boys up to? He turned the knob, but the door was locked. “Open up.”
“We’re not done yet,” Zachary called.
“Not done with what?”
“Wait and see.” Dylan giggled.
“Boys, open the door now.”
The click of the lock sounded, and the door swung open.
Bryan’s jaw went slack. The boys had drawn black vertical lines on the walls all around the room. They’d stripped Madi’s bed and stuffed her things in the closet.
“We’re making a jail,” Dylan said.
“Yeah.” Zachary smiled. “Madi should feel right at home.”
Bryan squeezed his eyes shut then opened them. “You didn’t use permanent markers, did you?”
Zachary looked at the marker and shrugged.
Ethan peeked his head into the room. “You guys are going to be in so much trouble!”
Bryan rubbed a temple. He couldn’t have said it better. Single parenting was tough. His sister had her hands full. He glanced at his watch. Five fifteen. Susan better hurry. Otherwise, he’d stand up his girlfriend on the night he was going to ask her to be his wife. That was, if he had time to practice his proposal. He wasn’t going to ask cold turkey. She deserved better.
“Boys, you’d better put the room back the way it was. Saturday, I’ll come by and help the two of you repaint the walls.”
His cell vibrated in his pocket, and he glanced at the screen. Susan. He answered the call.
“Bryan, I’ve been everywhere and can’t find her.” Susan’s voice shook. “None of her friends know where she is. I’m heading to the police station right now. I have a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach. I’m sorry, but I don’t think I’ll be home by six. You mind calling Ashley? She can hang out with you and the boys until I get home.”
Yes, he did mind, but his sister’s tone said she was scared out of her mind. He had a feeling his niece was at the mall. Or at a friend’s house. Of course, he didn’t know that for sure. “Do what you need to do, sis.”
“Thank you. You’re the best.”
He ended the call and let out a deep breath. His planned date and proposal might not h
appen. Why did he feel an odd sense of relief?
3
Ashley clipped the single pearl necklace her grandmother had given her around her neck and checked her reflection in the mirror. Not bad. Her little black dress clung to her trim figure and the teal cashmere sweater added a touch of sophistication. Now if she could get her hair to cooperate. Her auburn curls went down to her shoulders and had a mind of their own. She slipped her feet into high strappy sandals and dabbed perfume on her neck and wrists. Bryan would like the outfit. She was sure of it.
They’d talked for months about what it would be like to be married and how many kids they each wanted. Bryan told her he’d like four, while she would be content with two. He loved his house in the country, while she preferred to live close to the beach. Teaching afforded him time off in the summers to get work done on his property, and on her days off, she liked to travel up the coast. They had different interests, but somehow it didn’t matter. They loved each other, and he would never leave her. Never. A smile curved her mouth as she peered out the front bedroom window looking for her handsome date.
How could she have considered cancelling to search for a dog? Yes, Tanner was friendly and adorable, but he’d find his way into someone’s life and heart. She was sure of it. The Labrador was probably curled up on someone’s couch right now, and she needn’t worry about him. Of course, if Tanner was brought into the wrong clinic, he could be euthanized.
Her coworkers at the animal clinic had shared the gut-wrenching stories about euthanasia. Before entering the room, the animals resisted going in, and many didn’t simply drift off to sleep never to reawaken. They’d yelp and try with all their might to get out of the straps, releasing them from death’s hold. No animal should have to endure that.
She imagined Tanner crouching under the trestle, wet and cold. She worked her lip and folded her arms across her chest. Oh, who was she kidding? Stray dogs died all the time, and if there were a chance she could save Tanner, she would.
Hurry up, Bryan! Before she did something she’d regret … like cancel her date and the slight possibility he might propose.
Bryan pulled his extended cab pickup truck into the driveway.
Ashley let out a breath and waited for the doorbell to ring before opening the door.
Bryan greeted her with a kiss. “Hi, honey. Change of plans.” His three nephews stood beside him on the threshold.
She stepped aside so they could enter.
Bryan motioned to the boys. “Go out back and give us a few minutes alone.”
Ethan tugged on Zachary’s sweatshirt, and the twins followed him through the small dining room and out the sliding glass door to the backyard.
Bryan sent her an appreciative smile. “You look beautiful.”
“Thanks.” She shrugged a shoulder. “I wish I could say the same for you. You look exhausted. And you’re not wearing a suit.”
“I would’ve called you earlier.” Bryan ran his hand through his dark hair. “It’s been a crazy day.”
She reached for his hand. “What’s going on?”
“Susan called the school office. Madison’s been giving her a lot of trouble, and this afternoon she didn’t come home on the bus. Susan asked me to watch the boys while she went out looking for Madi. She’s done this kind of stuff before. Otherwise, my sister would’ve headed straight to the police. She finally did report her missing. Ash, I’m concerned. My sister has enough on her plate with Paul leaving …”
Ashley stepped closer and wrapped her arms around his neck. She planted a kiss on the side of his jaw and held him close. “I love it that you’re such a caring brother.”
“But our date, it was going to be special.” Bryan rested his chin on the top of her head then pulled back. “You wouldn’t want to go out for hamburgers with the boys and me, would you?”
“You know I like your nephews, right?”
Bryan nodded. “But …?”
“But those twins are a handful, and honestly there’s something I need to take care of.”
“Scrapbooking already, huh?”
“No, I haven’t started yet.” Ashley bit the inside of her cheek. “Remember that dog I told you about last night?”
“The one you planned on bringing into the shelter this morning?”
“Yes, that’s the one. He took off, and I was hoping to search for him—”
“Now?” Bryan’s brows puckered. “But you’ve got to eat. Come with us and look for him in the morning.”
Sounded as if he’d had a rough day, and she’d rather not start a fight. But how could she make him understand that unless they were going to be alone, she’d rather hunt down Tanner?
A crashing noise sounded from somewhere in the backyard. Ashley raced toward the sliding glass door, and Bryan followed.
Dylan was on the ground next to the big metal bin she used to wash the dog, which lay sideways on the cement patio, along with a couple of broken pots. Dirt and flowers lay in a haphazard mound.
Zachary pointed to Dylan. “He did it.”
“It was an accident,” Dylan said. “I was running and tripped.”
Ashley glanced across the yard at Ethan lying in the hammock with his eyes closed and ear buds in his ears, totally oblivious to what was going on.
Bryan helped up Dylan. “Ask Ashley where she keeps the broom. You two are cleaning up this mess.”
“Don’t worry about it,” Ashley said. “I’ll do it.”
“We’ll need to stop by the store to at least replace what you broke.”
Dylan’s bottom lip quivered. “But I don’t have any money.”
“We’ll work out something later. Come on, boys. Let’s get out of here before something else happens. Sorry, Ash.”
Could she search for Tanner with a clear conscience when Bryan obviously had his hands full? It wasn’t as if he planned on taking care of his nephews tonight. “If you give me a minute to change, I’ll go to dinner with you and the boys.”
Bryan’s shoulders visibly relaxed. “I appreciate that, but after what they’ve done today, they don’t deserve to go out. I’m taking them home.”
“You sure?”
Lines etched Bryan’s forehead. “Positive.”
Ashley walked Bryan and his nephews to the front door.
“Bet I can beat you to Uncle Bryan’s truck.” Dylan took off down the walk toward the vehicle parked against the curb.
“You sure you don’t want me to come with you?” Ashley raised a brow.
“I know you, Ash.” Bryan leaned over and kissed her cheek. “The whole time you’d be wishing you were scoping out the neighborhood for that dog.”
Caught. Yes, Bryan knew her well.
“I know you love animals, but are you sure you’re not searching for something else?” His question caught her off guard.
“Like what?”
Bryan shook his head. “I don’t know.”
“Call me tonight?”
“The minute Susan walks through the front door.” Bryan gave her a half-hearted smile. “These kids wear me out. I don’t know how she does it.”
“And you’re the one who wants four,” Ashley teased.
“Yeah,” Bryan said, “but they’ll be ours.”
It was ten o’clock before the garage door opened, relieving Bryan from his babysitting duties. His nephews had gone to bed a half hour ago, and he lay in the recliner watching an old John Wayne movie.
“Take a shower and go straight to bed.” Susan instructed her daughter as they walked into the family room.
Madi walked past without glancing his way. Heavy footsteps pounded up the stairs.
Bryan pushed to a seated position. “Where’d you find her?”
“Pacific Garden Mall coming out of the movie theater.” Susan dropped onto the sofa. “She was with that boy I told you about earlier.”
“How’d you know where to look?”
“I finally got one of Madi’s friends to fess up. Madi had texted her, bragging about
having a date with a high school senior.”
“I’m glad you found her. Are you going to call Paul?”
“He’s in Las Vegas on a business trip.” Susan shook her head and spoke through clenched teeth. “He sounded casual and relaxed when I called. Says Madi’s going through a phase.”
A phase? Didn’t Paul care about his daughter? Bryan balled his fists and then cracked his knuckles one finger at a time. “But she was missing.”
“Some father, huh?”
“I don’t know what to say. He’s definitely not thinking of anyone but himself right now. Maybe he’s having a midlife crisis.”
Susan hugged a sofa pillow to her chest. “I don’t know. I can’t figure him out. You, on the other hand, have been wonderful. Thank you for watching the boys. How were they?”
Bryan wanted to be honest, but after the night Susan had, maybe it was better if he told her in the morning, unless—
A scream pierced the air. “Mom!” Madi’s voice echoed down the hall, giving him no option but to tell Susan the truth.
“Before you go up there, Zach and Dylan were up to their shenanigans. They drew black lines on Madi’s walls.”
“They did what?” The corners of Susan’s mouth fell and her brows puckered. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”
“No. I’m not. They said Madi keeps saying she’s in jail, so they decided to make her one. Hey, if you have any leftover paint, I’ll stop by tomorrow and help the boys repaint the room.”
“You don’t have to do that. I’ll deal with it—”
“Mom!” Madi cut into their conversation once again.
“I better go talk with her.” Susan stood. “Mind seeing yourself out?”
“Not at all, but do you need help talking with Madi before I go?”
“No, but thank you. You’ve done enough for one night.”
Bryan gave Susan a brotherly hug. “Take care of yourself and call me if you need anything.”
“It may be sooner than you’d like.”